It was the day before Thanksgiving and we decided to take a San Antonio River Cruise.

Beautiful Christmas tree on the river level of the Shops at RivercenterA

Although I don’t normally meal plan, I do plan for holidays. This year we had totally broken our tradition of spending Thanksgiving with our son and daughter in love. We were in San Antonio, Texas. All of my shopping was done so we were free to enjoy the day before Turkey Day with lots of sightseeing excursions.

San Antonio River Cruise

After our lovely al fresco lunch in the Pearl neighborhood we knew we wanted to see much more of the San Antonio River. We went downtown to the Shops at Rivercenter to take a Rio River Tour Cruise.

Rio River Tours

Our turquoise Rio River Tour boat waiting for us to board.

Starting out on our wonderful San Antonio River Cruise

Leaving the Shops at Rivercenter

The setting was so picturesque with the shops all around us and the river in the center. Each of the boats was a different color and adorned with what look like Mexican paper cut out flags. But they were actually metal and so adorable. Just by the luck of the draw out boat was turquoise! Everyone who knows me, knows that turquoise is my favorite color.

Scenic route

A Meyer lemon tree full of not quite ripe lemons

A huge pomegranate tree but sadly no fruit!

We pass another of Rio River Tours colorful boats

We stepped aboard our boat and were informed that masks needed to stay on. Then we were guided to our seats that were a good 6-8 feet from the next group of tourists. The cruise began by pointing out the lovely fruit trees that were dotted through the Rivercenter. Meyer lemons, oranges, limes and pomegranates. And then the magic of the San Antonio River unfolded before us.

San Antonio River Walk

A beautiful church spire peaks out behind the trees

Not quite dinner time at this restaurant along the San Antonio River

The San Antonio River Walk is a city park and network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath the streets of San Antonio, Texas. Lined by bars, shops, restaurants, nature, public artwork, and the five historic missions, the River Walk is an important part of the city’s urban fabric.

The River Walk winds and loops under bridges as two parallel sidewalks lined with restaurants and shops, connecting the major tourist draws from the Shops at Rivercenter, to the Arneson River Theatre, to Marriage Island, to La Villita, to HemisFair Park, to the Tower Life Building, to the San Antonio Museum of Art, to the Pearl and the city’s five Spanish colonial missions, which have been named a World Heritage Site, including the Alamo. During the annual springtime Fiesta San Antonio, the River Parade features flowery floats that float down the river.

Hilton Palacio del Rio

The Hilton Palacio del Rio

A closer look at this, mostly prefab, Hilton Palacio del Rio

Along our route we learned much of the history and fun facts of various locations along the riverwalk. For example we learned that the Hilton Palacio del Rio was built in record time. It was completed in less than 7 months! The first four floors were built on site as you would expect. But the remaining stories of this high rise were prefabricated, including furniture, and dropped into place. A clever and efficient way to build a hotel.

Arts District

La Villita Inn in San Antonio’s Arts District

After the Hilton we floated passed La Villita Inn in the heart of San Antonio’s arts district.

The Briscoe Western Art Museum

The Arneson River Theater

Continuing our cruise we passed the Briscoe Western Art Museum just before we cruised passed the Arneson River Theater. See that stage (photo above) in front of the bell tower? That is where the belles paraded in the Swim Suit Competition in the movie Miss Congeniality.

Esquire Tavern

The Esquire Tavern

And a little further down the river we came upon the legendary Esquire Tavern. Prior to 1933 and during Prohibition, this establishment was a very “well stocked” barbershop. One minute after Prohibition was repealed customers and staff threw all of the barber chairs into the river and the Esquire Tavern was born!

Engagement Bridge

The Engagement Bridge

Our next site was a very romantic one. The Engagement Bridge has appeared in movies. It was on that bridge that Jennifer Lopez as the Texas singer Selena, and her boyfriend Chris Perez played by John Seda celebrate their marriage. It was also on this very same bridge that Sandra Bullock as Gracie Hart and Benjamin Bratt as Eric Matthews kissed. Aw. I love that scene.

The Pearl

Not quite dinner time at this restaurant along the San Antonio River

Lone Star Texas Steak Restaurant

An apartment building right on the river with reasonable rent!

We also cruised passed restaurants in the Pearl neighborhood and a very sought after apartment address. This apartment building offers 500 square foot apartments for rent at the very low price of $800 per month. Of course there’s a catch. The waiting list that is very, very long.

We even caught a glimpse of the Tower of the Americas

Before we knew it we had returned to port below the street level at the Shops of Rivercenter and our San Antonio River Cruise was over.