San Antonio walking tour & city guide

The River Walk

The Paseo del Río, or River Walk, is a network of shaded pathways along the San Antonio River, one level below the downtown streets. It is lined with restaurants, bars and hotels, and colorful river barges carry visitors along the water. The Museum Reach section leads north to the Pearl District, a former brewery turned into a lively area of shops, restaurants and a farmers' market.

The Alamo and the missions

The Alamo, a former Spanish mission, is where Texan defenders fought the Mexican army in 1836, and it remains a symbol of Texas. Four more 18th-century missions, connected by a riverside trail, form the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mission San José, the 'Queen of the Missions', is the largest.

Market Square, known as El Mercado, is the largest Mexican market in the United States, with crafts, music and food.

Visiting tips

Summers are very hot, so walk the River Walk in the morning or evening. Fiesta San Antonio in April is the city's biggest party, and in December the River Walk is lit with thousands of lights.