11 Best Places to Shop in Houston and Galveston, Texas

Not to be confused with the neighborhood, this is the actual Galleria, the region's anchor shopping complex. It's famous for high-quality stores like Neiman Marcus, Cartier, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Saks Fifth Avenue. But don't be scared off by all these big-ticket names—also here are establishments like Urban Outfitters, Macy's, Banana Republic, and Fox Sports Grill. Kids (and adults) will enjoy the year-round indoor ice rink; during the holidays you can skate around the giant Christmas tree.

A one-stop culture shop, this arts complex features the top-tier Barbara Davis, Joan Wich, Wade Wilson, and Anya Tish galleries, as well as the smart Peel Gallery Shop and the intimate and tasty T'art Café.

This "Gallery Row" includes a series of important dealers housed in a striking, Arquitectonica-designed postmodern building.

More than 50 antiques dealers are represented at the Emporium at Eibands, an upscale showroom filled with custom upholstery, bedding and draperies, antique furniture, and interesting architectural finds.

This massive four-block shopping, entertainment, and office complex spans Main St. to Caroline St. between Dallas and Polk. Stores include House of Blues, Lucky Strike Bowling Lanes, McCormick and Schmick's, Marble Slab (ice cream, similar to Cold Stone Creamery), and more.

Chic national retailers like Anthropologie, Williams-Sonoma, and Crate & Barrel grace this elegant, decades-old shopping plaza, where you also find scene-y restaurants Smith & Wollensky and RA Sushi.

Built in the round, this gigantic shopping center features Neiman Marcus Last Call, Off 5th Saks Fifth Avenue, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Kenneth Cole Outlet Store, Cole Haan, the J. Crew Factory Store, and hundreds of other well-known stores. Need a break from shopping? Take in a movie at the AMC Theatres or enjoy a tropical-themed meal at the kitschy Rainforest Café.

A few blocks away, are a collection of downtown stores; many are junky, but there are a few good ones—plus a completely re-done food court.

Just west of Rice University, this pedestrian-friendly shopping district is a pleasant, laid-back place to stroll, with an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, boutiques, and galleries. This is where you'll find a jam-packed five-and-ten store around the corner from yet another Urban Outfitters, plus mainstream national retailers like The Gap, Express, and of course, Starbucks (there are two here). College students abound (you'll bump into quite a few Rice Owls at Two Rows Restaurant and Brewery and Jason's Deli).

The Strand is the best place to shop in Galveston. Old storefronts are filled with gift shops, antiques stores, and one-of-a-kind boutiques.

This charming European-style outdoor shopping center gladly accepts plastic (and you'll need plenty of it) at its cafés, upscale restaurants, designer-clothing boutiques, fine jewelry shops, and day spas.