Welcome to the River City, basketball fans and friends! When you’re in Downtown San Antonio, you’re always just steps away from art, culture, nature, and activities along the San Antonio River that flows through the heart of the city.
In between the big games and fan events, we hope you find time to take in some of the beautiful natural spaces, cultural landmarks, and public art the River City has to offer.
Let the River Be Your Guide
You can find some of the city’s most-visited destinations right along the San Antonio River.
From the world-famous Downtown River Walk to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, explore our river way and you’ll discover many of the city’s celebrated cultural sites.
Downtown River Walk
The section of the River Walk most visitors are familiar with is the Downtown Reach. In this part of the River Walk, you can find the Shops at Rivercenter mall, La Villita historic arts village, and The Briscoe Western Arts Museum.
Head up to street level near Rivercenter, and you’re a short walk away from The Alamo, Hemisfair Park, and the Tower of the Americas.
San Antonio River Museum Reach
On the North side of Downtown is the Museum Reach, named for the San Antonio Museum of Art, which you can find on this part of the river. Just north of the museum is The Pearl, one of the city’s most popular entertainment districts. The Pearl has several shops and excellent restaurants, and a large outdoor courtyard that hosts events including farmers markets and artisan markets every weekend.
If you walk to the Museum Reach from Downtown, you’ll pass the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, a premier venue that hosts theatrical shows, operas, classical performances, comedy acts, and concerts across a wide range of genres.
In front of the Tobin Center is the Veterans Memorial Plaza, where multiple war memorial statues and plaques honor our service members. Further north along the river, you can find VFW Post 76, the oldest VFW post in Texas which also serves as a canteen and gathering spot.
San Pedro Creek Culture Park
On the west side of Downtown is the San Pedro Creek, an historic creekbed around which much of the city was originally built. Now, it’s the site of San Pedro Creek Cultural Park, a linear park adorned with public art—bringing together history, culture, and nature into one beautiful experience. Along the San Pedro Creek, you can also see Ruby City, a contemporary art center featuring works from local and international artists.
Between the Downtown Reach and San Pedro Creek Cultural Park, you can also see the San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest continuously operating cathedral in the country. Get there at 9 or 9:30 p.m. on any day (except Monday), and you can catch San Antonio | The Saga, a video art installation projected onto the cathedral that tells the story of our city.
Southtown
Head south from Downtown along the River, and you’ll soon find yourself in the King William Cultural Arts District and among Southtown’s food and arts scene.
The Blue Star Arts Complex is the art hub of Southtown. Just steps from the river, Blue Star is home to several art galleries, restaurants, bars, and shops. On the first Friday of each month, Blue Star becomes the center of Southtown’s First Friday Art Walk, where all kinds of artists come to show and sell their work.
Further south, beyond Southtown, is the Mission Reach area. The Mission Reach starts at the Blue Star Arts Complex and extends down to Mission Espada, the southernmost site of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park — the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. The Mission Reach area has 16 miles of biking and hiking trails and 8 miles of paddling trails for canoers and kayakers, making it a perfect place to enjoy nature while getting some exercise.
Eat Along the River
Museum Reach
Eat Along the River
Downtown
- Biga
- Boudrou’s on the Riverwalk
- Domingo Restaurant
- Fiume Pizzeria and Wine Bar
- Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse
- Tokyo Cowboy
Eat Along the River
Southtown
Appreciate Public Art Along the River
All throughout Downtown and along the San Antonio River, you’ll find public art installations celebrating the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. Walking along the river, you’ll encounter dozens of unique pieces, including:
- “F.I.S.H”, arguably the most recognized installation on the river. The colorful school of 25-foot, glowing fiberglass sunfish “swim” in the breeze of the I-35 underpass.
- “Under the Over Bridge” at the 9th Street underpass, a glowing installation in which visitors literally find themselves inside a painting.
- “Sonic Passage” at the Jones Avenue bridge underpass allows folks to walk through an audio installation before deciding whether to ascend to the street level.
- “Bellos Recuerdos del Teatro Alameda y Tiempos Pasados (Beautiful Memories of the Alameda Theater and Times Passed)” at the San Pedro Creek Culture Park celebrates the history and community of the historic theater.
Attend a Free, Family-Friendly, Local Event
Relax With a Basin Meditation
Is the team you came to cheer on causing frustration? Or are the festivities leaving you in need of a moment of peace and quiet? Take the edge off with a Basin Meditation.
