Photo Blog: The San Antonio Riverwalk

Feb 2 2023

The San Antonio Riverwalk:

The San Antonio Riverwalk is a unique and vibrant destination located in the heart of San Antonio, Texas. This picturesque network of walkways along the San Antonio River has become a must-visit attraction for tourists and locals alike. The River Walk offers a peaceful escape from the bustling city streets and provides an opportunity to explore the rich history and culture of San Antonio.

History of the River Walk

The San Antonio Riverwalk was originally created as a solution to a flood control problem in the 1920s. The river had often caused devastating floods in the city, and a plan was needed to prevent future damage. In the late 1920s, architect Robert H. H. Hugman presented a plan to the San Antonio City Council to transform the river into a walkway lined with shops, restaurants, and other attractions.

Over time, the Riverwalk has undergone several renovations and improvements, but its original purpose remains the same: to provide a peaceful, scenic escape from the city. Today, the River Walk is a bustling hub of activity, attracting millions of visitors each year.

Things to Do and See

The River Walk is filled with things to see and do, and here are just a few highlights:

The Alamo: This iconic mission and former fortress is one of the most important historical sites in Texas. It was the site of a famous battle in 1836 during the Texas Revolution, and today it is a museum dedicated to the history of the battle and the people who fought there.

The Perl: The Pearl San Antonio is a district in the city with a rich history. The Pearl is located in the Northeast part of San Antonio downtown and is the northern end of the River walk. Initially home to the Pearl Brewery, which operated from 1883 to 2001, the Pearl district offers shops, a twice-weekly farmers market, restaurants, apartments, an outdoor park area, the Culinary Institute of America, and the Hotel Emma.

The Market Square: This historic marketplace is one of the largest Mexican markets in the United States and is a great place to buy souvenirs and sample traditional Mexican food.

The Tower of the Americas: This 750-foot tower offers panoramic views of the city and is a great place to catch a sunset or a bird's eye view of the Riverwalk.

The Riverwalk Boat Tours: A river boat tour is a great way to experience the Riverwalk and learn about its history and culture.

The San Antonio Riverwalk is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to San Antonio. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or simply looking for a peaceful escape from the city, the Riverwalk has something to offer everyone. So, come explore this unique and vibrant destination and experience all that it has to offer.

Explore our extensive gallery of San Antonio photos and panoramas showcasing the iconic San Antonio Riverwalk and skyline images. Immerse yourself in the vibrant cityscape and breathtaking views captured from various vantage points. All the stunning images in this collection are available for licensing
or as fine art prints.

To see all of our images of San Antonio please visit our gallery

Along the Riverwalk San Antonio  -  San Antonio riverwalk is a great place to enjoy a meal or a riverboat ride on any day of...

Along the Riverwalk San Antonio

Along the Riverwalk San Antonio - San Antonio riverwalk is a great place to enjoy a meal or a riverboat ride on any day of the week. San Antonio is a beautiful old city with lot of historic signaficance. The landmark Alamo is just a block off the riverwalk, there are several mission throughout the city to visit. Just can't resist these colorful unmbrellas on the riverwalk in downtown San Antonio at our favorite restaurant along the rivers edge. You see one of the dinner cruises stopping to set up for a group. Casa Rio the oldest restaurant on the riverwalk has some of the most colorful umbrellas and the food is pretty good too. This place was the first restaurant to open up along the riverwalk. 7880

Holiday on the Riverwalk -  Another image of the very festive San Antonio river walk with all the lights in the trees, the river...

Holiday on the Riverwalk

Holiday on the Riverwalk - Another image of the very festive San Antonio river walk with all the lights in the trees, the river boats with there festive lights along with all the lights along the walk it is a wonderful place to go for the holidays.

The Alamo at Sunrise -  Another capture of the Alamo at sunrise in San Antonio with the early morning color in the sky. The Alamo...

The Alamo at Sunrise

The Alamo at Sunrise - Another capture of the Alamo at sunrise in San Antonio with the early morning color in the sky. The Alamo was originally known as Misión San Antonio de Valero and was founded as a Catholic mission in 18th century as a mission and fortress compound along with educational purpose for the American Indian. Today it is part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and is a World Heritage Site. This historic landmark site is part of the San Antonio cityscape which draws thousand of tourist year round to come to the mission and discover the historic significance of this place. The Alamo is treated with a lot of reverence so be respectful when inside at all times. Today it is part of San Antonio greatest tourist attraction because of it contribution to history. During the revolution a small number of men 187 Texians were at the compound when the Mexican Army attacked and executed all the men who were left inside and burned some of the place down. Many know the history of Battle of the Alamo as William Travis and his men like Daniel Boon and Jim Bowie fought Santa Anna Army to the end. This was the what started the revolution with the battle cry of Remember the Alamo. Most remember "The Battle of the Alamo from their history books which took place in 1836 when San Anna with 5000 men took on the 187 men of the Alamo and executed them all. However it was a short lived victory for Santa Anna and his men who were later defeated by General Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto. The Alamo was brought back to life by the Daughter of the Republic which started trying to preserve it and had maintained until 2015 when the Texas Land Office took over the site. Today it is probably one of the most popular tourist spots in the state of Texas. Most remember "The Battle of the Alamo from their history books which took place in 1836 when San Anna with 5000 men took on the 187 men of the Alamo and executed them all. However it was a short lived victory for Santa Anna and his men who were later defeated by General Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto. We have many more mission please contact about other San Antonio Missions. Today we captured the Alamo at sunrise, but we have many more from images if the Alamo at dusk, sunset and twilight.

Historic Pearl Brewhouse - This is the orginal Pearl Brewery in downtown San Antonio which is now part of the Pearl District....

Historic Pearl Brewhouse

Historic Pearl Brewhouse - This is the orginal Pearl Brewery in downtown San Antonio which is now part of the Pearl District. The Pearl Brewing Company was an American brewery, established in 1883 in Downtown San Antonio, Texas, USA. The name came from a German brewmaster who said the bubble in a freshly poured glass looked like pears, hence the name Pearl. In 1985, Pearl's parent company purchased the Pabst Brewing Company and assumed the Pabst name. This is the orginal building but was sold and now has become a revitalized area for shopping and dinning along with hotels, apartments, in downtown San Antonio. The brewery closed in SA in 2001 and was moved to Fort Worth Texas. Now the area has become been revitalized with hotels, restaurants, shopping, and live music refer to the Pearl district. The historic Perl Brewhouse is now the location for another brewery and fine dinning restaurant called Southerleigh. The style of architectural is spanish.

Sunset at San Antonio Tower of America - We came to San Antonio on the chance we might have a pretty sunset and today it was...

Sunset at San Antonio Tower of America

Sunset at San Antonio Tower of America - We came to San Antonio on the chance we might have a pretty sunset and today it was wonderful. We took this image using our new drone with a new lens that brings the city in much closer. We had this great sky and captured the landmark Tower of America and the Grand Hyatt with this wonderful sunset behind. You can see the many San Antonio landmarks like the Tower of America, George Gonzales convention center, and the Grand Hyatt along with the other city of San Antonio buildings.

Historic Market Square - The market or El Mercado in San Antonio is one of the top tourist attractions and is a historic landmark...

Historic Market Square

Historic Market Square - The market or El Mercado in San Antonio is one of the top tourist attractions and is a historic landmark for the city. The market square is serveral blocks of shops, restaurants, along with vendors selling all kinds of things along the walkways. This is the largest mexican market in the US and is comparable to mexican markets. It you want a hat or boots there are shops for that or maybe you need a new day of the dead t-shirts, colorful mexican blankets along with many more things can all be found at the market. There is face painting, along the way with carricatures, and many other ways to spend your money. Some great restaurants along the way are also available if you don't find something on the many food booths along the plaza. You might be surprise on the things you might find that you didn't even know you needed till a day here. The actual mexican market inside part reminds me of when I lived in the valley and this market resembles the ones you find along the border it just air conditioned and they don't haggle much! These scooters are new to us in San Antonio, these little colorful sidecar scooters tours which are a great new way to see the city. We loved the differents color with all the flowers and light on the scooters just has that festive vibe. What fun to take a tour on these. We also thought they were so nice to parked right in front of the Historic Market Square sign for us. Thats what I think about when it comes to San Antonio is how festive and colorful the city is with so much going on we love to visit. The place was packed from the last time we were there a month ago as it such a nice spring day to check out the always colorful market square in downtown San Antonio.

Festive Lights at the San Antonio River at the Pearl - The Pearl historic district is at the site of orginal Pearl Brewery which...

Festive Lights at the San Antonio River at the Pearl

Festive Lights at the San Antonio River at the Pearl - The Pearl historic district is at the site of orginal Pearl Brewery which was the largest brewery in Texas built in 1894. This brewery sat on the San Antonio river till 2001. The brewery which shut down in 2001 and moved to Austin as the Oasis brewing company moved on but today this is the trendy site of the Pearl District which contains unique shops and restaurants along with a hotel all located at the old pearl. This area along the san antonio river has been completely revitalize as another river walk in downtown San Antonio. With a rich history dating back to 1883, the Historic Pearl, also known as the Pearl Brewery District, was one of Texas's largest breweries. This is the newest and hippest site in the city. It make perfect sense that they brought a holiday wonderland along the San Antonio river in this area with christmas lights and decoration all along the river walk area..This 16 block area along the river it is a very trendy place to hang. This area of the river with its waterfalls, and smooth flowing water with all the light dripping off the trees looked so lovely I had to capture it with a long exposure. 7246

We think our San Antonio Christmas images would make great Christmas Cards we can do custom cards in any number. Please contact for information.

There were two boats but one was getting there food delivered to their boat from one of the restaurants along the river walk....

San Antonio River Dinning

There were two boats but one was getting there food delivered to their boat from one of the restaurants along the river walk. Thats the way to do it.

San Anotonio Holidays -  This is a holiday image of the San Antonio riverwalk at Christmas time. The restaurants had their christmas...

San Anotonio Holidays

San Anotonio Holidays - This is a holiday image of the San Antonio riverwalk at Christmas time. The restaurants had their christmas lights and decorations up and the trees had colorful christmas lights hanging down and even the river boats had holiday decorations so the mood was very festive with holiday cheer!

Texas Alamo at Twilight -  The Alamo at Twilight right before the sun came up in San Antonio. We got an early start and left...

Texas Alamo at Twilight

Texas Alamo at Twilight - The Alamo at Twilight right before the sun came up in San Antonio. We got an early start and left our house at 4 am because we had a long drive to get here for sunrise. We knew how busy this place can be on any given day and were trying to beat the crowds. It was still dark with just a hint of light coming into the sky when we first got there. For us this is the best time to capture the Alamo because it is one of the most popular tourist destination in the city and an almost impossible to capture without lots of tourist in front of it. The Alamo has a lot of signifance to Texas Independence and the countrys history so it is a treasured landmark. Most remember "The Battle of the Alamo from their history books which took place in 1836 when San Anna with 5000 men took on the 187 men of the Alamo and executed them all. However it was a short lived victory for Santa Anna and his men who were later defeated by General Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto

San Antonio River - It was such a nice day along the river walk in San Antonio, you can see the river boat full of tourist and...

San Antonio River

San Antonio River - It was such a nice day along the river walk in San Antonio, you can see the river boat full of tourist and people walking and out having a meal at one of the many fine restaurants on this beautifu day with a great sky and good clouds.

San Antonio River Walk Night -  We came back and took this image at night of the Torch of Friendship along the river walk in...

San Antonio River Walk Night

San Antonio River Walk Night - We came back and took this image at night of the Torch of Friendship along the river walk in San Antonio as the boat left light trail as they went about their tours going underneath this old bridge. Watermark will not appear on image

San Antonio Cityscape -  This is another image of the water side dinning along the river walk as a tour boat goes under one of...

San Antonio River Walk 2

San Antonio Cityscape - This is another image of the water side dinning along the river walk as a tour boat goes under one of the pedestrian bridge in downtown San Antonio.

San Antonio Riverwalk at Night - This is one of my favorite images because it captured the festive nature of this cityscape at...

San Antonio Riverwalk at Night

San Antonio Riverwalk at Night - This is one of my favorite images because it captured the festive nature of this cityscape at night along the riverwalk with the colorful umbrellas at Cafe Ole restaurant with the light trail created from the tour boats as they go under the pedestrian bridge with the city's Torch of Friendship on the street above. Watermark will not appear on image

The San Antonio Riverwalk - This is an image of the San Antonio river walk with the Tourch of Freedom on the street above. The...

The San Antonio Riverwalk

The San Antonio Riverwalk - This is an image of the San Antonio river walk with the Tourch of Freedom on the street above. The river walk draws tourist from all over for it restaurants and hotel located along the water. The many restaurants with their colorful umbrellas and the tour boats as they take people on a tour of the city by water.

San Antonio River Walk  - Another great evening along the scenic San Antonio river walk in downtown. This popular tourist attraction...

San Antonio River Walk

San Antonio River Walk - Another great evening along the scenic San Antonio river walk in downtown. This popular tourist attraction has some wonderful places to enjoy a meal on the river or take a stroll for the several miles along this scenic site in the heart of San Antonio Texas. You can't help but love these colorful umbrellas at the Casa Rio on the river walk. The San Antonio riverwalk is one of SA top travel destination in the city. If you do not feel up to walking you can alway catch a river boat along the river walk. Always something to see or do on the riverwalk in downtown San Antonio.

Torch of Friendship - This is an image of the Torch of Friendship at night in downtown San Antonion. This sculptuer is located...

Torch of Friendship

Torch of Friendship - This is an image of the Torch of Friendship at night in downtown San Antonion. This sculptuer is located right above the river walk and it a lovely piece of art in the cityscape of the city.

View of Riverwalk SA - We capture this night in San Antonio on the river walk ofpeople dinning at the Republic of Texas restaurant...

View of Riverwalk SA

View of Riverwalk SA - We capture this night in San Antonio on the river walk ofpeople dinning at the Republic of Texas restaurant along the river walk. There is also a tour boat getting ready for a tour and dinner along the river walk.

Tower Life Building Vertical - San Antonio images on prints, canvas and metal. This is a vertical capture of the Tower Life Building...

Tower Life Building Vertical

Tower Life Building Vertical - San Antonio images on prints, canvas and metal. This is a vertical capture of the Tower Life Building which is a landmark and historic building in Downtown San Antonio, Texas. The Tower Life building is a major part of the San Antonio skyline with it masses flag pole it can't be missed. The Tower building was completed in 1929 it was 403 feet with 30 floors at the time. In 2010 it was renovated and a copper top was place on it with a 100 ft flag pole attached to the top as in the orginal design. The 30 story, eight sided, neo-gothic, brick and terracotta structure is an easily recognizable landmark with its gargoyle rain spouts, green patina copper top and flag pole. The Tower Life building was first occupied by Sears but has been owned by many businesses since it completion in 1929 today it is owned by Tower Life Insurance company. The builiding was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

San Antonio Tower Life - San Antonio images on prints, canvas and metal. We capture this view of the Tower Life building looking...

San Antonio Tower Life

San Antonio Tower Life - San Antonio images on prints, canvas and metal. We capture this view of the Tower Life building looking up the riverwalk. You can see the buildings reflections in the water. The Tower Life Building is a landmark and historic building in Downtown San Antonio, Texas. The Tower Life building is a major part of the San Antonio skyline with it masses flag pole it can't be missed. The Tower building was completed in 1929 it was 403 feet at the time. In 2010 it was renovated and a copper top was place on it with a 100 ft flag pole attached to the top as in the orginal design. The 30 story, eight sided, neo-gothic, brick and terracotta structure is an easily recognizable landmark with its gargoyle rain spouts, green patina copper top and flag pole. The Tower Life building was first occupied by Sears but has been owned by many businesses since it completion in 1929 today it is owned by Tower Life Insurance company. The builiding was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

Colorful Umbrellas Along River walk 6572 - It was great evening along the scenic riverwalk in downtown San Antonio along this...

Colorful Umbrellas Along Riverwalk 6572

Colorful Umbrellas Along River walk 6572 - It was great evening along the scenic riverwalk in downtown San Antonio along this stretch of colorful umbrellas. This popular tourist attraction has some wonderful places to enjoy a meal on the river or take a stroll for the several miles along this scenic site in the heart of San Antonio Texas. This is one of San Antonio top travel destination in the city. One of the biggest draw are all these wonderful dining locations along the river

San Antonio River Walk Night BW - Always magical to go to the San Antonio river walk after dark.  It was great evening along...

San Antonio River Walk Night BW

San Antonio River Walk Night BW - Always magical to go to the San Antonio river walk after dark. It was great evening along the scenic riverwalk in downtown San Antonio along this stretch with umbrellas in black and white. This popular tourist attraction has some wonderful places to enjoy a meal on the river or take a stroll for the several miles along this scenic site in the heart of San Antonio Texas. This is one of San Antonio top travel desination in the city. One of the biggest draw are all these wonderful dining locations along the river.

Christmas at San Antonio River Walk  - We haven't been back to the riverwalk at Christmas in a while so we made the rounds and...

Christmas at San Antonio River Walk

Christmas at San Antonio River Walk - We haven't been back to the riverwalk at Christmas in a while so we made the rounds and the colors were spectacluar this year. It put you into an automatic festive mood right off the bat. San Antonio river walk at Christmas with all the lights in the trees, along with the riverboats with there festive lights along with all the lights along the walk ways it is a wonderful place to go for the holidays to get you in the mood for season.

The Pearl at Christmas - The Pearl historic district is at the site of orginal pearl brewery which long ago moved on but today...

The Pearl at Christmas

The Pearl at Christmas - The Pearl historic district is at the site of orginal pearl brewery which long ago moved on but today it the site of a unique shops and restaurants all located at the old pearl site. With a rich history dating back to 1883, the Historic Pearl, also known as the Pearl Brewery District, was one of Texas's largest breweries, brewing one of Texas's iconic beers, Pearl Beer, from 1883 to 2001. The name came from the foam that the brewer thought look like pearls. Today this is the up and coming place with restaurants, shops, events and a farmer market it is a very trendy place to be. The historic Pearl is located along the San Antonio river along with hotels so you can enjoy the area all within walking distance. The historic building, smoke stack and the Pearl neon signs are all that left of the original brewery but with new life it is a great destination especially at the Christmas holidays.