Planning a trip to Texas and wondering what to bring back!?
Texas is known for quite a bit these days that it can be quite overwhelming. But, that also means that there’s Texas souvenirs for everyone. Whether it’s cowboys (real ones or the football team), cute animal mascots, flowers, or food! Texas has a souvenir to fill every category!
I’ll give you some inspiration for what to look for while you’re there, and some things you might want to avoid altogether. I’ll even point you in the right direction for gift shops in Texas to shop at, and what you might want to order online. This way you can head home with a souvenir from Texas that you never regret buying.
Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!
Rodeo Gear: Avoid The Biggest Texas Souvenir Scam!
Before getting into what to buy in Texas, I feel like I have to explain why you won’t find cowboy boots or cowboy hats on my list of Texas souvenirs.
There’s no denying that Texas screams cowboys (and cowgirls!). So it’s a no brainer that you may want to bring some cowboy gear back with you like a hat or some boots. But, you might want to consider a few things before you jump all in on the cowboy suit.
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Rodeo Gear Is Expensive With No Real Use Back Home
It came as a huge shock to me how much cowboy boots and hats actually cost.
Unless you’re willing to buy a kids hat that’s pink with fluffs and sparkles on it, the cheapest quality hat I saw was $100. Boots though started at $250 and went all the way up to $1000!
Now, let me ask you, outside of Texas, will you ever wear the hat or the boots. If the answer is yes, then by all means go ahead and find one that you like. It’s worth spending money on and why not bring it back from Texas.
If you answered no, then don’t waste your time or money. Instead, I have some other ideas for what to buy to bring back the same cowboy vibes from Texas.
P.S. Nobody outside of the Fort Worth Stockyards in Texas was wearing cowboy hats (like in Austin or Dallas). Of course, if you were to go to a ranch they would be.
If You Answered Yes, Where To Buying Rodeo Gear In Texas?
We really only saw cowboy hats and boots being sold in Fort Worth and especially in the Stockyards. If you are interested in cowboy gear, that’s where I’d start.
M.L. Leddy’s in the Fort Worth Stockyards seemed the most legit. They had A LOT of options to choose from. And if you’re willing to wait, they’ll even make you custom boots (p.s. I overheard that they take a year to make!).
We also saw them steaming the hats to fit perfectly on your head. This is the type of hat you’ll want to invest in!
If you want to get a discount on your boots though, you can head to Justin Boot Outlet just outside of Downtown Fort Worth. They had some crazy sales when we were there.
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Top 15 Souvenirs From Texas To Bring Home
1. Rodeo Gear That Isn’t Cowboy Boots Or Hats
Instead of investing a lot of money in something that you probably won’t ever wear again, buy something smaller that will still give you cowboy vibes (that’s also cheaper too!).
For example, why not buy a belt or even a belt buckle (or even both – it’ll probably still be cheaper!). Belt buckles are more showy, but you can definitely get away with wearing one outside of the ranch, and even outside of Texas.
If you want to be even more practical, invest in some nice leather gloves. Everyone needs a good pair to wear back home when the temperatures drop a bit, and now you’ll look extra classy!
Bandanas also make great souvenirs of Texas with western vibes all around! Wear it around your neck for an extra flair, as a mask over your face, or even on your head for some added protection from the sun.
2. Rodeo Themed Anything – Souvenir From Texas
If you aren’t interested in the cowboy or cowgirl outfit you can still come home with some Texas rodeo themed items to prove you were actually in Texas!
These Texas souvenirs come in any shape or size. As long as it has a cow, horse, cowboy or cowgirl on it, it counts!
For example, I bought some cute A.F. cowboy and cowgirl socks as gifts from Texas for my whole family.
But there’s also shot glasses, notebooks, even pyjamas …etc.
3. Support A Texas Sports Team
If it’s one thing America is good at, it’s repping their favourite sports team with merch galore. Texas is no exception. They have two main teams that you can buy merch for: the Dallas Cowboys, and the Texas Longhorns.
The Dallas Cowboys are the National Football League team. I surprisingly didn’t see any merch for them around Texas and even in Dallas which was kind of surprising. But, if you’re flying in or out of Dallas then you’ll be able to pick up some sportswear at the airport.
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The Texas Longhorns are the sports teams at the University Of Texas at Austin. They’re somehow even bigger than the Dallas Cowboys. Think – college football and March Madness.
But, I really like their merchandise because of their logo: the longhorn. I mean, it’s really a logo of Texas as the longhorn is the official large animal of the state. So even if you aren’t that into college sports, it’s just a fun souvenir of Texas to have.
They sell their fan wear throughout Austin and even some shops in Fort Worth. But worst comes to worst they also sell their apparel at the Dallas Airport as well.
P.S. really anything with a longhorn on it is the ultimate souvenir from Texas!
4. Bring Back The Texas HEAT With Local Hot Sauce: Perfect Gifts From Texas
Texas is all about being in the U.S. but also about embracing it’s Mexican roots.
Texas is where you’ll get the real authentic Tex Mex food. One of the best ways to bring the taste of Texas back is to pick up some local hot sauce.
I found two great hot sauce brands that I’d recommend (although there are so many more I’m sure!). These also make great gifts from Texas to bring back and give out to friends and family to try.
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Yellowbird is from Austin and is sold at most grocery stores around Texas. See if they’re sold near where you’re headed.
Freaky Ferments is from Fort Worth, and they mainly sell in that area. I stumbled on them while they were selling at the Shed at the Dallas Farmers Market.
Just be aware of the size of the bottle if you aren’t checking any bags. If you are worried, like I said, you can find Yellowbird at the airport in Terminal D (you can easily transfer between terminals with the Skylink monorail). Freaky Ferments does ship throughout the States as well.
5. Tex Mex Style Art (Or Anything)
As you go further South in Texas (like to San Antonio), it becomes less cowboy and more Mexican.
So, if hot sauce isn’t your thing, try to find some local Mexican inspired art as a souvenir from Texas.
You’ll have no issue finding Mexican style art work and goodies in both Austin and San Antonio!
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6. BBQ Merch From Your Fave Texas BBQ Joint
If supporting a sports team isn’t exactly for you, then maybe supporting your favourite Texas BBQ joint is.
I mean, eating BBQ in Texas is such a big part of your visit that one of the essential Texas souvenirs to buy is something from your favourite BBQ.
Each BBQ joint I visited all seemed to have their own merch store. They sold everything from T-shirts, baseball caps, or something as small as a sticker!
Shop Franklin Barbecue Cookbook On Amazon
![The Franklin Barbecue Collection [Special Edition, Two-Book Boxed Set]: Franklin Barbecue and Franklin Steak](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31pWHYr1n7L._SL160_.jpg)
- Franklin, Aaron (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 448 Pages – 04/28/2020 (Publication Date) – Ten Speed Press (Publisher)
7. Barbecue Spices / Rub
Part of great barbecue is having the right rub for your meat. Some BBQ joints in Texas will sell their own rub or spice mix. But you can also find these at a grocery store or gift shop in Texas.
Now you can try to bring that great BBQ taste of Texas back home with you!
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8. A Beer Cozy: Simple & Small Souvenir From Texas
I’ve never seen so many beer cozies in my life. They’re in every gift shops in Texas and then I also saw people actually using them! I guess it gets so hot there in the summer that you really need it!
If you like beer (and especially cold beer) then pick up a beer cozy (or a few) as a souvenir from Texas. What’s great about this Texas souvenir is that it’s inexpesenvie and small!
They lay completely flat in your luggage and weigh nothing (that is until you put a beer can in it!).
We also saw people using these for their sodas in Texas – so you can buy one for the whole fam!
9. Dr. Pepper Merch
Did you know Dr. Pepper is actually from Waco Texas!? Neither did I until I was there!
What started out as a medicinal remedy from a pharmacist, turned into one of the most popular soft drinks today!
Well you can pick up some Dr. Pepper merch from where it all began! And let’s be real, it really is the best soft drink of them all!
The best place to find some local Dr. Pepper merch is in Waco Texas at the Dr. Pepper Museum of course!
10. Delicious Pecans: Souvenirs Of Texas
I had no idea before visiting that Texas is the nations third largest producer of Pecans (after Georgia and New Mexico). Pecans are so big in Texas that the official state tree is actually the Pecan tree.
They sell all sorts of delicious flavoured Pecans in Texas that you have to try and bring back for the whole fam to try!
Send Souvenirs Of Texas Back Home: Texas Pecans
- RICH IN FLAVOR. Freshly made pralines with the finest pecans just like what mom used to make at home.
- A BOX FILLED WITH HANDMADE SOUTHERN CANDY. Perfect as presents for people who matter the most.
- UNMISTAKABLE TASTE OF PRALINES ENROBED IN CARAMEL AND SUGAR. A taste you loved as a kid up to now.
- AN ESSENTIAL PART OF YOUR HOLIDAY FEAST. A peace offering or serve as a dessert to your guests.
- TRAVEL COMPANION IN A BOX. You can eat this delicious treat while travelling so you won’t be hungry.
11. Something With Blue Bonnets (The Flowers)
Blue bonnets are the official flower of Texas. Blue bonnets are known for their tall and purple/ blue flowers.
If you’re lucky enough to visit in the spring, you may be able to visit a Blue bonnet field in full bloom. If not, you can still pick up some blue floral print souvenir from Texas to bring back.
12. Anything With An Armadillo On It: Texas Souvenirs
Texans seem to love their animals. You already know about the longhorn being the Texas state large mammal.
So, of course, they need an official state small mammal as well. Any guesses what it could be!?
The Armadillo is the Texas state small mammal!
These little guys are on everything in Texas! Before I knew that they were the state’s small mammal, I asked our tour guide why I was seeing them everywhere. Her response was “we just really like armadillos here“. Plain and simple!
Needless to say, anything with an armadillo on it makes a great souvenir from Texas!
13. Music Themed Anything
Music is such a big part of Texas – especially in Austin. You have to experience some of the music culture of Texas an bring a piece of it back with you.
If there’s ever a time to get into country music, it’s now. From small town honky Tonks and dance halls with live music to Austin City Limits. Austin City Limits is a monthly live concert broadcast on PBS meant to find up and coming artists.
Pick up some music themed merchandise, like socks, music tees, or mugs. Or maybe even bring back a CD to listen to back home.
Willie Nelson is one of the biggest musicians to come from a small town in Texas. Today, he also has a very big impact on ACL Live. So he’s a great artist to look out for in gift shops in Texas. He’s written a few books you can buy, or just pick up a Willie Nelson beer cozy or tee!
14. John Wayne Memorabilia
John Wayne is apparently the epitome of America (we went to the John Wayne Museum in Fort Worth…p.s. it’s not worth it).
But! In all seriousness, he starred in a lot of Westerns and even owned his own ranch in California. He was a household name back in the day and still very much is in Texas today.
If you have the patience for one of his films, I would definitely pick up one to watch.
But, if his movies are too outdated for you, you can still pick up some John Wayne western merch. The best place to shop is at the John Wayne Museum in the Stockyards. But you can still find some John Wayne books and memorabilia at other gift shops in Texas.
15. Keep Austin Weird!
If you’re visiting Austin, you have to pick up some Keep Austin Weird goodies. This is their saying and I absolutely love it!
To support the weirdness, they have this saying on T-shirts, mugs, I even got some locally made art with it!
Bonus! Space Station Merch
We actually didn’t go to Houston when we visited Texas, but a huge part of Texas is the space station in Houston (Houston we have a problem… anyone!?).
If you’re in Houston, obviously, you have to visit and pick up some space goodies!
Where To Buy Texas Souvenirs
There are tons of gift shops in Texas to find the perfect souvenir.
For starters, every musuem will have a gift shop at the end (my favourite was at the Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth!).
But, depending on when and where you’re visiting, you might be able to shop at a local farmers market as well. My favourite was the Dallas Farmer’s Market at The Shed which is open on weekends.
Souvenir Shopping In Austin
Austin was one of the best places to find some unique and one of a kind souvenirs. In the 2nd Street District (along second Street), you’ll reach a point with quite a few gift shops.
Some of my favourites were Luxe Apothetique and Austin Rocks. For your music themed souvenir, you have to check out Wild About Music on Congress Avenue. I also recommend going to the Austin Visitors Centre, they had a lot of local finds, a western section, and A LOT of Willie Nelson merch!
Pro Tip! Buy Some Texas Souvenirs Online
Honestly, one of the best places to buy souvenirs of Texas might actually be online. Of course, you’re not always able to, but it’s always worth checking out.
First, you can sometimes save some money. We all know that gift shops are never the cheapest place to buy souvenirs.
But now you also don’t have to worry about packing it (and getting damages on the way if it’s delicate). This works great for any liquids (like hot sauce) or books that are large and heavy!
And let me tell you, there are so many books about Texas – from biographies, historical tales, to mouthwatering cookbooks.
Bonus! Books To Bring Back From Texas
Empire of the Summer Moon was a recommendation from one of our tour guides. It’s about the intense history of Texas, delving deeper into the Comanche raids and Texas Rangers. I didn’t see it in print anywhere, but you can easily order it online through Amazon.
Of course, there were quite a few Willie Nelson books, JFK books, or John Wayne books as well.
Like I said, you can even send a cookbook back home. There were a lot of Texas cookbooks – check some out on Amazon.
Shop Texas Souvenirs On Amazon
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