King William and Southtown, San Antonio

Local Art, Flavor, & Fun

All signs point South for local art, flavors, and fun. Just past the hustle and bustle of downtown, you’ll find Southtown the Arts District. Southtown encompasses a large creative community and is unique with a mix of artists, locally-owned bars, coffee shops, boutiques, museums and art galleries. It also includes King William, a Victorian-inspired neighborhood filled with history and charm. Perfect for urban exploring, the area boasts micro-distilleries, parks, exploration along the San Antonio River, public art, and plenty of mixed-use spaces where artists welcome all with open arms. Come explore what’s new and historic down South.

Historical Significance

King William

In the mid-1800s, enterprising German immigrants began buying land and building homes in this part of the city. The main thoroughfare was named King William, in honor of King Wilhelm I of Prussia, which remains the area’s name today. In July of 2011, King William was designated a Cultural Arts District by the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Southtown

Southtown originated as a part of a neighborhood revitalization project in the early 1990s and, over time, grew to encompass five neighborhoods: King William, Collins Garden, Lavaca, Lone Star, and Roosevelt. Talk about a big success. Southtown is home to First Friday and Second Saturday, the City’s longest-running art walks, and “A Day In Southtown,” their annual community event.

Neighborhood Favorites

Take a stroll through King William or book a tour of grand mansions that date back to the late 19th century. Stop by the Guenther House, built in 1859, for traditional breakfast and brunch served up in a Victorian parlor.

A must-see in the arts district is the crimson-hued Ruby City, which presents works from the Linda Pace Foundation Collection of more than 900 artworks. The museum was designed by renowned architect Sir David Adjaye. Two hidden gem galleries are the Contemporary at Blue Star, the city's first and longest-running nonprofit space for contemporary art, and the San Antonio Art League & Museum, housing over 600 works in its permanent collection.

Don’t miss the Blue Star Arts Complex in Southtown – a 160,000-square-foot collection of studios, art galleries, retailers, bars, and eateries, including a microbrewery. Every First Friday, catch the area’s monthly nighttime street festival for unique art finds. On Second Saturday, meet the artists at local galleries and grab a gift from a local vendor. These events are free and family-friendly while allowing the discovery of unique art finds. Head to Garcia Art Glass, Inc. for exciting glass-blowing demonstrations and shop the colorful gallery.

For food and drinks, locals love Rosario’s ceviche and margaritas, Burgerteca for burgers that capture the taste of Mexico, and Bar 1919 for classic cocktails. Southtown also boasts having the most micro-brewers in one area.