Reviews of La Villita Historic Arts Village (Tourist Attraction)

David Morrison

Fantasic eclectic shops. Especially Villa Tesoros. The owner is cute as hell, and Andrew is a super guy, and both very helpful.

Myron Dennis

I took my sister from AZ and niece from FL there before the Christmas Holidays. We had such an enjoyable time. Loved River Art Gallery, the leather shop, copper shop and went broke at the scent shop & bird & pear. We had an fancy dinner at Fig Tree, then walked along the Riverwalk to enjoy all the Christmas lights. Very enjoyable evening out. Highly recommend taking your out of town guests or just a great evening out, if your a local like me.

Ashley Honeycutt

Pretty outdoor shopping area near the riverwalk, mall, and art museum. Not much to do there except buy art and jewelry. There was only one art gallery but it was closed

Howard Fong

Beautiful to stroll through. Pleasant surroundings

Kimberly Dross

Quaint, nice place to visit. A lot of little shops to walk around to visit.

MamiLoya Herrera

Lovely just to make it a day to walk Shop employees are extremely friendly

Linda Peacock

Very interesting historical area of San Antonio. Nice shops.

Armando De La Cruz

It's a really nice part of downtown San Antonio. Nice shops w/ a few places 2 eat. U can also get a drink w/ some nice views of the area.

Nuzya Hasan

Excellent location for outdoor activities many tourists from all over the states and world visit this historic atmosphere many delicious food around this place. Kids safe environment good for entire family many good hotels are here with valet parking. Many people come here to expand their vocation great sceneries.

Esmeralda Vasquez Garcia

Its a beautiful place fpr all kinds of events

Yvonne Perez

Lots of shops, good people, today April 5 and 6, 2019 they are hosting the Starving Artist Show. Unique art, crafts, handmade items, food and drinks. No admission. Parking available around LA Viillita. Great place to visit, coffee shops and restaurants though out. Love this place.

Cindi Manney

1st town of San Antonio, lots of cute shops as well as a couple eateries. Lots of historical plaques as well.

Crystal Valdez

I like this place a lot of shops with beautiful art you can't help but buy some art. I really like to come here during niosa all the food and drinks and music lots of fun

Brenda Robertson

I was nicely surprised by La Villita just 5 min from the riverwalk. Very old village full of art shops, some more interesting than others, but characterized by super friendly people! There was almost nobody there when I went and the shop keepers were all so incredibly nice and curious! I ended up having conversations with everyone. I also found a nice leather jewelry present. The shops are mainly art, but there are also clothes, and jewelry. The cafe offers a large selection of breakfast and lunch items and it was very good. I would recommend visiting La Villita. Somebody told me that there is also a nice Mexican market a little further away (need to take a trolley) but I did not get a chance to go there

Jeffrey McCandless

If you like wandering through small shops, it's a nice area just off the river walk

Nikita Sumner

Nice quaint village to walk around and view. Restaurants and restrooms and gift shops available

zane washington

many options of galleries, shops and restaurants. I totally loved this place. It's very pretty, and quiet. The slower pace allowed me to relax and really feel like I was on vacation.

Shahriar Nayeri

Nice little art stores. Nice cafe, too.

harrybrecher

Interesting to see place. Don't miss all the galeries around

Maria Guevara

Well it was a lot of fun and food. It was a pleasure to meet all the other person attending NIOSA crowd. We had a great time and we will be there again next year. There was so much different kinds of food to try from different cultures. It was a site to see in such a small area but well worth it! Thank you.

David Merz

Fun place to walk around. Neat 'village' architecture, not something I expected to see in the heart of a city.

Nellie Lopez

This is a fun, historic part of town that is worth a visit. There are a variety of shops with wonderful, unique gifts and more, restaurants and a historic church. Walk around and enjoy the ambiance! Nice historic village right outside riverwalk in downtown, with old historic houses and quaint shops of various types including handmade metal/copper sculpture shop, candle making shop, professional artwork shop and more. Nice cafe as well.

Arleen Albers

Lots of great shops. Worth a visit.

Tamara Haussermann

Appetizers were good. Entree's weren't that great. Waiter was wonderful.

Kara B

Cute little shopping area right off of the Riverwalk. Artisan shops with hand crafted soaps, glasswork, pottery, and artists work. Lots of fun to poke through.

Alejandra Etcheverry

Beautiful place to walk and enjoy an evening. We had the fortune to watch a show and we loved it. My only complaint would be that they should make the bleachers all cement. The little.stores around are very cute and you can find interesting stuff. Very romantic at night.

Rochelle Groveau

Kind of off the normal path, but cutest shops. Everyone should check it out

Inna Bezhenar

One of the most beautiful sights in town. So many restaurants to stop by and have a luxurious dinner overlooking the water. There are boat tours that make for a pleasant adventure. Icecream places along the way for sweet truth. Souvenir stores offer just what tourists are looking for. You can easily spend at least 3 hours here between tours, food and exploration of all the destinations along the way.

Tatiana Clements

Cute little village with unique shops! Great place to bring tourists!

Jan Erik Kasin

Can't say nothing else that: What a lovely place

James Rodriguez

Lots of little shop to see good place to visit when your on vacation

Jose Martinez

La Villita is nice. In fact, all the historical landmarks in downtown San Antonio are nice, and very well preserved. I highly recommend an early or late visit to these places as the heat of the day is unforgiving.

Janet Hargraves

Small shopping area next to the river walk, cool shops, easy parking, food, plenty to see and eat.

Linda White

They have good food service was great.

Cecilia Vega

Fiesta perfect

Enrique Mata Jr

Very nice place to eat ! Good service and the food -great taste ! I’ll come again !

Chris Estrada

Great place to stroll around and enjoy a nice day while browsing/shopping. Went on starving artists art fest weekend so didn't go in to many of the shops just walked the outside. Not sure of the parking situation on a non event weekend but as it is downtown, you can imagine this will be your rate limiting step to enjoying the place.

Cindy Lowe

Beautiful integral part of old San Antonio. Great place to stroll around. Unique gift shops. Watch for special events such as Day of the Dead in October as you can stroll by many many homemade artful alters honoring the Dead. The small NOLA style parade with dancers dressed in sugar skull style is something tourists would delight in - parade passes through the square several times during the festival. Square itself is a nice shady place to sit and relax.

Clayton Westphal

There is so much nostalgia here. It is right off of the Riverwalk and opens up to a small village, hence the name, with a lot of small shops you can check out.... after being on the Riverwalk it’s almost like you were in a whole different world.

Michele Bouldin

Haven't been since elementary school but still feel the same history.

Denise Adams

We went on the wrong day and time. Most places were closed. But it was quaint and pretty.

Mandie Djokro

This pace is so cute! It's like a little village with many art galleries and shops. If you are in San Antonio and walk the Riverwalk, make sure you stop by La Villita. It's worth it! I am sure it would be even better to walk around when the sun is set because I saw some bistro lights hanging. It is also very interesting just to walk around, without having to visit the store. Definitely recommended!

Dawn M Griffin

Lovely historic place... shady and peaceful.

Linda Caballero

Been to the Riverwalk several time never notice the place behind walls. Alots of these shops close early. The weather outside wad really high temperature.Stop at an eatting area with daughter. I got watermelon cup and daughter order a sandwich it was delicious. Place to cool down and staff was friendly. Will come again when weather a little cooler.

Margaret Blumberg

Interesting shops and friendly people. Good food. Everything clean.

Steve

My wife and I visited some very nice and very interesting shops here while on vacation. The atmosphere was calm quiet and relaxed.

Corina Wright

Cute quaint village. I feel more could be done to attract visitors.

Susan Flowers

Just lovely. Beautiful and historic. Be sure to visit during the San Antonio Fiesta!

Leslie Lindsey

A quaint place that has upscale shopping. A true must see.

Hollie Mahadeo

Beautiful arts village filled with warm and friendly shopkeepers and one of a kind merchandise.

Randy Molina

My wife likes this place to me it's a little too rich for my blood

Krissy McCluskey

So pretty and not as crowded as Downton with a lot of really neat little shops and restaurants! Highly recommend

Eboni Murrell

I love going here, especially on nice weather days. My fiance and I visited La Villita during the Starving Artist Show, and it was nice. The set-up was fine, and all types of artist were selling. I thought it was a nice weekend pop up. I also loved that there's signs posted prohibiting the use of scooters in the area. It made everything much more pleasant.♡

Matthew Moon

Was great four years ago, ok to many shops now just clothes not artwork as before.

K W

Very quaint and a nice section of the Riverwalk. Still worth visiting even if you aren't big on shopping. Much more interesting shops then the river bend shops.

Warren Jordan

Nice historic village right outside riverwalk in downtown, with old historic houses and quaint shops of various types including handmade metal/copper sculpture shop, candle making shop, professional artwork shop and more. Nice cafe as well. I took my sister from AZ and niece from FL there before the Christmas Holidays. We had such an enjoyable time. Loved River Art Gallery, the leather shop, copper shop and went broke at the scent shop & bird & pear.

Day Broers-Case

I enjoyed a stroll through this lovely area. The shops were charming and the area itself was quiet and off the beaten path. Idyllic setting.

Zuritachi

Love the old architecture and the way the settlers back then have to manage through this little village. I did not like how everything is expensive in the stores, but I enjoyed the walk through. I would recommend going to the area when stores are closed because less people are around if you want some peace and enjoy the weather.

Amit J Bhattacharyya

A beautiful traditional setting of shops and restaurants which has a charm of its own!! Been there many a times and you can just chill out strawling through the place. The central part is great for community celebrations & festivals with ample place for vendors to put up temporary shops. I have also seen private parties happening in another section of this area. Lots of different parking spots around and hence like the accessibility aspect of the location.

Anthony Bachtiar

La Villita Historic Arts Village. This is an old village on the riverside of San Antonio River Walk. I see some old buildings, renovated but made as original as possible. For sure there's some new building as well without losing the original ambient. There are souvenir shops, art shops, and some are handicraft traditional products, well it feels like going to the museum. I bought some nice souvenirs and then looking for food. Finally I saw a restaurant inside a big old building with some old pictures and ornaments hanging on the walls and luckily found my favorite Mexican food there. Well, this place is like an oasis in the center of hustle and bustle San Antonio. You can enjoy your coffee or tea while sitting on the cozy chair.

Jonathan Flores

Right next to the river walk is this little spot still in time. Artists and fine dining truely an amazing place.

N Machunze

We really enjoyed the tour. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Tour lasts 30 minutes with plenty of time for questions. Check out their films and gift shop. A great nugget!!

Tina Murphy

Beautiful way to get around on foot. Great food options

Maria Barrera

I lovely place with a lot of shopes and food. Beautiful night

Hannah

I loved the theater located in the district, it's outdoors and the stage is across the river from the seating. Never seen anything like it before and it felt like I stepped out of America when I was there. The shops are very artsy and great if you're looking for one of a kind pieces rather than more touristy stuff located on the Riverwalk. There's a convenient cafe and the buildings are cute and have the original owners and history on plaques. Definitely a must visit if you like to shop.

Andrew Hovenden

Really hot in the sun and amazing at night. River smells though.

Patricia McGrath

Great shopping from local small business owners most of which are woman owned.

janet bridge

Disappointing. There aren't many shops and not all were open. Maybe we picked a bad day - Sunday. Lovely place but not very well advertised. There's a nice outdoor theatre on the river but nothing published about any shows

Yanai Nassar

Nothing special. I spent less than 10 min and left to a more interesting area

Mariaelena Ruiz

I had not been here in years! I had such a great time pursuing the little shops and enjoying the ambiance. Make it worth it while you are downtown and visit Market Square as well.

Alexandra Hernandez

The candle shop was amazing! The lady was very nice and helpful

Yuri E.

Great area to walk and local food and shops. If you're lucky, you'll get to enjoy a festival in the plaza. I came during the Festival of India March 30 so we enjoyed the festivities as well.

albert winsman

Great vendors and restaurants. Wish plaza was open when we visited. Missed out on the mercado experience but permanent art stores in the area made up for it.

Margaret McNeil

Service was excellent and food was great and can't complain about their drinks either

Julie Wall

I love locally owned businesses and local artists. Both are in this little village. I bought a few things to take home with me, but I just enjoyed walking around and seeing things in their galleries.

Kyna Leonardo

It looks like a small town of shops with Hispanic inspired architecture! Their amenities and activities are very nice as well. There's also a public restroom- I haven't been to it, so I don't know if it's clean.

Anthony King

Wonderful place you'll love it a must see

Valerie Lane

Good place to look around and take in local art. Everyone was nice and informative.

Barnabas Kneill

La Villita is a collection of quaint, interesting stores, nestled together in a village-like atmosphere. You can shop, eat, and relax in various places at La Villita. It's a pleasant refuge from the noise and the bustle of the Riverwalk. The easiest and quickest way to enter La Villita is to take the stairs right across the river from the Arneson Theater. Climb the steps and you're there. A charming shopping experience.

Roland Andrew

Some great shops here. Plenty of interesting hand made items. Most of the shops here only sell items that they hand make. There's a cafe in the center of the village that has some great breakfast items and local beers on tap if you're strolling thru in the hot Texas afternoon.

Emma McMillan

I planned an event here recently and it was fabulous. Everyone had a really good time. The location is very central and accessible to public transit. The space was perfect for the amount of attendees. There is always interesting art displayed. Melissa is very responsive to your planning needs and the staff are really friendly.

Brandon Osborne

Great shopping in this old place. Can be a real tight fit for strollers but generally manageable. There are some great shops here and it is easy to navigate.

Peter Michael Capani

Fun place to visit in old San Antonio. Many wonderful artists' shops, boutiques and bodegas. A miniature version of Sausalito, CA. You can see and purchase typical tourist items and memorabilia. It boasts some very fine jewelry and art for sale. Additionally, there are public restrooms and a well-stocked restaurant. La Villita is historic, dating back to the original Spanish settlers. It has great access to the River Walk. A must see attraction in San Antonio, proximal to downtown.

V1C10U5

Always love going here... Has an awesome vibe... San Antonio all in one and then some... Especially during fiesta... A must go even on the quiet days

Peter Carver

I was disappointed. Not as lively as I was expecting, but maybe because we were there on a Thursday afternoon.

Abbie

There are so many unique and beautiful shops here. Most will ship any purchase to your house and everyone I met was personable and felt like they could be a friend. Loved it there.

JA Smith

Classic downtown San Antonio open air event venue of the river and close to south town. Check your calendar for event listings and prepare for a good time. Close to top notch restaurants and shopping opportunities and close to hemisphere park this is a mus see weekend stop. Bring your sun screen if you venture during late spring and through summer.

Randy Lyscik

It's historic, so I liked it. There's more happening toward the late afternoon, evening, however. The shops are fairly widely spaced so be prepared to walk. The cafe food was surprisingly good. Didn't go to any of the full service restaurants. The Mexican Market provides a more immersive shopping experience.

Spencer Rhodes

There are some wonderful shops here. Don't visit without buying something from the Starving Artist. A portion of proceeds go toward feeding the homeless, and food is prepared and dispensed right from the back of the studio. Be sure and check out the handmade leather goods at B&C too!

Seth Tiffany

Wish there was a little more interactive things there.

Rachel Legan

We went during the Turkish festival which was being celebrated at this location but walking around I can see that there were some very eclectic and historic shops as well. I can't wait to visit it on just a regular normal day just to browse and shop.The Turkish festival was awesome. Historic places like this make me love San Antonio even more.

Danielie Williams

We went here after the St Patrick’s Day Parade in San Antonio and were relieved to find some scotch eggs sold by Freemasons. Though the eggs weren’t soft boiled, we were relieved to find these on St Patrick’s day vs tacos at a place that wasn’t overly crowded. La Villita didn’t have much going on except some bands and some other food vendors and activity on that day was relatively small.

Joseph finnegan

It's not a busy local,, the restaurant next to the public toilets hours posted 8am - 6pm 7 days a week. Problem being they close whenever they want. I tried to get in at 430 on Sunday the 25th. Locked up tight I just can't be bothered to go here anymore, u never know if they r open

Patsy Baez

Always a place to go remind yourself that the old-time beauty is still so beautiful and peaceful!!

Tanya Jagdish

Cute and pretty place. A must visit for sure

Mike Hawkins

You must take the tour of the River...love S.A...what a beautiful place.. so much history. Great trip.

Glenn Orthaus

Fun place to visit in SA. The pageant part of Miss Congeniality was filmed here..."describe the perfect date"..."April 25th"

Bobbe Seibert

Lots of unique art and offerings. Nothing like the tourist traps. Far more fun.

Kitty

fun part of the downtown! I'm always pleased when they leave parts of Old San Antonio and improve the rich history story.

Bruce Seiler

We should have stopped by during a busier time. No little stands outside and not much going on. The shops in the buildings were neat to look at. Will have to check back during a busier time.

dee kay

Very impressive artwork. Smaller than imagined.

Tori G

The architecture is really pretty here! It's so cool and amazing, and there are a bunch of cute little shops. It's a super pricey area, but it's right along the river walk.

Casey Pearson

The village was very nice, I loved how the local artwork was really able to shine. It feels like the community really cares about the people in and around it. The only thing I could say about it was that most things worth buying were very expensive. Most of the affordable items were tourist junk and the nice things were really high. It's a really nice place worth seeing just wish it was more affordable.

Guillermo Ramos

Great place to visit down town always some evening events for anyone to enjoy.

Jason Fair

We were there around Christmas. The lights on the Riverwalk were spectacular. The village had lots of great artist shops, full of stuff from local craters.

Junaid Channa

It’s over rated but still a nice place to visit. Nice shops. Pleasant staff. There are nice shows and event... 30 mins max time You need to Spend here

nadine braunfeld

Cute set of shops housed in a restored homes of Tejanos who lived in this neighbor hood. You can visit the original church while browsing unique artisan creations. They sell original jewelry , candles, paintings, soap, mixed media for reasonable prices. No machine made merchandise w thousands of copies. There is a small community theater featured in a Sandra Bullock movie. A few above and below ground eateries. The middle of La Villalita is under construction./restoration so only a dozen or so shops open. Stop by the shop of 10,000 smiles where Mexican fabric goods are made upstairs. They also sell paper goods, toys, decorations etc. (PEAR)All these stores support local crafts people. Worth a visit to find a unique piece for yourself, your home or a gift. Very peaceful and open layout. You can envision a thrilling village here.

Akilah Jones

Love love loved the shop Bird and Pear! Lots of little neat things in there. Almost all local jewelery and clothes and candles as well as unique toys and books. I will definitely be going back.