Things To Do in San Angelo
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San Angelo Attractions
Worth a peek is Paint Brush Alley, between Concho and Twohig avenues downtown, an imaginative reinvention of an alley as an urban gallery of murals by different artists. Also of note is Miss Hattie's Bordello Museum, 18 1/2 E. Concho Ave. (www.misshatties.com). The restored brothel offers tours Friday and Saturday every hour from 1 to 4pm and Monday through Wednesday at 2 and 4pm; admission is $5 per person. Call Legend Jewelers (tel. 888/655-4367 or 325/653-0112) for a tour.
- Historic Site
Fort Concho National Historic Landmark
Established in 1867 as a means of pioneer defense, Fort Concho provided the impetus for San Angelo's original development. Originally 40 buildings on 1,000 acres, this U.S. Army post, once commanded by William "Pecos Bill" Shafter, was active until 1889, with black Buffalo Soldiers… - Neighborhood
River Walk
Thanks to the River Beautification Project, which kicked off in 1986, the Concho River is now a splendid centerpiece for the entire city of San Angelo. It sports a 4-mile walking/jogging trail, bountiful outdoor gardens and water displays, a great playground, and even a 9-hole golf…
San Angelo Shopping
Historic Concho Avenue, downtown between Oakes and Chadbourne streets, is a melting pot of boutiques, jewelers, and antiques shops. Among its highlights are J. Wilde's, 20 E. Concho Ave. (tel. 325/655-0878), a boutique with fashions and furnishings best described as Western chic (which doesn't quite do them justice); and Legend Jewelers, 18 E. Concho Ave. (tel. 888/655-4367 or 325/653-0112; www.legendjewelers.com), purveyors of the luminous concho pearl. The top shopping center is Sunset Mall, 4001 Sunset Dr., at Loop 306 (tel. 325/949-1947).
San Angelo is home to a vibrant arts community, typified by the Texas hippie vibe at the Old Chicken Farm Art Center, 2505 N. Martin Luther King Blvd. (tel. 325/653-4936; www.chickenfarmartcenter.com), a local landmark since 1971. Formerly an abandoned chicken farm, this funky artist's compound is home to 12 studios that are open at various times, displaying a wide range of pottery, metalwork, and paintings. The main StarKeeper Gallery houses the contemporary handmade ceramics of Roger Allen, the center's founder and proprietor; it's open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm. The Art Center hosts resident artist's openings on the first Saturday of each month. There's also an on-site B&B, the Inn at the Art Center.
The Concho Pearl -- The word concho pops out from every other corner in San Angelo, from Concho Avenue to Fort Concho to the Concho River. If you're not from the area, it probably doesn't mean much, but if you're a San Angelo jeweler, it means a great deal. The Concho River Valley is home to a dozen species of freshwater mussels in the Unionacea family that produce the rare concho pearl, tinted luminous pink, deep purple, or rich lavender by Mother Nature. Some of the earliest known examples of the pearls were Spanish crown jewels in the 16th century. If you want to try to harvest one yourself, you'll need a permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (tel. 800/792-1112; www.tpwd.state.tx.us). You can avoid wading in the river, however, if you're willing to plunk down some cash at a local jeweler.
San Angelo Nightlife
San Angelo has a strong performing arts culture for a city its size. The San Angelo Symphony performs about a half-dozen classical and pops shows a year at various venues (tel. 325/658-5877; www.sanangelosymphony.org). Single tickets are usually $20 for adults and $6 to $8 for children and students. The Angelo Civic Theatre, 1936 Sherwood Way (tel. 325/949-4400; www.angelocivictheatre.com), the oldest community theater in the state, produces about five musicals, comedies, and dramas a year at its 230-seat playhouse. Tickets run $10 to $12. The city is also home to the Cactus Music Series (tel. 325/653-6793; www.sanangeloarts.com) at the historic Cactus Hotel, 36 E. Twohig Ave.
