Located in a 25-block area near downtown on the south bank of the San Antonio River is the King William Historic District, the stately, colorful and funky area that reminds many people of New Orleans. Settled by prominent German merchants, in the late 1800s the King William Historic District was the most elegant residential area in the city. For a taste of that old world opulence, rent a room at the romantic, charming King William Manor Inn and have lunch at The Guenther House, an Art Nouveau style building in the home of Pioneer Flour Mills founding family. King William was zoned as the state's first historic district and has once again become a fashionable and hip neighborhood with plenty of friendly bars and boutiques.