The 12 Best Places To Shop While In Austin, Texas

Between tacos and two-stepping, make time for a little shopping.

Between tacos and two-stepping, walking along Lady Bird Lake and dipping into Bartons Springs Pool, there's always plenty of things to do in Austin. This Capital city is known for its relaxed, laid-back vibe and a thriving scene of creatives, which means there's plenty of unique shopping to be done along South Congress Avenue (after stopping for oysters at Perla's) and all over town. In between sightseeing, make sure to carve out time to visit the many interesting local stores and boutiques, from spots where you can find Texas-approved Western wear to quirky antique hideaways.

Here are the 12 best places to shop while in Austin, Texas.

Allen’s Boots

You can’t visit Austin without paying a visit to one of its most iconic stores, Allen’s Boots. Located on a bustling corner of South Congress Avenue, this boot store has something for everyone, including kids. After finding a pair of cowboy boots to take home, peruse its collection of cowboy hats and Western wear. allensboots.com

Maufrais

There’s something so Texan about designing your own custom hat, and this store makes it the ultimate luxury. Personalize your own Western-style hat with bands, charms, and art. The store is also home to Little Brother Coffee & Kolaches, so you can try the beloved Czech pastry while you’re shopping. maufrais.shop

Succulent Native

This cactus-focused plant store not only offers unique succulent arrangements and gifts, but also workshops, planting parties, and even a plant club subscription box. Owner Shannon Donaldson, an Austin native, has two locations that you can visit, one on North Lamar Boulevard and one on South Lamar Boulevard. succulentnative.com

Uncommon Objects

Established in 1991 as a small antique collective, Uncommon Objects is a one-of-a-kind emporium of interesting trinkets and curiosities, where antique sellers are assembled under one roof to make for easy perusing. Its original small location housed five antique dealers, but now the shop occupies a space with 24 antiquers currently showing and selling their treasures. uncommonobjects.com

Kendra Scott

Kendra Scott’s flagship store on South Congress Avenue is a fun space to shop for jewelry and includes the brand’s first cafe, Sips & Sweets, complete with all-day coffee, drinks, and pastries. Scott, who lives locally, started making jewelry out of her home before going on to create a billion-dollar company. kendrascott.com

Big Top Candy Shop

This whimsical candy store on South Congress Avenue feels right out of a retro movie. Opened in 2007, inside you’ll find an old-fashioned soda fountain and over 300 different varieties of candy. Grab a milkshake, and create a fun-filled bag of candy to take home for later. bigtopcandyshop.com

Waterloo Records

The music scene has always been a calling card of Austin, and Waterloo Records has been around since 1982. Within the expansive 6,000-square-foot storefront that’s absolutely filled with musical offerings, you’ll find an extensive selection of music spanning all styles with a special propensity for Texas artists. waterlookrecords.com

Garment Modern + Vintage

It should come as no surprise that Austin, being such a creative city, boasts fabulous vintage and thrift stores. Garment Modern + Vintage is a local favorite where you can find designer vintage clothing, handbags, and accessories, specializing from the 1970s through the early 2000s. In addition, the shop showcases modern jewelry designers who produce small collections, which are often handmade. shopgarment.com

BookPeople

BookPeople, Texas' largest independent bookstore, has been a staple in the Austin community since 1970. You can find interesting authors and an extensive collection, all within a short distance of everything that downtown has to offer and right next door to Whole Foods’ flagship location. Its name is in reference to the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. bookpeople.com

The Herb Bar

Head a couple blocks off of busy South Congress Avenue on West Mary Street to find this fascinating herb shop that is so cozy and concealed you could almost miss it, if not for the herby aromas wafting from the door. It’s been around since 1986, and nearly 100 herbal products can be shopped and prepared in-house. theherbbar.com

Studs

This trendy newer spot on South Congress Avenue is a two-for-one, both a piercing shop and earring store. Their retail selection includes a wide assortment of affordable, on-trend earrings for everyday wear. The collection is built to be customized, choosing from over 250 earrings ranging from $10 to $160 per earring. studs.com 

Roadside Relics

You can't come to town without stopping by for a photo in front of the famous "Greetings From Austin" mural, which happens to be displayed on Roadside Relics' side facade. The neon art gallery features Americana-inspired neon artwork, but you can also shop its small retail area of art prints, t-shirts, and more. roadsiderelics.com

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