San Antonio River Walk Audio Tour
Uncover San Antonio’s history as you stroll the iconic River Walk
What to Expect
Experience San Antonio’s River Walk like never before on this immersive self-guided audio tour. As you follow the curve of the river through plazas, footbridges, and historic sites, vivid storytelling reveals the city’s layered past—from Indigenous origins and Spanish colonial roots to saloons, missions, and WPA-era transformation.
With GPS-triggered audio guiding your walk, you’ll uncover the untold stories behind chili queens, cultural icons, and the evolving identity of one of Texas’s most beloved cities. Go at your own pace and see how the river continues to shape San Antonio—past, present, and future.
Ready to go? Book below or download our app and purchase directly from your phone.
📍 Location: San Antonio, TX
🚶♂️ Type: Walking tour
⏱ Duration: Approx. 2 hours (flexible)
✅ Includes: App download, GPS-triggered audio, No expiration
📶 Works Offline: Download ahead of time - no cell service required
🎧 Multiple Languages: English, Spanish, French, German
Get Ready for Your San Antonio Self-Guided Tour
Follow the curves of the San Antonio River and uncover a city shaped over centuries by tradition, innovation, and cultural exchange.
This self-guided audio tour turns the River Walk into a living timeline, where each turn reveals another chapter of San Antonio’s layered past.
As you wander, the narration explores how Indigenous heritage, Spanish settlement, food culture, industry, activism, and art all took root along these banks.
Plazas, footbridges, and tucked-away pathways become storytellers themselves, offering surprising perspectives and memorable moments.
Move at your own pace as you discover the voices, histories, and ideas that continue to define this uniquely soulful city.
Let the river lead the way as you experience San Antonio with deeper insight and a renewed sense of place.
What You’ll See on Your San Antonio Walking Tour
The Alamo
More than a historic battleground, the Alamo stands as a defining symbol of courage, memory, and Texas identity. Wander its grounds and reflect on the events and individuals who left an enduring mark on the nation’s story.
La Villita Historic Arts Village
Originally a settlement dating back to the 1700s, La Villita has evolved into a vibrant district filled with artisan boutiques, studios, and galleries. Its narrow lanes and historic buildings create an inviting setting rooted in centuries of cultural expression.
Arneson River Theatre
Carved into the river’s edge, the Arneson River Theatre offers a picturesque open-air stage unlike any other. Whether you're attending a performance or simply admiring its backdrop, the space radiates San Antonio’s artistic spirit.
Briscoe Western Art Museum
Set within a restored historic landmark, the Briscoe showcases paintings, sculpture, and artifacts that illuminate the diverse stories of the American West. Cowboys, vaqueros, Native histories, and frontier myths all come alive inside.
San Antonio de Padua Statue & View of the Tower of the Americas
This peaceful riverside point blends centuries-old religious heritage with expansive views of the city skyline. Here, Spanish colonial history meets the modern silhouette of the Tower of the Americas.
Spanish Governor’s Palace
Step inside Texas’s only surviving example of an 18th-century Spanish colonial residence. The Spanish Governor’s Palace offers an intimate look into early frontier life through its thick walls, carved doors, and tranquil courtyard.
Esquire Tavern
Opened the day Prohibition ended, the Esquire Tavern is both San Antonio’s oldest bar and home to the longest wooden bar in the state. Its atmosphere is steeped in River Walk history and timeless character.
The Grotto
A sculpted limestone sanctuary along the river, The Grotto blends natural forms with imaginative artistry. Its carved faces, arches, and cascading water create a dreamlike hideaway that rewards those who pause to explore.
Pearl District
Once home to the Pearl Brewery, this reimagined district now brims with restaurants, boutiques, art spaces, and weekend markets. It’s a lively blend of contemporary culture set against a foundation of historic industrial architecture.
San Fernando Cathedral
Among the oldest cathedrals in the nation, San Fernando remains a spiritual and cultural anchor for the city. The popular nighttime light show turns its façade into a canvas—retelling San Antonio’s history through vivid imagery.
Majestic Theatre
A jewel of 1920s design, the Majestic Theatre dazzles with ornate architecture, glowing colors, and a ceiling that mimics a starlit sky. Today it continues to host Broadway tours, concerts, and world-class entertainment.
Market Square (El Mercado)
Bursting with color and activity, Market Square is a celebration of Mexican culture and local tradition. From handcrafted goods to lively food stalls, the plaza offers an authentic and festive taste of San Antonio.
King William Historic District
Grand Victorian homes and shady streets define this once-prosperous German merchant neighborhood. A stroll through the district reveals beautifully preserved architecture and stories of 19th-century life.
Mission San José
Nicknamed the Queen of the Missions, San José is the largest and most extensively restored of San Antonio’s mission sites. Its carved stone façade and peaceful compound tell moving stories of community and faith.
The Spanish Missions
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the missions highlight centuries of cultural blending, religious transformation, and frontier survival. These historic complexes reveal how Indigenous and Spanish worlds intertwined.
Milam Park
This welcoming downtown park carries deep historical significance, including a tribute to Ben Milam—one of the heroes of the Texas Revolution. It’s a quiet green space that has served the community for generations.
La Antorcha de la Amistad (The Torch of Friendship)
A bold red sculpture rising at a major city gateway, the Torch of Friendship symbolizes unity and collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico. Its abstract form reflects the strength and warmth of the region’s binational ties.
Military Plaza
During the 19th century, Military Plaza transformed after dark as the famed Chili Queens served hearty, flavorful dishes to locals and travelers. Their vibrant nighttime stalls helped spark the rise of what we now know as Tex-Mex cuisine.
Main Plaza
For generations, Main Plaza has been the city’s communal heart—hosting everything from early civic ceremonies to today’s concerts and cultural events. With its shaded walkways and historic surroundings, it’s an ideal spot to slow down and soak in the atmosphere.
Bexar County Courthouse
Standing prominently along Main Plaza, the Bexar County Courthouse showcases striking red sandstone and bold Romanesque Revival architecture. Notice the figure of Lady Justice above—uniquely depicted without her traditional blindfold.
San Antonio River Walk
This picturesque river path winds gracefully through downtown, offering leafy views, arched bridges, and a peaceful escape from the city streets above. Lively restaurants, boutiques, and public art make it one of San Antonio’s most beloved landmarks.
Meeting Point
Your San Antonio walking tour begins at 418 Villita Street.
This is along the riverwalk near the Arneson River Theatre, the outdoor amphitheater.
FAQs About Our San Antonio Walking Tour
-
No, you don’t need a pass to visit the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Visit the National Park Service website for more information.
-
There are many free events to see at the Arneson River Theatre. However, some ask for or require a donation, while others are ticketed. Visit the Arneson River Theatre at La Villita Historic Arts Village website for more information.
-
Tickets to the Briscoe Western Art Museum cost the following:
Adults (18+): $16
Seniors (65+), Retired Military or Veterans, and Students: $14
Military Dependents: $8
Children 12 and Under: Free
Active Military: Free
Members: Free
Visiting the the Briscoe Western Art Museum is also free for recipients of SNAP, WIC, and MAP through Museums for All. Discounts are available for North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Members.
Visit the Briscoe Western Art Museum website for more information.
-
Tickets to the Spanish Governor’s Palace cost the following:
Adults: $5
Seniors (Age 60 and Up): $3
Military: $3
Children (Ages 7–13): $3
Children (Under Age 7): Free
Visit the Spanish Governor’s Palace website for more information.
-
The cost of tickets to the Majestic Theatre depends on the show and the seats you choose. Visit the Majestic Theatre website for more information.
-
Tours are fully refundable up to 24 hours in advance.
If it’s within 24 hours or you had an issue during your tour, email support@drivesanddetours.com. We review all requests individually and will always do our best to make things right.
Our goal is to ensure every traveler has a great experience exploring with Drives & Detours.
-
You will walk for almost three miles on Drives & Detours’ San Antonio tour. This is mostly easy and along flat, well-paved surfaces. There are some hills to climb.
-
Yes, downloading the Drives & Detours app will give you full access to the tour you have purchased, as well as many other self-guided tours.
-
Download the tour before you go. Some areas have poor signal, which can make downloading the tour difficult. Once the tour is downloaded, it will work without any cell signal
The tour audio plays automatically as you approach each stop
Want to see more? Tap “View Stop” to see photos and bonus content
To return to the map, tap the small down arrow between the “previous” and “next” buttons
Follow the blue line and audio directions to stay on route
Use audio controls to pause, rewind, or skip—just like a podcast
Safety first: Keep your eyes on the road or sidewalk, follow traffic laws, and stay aware of your surroundings
-
No—download your San Antonio tour before you go, and you won't need a cell signal. Drives & Detours’ tours work without any cell signal once they are downloaded to your device.
-
Once you have purchased your San Antonio walking tour from Drives & Detours, you can use it whenever you want. You can always take the tour another day if the weather is bad on the day you plan to take it.
-
Unfortunately, Dives & Detours cannot guarantee that the San Antonio self-guided tour is accessible. People with wheelchairs, strollers, or mobility impairments are very welcome, but we recommend checking the City of San Antonio website for detailed information.
Pro Tips for Your Drives & Detours San Antonio Self-Guided Tour
Download before you go.
Enable location services—GPS triggers the audio.
Use earbuds, headphones, or your car speakers.
Pause and resume anytime. If you take a break, just reopen the app and head back toward your last stop.
Lost your way? Tap any pin on the map, then tap the right-turn-arrow icon to open your default maps app for turn-by-turn directions to that spot.
Drives & Detours' Top Tours
Harpers Ferry Audio Walking Tour
This self-paced audio tour leads you along a 3-mile route through Harpers Ferry’s striking scenery and pivotal past. As you move from riverside paths to high overlooks, GPS-guided narration uncovers defining moments—from John Brown’s uprising to the founding of Storer College—that helped steer the nation’s history. It’s an unforgettable way to explore one of America’s most meaningful crossroads.
Beyond the Cobblestones: Self-Guided Audio Tour of Nantucket
Wander through Nantucket’s historic streets and discover how this small island once stood at the center of the global whaling industry. With location-aware audio and offline access, the tour brings both well-known landmarks and lesser-traveled lanes to life. This tour is an engaging, go-at-your-own-pace introduction to the people and stories that shaped the island’s identity.
Chicago Loop Walking Tour: Architecture, Art & Icons
See downtown Chicago from a new perspective with this self-guided walk through the Loop. Meander past architectural icons, celebrated public art, and sweeping river views while hearing how creativity and determination rebuilt the city after the Great Fire. With immersive narration and complete flexibility, every stop offers a deeper look into the spirit that defines the Windy City.