Welcome to the Alamo City! On this episode, we take you on a 2.5 to 3-mile circular walking tour covering the "Big Three" of downtown San Antonio: the Alamo, the River Walk, and Historic Market Square. Grab your walking shoes, because while the physical walk only takes about an hour, you'll want to carve out 4 to 6 hours to fully enjoy the stops.

Episode Highlights & Tour Stops:

Stop 1: The Alamo (300 Alamo Plaza) We kick off the tour at Texas’s most famous landmark. Note that as of March 2026, the site is undergoing the "Alamo Plan" restoration, with the new Visitor Center and Museum set to open in 2028. However, the Alamo Church and Long Barrack are still free and open to the public. Pro Tip: Be sure to secure a free timed-entry reservation online before you go to avoid the long lines.

Stop 2: The San Antonio River Walk / Paseo del Rio (Entrance near 849 E Commerce St) Walk south across Alamo Plaza, past the tall orange "Torch of Friendship" sculpture, and take the stone stairs down 20 feet below street level into this cypress-lined sanctuary. Stroll the "Horseshoe" loop to see the Arneson River Theatre and La Villita Historic Arts Village, a charming collection of artisan shops.

Stop 3: Historic Market Square / El Mercado (514 W Commerce St) Exit the River Walk at W. Commerce St. or Market St. and head West, passing the historic San Fernando Cathedral (the oldest cathedral in the US). Cross over I-35 to arrive at the largest Mexican market in the United States. Here you can shop a three-block outdoor plaza filled with talavera pottery, leather goods, and traditional clothing. Must Eat: Pop into Mi Tierra Café & Bakery, a 24/7 legendary spot decorated with year-round Christmas lights.

Stop 4: Tower of the Americas & Hemisfair (739 E César E. Chávez Blvd) Head East on Dolorosa St (which turns into Market St) and turn right to walk south on S. Alamo St for two blocks. Built for the 1968 World’s Fair, this 750-foot tower offers breathtaking observation deck views of the city. Traveling with kids? Yanaguana Garden at the tower's base is one of the best urban playgrounds in the country.

Returning to the Start: Walk North on S. Alamo St for a straight, 10-minute (0.5-mile) walk right back to Alamo Plaza, completing your circle.

Quick Navigation Tips: Keep an eye out for the new "Alamo District" wayfinding signs and pedestrian-only zones designed to improve the visitor experience. If your feet get tired, you can hop on a GO RIO river shuttle at various points along the River Walk.

Sources:

• San Antonio - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio
• San Antonio - Travel guide at Wikivoyage: https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/San_Antonio

This podcast is for entertainment purposes only, please double check directions and take precautions if going on a walking tour. Remember to look before crossing the road! This episode was produced with the use of AI.

Copyrighted 2026. Licensed for use under Creative Commons Share Alike Attribution.