Houston mall guide 2025: best places to shop, eat, and save

TL;DR:

The Galleria is Texas’ largest mall, with 400+ stores and an ice rink.
For deals, try Katy Mills and Houston Premium Outlets.
Memorial City and Baybrook Mall are family friendly with easy dining.
METRO’s 82 Westheimer and 433 Silver Line reach the Galleria area.
August 8–10 was Texas’ 2025 tax-free weekend for back-to-school.

Houston is a shopping city. Malls here range from luxury promenades to indoor outlet giants. This guide helps you pick the right stop, get there, and make the most of your day.

The headliners at a glance

The Galleria, Uptown. Texas’ largest mall with more than 400 stores, 60+ eateries, and a year-round ice rink in the center court. It is the city’s marquee stop for visitors. The mall’s operator lists multiple brands exclusive to Houston.
Katy Mills, Katy. Houston’s only indoor outlet center. Typical hours run Mon–Thu 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri–Sat 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Houston Premium Outlets, Cypress. Open-air outlet hub with designer names and new dining growth, including a Cheesecake Factory slated for November 18, 2025.
Memorial City Mall, Memorial. Family staple with mainstream brands, an ice rink nearby at the complex, and consistent hours similar to Katy Mills.
Baybrook Mall, Friendswood. Big south-side option with a lifestyle wing for patio dining and entertainment.
River Oaks District, Inner Loop. Luxury, walkable streets, and 60+ high-end brands like Hermès, Cartier, and Dior. Upscale dining lines the promenade.

Getting there without the stress

Traffic can be heavy on Westheimer and Loop 610 near the Galleria. If you do not want to drive, METRO buses and BRT reach the area.

82 Westheimer runs along Westheimer Road, passing the Galleria area and River Oaks.
433 METRORapid Silver Line is BRT that serves Post Oak Boulevard with stations labeled “West Alabama/Galleria” and “Westheimer/Galleria,” linking Uptown to two transit centers.

From downtown or the convention center, budget 30–45 minutes by transit depending on time of day. Ride fares start at $1.25 for local service.

Airport tip: If you are landing at IAH and staying downtown before shopping, the Route 500 IAH Downtown Direct runs daily with a $4.50 fare, then connect to local routes for the malls.

Match the mall to your plan

Want the “only in Houston” experience?

Go to The Galleria. Shop global flagships, then skate the indoor rink, which reopened after a $1 million rebuild in 2023. Book a table at the on-site spots or walk to nearby restaurants on Post Oak.

Hunting for deals in all weather?

Pick Katy Mills for climate-controlled outlet shopping, or head outdoors at Houston Premium Outlets for designer bargains. The outlets keep adding tenants, and fall 2025 brings more dining.

Shopping with kids or a mixed-age group?

Memorial City Mall offers familiar brands, a movie theater nearby, and a balanced mix of food options. Parking is straightforward, and hours are consistent.

Luxury stroll and long lunch?

Choose River Oaks District. Expect boutique service, valet options, and polished streetscapes. It is compact enough to browse on foot and linger over dinner.

Quick compare table

Area	Best for	Signature draw	Usual hours	Transit note
The Galleria (Uptown)	First-time visitors, luxury + mainstream	400+ stores, indoor ice rink	Varies by store	82 Westheimer, 433 Silver Line stop nearby
Katy Mills (Katy)	All-weather outlet hunt	Houston’s only indoor outlet	10–8 Mon–Thu, 10–9 Fri–Sat, 11–6 Sun	Drive or rideshare
Houston Premium Outlets (Cypress)	Open-air outlet day	Designer outlets, new Cheesecake Factory Nov. 18, 2025	Varies by store	Drive or rideshare
Memorial City Mall (Memorial)	Families	Big brand mix, events	10–8 Mon–Thu, 10–9 Fri–Sat, 11–7 Sun	Near I-10 and Beltway 8
Baybrook Mall (Friendswood)	South-side shoppers	Lifestyle wing dining	Varies by store	Drive or rideshare

How to save money

Plan around tax-free weekend. Texas held its 2025 back-to-school sales tax holiday on August 8–10 for most clothing, footwear, backpacks, and school supplies under $100 per item. Houston’s combined rate is 8.25 percent, so savings add up fast. Check the Comptroller’s list each year.
Outlet strategies. Arrive when doors open to beat crowds and get sizes. At the outlets, check the mall’s site or concierge for extra coupons.
Parking validation. Some restaurants in River Oaks District and CityCentre validate parking. Ask before you sit.

Safety and parking tips

Houston’s big centers have active security, and the Galleria has invested in technology like license-plate readers and upgraded lighting in garages, coordinated with HPD. Even so, smart habits help.

Park in bright, busy areas. Lock valuables out of sight. HPD’s public safety guides stress simple steps like staying alert and walking down center aisles of garages.
If meeting a seller to exchange goods, choose a public place or a police-adjacent lot. HPD offers guidance for safe transactions.
Recent incidents near Westheimer underline the value of awareness when navigating garages and busy streets. Use marked crossings and follow traffic controls.

One perfect day: sample plan

Late morning at The Galleria. Park near your first store or use rideshare to the Westheimer entrance. Skate a public session at the rink if you want a break from browsing.
Lunch on Post Oak or in-mall. Reservations help at peak times.
Outlet run. If you want deals, head to Houston Premium Outlets on US-290 for two hours of rapid hits. Watch traffic around 4–6 p.m.
Evening wind-down. Drive back toward town for a stroll and dinner at River Oaks District. It is compact and relaxed at night.

“Why it matters”

Visitors often have one free day in Houston. Picking the right mall cluster can save an hour in traffic, cut costs during sales windows, and turn a shopping errand into an easy day out. With transit options, updated garage lighting and cameras, and a steady flow of new tenants, the city’s malls remain an efficient way to see Houston retail in one place.

Mini-checklist before you go

Check hours for your target mall and anchor stores.
Pick a parking garage level and snap a photo of the marker.
Load a METRO fare card if you plan to ride.
Set price alerts or join outlet email lists for extra coupons.
Pack a light jacket for chilly indoor A/C.

Sources:

Simon Property Group, “Welcome to The Galleria,” https://www.simon.com/mall/the-galleria, accessed 2025-09-16.
Ice at the Galleria, “Public Session” and “About,” https://www.iceatthegalleria.com/publicsession and https://www.iceatthegalleria.com/, accessed 2025-09-16.
Simon, “Katy Mills hours,” https://www.simon.com/mall/katy-mills/hours, accessed 2025-09-16.
Simon Premium Outlets, “Houston Premium Outlets,” https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/houston, accessed 2025-09-16.
Houston Chronicle, “The Cheesecake Factory at Houston Premium Outlets scheduled to open in November,” https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/cheesecake-factory-houston-premium-outlets-21040534.php, 2025-09-11.
Memorial City, “Memorial City Mall hours,” https://www.memorialcity.com/, accessed 2025-09-16.
Baybrook Mall, “Visit and Directory,” https://www.baybrookmall.com/en/, accessed 2025-09-16.