A Shopper's Paradise
While many hear Houston and think oil, space and sports, those in the loop know shopping is Houston's real main attraction. A city full of extreme shopping opportunities, shoppers can find the perfect piece at designer boutiques that line The Galleria's Million Dollar Mile or land the perfect deal on Houston's internationally eclectic Bargain Mile found on Harwin Drive. Houston is a city that turns casual shoppers into shopaholics who never want to leave. And why should they? Houston is a shopper's paradise.
While every city has its fair share of malls, Houston's malls are gigantic in size and selection. Topping the must-see and shop list is The Galleria, a wonderland for shoppers with discriminating taste and budget to go with it. A who's who of designers, The Galleria is home to Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Chanel, Jimmy Choo and Ralph Lauren, among others. Joining the upscale boutiques are anchor stores Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Foley's, adding up to more than two million square feet of shopping thrills. An ice rink made famous by Olympian Tara Lipinski and restaurants to suit every taste make it easy to stay and play all day long at The Galleria.
Soccer moms and savvy fashionistas find everything they are looking for at Memorial City Mall right inside Beltway 8. A Houston mainstay, Memorial City Mall is shiny, new and very shoppable after an extreme makeover that brought a wealth of new stores to its halls. Families will appreciate the food court with a beautiful Italian carousel, an NHL-regulation ice skating rink, a soft and cushy play castle and shopping wing designed just for the little ones.
Head west of Houston for clothes encounters of the discount kind at Katy Mills Mall, an expansive outlet mall full of amazing deals and finds. Clothing, shoes, accessories, house wares and more fill the 1.3 million square feet of shopping splendor. Know before you go, Katy Mills Mall is best experienced in a pair of comfortable shoes, but don't worry. If you need a break from the shopping action, there are plenty of places to take a break, including the food court, a movie theatre and seating throughout the mall.
Shoppers who enjoy the great outdoors have plenty places to stroll along, visit and shop while in Houston. You don't need a passport to shop at Uptown Park, an upscale, pedestrian-friendly shopping center in the shadow of the Houston Galleria that has a decidedly European feel. A collection of 36 stores and boutiques, Uptown Park caters to a sophisticated clientele, all the while maintaining its old-world charm. Also in the Galleria area is Highland Village, a classy collection of shops and boutiques that will easily outfit both you and your home. It's no surprise that nestled in River Oaks, Houston's toniest neighborhood, is the River Oaks Shopping Center. Whether window shopping, or searching for something specific, the River Oaks Shopping Center with stores such as Sole Sensation, Principessa, La Mode Lingerie and Chico's is full of possibilities.
What makes shopping in Houston so exciting, are the hidden surprises and pockets of promise around every corner. You simply need to know where to look.
For a shopping experience unique to Houston, head directly to Harwin Drive in southwest Houston. Simply called Harwin by locals, shoppers will find sterling silver jewelry, faux designer fashions and handbags and perfume at prices you absolutely won't find at the mall. Known for its great deals and less for its appearance, shops along Harwin are simple, cluttered spaces, owned by people from around the world who don't mind a little haggling. The Bargain Mile is also home to furniture, rugs, silk plants and accessories imported from around the globe.
Some of Houston's most unique and eclectic shopping can be found in The Heights, one of the city's most charming neighborhoods. Make the shops along 19th Street a priority, and you won't be disappointed. One of Houston's best resale shops, Retropolis, carries plenty of kitsch, but among the lace and floral proms dresses from 1975, shoppers can find wearable pieces for very little. Fun accessories and colorful house wares are among the countless items to be had at the shop Jubilee on 19th Street. Antique aficionados have plenty to choose from among the multiple antique stores that dot the street.
For another shade of funky, the Westheimer Curve is a winding road of offbeat and sometimes simply amazing shopping. You never know what surprise piece you will find at Buffalo Exchange, a resale shop that mixes street clothes with last season's designer duds dropped off by local socialites. Stylish shoppers who want to stretch their dollars make a beeline to Fashion Recycler on Westheimer to nab name brand and designer clothing, handbags and shoes sold at half the original price.
With so many choices at so many prices, Houston's shopping scene offers only the best of the world right here in the city where you can find just about anything on your list.
###
Houston is a space of infinite possibilities. As a top convention and tourism destination, you'll enjoy the very best hotels, convention facilities, sports, entertainment, dining, outdoor recreation and attractions. The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau and its partner, Continental Airlines, encourage you to make Houston your choice for business or pleasure. For more information, log on to www.visithoustontexas.com or call 1-800-4HOUSTON.
Green Houston 
