San Antonio, Texas, is famous for the
Alamo and its magnificent
River Walk. But another must-see for visitors to this exciting city is the
Market Square.
The Market Square dates back to the 19th century and has undergone many changes over the years.
Market Square is very popular with local people and visitors alike, and is one of the landmarks that make San Antonio unique. It is located between Dolorosa, Santa Rosa and Commerce Streets. IH-35 is the western boundary. There is a wide assortment of shops and restaurants along the outdoor pedestrian walkways. There is also an indoor plaza of 32 shops called El Mercado.
San Antonio is rich in Hispanic culture, and visitors to Market Square can enjoy spicy Mexican food while sipping margaritas and listening to mariachi music. A favorite place with locals is Mi Terra Café and Bakery which started business in 1943 and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The shops are full of Mexican jewelry, dresses, candy, art and pi—atas. There is also a new Farmers Market which has a food court and shops that sell products representative of the artistic, ethnic and cultural influences of Mexico and Texas.
The Market Square Arts Center (Centro se Artes del Mercado) has been restored to house a museum that tells the story of the Latino experience in America. The restoration was done by the Smithsonian Institute and the Centro Alameda. The museum is also used for social and civic functions, art exhibits, concerts, and dance and drama presentations. Market Square is just ten blocks from the Alamo. It is easy to get to by streetcar or horse drawn carriage.
