Patio Bellavista
A destination that can fill all of your needs in Santiago is Patio Bellavista. Here you will find food, drinks, souvenirs, art, travel agencies, a hotel, and live entertainment. Patio Bellavista sits in between the streets Pio Nono and Constitución, in Barrio Bellavista, but you would never know this place exists except for the modest signs on the buildings. However, those who venture in find a calming oasis from the hustle and bustle of Santiago. As the name implies this place is a patio and everything revolves around the open air center. Shops and restaurants line the outer edges of the patio and plenty of seating can be found in case you need to get off of your feet. The souvenir shops in Patio Bellavista tend to sell higher grade and better made trinkets than those you will find elsewhere in the city. Some of the souvenirs being offered up include the traditional items such as postcards, t-shirts, hats, key chains, and glassware. However, you will also find local textile products, anything and everything made from copper, hand crafted jewelry, local wines, and leather goods.
The best way to experience Patio Bellavista is to walk around at first and see what is being offered by the local merchants. Then grab an outdoor seat at one of the many bars or restaurants and have a drink or a bit to eat. Finish off the trip by buying souvenirs for everyone on your list. To make your visit even better I would recommend visiting during the evening and plan on having dinner at Patio Bellavista. At night during the summer months live music is almost always being offered by one of the restaurants and sometimes a band can be found playing right in the middle of the patio. It is also worth noting that many local Chileans eat at the restaurants in Patio Bellavista. So even though Patio Bellavista was built for tourists, Chileans have found this charming spot and give it a truly local feel.