Austin Shopping

Follow the University of Texas students to this square mile of funky chains (Urban Outfitters), resale/vintage shops (Buffalo Exchange), and a toy store cooler than FAO Schwartz (Toy Joy).

The area at Sixth and Lamar includes BookPeople (the city’s only independent bookstore), Whole Foods’ headquarters and flagship store, Amy’s Ice Cream, and fashion boutique By George.

From fun to funky, expensive to cheap, there’s something for everyone on South Congress. Buy boots at Allen’s, black and white, pre-1967 vintage clothing at Blackmail and Latin American art at Mi Casa.

Where else but South Austin can you find Resistencia, a neighborhood anarchist bookstore? Shop for vintage garb at Bella Blue; trendy styles at Tryst and Kick Pleat; and local art at The Stash.

The flagship of the Whole Foods empire, founded in Austin in 1980, is now an 80,000 square foot mega-store and culinary center with tasting events, cooking classes, and live music on an outdoor plaza. Check the store calendar online for specific events, though the market itself is worth exploring for its sheer size and overabundance of items. For under $100 the staff at the culinary center can remedy any gastronomic deficiency with classes like Cutting Edge Knife Skills and Sushi 101.

While many independent bookstores have gone the way of the dinosaur, this one – a must for any visiting bibliophile – is still going strong after nearly four decades. The hand-written staff recommendation cards, affixed to shelves throughout the store, can help you discover books by local authors and narrow your selection from the store’s robust art book section. Since their calendar is always chock-full of events, it’s worth a visit to see if your favorite author is in town giving a reading; Alice Walker, Ray Bradbury, and former Presidents Carter and Clinton have all held court here. Fancy yourself a literary critic? Join in the discussion with in-house book clubs like Ludicrous Speed (Sci-Fi) or The Voyage Out (comparing books from the same locale). Or just curl up with a good read in one of several comfy chairs embedded amongst the shelves.

Since opening in 1982, Waterloo Records has earned top praise in The Austin Chronicle’s readers’ poll 25 times, and in a town that takes music as seriously as Austin does, that really says something. Though focused on local music and Texas artists, all styles – from classical to punk – are represented (everything is indexed alphabetically by artist). Be sure to investigate the back wall, showcasing recommendations from Waterloo’s knowledgeable staff of music gurus. It’s not unusual to happen upon an in-store performance or record release party in this bastion of Austin’s quirky music scene.

This 1870s German town, Gruene (pronounced “green”) shelters Greune Hall—the oldest dance hall in Texas, the famous Grist Mill Restaurant, and great shopping.

Visit Wimberley’s Pioneer Town with its 1890s buildings, including a working ice cream store, café and a wedding chapel.