Shopping in Austin - authentic goods, best outlets, malls and boutiques

Few tourists go to Austin solely for shopping, but it still remains a very popular pastime for most of them. The city has many large shopping centers where it’s interesting to pick trendy clothes and accessories. An interesting feature of Austin is the abundance of shops selling vintage clothing and other antiques.

Most of such shops are concentrated on Guadalupe St, which would be of special interest to all fans of original gifts and souvenirs. If you happen to visit Austin on the first Thursday of the month, take your chance to go shopping on S Congress Ave. Every month, stores located here hold big sales. On the first Thursday of the month, they are open until 10:00 pm. Concerts and other entertainment events are often held in the open air next to shopping centers and big stores.

Barton Creek Square is one of the city's largest malls, which is also one of the most attractive for families. The center is famous for a huge selection of clothing and footwear shops for both adults and children. Apart from large boutiques, Barton Creek Square houses several dozen small pavilions selling interesting accessories, sweets, and souvenirs. On the ground floor, you can visit numerous cafes and pastry shops to take a break from shopping. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The Domain is another shopping center located in the north of the city. This one is also perfect not only for shopping but also for entertainment. Ladies come here to check out Love Pink brand store where they can buy elegant underwear and branded loungewear. The choice of cosmetics and perfume shops is also huge here. At the same time, men will enjoy sporting goods stores located in the center. It is definitely worth noting the variety of designer boutiques where you can pick clothes, bags, jewelry, hats, and other accessories for creating a unique look.

Among Austin's largest shopping centers, Southpark Meadows stands out. Within its walls, there are not only dozens of shops but also an entertainment center, as well as many great restaurants and cafes. Fashion stores located here delight visitors with moderate prices. You can also visit homeware shops and one of the largest supermarkets in town. The latter attracts tourists with a large selection of meat delicacies and sweets. By the way, one of the main regional delicacies, dried meat, is available here too.

Apart from shopping centers, Austin has several great markets, which would be of equal interest to all shopping enthusiasts. One of the best farmers' markets in town is Texas Farmers' Market at Mueller. Seasonal vegetables, fruits, and other regional products are always abundantly present on its shelves. Many tourists come here in search of the best chili peppers in Texas. The market also presents a large selection of spices and canned foods.

For affordable clothing and souvenirs, go to Marketplace Austin. This is a large covered marketplace where you can buy some nice Texas-style souvenirs. Here, they sell colorful T-shirts with regional symbols, authentic cowboy boots and belts. Ladies will love huge pavilions selling jewelry and accessories, as well as cosmetics & perfume sections. Among other things, the market’s broad product range includes books. Also, Marketplace Austin is a great place to visit with kids - they will like sections with stylish children's clothing and toys.

Ten Thousand Villages is one of the city’s most interesting souvenir shops where you can choose some charming handmade crafts. The store is famous for its large selection of ceramics and textiles, lovely handmade rugs and pillows. Its customers will enjoy an impressive selection of interior decorations, most of which are handmade and totally exclusive.

For original memorable gifts, head to Uncommon Objects one of the largest antique stores in town. The store is famous for its rich selection of artworks, as well as incredible vintage accessories. It also sells stuffed animals, vintage clothes, jewelry, and even antique toys. You can walk around the store for hours without noticing how time flies. The store itself is designed more like an interesting historical museum. Collectors from all over the United States are eager to visit this store. Among tourists, it has long become one of the most popular attractions in southern Austin.