10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Austin

2^nd Street District is a vibrant shopping area on the banks of the Colorado River, less than a mile south of Downtown Austin. The pedestrian-friendly block is known for its stylish boutiques and international restaurants, as well as a lively performance art scene. Some of the speciality boutique stores on 2^nd Street include a music-themed clothing store, independent jewellery store, and toy shop.

2^nd Street District is also a popular neighbourhood for nightlife in Austin. The ACL Live, Violet Crown Cinema and Ballet Austin host nightly performances and films. You can find plenty of high-end restaurants and bars along West 2^nd Street, including some of the city’s best places for Mexican and Italian dishes.

South Congress Avenue is one of the main thoroughfares in Austin. It begins south of Downtown and crosses the Congress Avenue Bridge. Known as the heart of SoCo (the city’s bohemian neighbourhood), it has plenty of vintage stores and locally owned cafés lining the main street.

One of the most popular items to buy here is Texan cowboy boots. You’ll find some of Austin’s most popular independent shoe stores, including Allens Boots and Tecovas. There are also costume shops, candy stores, vintage furniture shops, and rare bookstores.

The Domain is a large outdoor mall in North Austin. It’s one of the most popular malls for shopping and entertainment in the city. With over 100 stores and open-air walkways, it’s easy to spend an entire day at this impeccably designed shopping centre. It has just about everything for the whole family, including high-end boutiques, large department stores, restaurants, and a cinema.

The Domain is anchored by prominent department stores like Macy’s, Dillard’s and Nordstrom. You’ll also find many familiar brands, such as Apple, Nike, Tiffany and Co, Zara, and Amazon Books. Dining options range from fast-food chains and family-friendly restaurants to bars and grills.

Southpark Meadows is a sprawling shopping centre in South Austin. It’s bordered by the Monarch Highway on one side and the Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park on the other. It houses a range of everyday stores, including Walmart, Best Buy and Target. Plus, it has plenty of homewares, craft, and clothing stores so you can get your essentials.

The shops are built around large carparks, so there’s ample space if you’re driving from Downtown Austin. There is a cinema down the southern end of Southpark Meadows – great for catching a film while taking a break from shopping.

The Arboretum is a huge outdoor mall in North Austin. Located 10 miles north of Downtown, it’s spread across both sides of Research Boulevard and Route 183. The sprawling outdoor mall has a park-like design with more than 40 shops, as well as an array of restaurants. There are plenty of parking areas in between the shops and footpaths.

The Arboretum has a few different grocery stores to choose from, including Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts Farmers Market and H-E-B. You’ll also find a variety of fashion and retail stores, with popular brands like REI, Sephora and Ross Dress for Less. Dining-wise, there’s the popular Cheesecake Factory chain, along with a French café, a Brazilian steakhouse, and a classic Mexican restaurant.

The 812 Outdoor Market is a weekend flea market that takes place in southeast Austin. Located off S Highway 183, it’s around 8 miles south of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and around 12 miles southeast of Downtown. The market hosts hundreds of vendors across a huge outdoor park area, with entertainment for everyone.

You can find a variety of old and new things for sale at the 812 Outdoor Market, including clothing, electronics, furniture, and toys. It also has live music and authentic Mexican food from midday until closing time. With free parking and a small entry fee, it’s a great place to shop in Austin on a budget.

The Texas Farmers Market at Mueller takes place every Sunday in Branch Park Pavilion, about 4 miles north of Downtown Austin. Having first started in 2012, the market is regularly voted as Austin’s best farmers’ market.

It hosts over 120 vendors each week, nearly half of which sell fresh fruit and vegetables. The rest offer a range of artisan produce, hot food, and local crafts. There are usually plenty of food trucks for marketgoers, as well as live acoustic music for entertainment. The agricultural produce comes from within 150 miles of the market, so the fruit and veggies are as fresh as you can get in Austin.

The Austin Antique Mall is a huge indoor shopping complex in North Austin. It’s one of the best places to shop for antiques and rare treasures in Austin. It has over 100 dealers and vendors, including many family-owned businesses, offering a wide range of vintage goods.

You can find antiques, vinyl records, retro furniture, vintage clothing, and rare books. Prices may vary by shop, but there are some good deals to find at this mall, especially if you’re a seasoned antique shopper.

Marketplace Austin is a large indoor market in North Austin, just 10 miles north of Downtown. The marketplace sells a variety of goods at affordable prices, including jewellery, electronics, homewares, and clothing. It’s known for its good value for money, with friendly vendors and plenty of bargains to find.

The warehouse-style market is divided into rows, so you can wander without getting lost. Several stalls sell hot food, including delicious and authentic Mexican dishes, as well as desserts, fresh fruit and vegetables.

The SFC Farmers Market Downtown is a large market that takes place on Saturdays in the historic Republic Square. It’s one of the few markets in Downtown Austin, making it a popular place to shop for local produce. The market gathers around 75 vendors each week, selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, home-baked goods, and pasture-raised meat.

It has a vibrant atmosphere, with a rotating mix of live music and hot meals available. There’s plenty of green and grassy space for a picnic or rest after a wander through the stalls. If you’re getting around by car, there’s free but limited parking around the market.