Riverwalk

San Antonio's River Walk, or El Paseo del Rio is the crown jewel of San Antonio, the center of downtown life. Almost three miles of meandering cobblestone walkways lead visitors 20 feet below street level along the natural, spring-fed San Antonio River from the Municipal Auditorium on the north end to the King William District at the south. The River Walk's 35 bridges and 31 staircases, built by WPA workers from 1935 - 1941, are sheltered by towering cypress, plus oak, crepe myrtle, and willow trees, (Seventy five species of trees, in all.) Lush subtropical plants and flowers are all maintained by the city. Scenic arched bridges access the many indoor/outdoor restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, boutiques, and a shopping mall. For those wanting a more sedentary experience, barges and river taxis carry visitors up and down the river. There are even dinner cruises on the flat-bottomed boats. The River Walk in focus for many of the city's festivals, including the Mud Festival, celebrated during the annual cleaning of the river bed after the first of the year.