San Antonio Riverwalk

[ConnecticutYankee]

Has anyone been to San Antonio, TX to the Riverwalk? We are interested in going and would like recommendations for hotels, restaurants and site seeing trips. Thanks, Kathy

[keithwand]

Go when they have the Christmas Parade of boats and all the trees are lit. Beautiful.

[manaboutown]

May want to move this to the Travel Forum.

[ConnecticutYankee]

Good idea.....how do I move it?

[Villageswimmer]

You can find lots of info online. Frankly, I was a bit disappointed in it. Water is dirty and lots of loud bars line the river walk. I wasn't there at Christmas. I would think it might be impressive decorated with Christmas ornaments and lights. JMHO.

[Xcuse]

You can find lots of info online. Frankly, I was a bit disappointed in it. Water is dirty and lots of loud bars line the river walk. I wasn't there at Christmas. I would think it might be impressive decorated with Christmas ornaments and lights. JMHO.

We didn't get in the river,but we enjoyed a few of the loud bars.:laugh:

[justjim]

We were there in 1968 during the Hemis-Fair (I think that was what it was called) and it was beautiful then. We stayed in a hotel right across from the fair and on the river. Whoa, that was many moons ago and things change. We always planned to go back---but it is way down on our bucket list because we were there once.

Let us know how it is today if you go. AAA should be able to help.

[mtdjed]

We stayed at the Omni Mansion right on the river and about 1/4 miles from The Alamo.

Hotel might be a bit pricey but was great. I would perhaps suggest using that as perhaps a benchmark regarding area to stay near.

We were there during the Christmas decoration time and parade of boats. Was great

[DruannB]

I went as a travel writer back in the 90's. I went during the Christmas season. I loved the downtown street markets, riding a tourist boat down the riverwalk, and listening to the nighttime caroling. I was never bored. We stayed at a hotel on the riverwalk, but I don't remember the name. It was within walking distance of the Alamo, which was a disappointment. It's so small! And across from fast food venues. That didn't seem right. I would do it again if given the opportunity.

[jnieman]

We have been there 2 times. Really liked it both times. Love the ride down the river. It has been at least 10 years since we were there so things may have changed since then. I would go on TripAdvisor: Read Reviews, Compare Prices & Book (http://www.tripadvisor.com) and type it in the search boxes. In the search at the top under "where are you going" - type in San Antonio, TX. Under "what are you looking for" type in River Walk. Tons of current reviews of river walk. Then change "what you are looking for" to Riverwalk Hotels and tons of those will come up. I saw many reviews on there as late as yesterday.

[Carla B]

We were there Christmas before last. It was very cold but we enjoyed the boat ride at night with all the lights. Many years ago we stayed at La Mansion when it was more affordable. The suggestion to look for hotels and restaurants is a good one.

[ConnecticutYankee]

Great! Thank you! We are looking into going in April 2016. I've sent for a book on The Riverwalk from Chamber of Commerce. I'll check out Trip Advisor reviews. Thanks for the suggestions.

[tomwed]

We stayed in a timeshare right on the river walk about 5 years ago. It was very fancy. There was some kind of rodeo going on and the cowboys added to the ambiance. We saw to a bull riding event. There's some jazz music at a spot featured on NPR and a theater that's pretty old with acts like they have in the grand old opry as I remember it. I think it's a great place for a vacation when the weather is cool.

[davekroupa]

Stay at the Hyatt on the river walk. Beautiful hotel across from the Alamo. Any of the restaurants on the river walk are great. Spent many Thanksgiving's visiting San Antonia. Planning a trip back soon.

[Navy (SSBN 633)]

Great city to visit...we stayed at the Marriott there...very close to all of the attractions. recommend not visiting in summer....WOW thought the heat in Florida was bad but this took your breath away...grins.....we were there in August...ugh

[Mickedamouse24]

:BigApplause:April is normally a busy month because of Fiesta Week! Check out the dates for it and all the festivites that are associated with Fiesta! Actually a very great and entertaining time!!! Viva Fiesta!!!

[keithwand]

Marriott on the waterfront is always a good choice.

[CathyandSteveG]

We have stayed at the grand hyatt, the hyatt, marriot and embassey suites on the river walk. We liked the Grand hyatt the best. There are lots of wonderful restaurants and bars all along the riverwalk. April is great because it is festival and Christmas is also great. San Antonio is a wonderful city to visit....and the riverwalk is a must do!

[CT514s]

Loved it ! A city that has a very special personality. Stayed at the Hyatt on the Riverwalk and then at La Mansion. A bit pricey, but worth it. Be sure to take one of the jitney tours around the city and a Riverwalk boat cruise is a must. We were lucky enough to make it a dinner cruise. Hope to go again. P.S....... Bring good walking shoes !

[Carl in Tampa]

The advice to look around on TripAdvisor is good advice.

Visit:
1. Boat ride on The Riverwalk.
2. The Alamo
3. El Marcado (The Marketplace, downtown. A variety of shopping places and eating places.) If you are fortunate the outdoor entertainers with the Pan Flutes will be playing.
4. Dine at Mi Tierria in the Marketplace. If you are not seated in the back room, walk back there to see the historic decorations on the wall, in bas relief.
5. Visit some of the historic Spanish Missions. There may be an organized tour for this.
6. If there is something being presented at The Majestic Theater, go to it. They often have Broadway shows there. I saw Phantom of the Opera, Cats, The Lion King and others there. It is a historic building with very ornate decorations.

Avoid the heat of mid-Summer. I spent my teen years in San Antonio, so was not surprised by the heat and humidity when I returned to visit, but many people are surprised by the humidity so far inland.

I have not stayed at the Drury on the River, but once did some research on it. It looked a tad less expensive than some of the others. You might want to look into it.

When I was last there as a tourist I did take the ride up to the top of the Tower of the Americas and had lunch. Pricey, but interesting.

If you rent a car, it is not too far to drive up to the University of Texas at Austin, and to visit the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library. I believe it is the only Presidential Library that does not charge admission. From there you could drive over to Stonewall, Texas, and visit the LBJ Ranch. I understand that in recent years they have permitted tours inside of the residence.

Caution: If you do this in one day you will probably be driving back to San Antonio after dark through the Texas hill country, which is greatly overpopulated with deer. Drive with care and at a speed within the range of your headlights.

If, at some time in the future you head toward Houston, I can give you some other excellent places to visit.

Enjoy Texas. The name is derived from the Indian word Tejas, which means Friendly.

[rcbray]

We are from San Antonio and just moved here two months ago. They have done a lot of work on the river area and have expanded it about a mile taking in other new venues. It is pretty during Christmas time and you will find the people very friendly.