Some shopping destinations are so iconic that they just capture consumers imagination – whether they have visited it or not.
The Galleria in Houston, Texas is one such destination, and it should definitely be added to your bucket list if you haven’t already enjoyed all that this spectacular shopping center has to offer.
The Galleria is owned and operated by Simon Property Group, and part of a larger development that includes office towers and hotels that are separately owned. The shopping center portion spans a whopping 2.4 million square feet and includes more than 375 stores, 30 restaurants, 13,000 parking spaces and a full-sized ice skating rink.
The mall was developed by Gerald D. Hines and opened its doors in 1970 featuring Neiman Marcus as its anchor tenant. Fast forward to today, and the center features five anchors. In addition to Neiman Marcus, the other anchors are Macy’s, Dillard’s, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.
In addition to the plethora of anchor tenants, The Galleria features a veritable who’s who of big name retailers to satisfy every budget and price point. Retailers on the tenant roster include Ralph Lauren, Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Chanel, and Prada on the higher-end, and budget-friendly options that include H&M, Abercrombie & Fitch, J. Crew, Gap, and Banana Republic. Tech enthusiasts will love the expansive Apple and Microsoft stores, while home and lifestyle stores including Sephora will allow you you to cross numerous items off of your must-have list.
For such an expansive property, you would assume that the dining options would be absolutely off the hook. That hunch proves to be correct, and there is something to appease every palate and price point. Fine dining options include Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, Peli Peli, and The Oceanaire Seafood Room, while fans of casual fare will find familiar names such as The Cheesecake Factory, Rainforest Cafe and Kona Grill.
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In addition to the massive ice rink that spans 20,000 square feet and is situated right below the mall’s central glass atrium, The Galleria also offers an expansive children’s play area known as The Little Galleria Play Area. This gem truly offers something for everyone, and it’s pretty easy to see why it attracts more than 24 million visitors annually.
First-time visitors from out of town may want to take advantage of the hotel options that are right on site, The Westin Galleria and the Westin Oaks, and make it a multi-day shopping extravaganza to take in all of the sights and sounds that The Galleria has to offer.
