David Puddy asked it on Seinfeld: “What can you get at the Gap in Rome that you can’t get at the Gap on 5th Avenue?”

Use this as your mantra while shopping in Tucson and Southern Arizona. The Old Pueblo has all the chains, more so than most midsized cities. But if you spend your time at the Gap you’re going to miss a unique shopping experience—a chance to find that treasure that has eluded you, to return home with an authentic artifact. You’ll find merchants with Mexican imports, folk arts, Western Americana, and Indian jewelry; boutiques with clothes you’ll find nowhere else, and galleries featuring the work of artists from Tucson and the rest of the world.

Take a short drive south to Tubac—an artist’s village that caters to, or better yet exists for, the discriminating treasure hunter—then on across the border to Nogales, Sonora, and you’ll find items you never knew you had to have. A brief scenic journey east and you’re among the antique stores and artisan boutiques of old-town Bisbee.

Fear not, shopping in Southern Arizona isn’t just for the moneyed (it helps, though). There are finds for everyone, and for every budget.

Shopping Centers

Main Gate Square (University Blvd., 520/622-8613, www.maingatesquare.com) is right next to the University of Arizona and so is frequented by students. There are 52 stores and restaurants on this block, including Urban Outfitters and Landmark Clothing & Shoes. This is a good place to walk around and have lunch, and there’s always something new opening or moving in. Be careful about parking; instead of braving the back-in-only metered parking, go to the Main Gate Parking Garage (815 E. 2nd St.) and leave your car in shade and safety.

The ideal upscale shopping experience can be found in the foothills at Skyline Drive and Campbell Avenue. La Encantada (2905 E. Skyline Dr. Ste. 279, 520/299-3556, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon.–Wed., 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun.) has posh shops like Tiffany & Co., Luis Vuitton, Crate & Barrel, and dozens more in a lush, two-level outdoor setting. Also in the foothills but more for the value-minded shopper is the Foothills Mall (7401 N. La Cholla Blvd., 520/219-0650, www.shopfoothillsmall.com, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun.), with more than 90 stores, many of them designer outlets. Here you’ll find the Nike Factory Store, Off 5th-Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet, a Levi’s Outlet and many more. Plus, there’s no city sales tax here. Take I-10 north to the Ina Road exit and then head east to La Cholla Boulevard.

Park Place Mall (5870 E. Broadway Blvd., 520/748-1222, www.parkplacemall.com, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri., 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun.) at the eastern edge of midtown has big anchor department stores like Dillard’s and Macy’s and popular shops like Abercrombie & Fitch.

On the city’s north side, the Tucson Mall (4500 N. Oracle Rd., 520/293-7330, www.tucsonmall.com, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.– Thurs., 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri., 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun.) has a similar lineup, along with Arizona Avenue, a row of specialty shops selling Arizona- and Western-themed merchandise. From downtown take Oracle north until you see the mall.

Specialty Shops

Vintage clothing for New Bohemians is how the founder of The Buffalo Exchange (2001 E. Speedway, 520/795-0508, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun.) describes her first store in Tucson. Now the chain has spread throughout the country to college towns and bohemian enclaves from Tempe to Brooklyn, but it all started in midtown Tucson in the early 1970s. This boutique, which has several Tucson locations including a store dedicated to children’s clothes, offers some of the most unique used clothes you’ll ever find.

If you’re looking for a unique treasure to commemorate your trip to the desert, try the shops along 4th Avenue, especially Del Sol (435 N. 4th Ave., 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun.–Tues., 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Wed.–Sat.), which has some one-of- a-kind items made in Tucson. For the best in Indian art and artifacts, Spanish Colonial furniture, and jewelry, check out Morning Star Traders (2020 E. Speedway, 520/881-2112, www.morningstartraders.com), but call ahead for operating hours. If you’re looking for general antiques, there are several treasure-trove stores along Grant Avenue near Tucson Boulevard.

Books, Maps, and Outdoor Supplies

Book lovers can’t miss Bookmans (6230 E. Speedway Rd., 520/748-9555, 9 a.m.–10 p.m. daily), a Southern Arizona original, which now has clones throughout the state. There are three Bookmans stores in Tucson, all of them featuring thousands of used books, CDs, videos, DVDs, and video games, but the relatively new Speedway location has become the firm’s flagship store. Prices are cheap compared to smaller, boutique-style used book stores, and the selection is absolutely without compare. This is one of the West’s best used bookstores.

Clues Unlimited (123 South Eastbourne, 520/326-8533, www.cluesunlimited.com, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Sat., noon–5 p.m. Sun.) sells mysteries exclusively, including an unparalleled selection of British imports. It’s in Broadway Village at the corner of Broadway and Country Club, which has several unique boutiques and eateries. For books on Arizona’s history and wildlands, all the maps you could ever want, and the flags of every country in the world, go to Tucson’s Map & Flag Center (3239 N. First Ave., 520/887-4234, www.tucsonmaps.com, 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Sat.).

You’ll find topographical maps and hiking guides, bedrolls, backpacks, outdoor clothing, and everything else one needs while outfitting for a desert adventure, including a large selection of mountaineering equipment, at The Summit Hut (5045 E. Speedway Blvd., 520/325-1554, www.summithut.com, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Sun.).