Austin Shopping

The neat thing about shopping in Austin is that you're bound to come accross something that you won't find anywhere else -- and that it was likely made by someone who lives here. Find funky treasures and great vintage stores on South Congress, re-made duds near the University of Texas campus, or high-end shopping at the boutiques on Second Street.

Insider's Guide: The Best of Shopping in Austin

The coolest shopping district in Austin is the area known as "SoCo" or South Congress Avenue. Vintage and thrift shops share space with high-end salons and chi-chi clothing and jewelry stores. But it would be a crime to ignore other hot shopping areas and stores like Anthony Nak (800 Brazos), a duo whose exquisite jewelry designs are favorites of local hipsters and international celebrities; and Eliza Page (229 West Second St), where you'll want to pick up accessories by local designer Kendra Scott, who designed the jewelry for Oscar de la Renta's spring 2006 line.

In the South First Street area, Kick Pleat (910 South First) and Tryst (1002 South First) feature chic (and pricey) men's and women's clothes, and Sabia (1100 S First) is the salon to go to for skin, hair, facials, and massages.

At Kick Pleat, in Austin's South First Street area, you can shop for chic and pricey clothing.
©2006 Justin Cox
At Kick Pleat, located in Austin's South First Street area,
you can shop for chic and pricey clothing.

The Arboretum at Great Hills Shopping Center (1000 Research Blvd at Great Hills Drive and the Capitol of Texas Highway) is a two-level 45-store mall of boutiques, art galleries, upscale chain stores, and restaurants. Some shoppers simply call it "The Arboretum." You'll find a fountain and cow sculptures dressing up the area between stores like The Sharper Image, Heroes and Legacies, Chico's, April Cornell, and Gymboree.

For bargain hunters and super shoppers alike, don't miss the brand-new Round Rock Premium Outlets (150 Park Dr, Round Rock), a 430,000-square-foot open-air upscale village-style outlet shopping center that opened in August 2006. Just north of Austin, shoppers will find a single-level outdoor village with stores like Calvin Klein, Coach, Kenneth Cole, Michael Nors, J Crew, The Gap, and more. Also in northwest Austin is Lakeline Mall (11200 Lakeline Mall Dr), which includes more than 150 stores such as Dillard's, Foley's, and Mervyn's, along with a nine-screen theatre, two sit-down restaurants, and a nine-merchant food court.

There's also the newly remodeled Barton Creek Square Mall (2901 S Capital of Texas Highway), which has major department stores, boutiques, and specialty shops like Brookstone, Victoria's Secret, and Nine West.

The Brodie Oaks and Brodie Oaks II Shopping Centers (northwest corner of South Lamar Boulevard and Highway 290) includes major stores like Neiman Marcus Last Call Clearance, Mervyn's and Tuesday Morning.

The 26 Doors Shopping Center (1206 W 38th St at Medical Parkway) is designed to be a little oasis in the middle of the city. This shopping center has eclectic shops like The Hairs Lair, Root and Ridge Toymaker, and Telfair at Home.

If you think you'll find only organic fruits and vegetables at Austin's two biggest farmers markets, think again. Imagine fresh bread, unique handcrafted jewelry, homemade candles, hip skirts and blouses, sculpture, pottery, and much more. The Sunset Valley Market (in the parking lot of Toney Burger Center in South Austin) is open between 9:30 am to 1:30 pm Saturdays. Austin Farmer's Market downtown in Republic Square (Fourth Street and Guadalupe) is open from 9 am to 1 pm Saturdays.

Once you've finished shopping, you may want to explore the nightlife and entertainment venues in Austin. The choices -- especially those involving music -- seem endless, as you'll find out in the following section.
The neat thing about shopping in Austin is that you're bound to come accross something that you won't find anywhere else -- and that it was likely made by someone who lives here. Find funky treasures and great vintage stores on South Congress, re-made duds near the University of Texas campus, or high-end shopping at the boutiques on Second Street.

Insider's Guide: The Best of Shopping in Austin

The coolest shopping district in Austin is the area known as "SoCo" or South Congress Avenue. Vintage and thrift shops share space with high-end salons and chi-chi clothing and jewelry stores. But it would be a crime to ignore other hot shopping areas and stores like Anthony Nak (800 Brazos), a duo whose exquisite jewelry designs are favorites of local hipsters and international celebrities; and Eliza Page (229 West Second St), where you'll want to pick up accessories by local designer Kendra Scott, who designed the jewelry for Oscar de la Renta's spring 2006 line.

In the South First Street area, Kick Pleat (910 South First) and Tryst (1002 South First) feature chic (and pricey) men's and women's clothes, and Sabia (1100 S First) is the salon to go to for skin, hair, facials, and massages.

At Kick Pleat, in Austin's South First Street area, you can shop for chic and pricey clothing.
©2006 Justin Cox
At Kick Pleat, located in Austin's South First Street area,
you can shop for chic and pricey clothing.

The Arboretum at Great Hills Shopping Center (1000 Research Blvd at Great Hills Drive and the Capitol of Texas Highway) is a two-level 45-store mall of boutiques, art galleries, upscale chain stores, and restaurants. Some shoppers simply call it "The Arboretum." You'll find a fountain and cow sculptures dressing up the area between stores like The Sharper Image, Heroes and Legacies, Chico's, April Cornell, and Gymboree.

For bargain hunters and super shoppers alike, don't miss the brand-new Round Rock Premium Outlets (150 Park Dr, Round Rock), a 430,000-square-foot open-air upscale village-style outlet shopping center that opened in August 2006. Just north of Austin, shoppers will find a single-level outdoor village with stores like Calvin Klein, Coach, Kenneth Cole, Michael Nors, J Crew, The Gap, and more. Also in northwest Austin is Lakeline Mall (11200 Lakeline Mall Dr), which includes more than 150 stores such as Dillard's, Foley's, and Mervyn's, along with a nine-screen theatre, two sit-down restaurants, and a nine-merchant food court.

There's also the newly remodeled Barton Creek Square Mall (2901 S Capital of Texas Highway), which has major department stores, boutiques, and specialty shops like Brookstone, Victoria's Secret, and Nine West.

The Brodie Oaks and Brodie Oaks II Shopping Centers (northwest corner of South Lamar Boulevard and Highway 290) includes major stores like Neiman Marcus Last Call Clearance, Mervyn's and Tuesday Morning.

The 26 Doors Shopping Center (1206 W 38th St at Medical Parkway) is designed to be a little oasis in the middle of the city. This shopping center has eclectic shops like The Hairs Lair, Root and Ridge Toymaker, and Telfair at Home.

If you think you'll find only organic fruits and vegetables at Austin's two biggest farmers markets, think again. Imagine fresh bread, unique handcrafted jewelry, homemade candles, hip skirts and blouses, sculpture, pottery, and much more. The Sunset Valley Market (in the parking lot of Toney Burger Center in South Austin) is open between 9:30 am to 1:30 pm Saturdays. Austin Farmer's Market downtown in Republic Square (Fourth Street and Guadalupe) is open from 9 am to 1 pm Saturdays.

Once you've finished shopping, you may want to explore the nightlife and entertainment venues in Austin. The choices -- especially those involving music -- seem endless, as you'll find out in the following section.