Historic cities often pose unique challenges for accessible travel. Our accessible experts Barbara and Jim Twardowski travel to San Antonio to navigate the Alamo and beyond with Barbara’s electric wheelchair and report back on the city’s challenges and rewards.
Lush green foliage and 300-year-old oak trees shade the meandering sidewalks and foot bridges that border the San Antonio River one story below street level. The River Walk originally opened in 1941 with stairways to the street level, rock walls lining the banks and stone paths. Built decades before the Americans with Disabilities Act, the city of San Antonio has been improving wheelchair accessibility along the River Walk by installing ramps, adding new paths, and providing elevators.
While the paths can become quite narrow, we found the River Walk to be extremely accessible. Built along the River Walk is a plethora of restaurants, hotels, bars and shops. The atmosphere is festive.
