If you intend to spend a fun day with your family, La Villita, the historical arts village is just perfect for you. There are so many things to do that your day will end in no time. If you are an art freak, the galleries here will interest you, as well as the River Art Show in October. There are many restaurants so you can just pick one that suites your taste. A must visit for all guests is the church with beautiful stained glass windows and the museum in building nine. If you plan on taking some souvenirs back home, don't forget to visit the gift shops.
The historical center and heart of the city's Mexican culture, the square is the largest Mexican marketplace outside of Mexico. Here you can dine on Mexican food at one of several cafes, enjoy the lively sounds of Mariachi bands and buy wonderful blankets, clothes, leather and metal goods and much more, imported from just south of the border. The square plays host to many cultural events and fairs throughout the year, including Fiesta del Mercado (Party of the Market) in April and Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in November.
Just a short drive out of the city, you'll find some of the best barbecue in this part of the state. Rudy's is housed in what resembles an old country store and the rows of picnic tables inside and out of the restaurant are filled with diners almost any time of day. After dining, wander through the general store to stock up on snacks. You can even fill up your gas tank outside.
The city's premiere mall, North Star draws shoppers from all over the state and from as far away as Mexico. Anchored by Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Dillard's, the mall is also home to smaller stores such as Talbots and the Disney Store. The mall bustles with activity year round and even offers valet parking during the holiday season.
Kids will be kids. Which means stains from grass, formula, popsicles, sloppy joes, markers and more become the enemy in the battle to keep clothes clean and presentable. Kid To Kid offers a great alternative to retail by offering gently used children's clothing at a fraction of retail costs. Name brands abound amid the inventory, which encompasses babies through pre-teens, both boys and girls. It beats the heck out of paying full price for a pair of pants destined to last only five minutes on the playground.
Just across Main Street from San Antonio College, this independent music store offers everything a music lover with eclectic taste could want. A San Antonio tradition for 20 years, it attracts a young crowd of customers from the college in addition to being the ultimate shopping destination for teenage hard rock and metal fans. If you can't find the CD or record that you desire, don't worry, because the store can do special orders and searches for hard-to-find artists and albums.