Travel to some of the state’s hidden gems to find some of the best one-of-a-kind items. Some of the unique shopping in Texas can be found in quaint town squares, along main streets of Texas small towns, and in shopping centers not too far from the big cities.
Shop in Small Towns
Fredericksburg has long been a hot spot for leisurely shopping along the Main Street of downtown. The town’s Hauptstrasse (or Main Street) presents its own distinct character and is home to an eclectic collection of over 150 specialty shops and boutiques. The combination of German cultural influences and beautiful hill country scenery makes Fredricksburg tough to beat and an absolute must-stop for visitors who want a bit of history mingled with their shopping.
For the diehard antiquers, travel to the small towns of Carmine, Round Top and Warrenton, all located halfway between Houston and Austin. Twice a year, dealers from the area and from every region across the country gather for the Annual Antique Week extravaganza – an event deemed as one of the largest antique and collector events in the world. Comfortable shoes are a requirement for visitors as they’ll want to cover every square inch of the grounds for amazing finds.
Southeast of Dallas, the town of Canton hosts outdoor “Trade Days” the first weekend of every month, bringing thousands of vendors from across the country to turn this friendly community into a shopper's paradise. Visitors can stroll along the aisles of pavilions where rare antiques and collectibles, furniture, fine home decor, arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, tools, produce, and much more are in endless supply. It will take even the most aggressive shopper more than a day to cover all the ground. South of Waco, the charming town of Salado features a fascinating variety of shops - art galleries, antiques, crafts and women's fashions. Several outstanding craftsmen and artists also reside in Salado.
Southwest of Fort Worth, Granbury offers a slice of Americana with shops galore on the square surrounding the picturesque Hood County courthouse. Nestled between Dallas and Fort Worth, historic downtown Grapevine offers both sophisticated charm and antique shopping, while the nearby Grapevine Mills Mall is a shopper's delight, with over 1.6 million square feet and nearly 200 retail stores in which to shop.
Eclectic Finds in Big Cities
Looking for the perfect pair of cowboy boots? In West Texas, El Paso is known as the “Boot Capital of the World” and is home to some of the most famous boot makers including Tony Lama, Justin, Lucchese, Cowtown, T.O. Stanley, Black Jack, J.B. Hill, Stallion, Champion and Rocketbuster. Shoppers can find endless options suiting every taste and budget in addition to custom-made boots that are always within easy reach. Bargain hunters can find exceptional deals at The Outlet Shoppes of El Paso, where sales are offered year round at some of the most well-known, brand name stores in the country.
Don’t forget the neighborhood shopping centers across Houston. One of the most popular sites to visit is The Village, 16 blocks hosting a mixture of small shops, boutiques and established brands. Located conveniently next to Rice University, The Village is crawling with students, visitors and local residents on any given day. For more eclectic items, venture to the Montrose and The Heights neighborhoods. Here shoppers will find several antique stores as well as unique, traditional, and vintage clothing stores.
Even more shopping experiences await visitors in South and West Texas along the border of Mexico. The La Plaza Mall in McAllen serves the entire city of McAllen in addition to the many border and interior cities in Mexico, and is known as the leading shopping, dining and entertainment destination for the entire Rio Grande Valley. Centrally located nearby are the Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets featuring 140 stores with impressive savings and discounts. For even more retail therapy, visit Mall del Norte in Laredo, one of the biggest malls in Texas with over 160 stores and restaurants. While in Laredo, shoppers can’t miss strolling along the historic San Bernardo Avenue where 40 plus city blocks present an array of different stores and boutiques.
