For such a small town, Old San Juan (Viejo san Juan) is packed with information, history, shopping, music, dining and fun! The famous (and not so famous) historical sites in Old San Juan include Fort El Morro, Fort San Cristobal, Museum Casa Blanca, and the Princess Walk. Here one can really get a feel for what life was like during the times of the Spanish rule over the island. Old San Juan's plazas, mainly Plaza De Armas and Plaza Colon, are usually filled with local vendors, music, food, children playing, and sometimes demonstrations of sports or community plays and theatre. Calle San Francisco and Calle Fortaleza are the main shopping streets, which boast many jewelry ad souvenir shops, and Calle Cristo contains most of the designer label outlet stores, including Coach, Puma and Ralph Loren. There are many wonderful eateries, many of them specializing in Criollo (island) food, including Jiberito, Cafe Puerto Rico, and the hidden and wonderful Cafe El Punto. For lighter lunches, the bistro St. Germain is wonderful for lunch and brunch, with their menu of sandwiches, salads, pizzas, baked egg dishes and quiches. If possible, try to stay clear of the more expensive eateries on Fortaleza. In most cases, the food is not worth breaking your vacation bank, so eat smart. For other fun, there is an incredible art scene in Old San Juan. Many galleries (including the National Gallery in the cultural building off Calle Norzagaray) that present amazing pieces. One can find many art exhibits in restaurants and unexpected places as well. Senzala Tattoo, on Calle San Francisco, has amazing pieces of art hanging outside as well as inside the studio. Even if tattooing is not your thing, a stop in for the framed art and photography is highly suggested. Many vendors are also selling their paintings and sculptures, including local crafts, in the fairs by the cruise ship ports and plazas.