10 Best Shopping Malls in Austin

Barton Creek Square Mall overlooks downtown Austin and is among the largest malls in the city, offering everything from upscale boutique brands to casual department stores. Inside you'll find everything from Sephora to Williams-Sonoma, Coach, Talbots, Macy's, Nordstrom, and JCPenney. The decor is casual, old-school, and elegant with wood, tile, and leather just about everywhere you look. The mall also offers a full food court with tons of grab-and-go eats so you can catch a bite between shopping excursions.

Looking for entertainment? The mall also boasts a full IMAX multiplex cinema with all the latest hit films. It's all just 10 minutes southwest of downtown.

The Domain is an upscale destination offering more than 100 boutique and big name-brand stores with fine dining establishments and family-oriented leisure and entertainment. Here you can shop such brand names as Dillard's, Louis Vuitton, Forever 21, Levi's, and others. Often, you can get great deals on upscale brands by taking advantage of the mall's regular monthly, weekly, and daily specials. In terms of food, you can visit any number of restaurants and dessert shops like Beard Papa's.

The Domain is just a short 16-minute drive north of central downtown Austin. It's a great place to come whether you want upscale brands or just some family fun.

The Arboretum offers an open-air, elegant, and upscale 2 levels of retail stores in the northwest part of town named for the arbor of trees that surrounds it. It targets an older demographic with a very quiet and laid-back environment. Here you can find such shops as Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Express, and Barnes & Noble, among others. The entire space is decorated with public art installations (many cow sculptures can be found scattered around) as well as park areas.

If you're looking to grab a bite to eat, the shopping center also offers a wide range of sit-down restaurants. A multiplex theater is also on hand to catch the latest movies.

Lakeline Mall is a stylish and trendy spot that offers over 150 stores and services with easy access to lots of additional shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. This mall in northwest Austin offers anchor stores like JCPenney, Macy's, and Dillard's. Smaller clothing and specialty shops like Victoria's Secret, Old Navy, American Eagle, and Charlotte Russe can also be found here, as can several jewelry stores.

In terms of entertainment, a 9-screen multiplex movie theater shows the latest blockbusters. You can also grab a bite to eat at the food court or at any of several sit-down restaurants. This mall attracts families, young couples, and older folks alike.

Brodie Oaks Shopping Center is just a few miles south of central downtown Austin and offers tons of shops and services as well as 6 restaurants for grabbing a bite. Some of its tenants include big names like Neiman Marcus and Hobby Lobby, as well as unusual outlets like Sprouts Farmers Market. Restaurants here where you can grab a bite include The Park on South Lamar, Pinthouse Pizza, Pei Wei Asian Kitchen, Olive Garden, Pok-E-Jo's BBQ, and Freebirds World Burrito. Of course, there's a Starbucks on-site.

This may not be the biggest mall in town, but it's got a cheery, relaxed vibe that folks around here appreciate. It's a mall that's beloved by locals as much as visitors.

Westgate Shopping Center offers 19 stores and shops in an outdoor shopping plaza environment that carries a welcoming, family-friendly, casual, and laid-back vibe. Some of the shops here include Bath & Body Works, Back Home Furniture, EB Games, and Central Market. Services include options like massage parlors, day spas, a yoga studio, a dance studio, and others. An on-site café lets you grab a cup of joe and people-watch, while the movie theater lets you catch a current hit blockbuster.

You'll also find plenty of places to eat here, from casual, family-style grills to an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. You're sure to find something here for the entire family, 12 minutes west of town.

Lamar Union Plaza is an outdoor shopping plaza with dining and entertainment options that's also the home of the iconic, famed Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. You can hit up one of the local entertainment venues like Highball for great drinks and good fun, or you can walk a wide range of shops and services to spend an entire day of fun that transitions to a vibrant nightlife when the sun goes down. You'll see quirky murals and public art installations, and the plaza hosts events and festivals like the annual Valentine Shmalentine Bash on a regular basis.

From upscale shopping brands to craft beers at happy hour, there's something for everyone here. It's all in the heart of downtown.

West Woods Shopping Center offers a wide range of upscale, family-friendly, casual, and welcoming shopping, dining, and entertainment options with a relaxing vibe. This classic outdoor venue bills itself as a "Neighborhood Lifestyle Shopping Center" and has been serving the West Lake Hills community for over 36 years. With more than 45 shops and services, you're sure to find all you need for a fun day out here. From a dance academy to hair salons, discount marts, and coffee and donuts, the shopping, entertainment, and dining options here are varied and many.

This suburban shopping center is just 11 minutes west of downtown Austin. It's an easy jaunt to get away from the hustle and bustle for a while.

The 2nd Street District offers a vibrant atmosphere with stylish, upscale boutiques and restaurants serving up global cuisine as well as live music shows on a regular basis. This is the place where you can peruse local shops of every variety from haute couture clothing to baked goods, grab a beer and lunch with some friends, and catch a movie in the afternoon. Then, in the evening, you can catch a live local band performance.

The 2nd Street District is Austin's premier living and commercial area. That means it offers just about everything all in one spot right in the heart of downtown.

Hill Country Galleria is a sophisticated, upscale mall offering big brand names, restaurants, a full multiplex movie theater, and a grocery store. Some of the popular stores and shops here include Athletica, H&M, Healthy Pet, James Avery Artisan Jewelry, Loft, and Soma. Eateries include Saltgrass Steak House, Schmidt Family Barbecue, Chili's, Shisos Grill, and Amy's Ice Cream, among others. You can easily spend a whole day exploring big brand and boutique stores, eating, and just having fun.

You can even catch a flick at a full Cinemark multiplex movie theater showing the biggest Hollywood movies. Hill Country Galleria is only about a half hour northwest of downtown Austin.