On our recent spring break vacation, my family visited the San Antonio River Walk in downtown San Antonio. This beautiful spot, also known as the Paseo Del Rio, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Texas and is home to countless hotels, beautiful scenery, restaurants, and small shops.
Located one story below street level, the San Antonio River Walk initially gained popularity during the 1968 World’s Fair in San Antonio. It’s a great “home base” for your San Antonio family vacation, and there are a number of hotels that you can stay in. Some of these hotels and restaurants can be accessed by the street and the river level.
We chose to stay at the Omni La Mansion Del Rio, which is located in the busy section of the River Walk. It was the perfect place and a great option for a family vacation because it also has an outdoor pool. If you plan to stay there, here are some family things to do on the San Antonio River Walk, where you’ll find some of the most popular attractions in the state.
Disclosure: Our lodging and airfare was booked and paid for by us. I did visit this hotel and destination several years ago as part of a Cooper Tire press trip before going on the family vacation paid for by us. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included – if you click on/purchase from one of these links, we may receive a commission.
Family Things to Do on the San Antonio River Walk
Boat Tour of the San Antonio River Walk
If you are visiting the San Antonio River Walk, you absolutely have to take a San Antonio Riverwalk boat ride. Rio San Antonio Cruises operates a number of riverboat rides, including narrated tours, river taxis, and dinner boats. The newest boats are different from the ones pictured in this post. The new boats are electric and quieter than the original boats.
You can purchase tickets there. There are also package tours that include tickets to the Tower of the Americas and a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, which can be purchased in advance.
We chose to take a riverboat on our second full day in San Antonio. After walking the short distance to the ticket booth to purchase our tickets, we boarded the next narrated river cruise (expect lines during busy times, including weekends and days in the summer months). Since it was a Monday, and the weather was overcast with a chance of rain, we didn’t have to wait.
The boat trip takes about 30 minutes, and the guide/driver narrates the whole trip. We found it entertaining and educational – and the kids thought it was one of the best parts of the trip. It’s a great way to hear about the rich history of San Antonio.
Narrated trips run for 35 minutes, and run every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Boats can accommodate about 40 passengers.
During the holiday season, you can take one of several holiday tours, including a holiday narrated cruise that should be reserved in advance.
If you are visiting during a busy time of the year, it’s best to purchase tickets and board early. There are loads of these boats going up and down the river all day long, but there are also lines to access the boats!
They also offer a water taxi that goes up and down the river. Tickets are sold on board, but they don’t make scheduled stops, so you have to call for them when you see them going by. Riverboats can be differentiated from tour boats by the checkered flags in the back. The River Walk is pretty walkable, but taking a water taxi definitely can be lots of fun.
If you’d like a special experience, some of the restaurants on the River Walk offer dinner cruises. These have to be reserved in advance – talk to the specific restaurant if you are interested. That could be a really fun way to experience the River Walk.
Walking the San Antonio River Walk
Although we loved the boat tour, it’s also fun to walk on the River Walk. Keep in mind that it’s a narrow sidewalk, and there are no guardrails in most spots, so definitely supervise young children.
Strollers are allowed, but you’ll either have to use the various elevators down to the River Walk or carry your stroller down. If you have a stroller, it may be worth taking your walk earlier before things get busy.
You’ll be able to cross the River Walk at various points through beautiful bridges. Be sure to stop in the specialty shops. You may even hear some live music as you walk.
Eating on the San Antonio River Walk
There are so many delicious and fun restaurants on the River Walk, from popular chain restaurants like the Rainforest Cafe to local, independent restaurants. We had some recommendations from friends but also relied on Yelp and our hotel concierge to get other ideas since there’s a large variety of restaurants. Here were our favorites:
Casa Rio – the oldest restaurant on the River Walk, Casa Rio (pictured above) is also the most photogenic and one of the best restaurants in the area. You’re likely to find a wait during busy times. Their cuisine is traditional Mexican/Tex-Mex. It’s a fun location on the busy part of the River Walk and is a great spot to sit outside and people watch.
Boudro’s on the River Walk – this was our favorite restaurant. It gets very busy, so make a reservation, especially if you want to eat outside. We loved the filet, the shrimp and grits, and the prickly pear margaritas. We loved it so much that we went here twice.
Acenar – we ate here when we first arrived in San Antonio, and we all loved our meals. It’s a great spot for authentic, delicious Mexican food.
Margaritas on the San Antonio River Walk
Of course, assuming you are of legal drinking age, you’ll want to try a margarita. Our favorite was the prickly pear margarita at Boudro’s. You’ll find lots of different restaurants offering various types of margaritas, and everyone I sampled was delicious.
Beyond the San Antonio River Walk
There are several attractions within walking distance of the River Walk, including Ripley’s Believe It or Not and the Alamo. Other activities include the Pearl District (check out the Hotel Emma), the San Antonio Missions, SeaWorld San Antonio (where you’ll find thrilling rides), the San Antonio Zoo, Brackenridge Park, and the San Antonio Museum of Art.
See more things to do in San Antonio with kids.
Want to stay on the River Walk? I’d recommend either the Drury Inn and Suites or the Omni La Mansion Del Rio. You can also check out the map below for more options:
Planning a San Antonio vacation? Click to read all of our reviews, tips, and vacation planning ideas for your next family vacation to San Antonio.
