Houston Shopping Guide

You certainly have stores wherever you’re coming from, but you probably don’t have quite the diversity in shopping options that you’ll find in the nation’s fourth-largest city! After all, vacation isn’t complete without a souvenir (or five) to commemorate your visit, but the retail landscape in Houston goes far beyond kitschy tourist mementos. Here – shopping is an experience, and the possibilities are endless! Whether you’re looking for that original Texas gift, an item to keep a little bit of The Lone Star State alive in your own home, or simply hoping to stock up and save at area outlets, Houston shopping will not disappoint. The area’s best retailers can often be found in collective spaces that combine shopping with dining, sightseeing, and amusement options, making for a full day out with a little something for everyone.

Houston’s Best Shopping Experiences

CityCentre

800 Town and Country Blvd, Houston, TX 77024

https://citycentrehouston.com

Houston’s premier destination for sophisticated fun, CityCentre is a mixed-use complex located in the Memorial City district on the city’s west side. The revitalized shopping mall is situated on 37 acres featuring shopping and dining options as well as a movie theater, bowling alley, spa and fitness facility, event space, and residential living space. Beautiful open-air shopping is accentuated by the lush green space featuring thoughtful landscaping, stone pathways, and picturesque courtyards. Popular CityCentre shops include high-end retailers like H&M, J. Crew, Sephora, Urban Outfitters, and Z Gallerie. Free parking is available on the upper levels of parking garages #1, 2, and 3. Valet parking is also available for $8. Additional pay-to-park options are available on nearby main streets and parking garages.

The Galleria

5085 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056

https://www.simon.com/mall/the-galleria

The Galleria is an upscale shopping center and entertainment complex welcoming more than 30 million visitors each year, so it’s no wonder that Forbes ranked it among the world’s best shopping malls. Occupying nearly three million square feet of space, it’s the state’s biggest mall, and home to more than 400 stores, an ice skating rink, escape rooms, children’s play area, and fun family eateries like Rainforest Cafe and The Cheesecake Factory. Luxury anchor stores include Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Macy’s, as well as popular interior boutiques like Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, American Eagle, Burberry, Apple, Gucci, GAP, Versace, and more. Tourists from around the globe and Houstonians alike consider this to be the city’s pinnacle retail experience. There are nine valet parking stations and 13,000 parking spaces in seven garages.

Historic Houston Heights

West 19th Street, Houston, TX 77008

http://www.19thstreetheights.com

Centered around the iconic Heights Theater, the Historic Heights district at 19th Street is the ideal destination for trendy, funky, unique shopping from independent local retailers. This fashion-forward community showcases charming Victorian architecture, alluring green spaces, and original restaurants serving up everything from donuts to tacos with a cold brew or a warm cup of joe. While the eclectic antique and vintage specialty shops and art galleries are all the rage, the First Saturday Arts Market draws many visitors seeking to add a taste of local culture from Houstonian artists, musicians, and food trucks.

Highland Village

4055 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77027

http://www.shophighlandvillage.com

Palm tree-lined pathways and complimentary valet service. It’s not Beverly Hills – it’s Houston’s Highland Village shopping center, a distinctive boutique shopping district with a timeless appeal since 1957. Located on Westheimer Road near The Galleria, Highland Village is home to prestigious notable shops and restaurants including Anthropologie, Lucchese, Tommy Bahama, Banana Republic, Pottery Barn, P.F. Chang’s, and Starbucks

Houston Premium Outlets

29300 Hempstead Rd, Cypress, TX 77433

Located in Cypress, about 30 minutes away from the downtown city center, Houston Premium Outlets is a Simon Properties shopping center. The mall hosts 145 designer and name-brand outlet stores with deeply-discounted high-end items up to 65% off, including Armani, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach, Fossil, The Disney Outlet, Old Navy, and plenty of snacks to fuel your epic shopping trip.

Katy Mills

5000 Katy Mills Cir, Katy, TX 77494

https://www.simon.com/mall/katy-mills

Another Simon outlet mall, Katy Mills is located 25 miles west of downtown Houston in the town of Katy. Expanding across more than one million square feet of indoor retail space, Katy Mills invited guests to stroll and browse more than 175 fun and fashionable outlets, as well as Bass Pro Shops, Build-A-Bear Workshop, a Disney Junior Play Zone, a movie theater, family events, and a dining pavilion. Katy Mills underwent a major renovation in 2019, just in time for its 20th anniversary.

Memorial City Mall

303 Memorial City Way, Houston, TX 77024

https://www.memorialcity.com

Just 11 miles west of the city proper, Memorial City Mall was constructed in the mid-1960s and extensively renovated in the early 2000s. Today, the revived 17-million square foot mall proudly boasts the city’s only American Girl store, a sate-of-the-art 16-screen movie theater, numerous dining spots, and dozens of prime retail shops in a district known as a “city-within-a-city”. As an added bonus for nighttime visitors, 2.6 miles of LED lights illuminate Memorial City from Bunker Hill to west of Gessner Road along the Katy Freeway each evening in a beautiful display.

Rice Village

Kirby & University, Houston, TX 77005

https://rice-village.com

Somewhat hidden away just a few blocks from the Rice University campus, Rice Village is an icon of elegance and a quaint but striking Houston shopping destination since 1938. With more than 300 variety stores, restaurants, and specialty boutiques lining pedestrian-friendly walkways dotted with lush landscaping and art installations, Rice Village has also become Houston’s first walkable garden district. A smart mix of national chains and local merchants make this a popular point of discovery and culture in the heart of Houston for every kind of visitor.

River Oaks District

4444 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77027

https://www.riveroaksdistrict.com

If shopping to impress is the goal at hand, River Oaks District is the destination to aim for! Here, you’ll find designer clothes and accessories, high-end specialty items, and lavish fine dining options strewn across more than 250,000 square feet of chic outdoor retail space. Highlight luxury retailers include Cartier, Dior, Bonobos, and Theory. Free self-parking can be found in onsite parking garages, but paid metered street parking and valet services are also available.

River Oaks Shopping Center

1964 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019

http://www.riveroaksshoppingcenter.com

Not to be confused with River Oaks District, River Oaks Shopping Center was the first shopping center to arise in Houston, opening in 1937. Thanks to many updates over the years, the art-deco, open-air market offers a uniquely modern shopping experience, complemented by its adjacent, award-winning three-screen movie theater. The historic cinema house, built in 1939, was named one of the “20 Cool Things About Houston” by the Houston Chronicle. Spanning just four city blocks, the River Oaks Shopping Center features nearly 75 shops and restaurants.

The Shops at Houston Center

1200 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010

Perfect for those looking to sneak in a little retail detour in the middle of a downtown day, The Shops at Houston Center features nearly 200,000 square feet (and three levels) of shops and restaurants for the explorer on-the-go in the city! It’s the only enclosed retail center in the city’s business district, occupying two city blocks across from George R. Brown Convention Center.

Uptown Park

1121 Uptown Park Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

https://www.uptownparkhouston.com

The European-style Uptown Park spotlights artisan makers, homegrown designers, neighborhood eateries, and high-end retailers with an upscale urban Texan vibe where “big city culture meets southern hospitality.” Home to more than 30 shops, Uptown Park is the social shopping destination for visitors and sophisticated locals alike!

Bonus Local Tip: Make time to stroll the Westheimer Curve along lower Westheimer between Dunlavy and Montrose. It’s a truly one-of-a-kind, off-the-beaten-path experience that many visitors may overlook. A casual walk will lead to the discovery of vibrant murals for photo ops, “hidden gem” dining spots, and offbeat eclectic shops.