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Some Texas stores are built for quick errands, and some are built for losing an entire Saturday. This list is all about the second kind.
From Houston model shops stacked with train cars and styrene sheets to Austin game stores with tables ready for a campaign night, these 11 hobby shops give you aisle after aisle of kits, paints, miniatures, comics and remote-control gear. Many of them are independent or family-run, and several are the kind of place serious builders and gamers happily drive across town or across the state to visit.
Browsing is free, which makes these stops easy weekend outings for kids, grandparents and anyone with a half-finished project at home. Before you head out, check the hours, since a few close on Mondays and some stay open late for game nights.
Then plan to stay a while, because you probably will.
1. G & G Model Shop, Houston, TX
Plenty of hobby shops sell kits. Fewer show you what those kits can become, and G & G Model Shop keeps a huge display of finished, fully detailed models right in the store for inspiration.
The family-owned shop on the Southwest Freeway calls itself a home for trains, plastic models and architectural supplies. Expect model trains alongside ships, aircraft, tanks and even some Gundam kits.
Custom builders get extra love here. The shop stocks a large selection of styrene sheets and shapes, which is the raw material for scratch-built projects, dioramas and architecture models.
Hours run 11 AM to 6 PM on weekdays, 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturday and noon to 5 PM on Sunday. There is a free on-site parking lot and free Wi-Fi.
I like this stop for a family afternoon, since the built displays give kids something to look at while the grown-ups compare paint colors.
2. Dibble’s Hobbies, San Antonio, TX
Old-school is the right word for Dibble’s Hobbies, and in the hobby world that is a compliment. The San Antonio shop on Donaldson Avenue focuses on the classic stuff that model builders have loved for generations.
Model trains come in various scales, along with complete sets, track, scenery, structures and decor. If you are building a layout from scratch, you can gather much of it in one trip.
Scale modelers will find a deep run of kits too, especially World War II subjects and vehicles. Paint is stocked as well, and the store also carries accessories for role-playing games.
Plan around the schedule. Dibble’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and closed Sunday and Monday, with free parking on site.
3. Discount Model Trains, Addison, TX
The name tells you two things right away, and both matter to train fans on a budget. Discount Model Trains in Addison focuses on model railroading and the materials that go into a full layout.
The selection covers every size scale, with a wide variety of rolling stock on the shelves. Used engines show up here too, often at good prices, which helps if you want to grow a fleet without paying new-box prices for every locomotive.
Staff knowledge and services are part of the appeal. It is a good spot to ask questions before committing to a scale or a new project.
The shop sits on Ratliff Lane, an easy drive from much of the Dallas area. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM, and it is closed Sunday.
4. King’s Hobby ATX, Austin, TX
Slot cars are still racing on Burnet Road. King’s Hobby ATX keeps an in-store slot car track, which instantly sets it apart from the usual kit-and-paint shop.
The store itself is not huge, but it is packed. Model kits, trains, die-cast cars and the accessories that go with them fill the space, so the browsing takes longer than the square footage suggests.
That mix makes it a fun pick for families. Kids can watch the track while older builders hunt for the right kit or supplies.
King’s Hobby is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from noon to 5 PM. It is closed Monday, and there is a free parking lot.
5. HobbyTown, Lubbock, TX
West Texas families looking for a rainy-day project, or a windy-day one, have a reliable stop on 82nd Street. HobbyTown in Lubbock is part of a national chain, but the selection here stretches well beyond the basics.
Shelves hold Lego sets, wooden puzzles, Hot Wheels, remote control cars, model airplanes, models and games. That range makes it one of the more kid-friendly stops on this list.
Service is a strong point, with staff who are eager to help you find the right item.
Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 7 PM, and Sunday from noon to 6 PM. Saturday afternoon tends to be the busiest stretch, so a weekday visit may give you the aisles to yourself.
6. Madness Games & Comics, Plano, TX
Open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, Madness Games & Comics is built for night owls as much as weekend shoppers.
The Plano store calls itself a superstore, and the inventory backs that up. Comic books and graphic novels share space with action figures, board games, toys, puzzles, Funkos and T-shirts.
Card and board game fans get plenty of attention too, which makes it an easy stop for a family game night haul or a gift for the comic reader in your life.
Weekday hours generally start at 11 AM, with Wednesday and Saturday opening at 10 AM. Sunday runs 11 AM to 8 PM.
Saturday afternoon into evening is the busiest window. Weekday mornings tend to be the calmest for slow browsing.
7. RC Hobby Shop, Houston, TX
If your idea of a hobby involves a remote and some speed, head to the southwest side of Houston. RC Hobby Shop specializes in radio-controlled gear, from cars to helicopters to rockets, plus model kits.
Brand support is a big deal in RC, and this store is an authorized dealer for major names including Traxxas, Horizon Hobby, Losi and Arrma. Traxxas products are especially well represented.
That matters when you need parts or upgrades later. Buying from an authorized dealer can make warranty questions and replacement parts easier to sort out.
The shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from noon to 5 PM. It is closed Monday and has a free parking lot.
8. Texas Toy Soldier, Carrollton, TX
Tiny soldiers, big tables. Texas Toy Soldier in Carrollton is a specialized game store that pairs a deep selection of miniatures with dedicated tabletop gaming space.
Painters and gamers can stock up on miniatures, paints, games and the materials the hobby requires in one stop. Then they can stick around, since the playing space is a major part of the draw.
The schedule leans toward evenings. Tuesday runs only 5 to 9 PM, Thursday and Friday stay open until 10 PM, and Saturday runs 10 AM to 8 PM.
Tuesday and Thursday evenings are the busiest times, which tells you when the gaming crowd shows up. For quiet shopping, Wednesday morning is a good bet, and the store is closed Monday.
9. Common Ground Games, Dallas, TX
Space to actually sit down and play is the secret weapon at Common Ground Games. The Dallas store on Inwood Road pairs a vast tabletop selection with an extensive open-play area.
The shelves cover role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons and its offshoots, board games, collectible trading card games and some more obscure titles. Miniature painters will find Pro Acryl and Citadel paint lines here too.
It works well as a meetup spot for friends. Free Wi-Fi helps when someone needs to look up a rule.
Hours run 11 AM to 10 PM most days, with Friday open until midnight and Sunday from noon to 6 PM. Weekend afternoons get busy, so weekday mornings are calmer.
10. The Forge Hobbies & Games, Houston, TX
Warhammer fans in Houston tend to know this address. The Forge Hobbies & Games on Memorial Drive is known for one of the strongest Warhammer selections in the city.
The store goes beyond one brand, though. You will find tabletop board games, miniature painting supplies and models and hobby equipment for many game systems.
Late hours make it handy after work. The Forge is open until 11 PM on Monday and Friday and until 10 PM Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday.
Sunday runs noon to 8 PM. There is a free on-site lot, free Wi-Fi and a gender-neutral restroom.
11. Dragon’s Lair Comics and Fantasy, Austin, TX
Saving a dragon for last felt right. Dragon’s Lair Comics and Fantasy on West Anderson Lane is a spacious Austin store stocked with comics, costumes, games and gifts.
Tabletop players will find plenty for Dungeons and Dragons and other role-playing games, plus board games, collectible card games, Pokemon cards, miniatures and paints.
The real bonus is the play space. Tables are set up for games, and the store hosts special-event nights, so it doubles as a hangout.
Hours are generous, from 11 AM to 10 or 11 PM on weekdays and 10 AM to 10 PM on weekends. Saturday afternoon is the busiest time, so a weekday morning is ideal for quiet browsing.
