36 Hours in San Antonio

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) to River Center

20-minute ride

889 E Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Arriving in San Antonio just after dinner time we easily caught an UBER from the San Antonio Airport (SAT) to our River Center hotel. This was the perfect intro to the San Antonio Riverwalk, located just at the tip of its interior horseshoe. The UBER from San Antonio airport to the hotel took about 20 minutes for a fare of $15.30.

*A view of the downtown area of San Antonio from our hotel*

After our arrival and check-in we were given room 3125 on the 31st floor and with a good view of the city. We quickly left the room and went about exploring the area.

Our night-time exploration involved the circular loop of the Riverwalk with a quick scout of the Alamo’s location before settling in at Durty Nellie’s Irish Pub for some good food, Guinness and piano entertainment.

Saturday

10-minute walk

The next day we were out of the hotel mid-morning. We decided to start our visit with the Alamo. We had heard tales about the mission in San Antonio famously known for its siege by Mexican forces in 1836.

5-minute wait to enter

Upon arrival we queued in a short line and entered through the doorway of the Church of the Alamo. There were no entrance tickets or fee’s required to enter, unless you wanted to purchase an audio headset or guided tour. There was also no photography inside the church.

The Alamo

1.5-hour visit

300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205

Besides the Church and Long Barracks the surrounding land of the Alamo has been consumed by the progress of time. And, though the grounds are significant not much visually remains outside of these structures. Nonetheless, it was well worth a visit.

The site has a good museum with artifacts of the era and an awesome interactive map that switched between how things are today and how they would have appeared back then. Walking the grounds, we also came across an encampment of reenactment soldiers on the premises.

*Texan and Mexican Uniforms at the Battle of The Alamo*

Soon we got hungry and decided to seek out lunch.

Rita’s on the River

15-minute walk

245 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205

We settled on Rita’s on the River, a casual Tex-Mex eatery and a quaint table sitting just inches from the riverwalk. It was the perfect location to breathe in the beauty of the area whilst dining on a meal of Flauta’s, Tacos and Piña Colada’s. With a good view, and a Mariachi band playing in the background, the mood was all set for an afternoon lunch.

*Rita’s on the River was a great place to watch all the action*

*Little pubs and eateries line the Riverwalk*

Soon we needed some movement and began our walk from the interior of the Riverwalk horseshoe to the Pearl about 3 miles north of the touristy zone.

Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

20-minute walk

100 Auditorium Cir, San Antonio, TX 78205

Taking in the natural and man-made beauty of the Riverwalk we soon passed by the Tobin Center, San Antonio’s performing arts center. The theatre is named after Robert Tobin, one of San Antonio’s most prominent residents.

*The landscaping along the Riverwalk is breathtaking*

Brooklyn Locks

5-minute walk

510 Brooklyn Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215

Just a quick walk and we have reached the Brooklyn Locks. This network of locks permits boats to move from the Riverwalk horseshoe area to the Pearl Brewery and back. It consists of a two-lock system which permits one boat to travel in each direction simultaneously.

*The Brooklyn Avenue dam and lock system*

VFW Post 76

5-minute walk

10 10th St, San Antonio, TX 78215

We took the time to venture inside the manor house of VFW Post 76, the oldest VFW post in Texas. After a twenty-minute conversation with the proprietors, they invited us to visit the memorial room.

*VFW Post 76 is the oldest post in Texas*

*Another beautiful view of the Riverwalk*

The Luxury

1-Minute Walk

103 E Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215

About a minute from VFW Post 76 we stumbled upon The Luxury. A picnic grounds overlook the Riverwalk consisting of two food trucks. One truck featured an extensive beer list and the other offers a variety of fried fare and burgers.

*The unique atmosphere is enjoyable and relaxing*

The outdoor area is partially covered and includes tables and wide wooden swing seats overlooking the San Antonio Riverwalk. We latched onto one of the swings and ordered the Double Bleached French fries with war sauce, consisting of ketchup, mayo, scallions, onions, and of course a Guinness Stout.

*There is a great view of the Riverwalk from the swings*

The Grotto (artworks: sculpture)

10-minute walk
1277 Camden St, San Antonio, TX 78215

Before long we were back traveling past the sights and sounds of the Riverwalk until passing by The Grotto near the San Antonio Museum of Art. This concrete enclave, circa 2009, contains stalagmites, stalactites and a small waterfall along with other intricate carvings.

*A view of The Grotto from the opposite side of the Riverwalk*

The Pearl

5-minute walk

303 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215

The Pearl is the end of the line for the GO Rio Shuttle Service from the touristy area of San Antonio. It is so named as home to the Pearl Brewery.

*The well-manicured landscaping is often used in wedding photos*

The entirety of the walk from the Riverwalk horseshoe to the Pearl is literally a paradise on Earth. If you have time during your visit, you should certainly make the trip.

Go Rio Cruises

30-minute River Shuttle ride

1125-1119 River Walk, San Antonio, TX 78205

Realizing that we had wondered several miles upriver and knowing it would be getting dark soon, we took the opportunity to board a local GO Rio Shuttle for the return journey. The Combination 1-Day Pass cost $16 each (which was good for a full 24 hours of service). Although it initially seemed pricey, it turned out to be great value!

The GO Rio Shuttle offered a nice ride down the San Antonio River and back to our River Center hotel. As we progressed down the river, we realized just how far we had journeyed.

At the Brooklyn Locks our small boat entered a force of gravity lock system that lowered the water level by several feet over a 3-minute period. Once the water was equalized with the other side, the lower gate opened, and we were back on our way. It was an extra nice experience for the day!

*The shuttle was lowered in the lock and awaited departure*

*With the gates now open, we can now be on our way down river*

Before long, we were back on the main loop of the San Antonio Riverwalk exiting at Peaks Park stop near River Center.

2-hour rest stop

After getting refreshed and taking an hours nap we were back on the Riverwalk searching for a dinner venue.

Arneson River Theater

10-minute walk

418 Villita St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Our walk took us through La Villita or the little village area adjacent to The Arneson River Theater. Here a production of Holly Daze Rock was in progress. We would have stayed but the Venue, which once featured the stage for Miss Congeniality, was completely packed.

*Walkway from the river up to La Villita*

The Esquire Tavern

7-minute walk

155 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205

At the bottom of the loop near the San Antonio River sits The Esquire Tavern recognized for having the longest wooden bar in Texas.

*Inside the tavern, the bar ran from the river to the street*

For dinner we requested a seat on the outside patio, which directly overlooked the Riverwalk and the Drury Inn. Luckily a table was available, and we were all-inspired by yet another site-seeing opportunity.

*Our table on the riverside – quite the view*

*The river shuttles shine brightly at night*

For dinner we enjoyed a delicious Bacon Cheeseburger and Pulled Pork sandwich. The menu is solely comprised of Tavern style food.

Sunday

10-minute River Shuttle ride

889 E Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

We woke today with about 3.5 hours to fill before heading to the San Antonio Airport (SAT). With that in mind we went out on foot to explore the opposite end of the River. We saved a few minutes of time by first catching the GO Rio Shuttle at the Peaks Park stop using the tickets we had purchased the day before.

We traveled just a single stop and then headed on foot. From here we were already near the bottom of the horseshoe and headed South down the San Antonio River towards the King William Historic District. Once again, a pleasant nod to the sheer beauty of this area.

Nueva Street Dam

5-minute walk

202 E Nueva, San Antonio, TX 78204

We first passed the Nueva Street Dam works then came upon Steve’s Homestead Museum, a three-story mansion built in 1876. We took a few photos outside but due to time constraints did not have the opportunity to venture inside.

*Edward Steve Homestead Museum Lumber baron of the 1800’s*

Pioneer Flour Mills

20-minute walk

129 E Guenther St, San Antonio, TX 78204

As our southern journey continued, we soon came to the Guenther House; an Art nouveau home at Pioneer Flour Mills. We paraded through the grounds, snapping a few quick photos and headed out the opposing entrance gates to the mill.

*The grounds of the Pioneer Flour Mills*

Stella Public House

5-minute walk

1414 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78210

We stumbled upon the Blue Star Arts Complex and dined at the Stella Public House for a brunch consisting of pancakes & chocolate with stuffed French toast featuring mimosas. It’s a small tavern with good atmosphere and best known for its wood-fired pizza’s after 2pm.

*Blue Star Arts Complex is a mixed-use facility featuring art shops, studio space and apartments, and eateries*

*Unique menu and drink options to satisfy everyone*

Return to River Center

36-minute walk

889 E Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Needing to get back to the Hotel and UBER to the San Antonio Airport (SAT) we considered taking Viva Bus 11A which drops you near Alamo Plaza (the bus stop is right in front of the Stella Public House). However, once we took into consideration the volume we had just eaten, we decided to walk back instead. The return being every bit as enjoyable as the way down.