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F O R
PUBLIC MARKET SQUARE
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HO DOESN’T LOVE A PUBLIC MARKET? BUSTLING WITH PURVEYORS SELL-
ING LOCAL FOOD AND GOODS, THEY ARE OFTEN ENRICHING AND FASCINATING PEEKS INTO THE SOUL OF A CITY. THESE MARKETS ARE ESPECIALLY GREAT FOR GROUPS, TOO, SINCE LEADERS CAN SCHEDULE A TOUR OF THE MARKET, LET GROUP MEMBERS GO OFF TO ENJOY IT ON THEIR OWN OR DO BOTH. OPEN YEARROUND, FILLED WITH OWNER-OPERATED STALLS AND SHOPS, THE FOLLOWING MARKETS OFFER AN EXPERIENCE THAT GROUP VISITORS WON’T WANT TO MISS.
SAN ANTONIO By Ann Purcell, courtesy Visit San Antonio
THE LARGEST MEXICAN MERCADO IN THE COUNTRY, San Antonio’s Market Square is a vibrant mix of festive colors, sounds and smells groups will love, said Dee Dee Poteete, Visit San Antonio’s director of regional communications. “You can imagine experiencing the papel picado, the punched tissue paper, strung and fluttering over you; the music of a marimba band; the scents from an open food stall,” she said. “Groups should plan at least half a day for shopping and include one major meal. This is definitely a place to go for a stroll and maybe sit outside on a patio sipping a big margarita and watching the world go by.” On a downtown plaza spanning three blocks and lined with shops, Market Square features more than 100 local vendors selling authentic Talavera pottery, handmade jewelry, leather goods, paintings and more. It’s just a few short blocks from the city’s main plaza, another attraction groups will want to visit. On weekends, Market Square comes alive with what Poteete calls “pop-up entertainment, festivals, celebrations and bands.” And then there is the market’s Mi Tierra, the legendary, sprawling Mexican eatery that’s been owned by the same family since it opened in 1941. Festooned with elaborate decorations, it features strolling mariachi bands and a lovely panaderia filled with baked goods perfect for group members to take back to their hotel rooms. VISITSANANTONIO.COM
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