Historic Market Square
Market Square Shops courtesy of visitsanantonio.com
San Antonio's Historic Market Square is hands-down one of the most popular shopping spots in the entire city. This 3-block outdoor plaza holds over 100 locally owned and operated shops, stalls, and restaurants within its confines, providing buyers with everything from authentic Mexican Talavera Pottery to locally grown vegetables.
Historic Market Square holds two main parts; the Farmer's Market Plaza, with over 80 stalls, vendors, and working artists, and then El Mercado, with over 32 specialty shops selling products representing and celebrating the cultural, artistic and ethnic influences of the southwest and Mexico. You will find authentic clothing, wood carvings, local candies, and other exotic curios in El Mercado, as well as authentic eateries such as Mi Tierra and La Margarita. You can also choose to eat at the Food Court at the Farmer's Market.
The area itself is quite beautiful and great for a relaxing sightseeing stroll, with several stone fountains, ornamental streetlights, local trees, and festive benches throughout. There are several different markers displaying the history of the square as well, which was first gifted to the locals by the King of Spain in 1730 'for [their] use and entertainment'. It was quickly filled with lively markets selling wild game, honey, nuts, and the like, then moved to the Plaza de Armas in 1890.
