The San Antonio Riverwalk; Tourism and Growth

San Antonio Texas is known for many things, making the tourist count unbelievable. San Antonio, being home to me, does not always seem so exciting and interesting as many people make it sound. After studying and researching tourist sites I have found that there really are many great attractions here in San Antonio and there is definitely something always going on. The Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio, I have found seems to be the biggest attraction yet. Being downtown on the river alone one can experience the true culture and feeling of this city. San Antonio is a lively community and is filled with activity. I believe walking down the river is the best way to get the real feel for this type of living. It is an upbeat, lively area and is the most happening place here in San Antonio.
The Riverwalk has been around for many years and continues to expand every year. The growth is remarkable. The river was once a way of life and it has turned into a community filled with attractions for all ages. In the beginning, Spanish Explorers used the waterway to supply water to their missions. Mission San Antonio de Valero, also known as The Alamo, was the first to benefit from it. The river flooded its banks many times. In September 1921 the worst flood in its history killed over fifty people and caused millions of dollars in damage to the city. City planners struggled over what to do while large debates rang among the people. One man, an architect named Robert H. H. Hugman proposed a plan that would turn the area into a beautiful urban park with apartments, dining, shopping, boat rides and walk ways lit with old-fashioned street lamps. He wanted it to be just as if one were walking in Venice, Italy. After convincing city officials and business leaders of the financial benefits of his plan, the dream became a reality and the Riverwalk was eventually sculpted into the masterpiece you see today.

There are many events and gathering that take place on the river. Due to its lively nature many people choose this for parties and the place to get wild and crazy. One eventful time on the river that is my personal favorite is Christmas time, I try to make it out every year to see the lighting of the Riverwalk. Being that there is much to do on the river it is hard to hit every happening place in one visit. The events held on the Riverwalk are also remarkable and bring much attention to San Antonio. The spreading river not only brings in tourists it also brings in much money to San Antonio and its natives. Many family owned businesses are located right on the river. These particular places have for the most part been around for years. Some places come and go but the majority of the family owned are going strong. The first restaurant on the river was Casa Rio which features great Mexican food and is one of the hottest spots on the river. For fine dining there is Paesanos which is Italian and features a great area to relax. Most places on the river are very true to San Antonio culture which makes the Riverwalk so special. The river as we know it today is huge and amazing, holding everything one could ever need, but as we speak the river is still growing bringing in more tourist and more business. I spoke with my father, Steve Williams on the growth of the river, due to the fact that he has been working down town right on the river for 20 years now. He was able to explain the changes and growth he has personally seen in this time frame. Steve stated, "the business on the river is not the only thing expanding the river itself has been expanded a few times as well." The most growth he has seen he says is the hotels that have gone up all around the river grounds. "Twenty years ago down town around my building, the Ran Building, was peaceful, today this area is full of people day in and day out. To park we now pay in our own building, it is some what of a privilege to find a parking spot in my area now a days" Steve mentioned. The growth really is outstanding and though it is very interesting and lively it is at times scary that something can grow so much over so little time. I from time to time wonder if there is enough room in this area of town for all of the expansion, can we really cater to all the needs of the people?
The growth of the river is what sparks attention the most. The more activity, the more people. We seem to be expanding the river more and more every day. Downtown San Antonio alone is a very active area and being that the river produces much commercial business today, many tourists make it a priority to visit the river more then once in a trip to San Antonio. After interviewing tourist Debbie Estrada I have found that the Riverwalk is the main reason she traveled here with her family to visit our city. She says, "Being from up north a river is not an enjoyable place and when I was going to plan a summer vacation I decided that San Antonio would be best to experience a warm climate and a nice flowing river. Not only does the San Antonio river just flow and make for a peaceful visit, we also have not had to leave the river yet. With all the shopping and eating located right here, I have spent the majority of our vacation money here in these shops and enjoying the true taste of Mexican food and lively music." After understanding this was the only reason the visit San Antonio I informed Debbie that the river has not always been as lively and as interesting as it is now. She was somewhat surprised to know that the river was used strictly for living and water for many years. She also stated, "I am glad to find that the river has expanded as it did because it has made our family vacation a very memorable one." The river walk is a place for family and a place to party. Debbie expressed her feelings about the Riverwalk as she talk to me about her family vacation. After being down town for Fiesta I was also able to speak to some younger San Antonio goers. Sam Martinez is a 22 year old girl I came across and spoke with while enjoying myself at one the Fiesta events. Sam is a native of San Antonio. She stated, "I spend much of my free time here, down town, I live on the north side but down town is still where my friends and I prefer to hang out." She also mentioned how she loves to shop here down town and from time to time she even rents a hotel room here for the weekend. This was the most shocking thing to me, of all the years I have lived near and in San Antonio I have never once thought to get a room here and just spend the weekend.

I studied the Riverwalk because it is what most interests me about San Antonio, this is my home town and where I plan to spend the majority of my life. After speaking with many different people and researching the Riverwalk I have learned a great deal about the place I am so fond of. I plan on continuing my research and spending more time on the river this summer. I have even decided to book a room for a weekend or two. I am very excited about the project I chose and can not wait to find out more.