Looking for a cool respite from a hot Texas evening? San Antonio’s River Walk offers an inviting pathway along the San Antonio River. Lined with restaurants and shops, the night air is filled with sounds of music and the tempting aroma of southwest cooking. Scenic boat cruises glide up and down the river, passed the casual paced nightlife, the beautiful landscaping along the river’s edge and its soft lighting. This gorgeous city park, open every day of the year, is one of the most popular stops in San Antonio.
     In the drier regions of Texas, water has always been a precious part of life and the people of the South Texas Plains have depended on the San Antonio River for centuries. Having the river in your backyard has its drawbacks, with the worst in 1921 when San Antonio experienced a disastrous flood, killing 50 residents. Along with San Antonio River flood control, the idea the town’s first river walk was conceived. Native architect, Robert H.H. Hugman, drew up the first plans that included a dam, a bypass channel and the River Walk. Persistence paid off, and with modern expansions, this downtown park is one of the city’s top tourist attractions.