San Antonio is a fun pet-friendly vacation destination. The famous Riverwalk Park he stretches for 24 miles and you’ll have fun exploring all the neighborhoods and historic sites along the way.
Founded in 1718 as a Spanish mission and colonial outpost, San Antonio became the first official civilian settlement in what is now Texas in 1731. For history buffs, there is a lot to see.
Today, San Antonio is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. But the downtown area is easily walkable with pets. Our favorite way to explore the city is on foot (and forefoot).
San Antonio’s Pet-Friendly Riverwalk
Many years ago, when Rod and I first visited San Antonio, the Riverwalk was a fun, slightly seedy tourist destination. Since then, various initiatives have expanded and beautified this wonderful urban oasis.
The original U-shaped area, packed with bars, restaurants and hotels, is still the heart of the River Walk. But now the park stretches for fifteen miles he along the course of the river. Offering access to some of the city’s most treasured historical and cultural attractions, the pet-friendly San Antonio Riverwalk is one of the nation’s most unique urban parks and one of Texas’ most popular parks. Attraction.
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Our favorite thing about visiting the San Antonio River Walk is that it is 100% pet friendly. Of course pets need a leash. Also, caution should be exercised in crowded areas to ensure the safety of both pets and other visitors. Please be sure to pick up after your pet. There are garbage stations and trash cans along the way.
The River Walk is open 365 days a year, with most parts accessible 24 hours a day. The exception is the Mission Reach Natural Area, which is open during the day.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on riverboat tours during cruises. But you and your dog can use his stand-up paddleboard, kayak, or canoe to navigate the river.Please check King William Paddling Trail for more information.
There is no “best” place to start exploring the River Walk. Any section is worth a visit if you have the time. But if you have to choose a few, here are some of our favorites.
King William District
One section of the River Walk we can’t miss is located just south of downtown in the King William Historic District. Some of the city’s oldest and most beautiful historic homes can be found here. And you can catch a glimpse of it from the road.
downtown loop
No visit to the River Walk is complete without a circular walk around downtown. A short walk from the King William District, it’s the most popular section of the River Walk.
If your dog or cat doesn’t like crowds, plan to visit on a weekday. Or go early on the weekends, before the traffic gets heavy.
If you visit the downtown loop early in the morning, there are plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the scenery. The gardens in this area are iridescent in the spring. And this is the area that hosts the annual Holiday River Parade and Lighting Festival right after Thanksgiving.
If you are looking for a place to eat and are lucky enough to have a social dog, go here. rita is on the riverhas a dedicated menu for dogs.
Or ask on the patio of any other restaurant. Many people will be happy to welcome you and your pets.
pearl district
North of downtown, the River Walk passes through the hipster Pearl District. There are many excellent restaurants in this pedestrian-friendly area, some of which have pet-friendly patios.
There’s also a grocery store with picnic supplies, an interesting boutique, and a bakery with the best macaroons. There are also public restrooms and bicycle rentals here, so it’s a great place if you want to explore more of the River Walk, which isn’t accessible on foot.
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Beyond the Riverwalk
It would be easy to spend an entire vacation on pet-friendly San Antonio’s Riverwalk. But the city has much more to offer. Here are some other San Antonio places to check out with your pet.
La Villita
Between downtown and the King William district is La Valita (small village). This is one of San Antonio’s first settlements and is surrounded by a thick defensive wall.
The adobe houses within the ramparts have been restored and now house shops, galleries and small restaurants. We found that most places happily welcome you to sightsee with your pet. Always ask questions first.
The wide squares and narrow streets of La Villita offer plenty of places to rest in the shade and reflect on what life was like for early pioneers.
King William Historic District Walking Tour
Head back to the King William district for a great walking tour across the River Walk. The area was settled by successful German merchants in the late 1800s and most of the houses are still privately owned.
pick up walking tour map In front of Anton Wolfe House (pictured below) at 107 King William Street (corner of King Williams Street and South St. Mary’s Street). Afterwards, take a stroll through the quiet neighborhood streets. The map gives his 1-2 paragraph history of each of his 46 homes on the tour.
We spent a sunny morning admiring the different design styles and learning a bit about the history of the area. If you or your pup get thirsty, there is a dog and human fountain near the bandstand at King William Park.
The Karl H. Gunther House and Pioneer Flower Mills are conveniently located about halfway through the tour. Pets are not allowed on site, but there is a restaurant (open Wednesday-Sunday) where you can purchase snacks.
We took turns waiting with the dogs while the other dog went inside the house to look around the clearing and order. (Note: Peach tea and strudel are the best!)
San Fernando Cathedral
Cathedrals are rarely pet-friendly, so they don’t usually appear on our blog. But the gorgeous square in front of San Fernando Cathedral deserves mention.
This is a great place to enjoy lunch or coffee and do some people-watching. Or read the fascinating history of America’s oldest cathedral while resting in the shadow of its spire.
Hemisphere Park
No trip to pet-friendly San Antonio should stop to admire the 750-foot-tall Tower of America in Hemisphere Park. The tower makes the 92-acre park easily recognizable from anywhere in the city.
Created for the 1968 World’s Fair, the tower’s observation deck and restaurant offer stunning views. However, this tower is not pet friendly. So we enjoyed this urban green oasis from the ground, looking out over the tower and the surrounding fountain garden at its base.
plan a trip
Just 130 miles south of Austin, San Antonio is pet-friendly and perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway. We hope our experience inspires you to explore more with your furry travel companions.
where to stay
Pet friendly hotel
Finding a pet-friendly hotel in San Antonio is a no-brainer. His website at GoPetFriendly.com lists over 100 of his hotels. We recommend choosing a parking lot near the Riverwalk so you can park your car and enjoy walking around town. This also provides easy access to many pet-friendly restaurants near the River Walk.
San Antonio has plenty of options for pet-friendly campgrounds and RV parks.
read more ⇒ pet-friendly hotel chains
best time to go
November to April is a great time to visit pet-friendly San Antonio, with temperatures in the high 60s and low 80s.
But if you can bear the heat of the Texas summer, there are plenty of special events going on. Trees line the River Walk, providing shade for walks.
We hope that our visit to San Antonio will inspire you to make your own trip. If you spot a pet-friendly place we missed, leave us a tip below.
Next stop: Explore Big Bend, Texas with your dog
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