Shopping in Houston

Houston is a shopper's delight, as there are dozens of malls in the area and an extensive system of underground pedestrian tunnels and skywalks for weather-free shopping. Most visitors to Texas come away with an item of cowboy wear, such as a Stetson or Western-style boots.

Key areas

A more eclectic mix of shops can be found in the Rice Village neighbourhood, with designer boutiques, art and craft galleries and traditional shops. Art galleries and antique shops are to be found in the Upper Kirby District. The Houston Heights is a quaint Victorian neighbourhood filled with eclectic fashion, art and gift shops.

Markets

Antiques and arts and crafts bargain hunters should go to the Back Bay Market, held once a month, south of Downtown in Clear Lake. Trader's Village, North Eldridge Road, is a great weekend venue for open-air bargain hunting and sells anything and everything.

Shopping centres

The uptown area of Houston, around Westheimer Road at Post Oak, has a host of designer shops, mostly in the Galleria - a shopping mall that is also one of Houston's top tourist attractions. A few blocks from the Galleria on Uptown Park Boulevard is Uptown Park, a European-style plaza with fountains and small gardens.

Opening hours

Shopping hours are generally Monday to Saturday, 1000-2100 and Sundays, 1100-1900.

Tax information

There is a sales tax of 8.25%, which foreign visitors can claim back if exporting their purchases. This can be done at Texas Tax Back in the Galleria and Tax-Free Shopping which has various outlets across the city.