Kayaking for Kids Open
GO RIO San Antonio River Cruises
4.6(4,170)4.6 out of 5 stars, 4170 reviews San Antonio, TX
About GO RIO San Antonio River Cruises
An entertaining and relaxing 30 to 60-minute boat cruise along the San Antonio River Walk that combines local history, humor, and practical sightseeing tips from highly engaging captains.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking a relaxing, low-energy sightseeing experienceFirst-time tourists looking for dining and activity recommendationsHot afternoons when an evening breeze on the water is preferredToddlers and preschoolers who can easily handle the short 30 to 45-minute ride durationSchool-age kids and teens who will appreciate the humor, history, and city lights
Why families love it
- Engaging and funny tour guides who share interesting historical facts
- Stunning evening views with magical lights illuminating the bridges and buildings
- Dual functionality as both a guided sightseeing tour and a practical upstream ferry
- Helpful recommendations for local dining and sightseeing spots along the river
- Evening and sunset cruise options to see the illuminated River Walk
- Live, entertaining narration by skilled captains
Insider tips
- Purchase tickets online in advance to streamline the boarding process
- Opt for an evening tour to escape the daytime heat and enjoy the illuminated River Walk
- Inquire about the military discount to save on ticket prices
- Be aware that there are two distinct embarkation locations along the river
Good to know before you go
- Mid-day tours during extremely hot weather
- Buying tickets in person during busy periods like Spring Break
- Boats can get very crowded and packed, particularly during peak travel seasons like Spring Break
- Crowds
- High crowd levels on the boats during Spring Break, though queue lines tend to move quickly
- Value
- Considered affordable and not too expensive by visitors, with extra savings available via a military discount.
- Safety
- Captains are highly skilled at navigating tight and difficult waterways safely
What parents say
"Great experience with our captain Craig. It was like an entertaining history lesson, on a boat. They offer a military discount, which we were happy to accept. So go take a half hour relaxing boat ride on the San Antonio River, which is mostly real and just a little fake (info from the tour 😁)."
a week ago
"During our Spring Break 2025 visit to San Antonia, we watched the GO RIO boats guide visitors along the San Antonio River, along the River Walk, for a couple days before embarking our own early evening excursion just as the sun was setting. The magical lights were now on on bridges, buildings, and through the River Walk areas. Our guide was very informative and made the evening special. Most of the boats were packed, but the lines to wait weren't that long. I recommend purchasing your tickets online. There are two locations to embark on your water tour. If it's too hot for you to take this to"
a month ago
"The tour guide was amazing and very informative as well as funny. The tour takes about an hour and it honestly feels less than an hour. If you're a tourist, I definitely recommend it. The tour guide pointed out several different spots for sightseeing and eating that I was not aware of."
a month ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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