A little bit of Mexico in downtown San Antonio, Market Square is a fair approximation of a trip south 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 marketplace 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 (elaborate cut-paper designs), onyx figurines and the Virgin Mary reproduced in every conceivable medium.
