USA TODAY says these two Texas malls are some of the best in the country

Malls aren’t dying — at least not in Texas. Out of all of the malls in the U.S., two North Texas malls were ranked in the top 10 of a new list of malls that “elevate the shopping experience.”

Last week, USA TODAY’s 10BEST released its list of the Best U.S. Malls of 2025. The 10BEST editors and a panel of experts nominated their favorite malls, bringing into consideration how varied the mall’s stores are, how many dining and entertainment options each mall has, the mall’s ease of access and how unique each mall’s events are. USA TODAY readers then voted on the 10 winners.

Fort Worth malls missed the mark, but two other North Texas cities made the list.

Galleria Dallas ranks No. 3

Galleria Dallas was ranked No. 3 in the USA TODAY list for the Best Malls of 2025.

USA TODAY noted the Galleria’s large variety of stores, the more than 30 restaurants that the mall holds and the indoor ice skating rink at its center, emphasizing the mall’s festivity during the holidays.

“Galleria Dallas is a traditional mall with a twist: it contains an indoor ice rink,” the 10BEST judges wrote. “With a variety of retail stories selling children’s goods, jewelry, shoes and tech, this shopping destination has something for everyone.”

This isn’t the first time that Galleria Dallas has been recognized for its ice rink. In 2024, USA TODAY named it the fourth-best ice skating rink, and Travelbag, a U.K.-based travel agency, called Dallas the No. 5 most festive city.

Galleria Dallas is located at 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75240

Grapevine Mills ranks No. 8

Grapevine Mills, in Grapevine, was also ranked in USA TODAY’s list of the Best Malls of 2025, at No. 8.

Grapevine Mills was chosen for its after-hours entertainment, the popular brands it offers for shopping and its large variety of attractions, like Meow Wolf.

“Grapevine Mills in Texas is no mere shopping mall. This Texas-sized attraction includes a SEA LIFE aquarium, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Peppa Pig’s Land of Play, and Rainforest Cafe,” the BEST10 judges wrote.

The Star-Telegram previously wrote about Grapevine Mills becoming a “high end shopping destination” in 2019 by bringing in Kate Spade New York, Michael Kors and other luxury brands. The Peppa Pig World of Play was also added in 2019, and it offers 14 different play areas that include a supermarket and a theater.

Grapevine Mills is located at 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine, TX 76051

Malls in North Texas

These two malls add to Texas’ rich involvement in mall history. Highland Park Village, a shopping center in Dallas built in 1931, was considered the first mall to ever exist. According to its website, it was the first shopping center to be owned by one company and built with a unified and centered structure.

Texas is the birthplace of malls, and even if you don’t want to drive the hour to these nationally ranked malls — or just don’t want to deal with the crowds — not to worry! There are many others around, including:

• Hulen Mall, Fort Worth
• The Shops at Clearfork, Fort Worth
• The Parks Mall at Arlington, Arlington
• University Park Village, Fort Worth
• Montgomery Plaza, Fort Worth

The rest of USA TODAY’s best mall rankings

1. Aventura Mall - Aventura, Fla.
2. Mall of America - Bloomington, Minn.
3. Galleria Dallas - Dallas, Texas
4. The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards - New York City, N.Y.
5. King of Prussia - King of Prussia, Pa.
6. Scottsdale Fashion Square - Scottsdale, Ariz.
7. American Dream - East Rutherford, N.J.
8. Grapevine Mills - Grapevine, Texas
9. Tysons Corner Center - Tysons, Va.
10. Brookfield Place - New York City, N.Y.