Top Rated Shopping in Austin

This unique shop showcases gifts with a Texas music theme, offering jewelry, furniture, T-shirts, posters, books and more. The large gallery space features sculptures and oil paintings, among other artworks, all capturing the music spirit of Austin and the state. At Wild About Music, local, national and international artists are represented and all work is for sale. One of the featured artists, Larry Plitz, creates beautiful and eclectic aquariums made from old television sets. Explore the gallery's website for a tour of the online Virtual Art Gallery.

Royal Blue Grocery has become a fixture in the Austin community. It provides the basic needs a person could need in foods, drinks, magazines and newspapers, medicine and even housewares. This contemporary general store offers a certain convenience in both its proximity and accessibility. The store's long hours means it'll likely be open when you're having a late-night craving. The staff is friendly and go out of their way to aid customers. This is a neighborhood corner store that the locals enjoy.

Have you ever heard of a toy store that's open at midnight? This is not your typical toy store. Rather, Toy Joy is a wonderland for unconventional "children" of all ages. Though the inventory includes some popular kids' items like Beanie Babies and Pokemon collectibles, they specialize in the unusual. This boutique of the bizarre is filled to capacity with selections like sumo wrestler alarm clocks, cube-shaped bubble wands, over-sized lava lamps and creative sound makers. It's a great place to shop for a gift or for yourself.

Whole Foods began in the early 1980s in a small flood-prone site farther north on Lamar. Whole Foods Market has since expanded to cities across the United States and into its current limestone home thanks to its healthy success. Of course, the store carries tempeh, tofu, miso and a plethora of fresh fruits and vegetables, but customers will also find organic wines, natural beef and free-range chicken. The quick carryout deli offers a variety of worldly foods including Greek dolmas, grilled eggplant, Mexican empanadas and chicken salad. Shoppers will find much more than just food; also offered is a full line of organic cosmetics, skin and hair care products, essential oils, fresh flowers, jewelry, hemp clothing, a good selection of books and magazines and many home accessories.

Walk in and breathe deeply. You're within range of 300,000 titles, all arranged on three floors, along with a coffeehouse and complete music department. This is one of the bookstore-as-community places, where shoppers are encouraged to put their feet up and read, or to sit at a convenient desk and copy a recipe from the latest cookbook. Children gather for story time every week, and a community room is available for book clubs and other meetings. Of course, they have a huge selection in every conceivable category, from anthropology to zoology. Notable are the shelves of small-press and foreign-press titles, as well as spiritual and religious books.

This is your one-stop shop for all your outdoor needs. Whether you're into climbing, hiking, camping, cycling, or paddling, REI provides all the clothing and gear you'll need for your next excursion. The friendly and knowledgeable staff will steer you in the right direction for your needed products. This store also provides a wide array of outdoor rental equipment for those willing to try something new. There's also a bike shop service here that'll keep your bike in pristine condition.