For more than a century, San Antonians have blown off steam by enjoying time at Woodlawn Lake (1103 Cincinnati Ave.), with its decorative lighthouse watching over them. The artificial lake was built by George W. Russ, president of the Rhode Island-based West End Town Company, in the 1880s. According to the city, visitors used streetcars to enjoy "the finest artificial lake in the south," illuminated by electric lights. There were also outdoor movies and vaudeville acts. Today, runners, walkers and joggers can be seen closing out their days traversing the nearly two-mile path that hugs the lake's shores. However, if peace and quiet is your goal, don't bother taking that walk on July 4. That's when the city holds its annual Fourth of July blast featuring fireworks and a parade, which draws in huge crowds.
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