From custom cowboy boots with serious style to a hat Bob Dylan might wear, our list of top souvenir shops lets you bring home a true piece of your trip.
Oftentimes when you pack up your bags after a memorable trip, you’re left wishing you were instead boxing up the very best parts about the stay to take home with you. You now want – nay, need those silky Egyptian sheets you slept so soundly on atop that king-sized pressure-relief quilted mattress. And you wish your kitchen could smell just like that warm smoky, sandalwood aroma that filled the lobby. It’s why we unrolled our Valencia at Home website, where you can order these wares you appreciated during your Valencia Group stay. But for as supple as those sheets are, or as notable as that candle scent may be, we’d be kidding ourselves if we expected it would be the best way to remember the destination you visited as a whole. No, for that, we have hand-selected the destination’s quintessential spots that are nationally known for their niche.
Pop into our suggested spots for memorabilia like a custom-fitted hat just like the one James Taylor wears on stage, or you very own pair of funky, fitted, snakeskin cowboy boots. We’re fairly certain you’ll not only be happy with the purchases you make, but with the experience you have along the way.
Paris Hatters [San Antonio, TX]
Feel good with this destination keepsake knowing you’re wearing the same brand as their vast and iconic clientele, from musicians like Bob Dylan and James Taylor to President George Bush and Designer Christian Louboutin. A five-minute walk east of Hotel Valencia River Walk, you’ll find this 100-year-old family-owned and -operated custom milliner. Open seven days a week, often by the owner himself, you can get your fitted, one-of-a-kid straw, felt, or wool hat with endless customization options. Take your go at cranking open their antique cash register from the 1930s that is still used today.
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Maida’s Belts and Buckles [Houston, TX]
Don’t let the name Maida’s Belts and Buckles fool you; this Houston storefront offers a full spectrum of the kind of leather goods you’d imagine deep in the heart of Texas. A century-old, authentic leather shop off of Bagby Street downtown, it’s filled with everything from genuine alligator money clips and engraved belt buckles to American turquoise jewelry and Western print horsehair belts. Let the leather aromas you’re greeted with lead you to their in-house workshop, where you can actually observe the pieces being created right in front of you. They guarantee quality for years to come, and each purchase is stamped and sealed with the Maida emblem.
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Hotel Alessandra | Hotel Sorella CITYCENTRE
Heritage Boots [Austin, TX]
When finding the quintessential cowboy boots to remember your Austin trip, you need a pair that are as genuine and funky as the city itself. Heritage Boots, a 20-minute drive south of Lone Star Court on South Congress Avenue (or SoCo) Austin, sits with charming boutiques, art galleries, and eateries all within walking distance. Every pair of Heritage boots are hand fitted, stitched, and designed just for you. You can go for more traditional Apache knee-highs to a slew of different patterns and designs, including a sharkskin pair with cactus designs running up the sides for $1,500. No matter what catches your eye, comfort and quality is what Heritage Boots is all about – they encourage buying at the Austin storefront as opposed to online so their trained Boot Mavens can measure, fit, and meet you to assure the perfect pair is with you for years to come.
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Santana Row [San Jose, CA]
Just steps outside your hotel room begins Santana Row, the charming 42-acre “village within a city” adorned with eclectic restaurants, cutting-edge boutiques, bookstores, and plenty of specialty stores to window shop among the cobblestone pathways. Among the national brand storefronts like Gucci and Oakley, you’ll also find a string of local offerings like Kashmir Art Gallery, specializing in exotic Indian art and luxury shawls, and MaiDo, the high-end Japanese stationery storefront. There are often local artists in the park selling handmade goods like glassware, jewelry, candles, and handbags.
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Bird’s Nest Gift and Antiques [College Station, TX]
Spend some time outside of Aggieland discovering the historic downtown Bryan, 15 minutes south of The George and Cavalry Court, where boutiques and restaurants sit among bricked archways and ancient buildings. Bird’s Nest Gift and Antiques is known for their variety of vintage finds and antiques, making it the perfect stop for someone who wants a unique memento, but isn’t exactly sure what. Bird’s Nest peddles the fun, funky, and eclectic, from funny signs and seasonal home decor to Texas-themed gifts and apparel. You may find you cash out with more than just one memento to go home with.
