King William is the most beautiful residential neighborhood in San Antonio and one of the best free walks in Texas, and the surrounding Southtown district adds galleries, coffee and some of the city's most enjoyable restaurants. The story begins in the mid-1800s, when German immigrants bought land just south of the old town along the San Antonio River and built substantial homes. The main street was named King William, after King Wilhelm I of Prussia, and despite periods of anti-German sentiment the name survives. The result is a district of grand Victorian, Italianate and Greek Revival houses under huge live oaks and pecans, many lovingly restored, with deep porches, ironwork fences and gardens. It became the first designated historic district in Texas in 1968, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and was named a state Cultural Arts District in 2011. Southtown, the wider area, grew out of a revitalization effort in the early 1990s and now spans five neighborhoods, King William among them. Its creative spirit shows in murals, studios, micro-distilleries and mixed-use spaces, and in the long-running First Friday and Second Saturday art walks. The Contemporary at Blue Star, the city's first and longest-running nonprofit contemporary art space, anchors the arts scene. Food lovers come for the casual dining: Southtown's restaurants, bars and cafés are a big part of the appeal, from Tex-Mex to modern Texan. A couple of historic houses in the district open to the public as house museums; check current hours before you plan around them. The drawbacks: these are private homes, so look but do not trespass, and First Friday crowds can make parking difficult.
The best way to see King William is on foot. Start at the north end of King William Street near the river, and walk south past the finest houses, detouring onto the side streets for quieter blocks. The River Walk runs right alongside the district, so you can walk here from downtown along the water in about twenty minutes, or continue south on the river toward the Mission Reach and the missions for a longer outing on foot or by bike. Many visitors find this the most rewarding stretch of the River Walk, calm, green and lined with gardens rather than restaurants.
Plan your walk to end at lunch or dinner. Southtown's dining scene is relaxed, local and varied, and it ranges from casual taco and Tex-Mex spots to bakeries, coffee shops and chef-driven restaurants with patios under the trees. On the first Friday of the month the area fills with an art walk, with galleries and studios open late, street food and music; it is lively and fun, but go early if you want to park. The Second Saturday walk is a calmer version.
Logistics: King William is just south of downtown, an easy walk from the Hemisfair area or along the River Walk, and a short ride by car or scooter. Street parking is available but limited near the busiest blocks. The district is best in the cooler months and in the gold light of early evening, when the porches and trees glow. Respect residents: stay on public sidewalks, keep voices down at night and do not photograph people on their porches without asking. If you want more structure, guided walking and food tours of the district run regularly and add stories about the families who built the houses, but most visitors are happy following their own route. Allow time to sit by the river on the benches along the King William stretch of the River Walk, one of the prettiest and calmest sections of the entire waterway, shaded by cypress trees and lined with gardens. Spring is especially lovely, when the gardens bloom and the weather is ideal for walking, and the holiday season brings decorations to many porches.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk through a historic district of nineteenth century mansions, followed by galleries, cafés and restaurants in the surrounding Southtown neighborhood.
Best time
Cooler months and early evening light; the first Friday of the month for the art walk.
How long
Two to three hours including a meal.
Tips
Walk in from downtown along the River Walk. End at a Southtown restaurant. Go early on First Friday. Stay on public sidewalks.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Architecture lovers, strollers and food lovers looking for a local neighborhood.
- Families
- Fine as a walk with a meal at the end; younger children may prefer Hemisfair's playground nearby.
- Couples
- Excellent: a golden-hour stroll past the mansions, then dinner on a Southtown patio.
- Pair with
- The River Walk Mission Reach heading south, or Hemisfair and La Villita to the north.
- Time needed
- An afternoon or evening.
Good questions
Why is it called King William?+
German settlers named the main street after King Wilhelm I of Prussia in the nineteenth century, and the name stayed.
Can I go inside the houses?+
Most are private homes, so admire them from the sidewalk. A few historic houses in the area operate as house museums; check their current hours.
What is First Friday?+
A long-running monthly art walk in Southtown, with galleries and studios open late, street food and music on the first Friday of each month.
How do I get there from downtown?+
Walk south along the River Walk in about twenty minutes, or take a short ride by car or scooter.
Is it a good place to eat?+
Yes. Southtown has some of the city's most enjoyable casual restaurants, cafés and bars, many with patios.
