The Galleria
5085 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX, 77056-5673
If there’s serious shopping to be done on your trip to Houston, it will likely happen in this skylit mall in the heart of the Uptown District. Though it’s among the largest shopping centers in the US, there’s more to the mall—actually a “mixed-use urban development”—than a Texas-sized shopping experience, as visitors will find hotels, an array of restaurants, and an ice-skating rink.
The basics
The Galleria's expansive retail space features hundreds of stores and other businesses across four levels, with a food court, aquarium, and ice skating on the Rink Level. After that, exploring is a matter of visiting the remaining three floors under the glass roof (part of a structural design modeled after the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan), with department stores and boutiques concentrated on Levels 1 and 2. You can easily spend a full day shopping, dining, and ice skating here.
Things to know before you go
The Galleria has shops catering to different budgets, from high-end luxury brands to affordable fashion retailers.
Dining options range from full-service restaurants to fast-food spots and casual cafés.
The mall has free Wi-Fi.
If you’re taking young kids, there’s a children’s play area on Level 2.
The mall has accessible parking available in multiple parking lots.
Services include valet parking, personal shopping, and concierge assistance.
How to get there
The Galleria is about 30 minutes west of downtown Houston by car, along the Interstate 10 and 610 Highways or Memorial Drive. Driving is easiest, but you can also reach the mall on public transportation from downtown on the #20 METRO bus line. The mall has plenty of paid, free, and valet parking options.
When to get there
The mall is open from morning to evening Monday through Thursday, with slightly later hours Fridays and Saturdays, and shorter hours on Sundays. Keep in mind that the mall sees tens of millions of visitors annually and can get quite busy, so to avoid the shopping crush, visit on a weekday or in the morning or evening.
Ice skating at the Galleria
Year-round ice skating might be one the main draws to the Galleria in Houston, and you can easily tie on your skates and hit the ice when you visit. To enter the rink, you pay admission, rent skates, and then watch mall shoppers on the higher levels while you skate during a public session. You can also take beginner ice skating lessons.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!