Running through the heart of downtown San Antonio is a 2.5 mile network of walkways along part of the San Antonio river. Known as the "Riverwalk" (Paseo del Rio), it is "...one of the most visited places in all of Texas." Following a 1921 flood that devastated the downtown area, architect Robert Hugman submitted plans for a "...below street level..." flood control system that would also serve as a tourist attraction. This beautiful development of two parallel sidewalks, which wind and loop under several bridges (each unique from the others), connects many of the major attractions in downtown San Antonio, and is lined with a plethora of restaurants and pubs. Perhaps one of the unique features we discovered while exploring the Riverwalk is that an annual "Mud Festival" is held during which this diversion of the San Antonio river is drained and the whole system is cleaned out.
The Riverwalk along the Savannah river was 1/4 mile wide and deep enough to accommodate full-sized cargo ships. The one here in San Antonio is about fifty feet wide and can only accommodate flat-bottomed tourist boats (a forty minute non-stop ride) and commuter water taxis.
The stonework of each of the bridges along the Riverwalk reflect the architecture of the surrounding neighborhoods. We spent two days walking and exploring all that the Riverwalk had to offer. It was time well spent.