10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Houston

The Galleria is a classic mall experience, with hundreds of stores covering nearly every major chain. You'll spot luxe brands such as Chanel, Versace and Jimmy Choo, as well as perennial favourites like J. Crew and H&M. Admire slick new gadgets at the Apple Store and Samsung Experience Store, or admire modern art and vintage posters at Off The Wall Gallery.

Dining options cover everything, from pizza and pasta at Roman Delight to dumplings and noodles at Yong Kang Street. For dessert, you can indulge in chocolate amaretto ice cream at Marble Slab Creamery. With a skating rink, an escape room, a gaming room and a children's play area, there's more than enough to keep the family entertained all day.

Traders Village is the biggest weekend flea market in Texas. Thousands of vendors trade in virtually everything, from furniture and clothing to car parts and fancy costumes. You can browse clothes and jewellery at Charismatic Clothing, admire seasonal blooms at Village Flowers and Gifts, or search for new comics and games at Neat Collectables and Hey Bro Video Games.

As you'd expect from Houston, there are plenty of Texas-themed goodies at Traders Village. Check out handmade glass flags at Fullerton's Panes and classic cowboy hats at El Potrero Western Wear. Fun amusement rides are available as well, such as the Flea Fall (which drops you from 128 ft) and an antique carousel.

Historic Heights is a picturesque 19th-century neighbourhood that charms visitors with its Victorian buildings and wide, tree-lined avenues. This is the best place in Houston for quirky, locally owned shops and off-beat discoveries. You can find vintage clothing at independent stores, or make your own with gorgeous fabrics at Tea Time Quilting.

The Whimsy Artisan Boutique stocks gifts made by Texas artists, while toys, comics, and collectables are available at Misfit Toys. The Wilde Collection will impress you with its outlandish collection of skull masks, decorative coffins, and dramatic Gothic lighting. Spare some time to explore pretty historic buildings, such as Burge House and the Historic Heights Fire Station.

Houston Premium Outlets hosts hundreds of major brands selling off-season goods at seriously reduced prices. Bag an amazing bargain from the likes of Burberry, Hugo Boss, Coach, Kate Spade, and Marc Jacobs. High-street brands have stores here as well, so you can get some cool new shades at Oakley, add to your sneaker collection at Converse, or get equipped for your next adventure at the Columbia Factory Store.

Special offers and extra discounts on various brands take place every week, so check the official website before you visit. You can also sign up for the Houston Premium Outlets’ VIP shopping club to get alerts. Take a break for fajitas, tamales and churros at Maria's, pizza, pasta and stromboli at Villa Fresh, or recharge with healthy snacks and nutritional fruit smoothies at Smoothie King.

River Oaks first opened its doors to shoppers in 1937, making it one of the oldest shopping centres in Houston. The building’s façade is a beautiful example of Art Deco style, while stores inside gleam with slick modern design. The brands tend towards the upscale, with designers like Allen Edmonds, White House Black Market, and Alton Lane.

Health and beauty experiences are plentiful at River Oaks. You can enjoy a relaxing facial at the Beverley Hills Rejuvenation Centre, get your nails done at Your Nail Time & Spa, or try acupuncture at Modern Acupuncture. Make time to visit the River Oaks theatre, a glamorous period building that shows independent and art-house films.

Woodlands Mall is a family-friendly shopping complex in one of Houston's fanciest neighbourhoods. Kids will love riding the carousel, with its line-up of giraffes, rabbits and zebras, as well as the soft play area. There are various events throughout the year, from outdoor films during the summer to meetups with Santa in December.

The kids can make their own stuffed animals in the Build-A-Bear Workshop, create mini-figures at the Lego Store, or coo over cute puppies at Pet Fair. Parents will be happy to see brands like Anthropologie, Hollister, and Urban Outfitters, plus a good-sized Barnes & Noble. Recover from your retail therapy with handcrafted ice cream at Creamistry.

Houston Farmers Market is a sprawling hodgepodge of fresh fruit and vegetables, locally reared meat, and aromatic herbs. Locals come for their weekly groceries, but it's also a great place for breakfast or lunch. Fuel up before you shop with a hearty cheeseburger at Underbelly Burger, Vietnamese-Cajun fusion at Crawfish & Noodles, or traditional Texan cuisine at Wild Oats.

The market excels at fresh produce, from exotic fruits sold at South Mex to local vegetables and roasting corn at Yanez Produce. Buy flavourful herbs and spices at De Mi Tierra Chiles, dried chillies at Manzano's, or local honey at Orellana. Visit Los Cavazos for herbal tea and coffee, plus delightfully scented soap, and incense.

Highland Village Shopping Center is a mix of luxe boutiques and popular national brands. Lined with soaring palm trees, the stylish outdoor mall is home to some of the biggest names in fashion and homeware. Standouts include Banana Republic, Crate & Barrel, J. Crew, Lululemon, and Anthropologie.

Sephora has a huge range of skincare and makeup products, while bath bombs and vegan beauty products are available at Lush. For lunch, try lobster filet mignon and calamari rolls at RA Sushi, or Tex-Mex comfort food at Escalante's. If you're visiting Highland Village early in the day, you can grab a breakfast of tasty crepes and a Nutella latte at Sweet Paris.

Rice Village has a vast collection of shops, restaurants and bars stuffed into a few charming blocks of west Houston. It’s one of Houston's most walkable neighbourhoods, with a shopping scene that leans heavily towards fashion. You can find cutting-edge brands like luxury handbag designer Alexandra Knight, and the stylish Dao Chloe Dao boutique (owned by the winner of Project Runway).

For fun fashion you won't find in major stores, visit locally owned boutiques like Impeccable Pig or Raspberry Rose. You can check out the delightful tea sets, stationery, and knick-knacks at the British Isles giftshop. Dining establishments also have an independent streak, like the eco-friendly burgers at Texas chain Hopdoddy Burger Bar, or Mendocino Farms, a sandwich market that works with regional farmers.

Main Street Square is the vibrant centre of Downtown Houston. It’s filled with shops, restaurants, and cafes, all surrounding an eye-catching fountain. Shop for unique jewellery, clothing, and hats at local boutiques, try varied eateries at Finn Hall (an Art Deco food court), or sample a range of domestic and international beers at Flying Saucer Draught Emporium.

Main Street Square is a good place to spot street musicians, impromptu performances, and local celebrations. Take a moment to admire the steel fountain, with its thirteen jets of water which shoot up to 40 ft in the air. The 250-ft long pool underneath was built across the city’s light rail line, so you’ll see trains passing straight through it.