The Galleria

Location: 5085 Westheimer Rd, Houston
Time: Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm

The Galleria is the ultimate high-class shopping destination in Houston. Only here can you visit Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, Tiffany & Co., Christofle, Betsey Johnson, BCBG Max Azria, the Gap, McDonald’s, Sephora, Versace, Chanel, and go ice skating all in one afternoon. You can see and do all these things, plus work out in the exclusive health club, without leaving the building.

There are two Westin hotels adjoining this super-mall of malls, so you could actually spend several days exploring this shopper’s wonderland and never leave. The mall is three stories high and features an incredible array of stores. 

Built in 1970, the Galleria was modeled after a famous Italian shopping mall. It has expanded over the years and is now 2.2 million square feet of shopping fun.

If you are shopping with kids, check out the Build-A-Bear Workshop, a neat place where kids can choose, stuff, and dress custom stuffed animals. The Candy Bar is your source for all things sweet plus fun retro bath and body products that smell like their candy namesakes. Don’t miss the skating rink, which was actually the training home of Olympic star Tara Lipinski.