In a break with tradition, this year we’re skipping our annual holiday gift guide to highlight some of our favorite Hill Country gift shops—most with a non-profit connection.
New here? Subscribe! (It’s free.)
Tired of shopping online? Feeling “over” the mall? Wondering where you can make holiday shopping a pleasurable experience for yourself while also carefully choosing unique gifts that your friends and family will treasure? We’ve got just the ticket, friend!
Below are seven, carefully selected Hill Country gift shops where your buck will make a difference–and you’ll thoroughly enjoy your shopping experience. We compiled this year’s list with the idea that not only can shoppers pick up nifty gifts but also they can take in the seasonal sights and sounds of the Hill Country region. Enjoy!
101 South Lady Bird Lane
Johnson City, Texas 78636
844-263-6405
For the young science fans in your life, a visit to Science Mill’s gift shop is a must. There you’ll find everything from STEM toys to craft kits that will keep the kiddos busy well into the New Year. If you can’t quite decide on the perfect gift, you can also opt for a tickets and a gift card —and let your gift recipients treat themselves after a fun day spent at the Science Mill.
555 Funston Place
San Antonio, TX 78209
210-536-1400
Any nature enthusiast loves a gift that reminds them of the great outdoors and just such beautifully curated items can be found in spades at the San Antonio Botanical Garden gift shop. Books about nature galore, as well as art, home decor, and jewelry. too, the gift shop has enough beautiful inventory to knock out your holiday shopping list on one fell swoop.
210 W. Market Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205
210-299-4499
Tucked into a bright corner of an old library repurposed as a thoroughly modern museum, the Briscoe Western Art Museum store has a decidedly western-theme where you can find lovely, well-curated items to please even your most fastidious gift recipients. The items are carefully selected to represent the region’s rich, diverse traditions and heritage. Who knows? You might even leave the Briscoe with a few extra items for yourself!
140 City Park Road
Boerne, Texas 78006
830-249-4616
Located in Boerne, along Cibolo Creek, the Cibolo Nature Center is a nature lover’s destination. A flurry of fauna and flora, the Cibolo Nature Center’s on-site gift shop will tickle the bird and nature lovers in your life indeed. A large selection of books on regional birds, plants and bugs— as well as birdhouses and wildflower seeds—are just a few of the nature-oriented items in this shop. All proceeds from benefit the Cibolo Nature Center’s various programs. (And, of course, you can always follow up your visit with lunch and additional shopping along Boerne’s Hill Country Mile.)
418 Villita St.
San Antonio, Texas 78205
210-207-8577
Although not technically a museum, we simply couldn’t leave off this “little village” in the heart of downtown San Antonio. Did you know that it was one of San Antonio’s first neighborhoods? Over 300 years of history have unfolded in and around this charming, cobble-stoned collection of 25 shops, galleries and boutiques. Shopping local takes on a whole new meaning at La Villita. With handcrafted options as varied as leather goods and Scentchips wax melts (which you can watch being made), you’ll be supporting local artisans while enjoying the historic ambiance. La Villita offers one-stop shopping for all things San Antonio, keepsakes that will provide your friends and family with a deeper sense of this historic city’s distinctive culture.
Sophienburg Museum and Archives
401 W. Coll Street
New Braunfels, Texas 78130
830-629-1572
This hidden gem is located near downtown and hosts a treasure trove of gift ideas, from hyperlocal items that to more scholarly goods that reference the community’s German influence. Yes, Christmas ornaments, German beer steins and books about New Braunfels’ history are the stars of the show at this museum gift shop. But don’t just shop and run! Plan to spend some time touring the museum. (Note, too, that with New Braunfels about to celebrate its 175th birthday in 2020, the museum will be take on an even more prominent role in local storytelling. Stay tuned!)
Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress Ave.
Austin, Texas 78701
512-936-8746
Your source for all things Texas, the Bullock Texas State History Museum gift shop is the place to pick up gifts for the certified Texophiles on your list. Pick up bar accessories, home decor and books covering just about every Lone Star State topic, from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast. This gift shop is a must-stop during your visit to Austin’s capitol complex.
Did we miss one of your favorite shops? A beloved shopping district? Feel free to drop us a note!
