Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of the border, with Mexican food, mariachi bands and store after store filled with Mexican
wares. A big chunk of the square is taken up by
El Mercado
, the largest Mexican market-
place outside of Mexico.
The market has historical roots - it goes back to the 1890s - but it can feel like a bit of
a tourist trap at times. You can find some beautiful handicrafts if you take time to sort
through the mass-produced sombreros and serapes. Wander the booths and stock up on
Mexican doodads such as paper flowers, colorful pottery, maracas,
papel picado
(elabor-
ate cut-paper designs), onyx figurines and the Virgin Mary in every conceivable medium.
MUSEUM
Artpace
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 210-212-4900;
www.artpace.org
; 445 N Main Ave; noon-5pm Wed-Sun)
This unique contem-
porary art museum hosts temporary exhibitions by its outstanding artists-in-residence,
who are selected from a pool drawn from across Texas, the USA and abroad. Inside a
1920s automobile showroom, the renovated gallery space is inspiring and the works are
often experimental. Artpace also schedules special community events, including lectures,
films, artist conversations and more.
La Villita Historic Arts Village
MAP
HISTORIC SITE
GOOGLE MAP
( 210-207-8610;
www.lavillita.com
; 418 Villita St; most shops 10am-6pm)
History meets com-
merce at downtown's La Villita. San Antonio's first neighborhood, this 'little village' of
stone and adobe houses dates back to the early 1800s and now contains a collection of
touristy shops and galleries.
It doesn't exactly offer a portal into the past, but it's worth a stroll, especially if you
pause for a walking tour that puts the village into the right historical context. (Maps are
available all around the village.) La Villita occupies the space between Paseo de la Villita
and Nueva St, and between Alamo and Presa Sts.
