San Antonio Riverwalk Expands
Texas Tourist Destination Adds River Access to Cultural Sites
Aug 10, 2009
Known for its Tex-Mex dining, margaritas, and tourist-filled boat tours, the original San Antonio Riverwalk meanders about one and half miles throughout the city's downtown. Visitors can stroll down riverside pathways to check out theaters, shops, night clubs, hotels, bars, and historic buildings.
Boat tours offer a relaxed way to explore the original Riverwalk, while learning about the site's history. The Riverwalk's charm has been a part of special celebrations such as the NBA San Antonio Spurs' river parade and even Hollywood films such as Sandra Bullock's Miss Congeniality. The culturally rich Riverwalk - with it's festive ambiance and striking views - has been the city's gem since it's opening in 1941.
San Antonio Riverwalk Mission Reach Expansion
And soon San Antonio's downtown attraction will include more than just the city center. Plans include boosting the Riverwalk from about one and a half miles to 13 miles by 2014. The expansion would connect the original Riverwalk to four of San Antonio's Spanish colonial missions located in the south of the city.
The $279 million renovation aims to preserve the city's natural landscape, and focus on eco-tourism and historic preservation, according to the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau. Plans for the more serene and eco-friendly expansion include:
- a hike and bike trail
- more than 20,000 native trees
- acres of native grasses
- 113 acres of aquatic habitat
- 300 acres of riverbank habitat
- pedestrian bridges
The San Antonio River Foundation, which has raised funds for the project, hopes the expansion brings economic, community, and environmental benefits to the city. The Riverwalk expansion, according to the San Antonio Express-News, "has been decades in the planning and involved political maneuvering at the local and federal levels."
San Antonio Riverwalk Museum Reach
Now open for visitors, the first phase of the Riverwalk's expansion leaves behind the hustle and bustle of the lively original Riverwalk and gives visitors a more relaxed experience that focuses on nature, innovation, and art. Guests can experience a river ride through the only lock and dam system in Texas that resembles a mini Panama Canal.
The Riverwalk's new northern stretch, called the Museum Reach, connects the original section to the:
- San Antonio Museum of Art, famous for its Latin American folk art collection and stunning city views
- The Pearl - a historic brewery converted to an urban sanctuary complete with a weekly Farmer's Market, shops, restaurants, cosmetology school, culinary school, and fitness studios
The urban segment of the Riverwalk also features the largest array of solar panels in Texas and will be the future site of a riverside amphitheater, which is expected to begin construction in 2010.
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