San Antonio questions
Aug 18th, 2010, 07:58 AM
#1
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San Antonio questions
Hi, I'm considering going to San Antonio for maybe 2 days with my parents in October.
I've read that the Riverwalk is anywhere from 2 to 4 miles long. If I were going by myself, I might be willing to walk the entire length of it, but I really don't think my parents would be able to handle that. Is the entire Riverwalk pretty scenic, or can some parts of it be skipped? I've also read you can go on a boat ride along the river - can you pretty much see everything from the boat that you could see while walking along the Riverwalk?
I've also seen people suggest seeing the Missions. How long do you think it would take to see all 4? We will be renting a car. Do you think all 4 are worth seeing, or are they all fairly similar?
Thanks for any help!
I've read that the Riverwalk is anywhere from 2 to 4 miles long. If I were going by myself, I might be willing to walk the entire length of it, but I really don't think my parents would be able to handle that. Is the entire Riverwalk pretty scenic, or can some parts of it be skipped? I've also read you can go on a boat ride along the river - can you pretty much see everything from the boat that you could see while walking along the Riverwalk?
I've also seen people suggest seeing the Missions. How long do you think it would take to see all 4? We will be renting a car. Do you think all 4 are worth seeing, or are they all fairly similar?
Thanks for any help!
Aug 18th, 2010, 09:02 AM
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You don't need to walk the entire riverwalk. I think of it as 2 parts.
1. U shaped (or maybe horseshoe shaped is a better TX reference), 1/2 of which is lively with restaurants & shops, and the other 1/2 which can be skipped
2. a spur off the the U that connects towards the mall and the 2 Marriott hotels.
The Riverwalk isn't something you just go and see - it's an area that you go to to enjoy. Stroll a couple of times a day as you are out and about, or more likely pre & post dinner to enjoy the activity & hubub & people watch. Hanging out on the riverwalk for a drink or dinner is part of the enjoyment.
A boat ride is a nice way to see the whole area and also be seen - on a good day the boat ride is interactive, waving to the crowd, etc.
In my many trips to SA I've only ever been to the Alamo, which is right near the riverwalk.
1. U shaped (or maybe horseshoe shaped is a better TX reference), 1/2 of which is lively with restaurants & shops, and the other 1/2 which can be skipped
2. a spur off the the U that connects towards the mall and the 2 Marriott hotels.
The Riverwalk isn't something you just go and see - it's an area that you go to to enjoy. Stroll a couple of times a day as you are out and about, or more likely pre & post dinner to enjoy the activity & hubub & people watch. Hanging out on the riverwalk for a drink or dinner is part of the enjoyment.
A boat ride is a nice way to see the whole area and also be seen - on a good day the boat ride is interactive, waving to the crowd, etc.
In my many trips to SA I've only ever been to the Alamo, which is right near the riverwalk.
Aug 18th, 2010, 09:11 AM
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I've been to all four missions and thought they were very interesting, it's worth an afternoon to follow the trail. I think it took us about 2 hours to see them, it was a few hours ago, so not 100% sure. The above poster gave you all the info on the Riverwalk.
Aug 19th, 2010, 12:55 PM
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The boat ride would be an enjoyable way to see the Riverwalk. And J62 is right about it being a good place to hang out and have a meal or a drink. I would not miss the Alamo if you have not been there. It's a short walk from the Riverwalk.
The missions are close together and you can see all of them if you rent a car. And if your parents are 62 or over, they can buy a special lifetime admission pass to national parks, monuments, historic sites, national wildlife refuges and recreational areas for a one time payment of $10. They sell them at the entrance to the missions and all national parks.
Have a great trip!
The missions are close together and you can see all of them if you rent a car. And if your parents are 62 or over, they can buy a special lifetime admission pass to national parks, monuments, historic sites, national wildlife refuges and recreational areas for a one time payment of $10. They sell them at the entrance to the missions and all national parks.
Have a great trip!
Aug 20th, 2010, 04:26 AM
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Re: Riverwalk
J62 hit the nail on the head. The Riverwalk is more like an area than like a path. There are bridges everywhere on you can walk back and forth and crisscross whereever you want. At the northeastern corner of the horseshoe-shaped Riverwalk is the Alamo, and the southeastern La Villita, a touristified Spanish neighborhood. The northern and eastern section of the "horseshoe" is crowded with restaurants and bars while the western and southern section is quiet. Everywhere it is park-like with lush exotic vegetation. A boat ride is a most relaxing experience.
"The" Riverwalk is in fact a man-made loop branch of the river. The total length of this loop is a little less than one mile.
The actual San Antonio River has riverwalks on both sides which are more natural (no restaurants). It is a nice 1-mile walk from the loop southwards to Guenther House and the historic King Williams district.
Re: Missions
In fact, San Antonio has five missions, including the Alamo. It is very easy to see them all within half a day, because it is just a few minutes driving time between one and another mission. We found it very rewarding to see all five missions (the Alamo is least interesting), because they are all different and each one offers some new aspects. My tip: have a picnic at one of the missions - the grounds are beautiful and they have picnic tables.
J62 hit the nail on the head. The Riverwalk is more like an area than like a path. There are bridges everywhere on you can walk back and forth and crisscross whereever you want. At the northeastern corner of the horseshoe-shaped Riverwalk is the Alamo, and the southeastern La Villita, a touristified Spanish neighborhood. The northern and eastern section of the "horseshoe" is crowded with restaurants and bars while the western and southern section is quiet. Everywhere it is park-like with lush exotic vegetation. A boat ride is a most relaxing experience.
"The" Riverwalk is in fact a man-made loop branch of the river. The total length of this loop is a little less than one mile.
The actual San Antonio River has riverwalks on both sides which are more natural (no restaurants). It is a nice 1-mile walk from the loop southwards to Guenther House and the historic King Williams district.
Re: Missions
In fact, San Antonio has five missions, including the Alamo. It is very easy to see them all within half a day, because it is just a few minutes driving time between one and another mission. We found it very rewarding to see all five missions (the Alamo is least interesting), because they are all different and each one offers some new aspects. My tip: have a picnic at one of the missions - the grounds are beautiful and they have picnic tables.
Aug 21st, 2010, 07:50 PM
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There is a new section open on the Riverwalk which travels north to the San Antonio Art Museum (called the museum reach). Parts of the old path around the restaurants are uneven and crowded. You can walk the mile or so, or my suggestion is to choose the barge, which is corny, but entertaining. October weather is (normally) very pleasant. The Mission trail is nice, start at Mission San Jose, where the visitor center is located. If you want to immerse yourself, attend a Sunday Mass.
