I don't remember PN being quite so grim. IIRC even back when I went there was a chocolate shop and a good artesania store (but there really isn't a heck of a lot to buy in Patagonia unless you want something handcrafted thing of wool or maybe leather).

There is supposed to be a bar/restaurant at the hotel down by the shore (Indigo) and you can look at the shoreline since you won't be cruising. I found the town fairly photogenic, but maybe I walked around more than some others since I spent the night.

I did the Turismo 21 de Mayo day trip cruise up to the Balmaceda Glacier and a ranch from PN as a day trip. But these are really day trips, from PN, not a few hours.

There are a few ways to get to Torres del Paine. I took a minibus tour getting there from PN, and the public bus getting back. I met some people in one of the refugios who took a boat/ zodiac transfer from PN into the park.

They were on a package tour but I think Turismo 21 de May is one of the companies you can also book through.

BTW my experience with printed souvenirs from Patagonia (and other places which don't have a huge population) is that the printing isn't very permanent! Expect it to be a handwash item. There might be more shops in Punta Arenas. Down by the cruise port is a sort of multi-level mall, had some delicious king crab and cheese empanadas there. Didn't really look for any souvenirs that trip, though. First trip I went to thee Salesian Museum which had a reasonably good gift store with tshirts and the B/W postcards if you happen to be in the vicinity when it's open.

You should not miss the moreno glacier and chalten, after torres del paine those places are great.

Here I have a playlist of the glacier and some hiking on chalten:



I live at patagonia, let me know if you have more questions.