Market Square, San Antonio

The history of Market Square dates back to the early 1800s, to a time when Mexico ruled the settlement of San Antonio de Bejar. Today bounded by Interstate 35 and Santa Rosa, Dolorosa, and Commerce Streets, this two-block area now embraces three special shopping centers: Farmer's Market Plaza, a renovated former produce market now ripe with crafts and imports after a $2.1 million renovation; an open-air consortium of specialty boutiques; and El Mercado, the largest Mexican market in the United States.

El Mercado offers any kind of item that shoppers typically find in a Mexican border town. Styled after a traditional Mexican mercado or market, this one is enclosed and air conditioned, with merchandise piled to the ceiling. Look for onyx chess sets, ashtrays, painted pottery, silver jewelry, sombreros, and charro hats--just about anything you'd find in the mercados across the border. The prices here are slightly higher than those found in Mexican border towns and, unlike the fare offered in traditional mercados, the merchandise carries set prices. Prices vary from store to store within the market, and most shops accept major credit cards.

The market's historic claim to fame lies in the fact that it was the birthplace of chili con carne, the spicy meat and bean mixture that today is generally considered the state dish of Texas. Once young girls known as "chili queens" sold the concoction from small stands in the market.

Location: 514 W. Commerce Street 10 minutes west of the River Walk