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The Beautiful San Antonio RiverwalkIf you can take only one roadtrip break in San Antonio, the Riverwalk might be your choice!
Do you like attractions that are both beautiful AND very different from other places you've been?If you do, you'll surely enjoy the San Antionio River Walk! The RiverWalk section of San Antonio lies in the heart of the downtown district, just steps away from the Alamo historic site, so you can squeeze in two famous San Antonio attractions with one stop, if you'd like! Just what is the River Walk like? It's a canal with colorful, barge-shaped boats plying the waters, carrying both tourists on sight-seeing jaunts and diners out for a meal (while enjoying the exciting scenery at the same time.) Both banks of the river are lined with sidewalks where pedestrians stroll under the foliage of a thick canopy of trees. Dozens of restaurants line the banks as well, and most of them offer sidewalk cafes featuring great river views, so that diners can "drink in" the atmosphere while savoring their meals. Naturally, family travelers fit right into such a scene. It's beautiful, it's different, and it's an atmosphere which "says" very distinctly, "You're not at home any longer; welcome to San Antonio!" Finding the Riverwalk's general area is only the first part of the battle! The Riverwalk area is large. If you're just wanting to stroll and drink in the scenery, it doesn't really matter WHICH part of the Riverwalk you get to; any part will do. It's all tree-lined, and every inch is scenic. However, if you want to enjoy a particular restaurant or attraction, you should find out just where that attraction is located ahead of time. Next, you'll find the link to a colorful map of the San Antonio Riverwalk with many attractions pre-labeled. This map covers just the easternmost segment of the San Antonio RiverWalk. (The most bustling part of the RiverWalk is its eastern section...which makes sense because that's the closest part to the Alamo and the River Center Mall, attractions which many tourists want to visit either just before or just after experiencing the RiverWalk.) Here's that link to the
colorful detail map of the San Antonio Riverwalk, with attractions marked.
The next link will take you to a Yahoo Hybrid Map which shows the entire Riverwalk area of downtown San Antonio at close range. You can see the outline of the Riverwalk because the aerial photographs of its trees and water show up very dark on the hybrid map. To the left side of your screen, you'll see the San Antonio River running straight from north to south. The Riverwalk area juts out to the side (towards the east) and, to me, somewhat resembles the shape of a Unicorn's Head. You can start at the San Antonio River, and end up back at the river again if you choose to follow a "circular" path. But, you wouldn't be seeing everything if you did that! In order to see the RiverCenter Mall, you'll have to walk out onto the "Unicorn's Horn," which will lead you to the Mall and all its many shops and attractions. Here's that link to a
Yahoo hybrid map of the San Antonio Riverwalk area.
San Antonio Riverwalk Dining
The San Antonio RiverWalk was "just meant" for dining! You'll find dozens of restaurants...featuring all types of atmospheres and cuisines...packed into a several-block area of the River Walk. (Most have 2 entrances...one entrance from "street level," and another entrance from the Riverwalk side, as well.) Here's a list of just SOME of the many restaurants you can enjoy on your San Antonio RiverWalk visit---Acenar Mexican Restaurant: phone number 210/222-2362; address: 146 E Houston St.......Biga on the Banks Restaurant, phone number 210/225-0722; address, 203 St Mary's. Featuring lamb and game entrees, as well as steak and seafood.......Boudro's Restaurant, telephone number 210/225-2839; address: 421 E Commerce St. Creative fine dining surprises on the River Walk.......Cafe Ole Mexican Restaurant, phone number 210/223-2939; address, 527 river Walk.......Casa Rio Mexican Restaurant, numbero de telefono 210/225-6718; address: 430 E Commerce St. Dinner boat parties through the Riverwalk's canals may be arranged.......County Line BBQ Restaurant, phone number 210/229-1941; address: 111 W Crockett. County Line Bar-B-Q serves the most tender, mouth-watering BBQ that you can imagine!.......Dolores Del Rio Italian Restaurant, phone number 210/223-0609; address, 106 E River Walk.......Hard Rock Cafe, phone number 210/224-0743; address 111 W Crockett.......Iron Cactus Mexican Grill, phone number 210/224-9835; address, 200 River Walk.......Joe's Crab Shack, phone number 210/229-1010; address 517 N Presa. The San Antonio RiverWalk location of this popular Landry's seafood restaurant.......Johnny Rocket's Diner, phone number 210/227-6258; address 245 E Commerce St. The San Antonio Riverwalk location of this popular all-American diner. Stop in for juicy burgers and thick shakes; yes, you CAN get an inexpensive meal on the River Walk!....... Please use the following link to view this
list of restaurants and other businesses on the San Antonio Riverwalk Association website.
San Antonio Riverwalk -- Other fun along the river banks
What else can you do while exploring the San Antonio RiverWalk? One of the most popular activities is to take a boat tour. You'll be able to see more of the Riverwalk without tiring out if you do this! Plus, it's "just plain fun!" (Once you're at the RiverWalk, the places offering boat rides and/or boat dining will be plainly marked.) You can also browse among various shops which line the water. The Riverwalk is not an area where you can expect to get serious shopping done; the little stores here are tourist-oriented and are a great place to find souvenirs for the folks back home...but not for building your wardrobe or decorating your house! (Nevertheless, the RiverCenter Mall is located at the far eastern end of the River Walk...and there, you WILL be able to shop for just about any merchandise that suits your fancy!
San Antonio Riverwalk Shopping: Rivercenter Mall
The RiverCenter Mall complements the rest of the San Antonio River Walk experience very well. As you stroll beneath the shady trees which line the river's banks, and eat a meal at a scenic sidewalk cafe, you'll relax and forget that the rest of the world even exists!But, when you're ready to come back to reality...and buy the merchandise you need to carry on with the activities of life, the bustling and beautiful RiverCenter Mall can offer you a smorgasbord of exciting shopping options! There's another reason to get to know the RiverCenter Mall...and these are practical reasons. It can get very hot in San Antonio during the summer months. 90 degree days are the norm, with temperatures over 100 degrees not abnormal. When you're ready to head indoors and cool off, the wonderful air conditioning of the River Center awaits you! Rivercenter Mall -- Clothing for men, women and children
Here's a list of stores at the River Center Mall where you can buy clothing for the teens and adults in your family---Aeropostale clothing store, phone number 210/212-6126.......American Eagle Outfitters store, phone number 210/229-1601.......Chico's clothing store, telephone number 210/227-5954.......Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop, phone 210/223-8200.......D.E.M.O, telephone 210/861-0204.......Dillard's Department Store, phone number 210/227-4343.......Express women's clothing store, phone number 210/227-9545.......Express Men's Store, phone number 210/227-5212.......Forever 21 store, phone number 210/227-0036.......(The) Gap clothing store, phone number 210/222-9581.......Georgiou store, telephone number 210/224-8392.......Hot Topic store, phone number 210/7680.......Macy's Department Store, phone number 210/554-8650.......Pac Sun retail store, phone number 210/223-1909.......Papaya clothing store, phone number 210/226-2100.......Team Spirit, contact number 512/646-7020.......Victoria's Secret, 210/224-7072.
Rivercenter Mall -- Other shopping fun
Would you like to find new shoes to go with the outfit you just bought? Or, maybe a purse, wallet, scarf, or some jewelry? Here's a list of stores specializing in accessories at the RiverCenter Mall---Aerosoles shoe store, telephone number 210/354-1840.......Bag 'n Pack store, phone number 210/271-7912.......Boot Hill store, phone number 210/223-6634.......Champs Sports store, phone number 210/271-3519.......Claire's accessories store, 210/222-1005.......Finish Line, phone TBA.......Foot Locker store, phone number 210/226-8383.......Harris Jewelry store, telephone number 210/225-8955.......(The) Icing accessories store, phone number 210/224-9663.......Jarman's retail store, phone number 210/222-8480.......Journeys shoe store, phone number 210/354-1836.......Kay Jewelers, telephone number 210/224-1233.......Lady Foot Locker, phone number 210/222-0411.......(The) Land Shop leather store, telephone 210/226-5263.......Lids store, phone number 210/212-6448.......Rivercenter Jewelers, telephone number 210/226-7786.......Sporting Eyes store, phone number 210-226-3942.......Sunglass Hut, phone number 210/271-7550.......Super Foot Action store, phone number 210/271-7530.......Zales Jewelers, phone number 210/270-7770 (The) Discovery Channel Store, phone number 210/223-5034.......(The) Disney Store, phone number 210/227-3202.......EB Games store, phone number 210/224-4412.......Gymboree children's clothing, phone number 210/271-9518.......Magic World, magic and party supplies, phone number 210/270-2993.......Sanrio store, phone number 210/224-5809 (Home of "Hello, Kitty!")
Rivercenter Mall: Dining
You'll find both sit-down restaurants at the RiverCenter Mall, as well as counter service cafes. Here's a list of the table service restaurant you can enjoy at the River Center---Chili's Restaurant, phone number 210/212-8152.......Luciano's Italian Restaurant, phone number 210/223-0500 (Luciano's Ristorante Italiano).......Morton's Steakhouse, telephone number 210/228-0700.......Steers and Beers, phone number 210/223-9687.......Tony Roma's Restaurant, phone number 210/225-7662 Here's a list of casual dining restaurants and snack spots at the River Center Mall--- A & W Restaurant, phone number 210/224-8024.......Auntie Anne's Pretzels, 210/223-2291.......Big Easy Cajun Restaurant, 210/281-0886.......Cento & Fanti Italian Restaurant, 210/226-7295.......Dairy Queen, phone number 210/223-8787.......Fruity Affair, 210/222-0242.......Great American Cookie Co, 210/472-2447.......Great Wraps, 210/224-2614.......Le Petit Bistro, phone number 210/223-9879.......Little Tokyo, telephone 210/270-7888.......Marble Slab Creamery, phone number 210/227-9100.......Nestle Toll House Cafe, phone number 210/222-2280.......Sbarro's Italian Eatery, telephone number 210/227-5452.......Side Wok Cafe, 210/225-7965.......Starbuck's Coffee, phone number 210/212-4472.......Sweet Factory candy store, 210/225-7762
Rivercenter Mall: Entertainment
While you're at the River Center, you'll be able to take in a movie, play games, dance, or take in a live comedy act! Here's a list of entertainment options at the River Center, along with the contact information for each one---Adventures in Motion, phone number 210/472-3489.......AMC RiverCenter 9 Theaters, phone number 210/558-9988 (for movies playing at the RiverCenter Cinemas, and for a list of showtimes, you can also use the link to AMC's official website in the section below).......IMAX Theater, phone number 210/225-4629 (or use the link to the San Antonio IMAX official website in the section below).......Rivercenter Comedy Club, phone number 210/229-1420.......Steers and Beers, phone number 210/223-9687 (restaurant, saloon and dancing) In additions to the establishments offering entertainment at the RiverCenter, don't forget to head to the River Center Lagoon courtyard area to hear the (free!) Andean Fusion concerts. These are held daily (except Sundays) from 1 pm to 8 pm. If you don't think you'd care for the group, give it a try, anyway; it's delightful, and the crowd seems to enjoy it very well. Rivercenter Mall: Contact Information, Map and DirectionsThe RiverCenter Mall phone number is 210/225-0000.Shopping hours at the River Center are as follows: Mondays thru Saturdays, the mall opens at 10 am and closes at 9 pm. On Sundays, the opening time is at 12 noon, and closing time is at 6 pm. As of this update (March 2007) both Dillards and Macy's Department stores follow the same business hours as the mall itself. However, the mall's restaurants and theaters set their own hours; call them ahead of your visit if you have a question. The River Center address is: 849 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205. Directions to the RiverCenter Mall: From I-37, take the Commerce St exit west (just a few blocks) to the mall. If you'd like to get a better mental picture of where you'll be heading, please use the following link to view a
Yahoo map to the Rivercenter Mall in downtown San Antonio, Texas.
To view the entire list of stores available to you at the River Center Mall, please use the following link to see the
San Antonio Rivercenter Mall official website.
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Looking for some I-10 road trip fun? Tour the lovely San Antonio Riverwalk! Updated March 9, 2007. Related info--- 
Landry's Seafood House Restaurant, phone number 210/229-1010l address, 517 N Presa.......Las Canarias Restaurant at La Mansion, telephone number 210/518-1000; address 112 College St. Fine dining along the Riverwalk.......Little Rhein Steak House, telephone number 210/225-2111; address 231 S Alamo.......Lone Star Cafe, phone number 210/223-9374; address, 237 Loyosa. Steaks and catfish are house specialties.......Mexican Manhattan Restaurant, phone number 210/223-3913; address, 110 Soledad.......Michelino's Italian Restaurant, phone number 210/223-2939; address, 521 River Walk.......Original Mexican Restaurant, telephone number 210/224-9951; address 102 W Crockett. Strolling Mariachis! (Extra fee).......Paesano's Riverwalk Restaurant, telephone number 210/227-2782; address 111 W Crockett. Featuring Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.......Paloma's River Walk Restaurant, phone number 210/212-0566; address, 215 Losoya. Fine Mexican cuisine.......Rainforest Cafe, phone number 210/277-6300; address 110 E Crockett. The San Antonio Riverwalk's location of this family-favorite restaurant; American food with exotic rain forest decor.......(The) Republic of Texas Restaurant, phone number 210/226-6256; or telephone number 210/223-4881 to arrange for Riverboat dining; address, 526 River Walk. Serving the best "Tex-Mex" cuisine.......Rio Rio Cantina Restaurant, phone number 210/226-8462; address, 421 E Commerce St. Mexican cuisine, including rare vegetarian selections.......Schilo's German Restaurant, phone number 210/223-6692; address, 424 Commerce St.......Texas Land & Cattle Restaurant, phone number 210/222-2263; address, 210 N St Mary's. Mesquite-roasted beef, seafood and poultry are the specialties here.......Waxy O'Connor's Irish Restaurant and Pub, phone number 210/229-9299; address 234 River Walk. Riverwalk's home of authentic Irish food.......Zuni Grill Restaurant, phone number 210/227-0864; address 223 Losoya St; features Southwestern USA-style cuisine.
