Market Square, San Antonio, TX

Market Square is located in the heart of San Antonio about half a mile from the Riverwalk. This shopping Mecca caters to tourists looking for distinctly Mexican gifts. The market area takes a full city block with Mexican dining, snack shops and endless rows of gift shops. Although the trinkets and baubles begin to all look the same after a while, there are unique items to be found as you work your way through the flea market like maze of shops.

One of the biggest draws at Market Square is the pricing. You can find plenty of gifts for ten dollars or less, with many gifts hovering around the five dollar mark. There are colorful bracelets and jewelry that can be had in the four dollar range (the prices tend to be the same from shop to shop), Mexican wrestling masks, colorful pottery (substantially more…starting around twenty dollars on up), leather goods, belt buckles, colorful glasswear, traditional Mexican clothing, bobble-head animals that are hand-painted, colored eggs full of confetti, piñatas, velvet paintings, bright table runners and more. The overwhelming display of color infusion can be dizzying.

Local family members suggested dinner at Mi Tierra Café and Bakery. By the time I worked my way down to Market Square, I had already overdosed on Mexican cuisine. So I will take their word for it. But Mi Tierra does come highly recommended for “authentic” cuisine. Mi Tierra is joined by another Mexican restaurant called La Margarita Restaurant and Oyster Bar. There is a large Farmer’s Market across the street from the Plaza that runs down the middle of Market Square. The Farmer’s Market is home to many more shops to include some specialty food stores where a variety of hot sauces or southwestern staples can be purchased. There is also a Food Court with a limited fast food menu available.

For those who are interested in art Museums, a gallery called Galeria Ortiz is located within Market Square. Galeria Ortiz features paintings, jewelry and sculptures created by local and regional artists. This gallery is located at 4026 McCullough. The gallery owner, Lisa Ortiz, moved from New York and established this landmark in 1978 when it was called DagenBela Gallery. The gallery was renamed in 1996. San Antonio is home to several art galleries that can be found throughout the city.

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