Type: Paved Path, Loop
Difficulty: 2 / 10
Altitude: 660 ft
Dog Friendly: No
Jog-Stroller Friendly: Unknown
Filed Under: Running
Ernie Pyle once described the Riverwalk of San Antonio as "The American Venice". This romantic, relaxing area of San Antonio is host to millions of visitors each year and continues to grow in popularity. This enjoyable atmosphere is due to the cobblestone walkways, arched footbridges, plentiful shops and romantic sidewalk caf?'s. If you haven't yet visited this historical getaway, you're missing out.
San Antonio is a wonderful town with many interesting and fun things to do. The jewel of the city is the Riverwalk. After the Alamo, it's the most visited attraction in the state!
According to legend, a Spanish missionary traveling through Texas came upon a tribe of Payaya Indians who lived among the wild grapes and Cypress Trees upon the banks of a sparkling oasis. The oasis they had found was named Rio Saint Antonio de Padua, from whence The San Antonio River derives its name. After the worst flood in the river's history in 1921, an architect named Robert H. H. Hugman proposed a plan that would turn the area into a beautiful urban park with apartments, dining, shopping, boat rides and walk ways lit with old-fashioned street lamps. He wanted it to be just as if one were walking in Venice, Italy. After convincing city officials and business leaders of the financial benefits of his plan, the dream became a reality and the riverwalk was eventually sculpted into the masterpiece you see today. Today, it's a city park with paved paths on both sides for approximately 5 miles of trail to wander (or run), with cafe-restaurant sections as well as long sections just to sightsee and enjoy striding out on.
You're missing out on San Antonio if you don't give this a try. Just don't try around dinnertime - it gets pretty crowded with restaurant-goers!! Run the entire length of the RiverWalk on both sides, with bridges and some stairs, to get full effect and distance.
Take 281 South/IH35 to Commerce St Exit. Parking for the Alamo (or other attractions in the area) is abundant. The Riverwalk Center, a prime place to start your run, is the really big tall hotel with a mall and Omni theatre under it - the big space needle thingy is about a half mile south and a good landmark!
Posted by: tradkelly and last modified on Feb 02, 2006 by thoos
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