Although San Antonio has more than a dozen flea markets in the surrounding region, the Flea Mart on the Poteet Highway, just outside of Loop 410 on San Antonio’s South Side, needs to be on your shopping radar as it is una pulga verdedera.

Piñatas, personalized t-shirts, quinceañera gowns, religious holy cards, Our Lady of Guadalupe key chains, super cute electric cars for tiny tots, and leather cowboy boots made in Guanajuato, Mexico, fill stall after stall. You may even purchase your own grave marker at the Flea Mart. With 50 acres of shopping and parking, you’re bound to find something you need/want.

Ice cold beer, raspas (snow cones), funnel cakes and cotton candy make strolling around this paved and covered flea market even nicer. Live conjunto music starts at noon every Saturday and Sunday. When I was there, people were taking a break from shopping to cruise around the dance floor or just to watch people cruise around the dance floor.

The Flea Mart, located at 12280 Poteet Jourdanton Freeway (Hwy. 16), is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Parking costs $2, but it’s free before 10 a.m.

After you’re done shopping, head over to the Medina River Natural Area, just 3 miles south of the Flea Mart. You may also check out the Toyota plant and Palo Alto College while you’re in the area.

Denise Barkis Richter, Ph.D., author of “San Antonio’s Passport to Fun,” has been blogging about San Antonio since June of 2010. Follow her at facebook.com/SanAntonioTourist so that you’ll never miss a post. Her love affair with the Alamo City began at Hemisfair in 1968. She moved to San Antonio in 1979 as an 18-year-old college student, and San Antonio has been her home ever since. Denise completed certification to become a professional tour guide in 2019. Please contact her at sanantoniotourist at gmail dot com if you’d like for her to curate a fabulous San Antonio experience for you!