Whether you like to buy in bulk from stores like Sam’s Club or Costco or save on designer deals at Marshall’s, Ross or T.J. Maxx, Houston has all the major bargain chains that you might expect from a big city. However, H-Town also offers plenty of exclusive bargains that you won’t find anywhere else. Read on for the best bargain hunting in Houston. – Amber Hilton

Blue Bird Circle Resale Shop

615 West Alabama
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 528-0470
www.thebluebirdcircle.com

Resale and thrift shops are great places to find bargains, and you can feel really good shopping at Blue Bird Circle, because your purchases will support one of several medical charities, such as the Blue Bird Circle Pediatric Neurology Clinic. Run by a group of female volunteers, this shop takes consignments and donations, and the store’s cut of consignment sales are donated to charity as well. Of course, shopping isn’t all about charity – you’ll also discover some great deals for yourself here – and you won’t need to dig through piles to find them. As far as resale shops go, Blue Bird Circle is the cream of the crop; they are well organized and clean, and the layout feels more like a department store than a thrift shop. Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Traders Village – Houston

7979 N. Eldridge Rd.
Houston, TX 77041
(281) 890-5500
www.tradersvillage.com

If you’re willing to brave the crowds and devote your Saturday to bargain hunting, you won’t find a better place in Houston than Traders Village. This large weekend flea market hosts 105 acres of vendors, as well as food, entertainment and other festival activities for the whole family to enjoy. If you’re a true bargain hunter, what you’ll really love about Traders Village is that the vendors are ready and willing to negotiate on prices. If you like the thrill of negotiation, this might be your new favorite weekend shopping destination. Among the bargains found here are new items, garage sale items, arts and crafts, and even fresh garden fare. Hours: Every Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to dusk.

Buffalo Exchange

Westheimer Location
1618 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 523-8701

Heights Location
249 West 19th St.
Houston, TX 77008
(713) 868-2400

www.buffaloexchange.com

Buffalo Exchange isn’t unique to H-town, but when it comes to the best bargain hunting in Houston, this is a chain that can’t be beat. A second-hand consignment shop that specializes in “recycled” and vintage fashions, this is a great place to go when you’re looking for a bargain on a new wardrobe. You can also consign your gently-used clothing here, which will make your purchases an even bigger bargain. In addition to several locations nationwide, there are two conveniently located shops in Houston – one in the Heights and another on Westheimer. Heights Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Westheimer Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Houston’s Museum District

www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org

When you’re looking for a bargain on entertainment, there is no better place to go in Houston than the Museum District. This area of the city offers at least 18 venues bursting with art and culture, offering hours of entertainment and educational opportunities. The Museum District includes venues on either side of U.S 59 in downtown Houston, near Hermann Park and Rice University. Several of the options here offer free admission on a regular basis, such as the Holocaust Museum Houston and the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. Others offer free admission on a once-weekly or once-monthly basis, such as the Children’s Museum of Houston and the Houston Zoo. See the Houston Museum District Web site for more info about individual venues, hours and admission.