13 Best Places to Go Shopping in San Antonio

Historic Market Square has been a key shopping hotspot in San Antonio for many years. Spanning 3 city blocks, it's divided up into 2 sections: the Farmer's Market Plaza and the El Mercado. You'll find over 100 locally-owned specialty stores and businesses here, including a great range of small cafes and eateries offering classic Tex-Mex favorites like nachos and tacos.

Shopping-wise, you can find almost everything at Historic Market Square, including fine art at Boone's Fine Pints, souvenirs at the San Antonio Gift Ship, accessories at Julia's Jewelry, and even beer-based gifts at Budweiser Souvenirs.

One of San Antonio's leading shopping destinations, The Rim is a large-scale mall filled with over 100 shops and stores. You can find plenty of options, from big-brand department stores like JC Penney to smaller indie boutiques selling everything from classy jewelry to delicious cupcakes.

Entertainment products like electronics and video games to apparel, accessories, home décor, are also available at The Rim. If ever you get tired and need to take a break, the mall also has a large movie theatre, a bar, a game room, and multiple restaurants.

The Blue Star Arts Complex is home to several galleries, as well as restaurants, specialty shops, and bars. It’s situated in the Southtown district of San Antonio, which is known as the artsy part of the city.

You can find some very eclectic and unexpected items here, from homemade healthy dog biscuits to unique artworks from local talents. Colorful, Texan home furnishings decorated with cowboy hats and Texas flags make unique gifts for loved ones back home.

The Alamo Antique Mall is one of the top spots to find everything from one of a kind artworks to classic Western artifacts, military pocket watches, and unique decorative ceramics. Antique shopping is a popular pastime in San Antonio, given the city's fascinating past and rich links with Texan history.

From glassware and jewelry to antique coins, old magazines, and even vintage vinyl albums, you can find a myriad of old treasures from various dealers within the 3-storey mall. This beautiful Downtown building is an excellent place for anyone looking to take home a piece of San Antonio history.

The Shops at La Cantera is one of the biggest malls in the San Antonio area. Established in 2005, it features more than 160 stores in total, as well as a dozen restaurants and children's play areas.

Whether you're looking for high-end gadgets and electronics, the latest designer fashion trends, a brand-new book, or simply want to browse around a major department store like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, or Macy's, you'll have a lot of options at The Shops at La Cantera.

The Shops at Rivercenter mall is home to around 80 stores in total, all anchored by an enormous Macy's department store and a large-scale H&M outlet. Located on the San Antonio River Walk, you can also find many of the city's top nightlife locations and eateries interspersed between the shops.

The shops are spread out across 4 floors, selling everything from Disney merchandise to designer clothes and Texas souvenirs. This mall has been around since the late ‘80s, growing and evolving with the times to offer up-to-date store selections and a great range of eateries. Entertainment offerings include an IMAX movie theater and Legoland Discovery Center.

For all things Mexican, head to the Mexican Market, easily accessible from anywhere around Downtown San Antonio. You'll find over 100 stalls here dedicated to Mexican goods, including classic items like sombreros and pinatas, as well as more eclectic and unusual products too.

The whole market is covered, so you can comfortably explore it on rainy days. The stalls are all bright and colorful, making the place a really lively and exciting spot to do some shopping. There are also plenty of Mexican food stands and restaurants, allowing for a full-day outing.

The North Star Mall has been around since 1960, making it one of the oldest major shopping destinations in San Antonio. Some of its biggest stores include department chains Dillard's, JC Penney, Macy's, and Saks Fifth Avenue, along with over 200 stores.

The mall has seen extensive renovations and improvements over the years, with various food and entertainment centres offering much more to do besides shopping. It's also only minutes away from the city's international airport, so can be a fun place to stop off when first arriving in the city or just before you fly out.

The History Shop is something of a landmark for San Antonio locals and a prime spot to do some shopping for any history buffs or antique enthusiasts. As the name implies, this store specializes in all things historical, from antique maps to 18th-century weapons.

One of the store's most cherished possessions is a stunning diorama of The Alamo itself. The History Shop often feels like a museum at times, as the owners take in historical items for repairs and restorations, as well as sell a wide range of books, maps, and other artifacts.

The Twig Book Shop is a little haven for library lovers and literature fans, offering a huge quantity of books across all genres from romance to history. It's located in the Pearl part of the city, where you can find some of San Antonio's most charming boutiques.

There are plenty of bookstores around San Antonio, but what sets The Twig apart is its dedication to local talent. You'll find books from many Texan authors, given pride of place as you enter the shop. It often hosts readings and meet-and-greet sessions with various poets and storytellers from the local area.

While it’s only open on the weekend, Traders Village San Antonio offers an interesting combination of experiences. It’s one of the largest flea markets in the state, where you can find discount goods, bargain-basement finds, handmade products, and more.

There’s also a midway on offer, where young and old can enjoy many different rides and games, such as the Fleafall and Pharaoh’s Fury. The Rumpus Room offers fun for the little ones, and there’s also a Kiddie Train that tours the entire market. The market is also home to quite a few events throughout the year, including an Independence Day celebration.

Held on weekends at San Antonio’s Pearl Brewery, this market is your chance to buy produce and other foods straight from local growers and producers. You’ll find over 45 vendors each weekend, each offering something different, including local dairy products, farm-fresh produce, locally produced honey, gourmet candies, and so much more.

While you’re here, take time to watch one of the many cooking demonstrations, or listen as a live band plays. Learn more about how your favorite meats and cheeses are produced from the very people who craft them. For an all inclusive experience, consider staying at Hotel Emma, which is part of the complex.