The River Walk is a network of paths along the San Antonio River, one level below the downtown streets. The central loop is lined with restaurants and hotels; the Museum Reach runs north to the Pearl, and the Mission Reach heads south toward the Spanish colonial missions.
The horseshoe-shaped central stretch, with La Villita arts village, the Arneson River Theatre and the busiest run of riverside restaurants.
Narrated boat tours and a hop-on river taxi run the downtown section. Tickets are bought at riverside kiosks or online.
North to the Pearl and the San Antonio Museum of Art, or south along a landscaped greenway toward Missions Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan and Espada.
The walkways are free and always open. River cruises and the Alamo grounds are separate. The four southern missions are a national historical park with free entry. Confirm cruise prices and mission hours on thesanantonioriverwalk.com and nps.gov/saan.
The tourist-heavy downtown loop, the quieter cultural Museum Reach, and the long natural Mission Reach are quite different. Pick by mood and time.
A short narrated boat trip is a good way to get your bearings on the downtown section before exploring on foot.
The Mission Reach connects to the San Antonio Missions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes the Alamo. It is a full, rewarding day by bike or with a shuttle.
Is the River Walk free?
Yes. Walking any part of it is free and it never closes. You only pay for boat cruises, tours and attractions along it.
How much is a river cruise?
A GO RIO sightseeing cruise is a modest ticket price, with a separate day pass for the river taxi. Check current prices on the official River Walk site.
Can I walk to the missions?
You can cycle or walk the Mission Reach greenway south from downtown. It is long, so many visitors bike it or use the mission shuttle.
Is it safe at night?
The downtown loop is busy and lit into the evening. The outer reaches are quieter, so plan those for daylight.
The River Walk, or Paseo del Rio, began with flood-control work in the 1920s and 1930s and has grown into roughly 15 miles of pedestrian paths along the San Antonio River through and beyond downtown.
It links the central dining and hotel district with the Pearl development and the San Antonio Museum of Art to the north, and with the Spanish colonial missions to the south. It is one of the most visited attractions in Texas and is managed by the City of San Antonio.
This page is an independent guide for visitors. It is not affiliated with the City of San Antonio or GO RIO.
