Parking close to River Walk? (Houston, San Antonio: apartments, hotel, live)

[blueamber]

I'm going to visit San Antonio with my hubby later this month to check some apartments and car dealers. We'll move there later this summer. We're gonna stay in Doubletree hotel Airport due to a very early return flight. We plan to spend the afternoon on the day of our arrival in downtown so we could have a better idea about the city, and then we want to have dinner somewhere nice close to River Walk. I'm wondering
1. Is it easy to find a place to park in downtown area close to River Walk? is it expensive?
2. Could you guys suggest some nice but not very expensive restaurants close to River Walk (we're still students )
3. Do you have any good route to suggest given the location of my hotel?

Thanks!

[elmariachi]

Parking near the River Walk is fairly easy. Aside from the plethora of parking meters there are within a block of the RW, there are also a variety of parking garages that charge between $6 and 10.
Fastest way to Downtown is to go South on Jonesmaltsberger until you hit 281, get on 281 going south and exit Commerce.

I personally do not like any restaurants on the River Walk, however, I'm sure someone else can point you in the right direction.

[follie]

The parking garage at the rivercenter mall is pretty expensive IIRC. I think it was $18 for the day? Other places are cheaper, and some places will do the flat rate parking.

My advice about where to eat is to actually take one of the river boat tours- you get a great tour of what restaurants are on the river and it's relaxing.

The mall has a food court which includes things like chilis and hooters, and then there are lots of other restaurants and bars along the river. You just have to see what floats your boat.

I agree with the 281 to commerce recommendation- it will be a pretty easy route. Commerce will take you into downtown.

Have fun during your stay!

[blueamber]

Thanks for the information!

[Rottnboys]

blueamber - good luck on your apartment hunt/move!!! If you are okay with some walking - you can park for FREE and safely, at the Pearl Brewery and access the riverwalk right there at their facility. The parking under the overpass is well-lit and patrolled by the park police bike patrol. We park there everytime we go down that way, because it is easy to park, easy river access, and we enjoy the walk! We also see the bike patrol officers on every visit there!

There are lots of restaurants on the riverwalk to choose from - I would suggest that you take your appetite and an open mind - and you can view most menus on the outside menu boards, to decide if the restaurant fits your budget, before ever going in

Enjoy your visit!!!

[RoamingWolves]

Most parking meters are free after 6pm in the downtown area. Just look at them to be sure. The street down the side of hemisphere park is all meters and a good spot to start from.

As for dining there is all sorts in all kinds of prices. Be warned that downtown is one of the touristy areas and is priced accordingly. So cheap food is often brand fast food. If you look at the dining recommendations for people that live here you rarely see riverwalk dining on the list. The really good for that is downtown is often extremely high priced. It is not often worth it. Eat somewhere else that is good and affordable, then go downtown for the bar scene. But drinking downtown isn't cheap either.

There are plenty of threads for best this or that food in the area. I think this thread was right below one for brisket.

[blueamber]

Thanks for those great tips!

[miaht82]

Actually, if you exit Houston instead of Commerce (its the exit about 50 ft. before Commerce,) make a right towards downtown, you can find a parking meter or a lot fairly close to the Alamo and a fairly close distance to the Riverwalk entrance through the Hyatt directly in front of the Alamo.
Most restaurants are reasonably priced as long as the alcohol tab is kept down (~$25-$30 for 2.) There are a few exceptions to the over-pricing, but ones like The Original, Mi Tierra and a few others can be kept to the $25-$30 range.