Time once again for the famed TJ CHRISTMAS SHOP TOUR!
For those who haven't yet strolled downtown TJ, this is a good introduction, but the emphasis is on places that sell neat stuff. In the past some people have picked up bargains, many just note the stores and come back another day with duffle bags and cash.
Early in the month to avoid the long border lines of the season.
I'll point out a couple of shops on Revolucion that stand out as non-junk and best places to shop for nice stuff. Good gifts in TJ include embroidery, leather goods like gym bags or team sport jackets or purses and wallets, liquor and cordials cigars (illegal to bring in, but do-able for you scofflaws), curios and trinkets for kids, artwork and stained glass. We'll hit some places like Mexican cowboy stuff, kitchen gadgets, coffee and cacao, both of the municipal markets.
We'll see some shops. In the past we've had lunch at the Market on the Cathedral plaza because people like the down-home Mexican ambience and food--vegetarians will find ample browsing in sidewalk stalls across the street. There are, of course, many other options for chow, including tasty spit-grilled chicken around the corner. This is the historic area: the first grade school, market, cathedral, old city hall. We'll see a few more shops here, grab coffee at the charming coffee/chocolate place, then head back up to Revu and the "passages".
The tour as such winds up byt Caesar's restaurant on Fifth (near a bunch of cool ice cream and crepe desert spots. At that point, people can head for home (though lines get shorter later) or grab dinner, or explore any place that interests you, depending on group tastes. Wear good walking shoes, expect chill in the evening even if the day is warm, bring money--including small bills..
