Shopping · Austin · United States
Shopping in Austin
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Downtown Austin, Public domain
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Quick answer
Austin shopping leans towards Western wear, vintage, records and local makers rather than luxury brands. Texas sales tax is added at the register. Best souvenirs: Cowboy boots, Vinyl records and Barbecue rubs and sauces.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 4
- Markets
- 2
- Top souvenir
- Cowboy boots
Where to shop
South Congress Avenue
Boot shops, vintage stores, gift shops and local boutiques.
South Lamar and South First
Thrift and vintage shops, record stores and small boutiques.
The Domain
A large outdoor shopping district in North Austin with department stores and brand-name shops.
East Austin
Small makers' studios, design shops and vintage furniture.
Markets
SFC Farmers' Market
Saturday farmers' market downtown with local produce, meat, prepared food and crafts.
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Seasonal art and craft market with live music, usually in December.
What to buy
Cowboy boots
Handmade or vintage boots from South Congress boot shops.
Vinyl records
Records by Austin and Texas musicians from independent record stores.
Barbecue rubs and sauces
Spice rubs and sauces sold by many barbecue joints.
Texas pecans
Roasted, candied or chocolate-covered pecans from local shops.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Street · South Congress (SoCo)
South Congress Avenue
The best-known shopping and eating strip in Austin, with Western boots and vintage clothing shops, food trucks, neon signs, the 'I love you so much' mural and a direct view up Congress Avenue to the Capitol.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Photo spot
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Street · Downtown
Sixth Street and Red River
East Sixth Street between Congress Avenue and Interstate 35 is Austin's famous bar strip, closed to traffic on weekend nights, while the Red River Cultural District around the corner has many of the city's long-running original-music clubs.
- Time needed
- An evening
- Cost
- Low cost
- After dark
- Iconic
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Queso, Kolaches, Frozen margarita and Pecan pie. Tex-Mex restaurants across the city. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown | $$$ | High-rise hotels, the Capitol, Sixth Street bars and the lakefront |
| South Congress (SoCo) | $$$ | Boutiques, food trucks, neon signs and Capitol views along South Congress Avenue |
| East Austin | $$ | Bars, barbecue joints and murals east of Interstate 35 |
| Hyde Park and the University | $$ | Historic houses, UT Austin campus and its museums north of the Capitol |
| Clarksville and Old West Austin | $$$$ | Leafy streets, small restaurants and West Sixth Street shops |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in USD. Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, and something in the tip jar for musicians.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in July–August and December–February; the busiest months are March and October.
- March: SXSW music, film and tech festival (usually mid-March)
- October: Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park (usually two weekends in October)
- December: Armadillo Christmas Bazaar (usually December)
Staying near the shops
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, shopping and food lovers
South Congress (SoCo)
Boutiques, food trucks, neon signs and Capitol views along South Congress Avenue
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Austin?
Cowboy boots, Vinyl records, Barbecue rubs and sauces and Texas pecans.
+Where is the best shopping in Austin?
South Congress Avenue: Boot shops, vintage stores, gift shops and local boutiques.
+What are the best markets in Austin?
SFC Farmers' Market and Armadillo Christmas Bazaar.