San Antonio Reviews
If no vacation is complete without stockpiling a hodge-podge of charming mementos, unique hand-crafted gifts, authentic folk art and vintage what-nots, then San Antonio will give you pause for consumption. This small city is overflowing with unique gift shops and galleries, antique stores and off-beat treasure troves where you can find anything from gilded mixed metal sculptures befitting a museum to precious hand-sewn prayer dolls from Guadalupe. So be sure to save plenty of time (and money) for shopping so spectacular it might just make you forget the Alamo (at least temporarily).While the historic two-and-a-half mile Riverwalk forms the hub of San Antonio culture with its charming cobblestone byways, lush tropical foliage, crashing rapids and lavish Spanish-Mediterranean haciendas, the shopping here is somewhat less extraordinary and pricy than some of the surrounding areas, although a number of fine little boutiques and galleries are thrown in for good measure. While your regular purchases at the Gap, The Limited and Victoria's Secret are likely to feel far more exotic in this subtropical paradise, you might wish to save most of your budget for the more authentic Spanish and Mexican districts around town. La Villita, the original city of San Antonio, is now renowned for its unusual concentration of innovative galleries, featuring authentic Spanish and Mexican shops that offer the works of fine local artists and craftspeople.
If you love ornately crafted exotic treasures, such as inlaid boxes, mirrored painted icons and one-of-a-kind jeweled trinkets, run, do not walk, to Tienda Guadalupe Folk Art. Selling crafts from Mexico and Central America for more than 15 years, the inventory ranges from fine to funky. Here you will find high quality pieces that really represent the colorful and eclectic art of Mexico, including real religious artifacts, hammered tin mirrors, terra cotta suns and moons and other hand-wrought items that you could not find in such substantial quality anywhere else on this side of the border.
For a truly outstanding selection of beautiful art and jewelry, take a trip to the Southwest School of Art and Craft Ursuline Sale Gallery, filled with exceptional works by teachers (rather than students) as well as local, regional and national studio artists. Artists from New York to Seattle are represented by displays of folk art, jewelry, ceramics and clothing. Their creations, no matter what their purpose or function, are for those who believe that art should be part of every aspect of everyday living, from cooking and entertaining to dressing up for cocktails. And for heavy metal addicts who enjoy a finely crafted piece of jewelry or garden sculpture, Barbara of San Antonio is not to be missed, offering one-of-a-kind pieces by world-renowned artist Sergio Bustamante. He impressively works silver and gold together into delicate jewelry along with bold sculptures incorporating various media, which are feverishly copied by artists around the world (representing the greatest form of flattery, or so they say).If antiques are your thing, your choices range from shabby chic to museum quality opulence. For a bit of extravagance, the King William district is home to the most posh collections of high-end, estate-quality furnishings. Here you can also find rare furniture featuring religious themes, like carved statues of Catholic saints, which are of magnificent quality. Also worth a look for those who have a little extra padding in their purse is the Alamo Antique Mall, with three floors of quality items, much of which is locked away in glass cases. However, the sales associates are knowledgeable, friendly and ready to assist. For something a little lighter on the wallet, Broadway & 9th Antiques offers 50,000 Square Feet of antiques, ranging from hand-painted armoires to rougher "bargains" upstairs. Weight a Second offers is large consignment shop where more than 75 different dealers offer some unusual, well-priced pieces. Things tend to move fast here, however, so if you want it, strike up a good negotiating pose and go in for the kill. And above all, shop wisely and enjoy all the wonderful sites that San Antonio has to offer.