Urban segment of the San Antonio River Museum Reach

Though the Museum Reach is now a 1.33-mile extension from Lexington Avenue to East Josephine Street, it may stretch all the way to Hildebrand Avenue by 2011. The Pearl Brewery has been hanging out in its own little universe for too long. It’s time to connect it to the rest of downtown. Now taking a walk from your downtown condo to the Saturday morning farmers market is way more scenic.
Public art is cool, especially the glow in the dark variety.
Wave your hands over this art piece/bench and tiny embedded lights begin to flicker.
The colorful stripes lining the Ninth Street underpass, a concept by the San Antonio-based artist Mark Schlesinger, made us think of glow sticks but, like, way bigger.
We like the potential revenue stream (yes, we’re that punny) for milking tourists out of their last dollars through additional river tours. “And if you look to the right, you’ll see a lovely water feature.”
The landscaping, water features and sights that line the Museum Reach section are really scenic. And walking close to the San Antonio Museum of Art might remind some art-lazy visitors of its existence.
We’re thanking local artist Carlos Cortés for creating the fairy-tale like grotto between Camden and Newell streets.
This looks like the perfect makeout nook.
A worker puts the finishing touches on the grotto.
The folks behind the Museum Reach are gearing up to showcase the $74.4 million investment, which includes what is probably the only recreational lock-and-dam system in the country. But unless you want to be hypnotized by tour boats passing in and out of the locks, there’s not a whole bunch of activities along the river just yet. Anyone for tubing?
On second thought, maybe tubing isn't such a great idea.
You could also take up bird-watching.
Just be careful if the bird starts watching you.
Unlike along the previously existing River Walk portion, there are not nearly enough margarita stands to slake our thirst. And we don’t recommend drinking the river water. But you can probably grab a beer at the bar in the regal old VFW Post 76 along the Museum Reach segment. You’ll also have to hike to the nearest restaurant. Texas Farm to Table Café at the Pearl Brewery may be your best bet for good grub.
The San Antonio Museum of Art may be less than optimally convenient to reach by walking along the river, since the sidewalk disappears along a portion of the museum’s property. May we suggest rock climbing up to it?
New water features serve both aesthetic and environmental functions. Water features break up the otherwise linear look of the river while "polishing" the water, said Suzanne Scott of the San Antonio River Authority.
These speakers will emit sounds as part of the Sonic Passage installation by Bill Fontana at the Jones Avenue underpass.
Construction unearthed remnants of historic Alamo Mills Dam. Who knew?
We’ve got a cool new landmark with Donald Lipski’s 7-foot hanging long-eared sunfish at the Interstate 35 underpass. Unfortunately, people are probably already thinking of ways to tag the awesome fishies.
Go check out Museum Reach for yourself, fishface!