Dallas has an international reputation as a place to buy trendy clothes, western apparel, and art. Neiman Marcus started in Dallas and still operates its original downtown store, though NM has expanded into shopping mall.

Three major areas compete for designer boutiques: Galleria, NorthPark, and Highland Park Village. You won't find many bargains in these areas unless you're patient enough to wait for sales, but that doesn't keep shoppers from packing the stores on weekends.

Art galleries and stores with expensive antiques are plentiful in the Uptown area. You will find these shops along McKinney Avenue, Cedar Springs, Routh, and other street. Look to Lower Greenville Avenue and Deep Ellum for fun and funky art, furniture, and collectibles. These two areas have a nice mix of shops, restaurants, and nightclubs in 1900s brick buildings.