enjoy san antonio's la villita
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San Antonio, Texas, is one of the top convention cities in the United States. Much of this can be attributed to the fact that the city's planner were clever enough to turn downtown problems into downtown attractions. The smelly, flood-prone San Antonio River was dammed and its banks converted into the popular Riverwalk. Just south of the river, an eyesore of a slum was cleaned up and renovated. Today it's known as La Villita or the Little Village and it has become a site for music and cultural festivals, dining and galleries of arts and crafts.
Instructions
1
Enter at King Philip V Street and East Nueva. Off to the right is Artistic Endeavors art gallery, and beyond it, Maverick Plaza, which is usually the main site for special events. To the left is Found, which specializes in southwestern-themed art and antiques. An art space called Nueva Street Gallery is further down, with an entrance on Nueva Street. Little Studio Gallery, which sells art and jewelry, is north of Found, while to the west is Nacional Plaza, with Galleria II, an arts and crafts gallery and Scentchips, USA, a home fragrance store.
2
Return to Philip V and turn left on Nacional Street to go to the Bolivar Café-, which has a basic American and Tex-Mex fastfood menu. West of that is Village Weavers rug and clothing shop and Originals Beads, Jewelry & Gifts.
3
Cross over to the north side of Nacional and work your way east. First up is Angelita's, which sells clothing and accessories. The Casa Clasal Copper Gallery offers copperware, while Bonsai Arbor has everything you need to grow and maintain a bonsai tree. Turn north up Philip V and on the left side you'll find Casa Manos Alegres, which specializes in Latin American arts and crafts. On the east side of the street is the Starving Artist Gallery, which features mostly handcrafted items.
4
Continue north up Philip V and hang a left at Villita Street. On the south side of the street is Lone Star Mercantile, which sells Texas-themed gifts and Villita Stained Glass. Turn back to the east and you'll see the Village Gallery gift shop and Chamade Jewelers. The Little Church of La Villita is frequently rented out as a wedding chapel. Next up are River Art Group/Susan Carlin Art and Monte Wade Fine Arts, where you can buy original artwork. On the corner is Guadalajara Grill Tex-Mex restaurant and Mustang Grey's western wear shop. Behind Guadalajara Grill, on South Alamo, is Alice Knight arts and crafts studio.
5
Turn around and go back north up South Alamo and turn west at Villita Street. On the north side of the street is the Little Rhein Steak House and Fig Tree Restaurant, two upscale restaurants that have been around for decades. Next to those is the former home of General Martin Perfecto Cos, which is a rental space. Make a right and head north through the archway to the Arneson River Theatre, an open-air space that hosts the performing arts, especially the annual Fiesta Noche del Rio Latin American musical showcase.
6
Finish by taking a stroll along the Riverwalk and getting a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants there. The oldest is Casa Rio, a Tex-Mex place between Commerce and Market. If you have a large party, reserve a dining barge here and cruise up and down the San Antonio River while you eat.
Tips &- Warnings
Park in the lot just south of East Nueva Street and go into the main entrance onto King Philip V Street. If there's a special event going on you might have to buy a ticket here, but usually La Villita is free and open. The village is bordered by South Alamo to the east, South Presa to the west, East Nueva to the south and the San Antonio River to the north. The Hilton Palacio Del Rio is just to the northeast and the old Hemisfair grounds are directly to the east across South Alamo.
Traffic along South Alamo moves pretty fast, and it's very easy to miss the East Nueva turn-in. You may have to drive around a few blocks before you can make the turn successfully.
Tags: South Alamo, arts crafts, East Nueva, Antonio River, Nueva Street, side street, which sellsSource: www.ehow.com
