SHOPPING MALLS IN MIAMI

We hope you haven’t shopped till you dropped quite yet, because it’s time to discover those climate-controlled marvels of the malls. Miami shopping malls run the gamut from serene, outdoor shopping centers to massive outlet malls. Before we start, keep two words in mind: comfortable shoes.

Aventura Mall

Ranked as one of the top five highest-grossing malls in the country (in sales per square foot), Aventura Mall in northeastern Miami-Dade County checks in at 2.7 million square feet of retail space, anchored by Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, JCPenney and Sears, along with more than 300 specialty retailers — including the new Louis Vuitton Aventura — as well as a variety of restaurants, a 24-screen movie theater, and the interactive playground Rainbow Valley.

Dadeland Mall

Dadeland Mall near South Miami boasts the largest Macy’s in Florida and the largest The Limited/Express in the United States. Other anchors include Macy’s Home Gallery & Kids, JCPenney, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom, while Abercrombie & Fitch, Ann Taylor, Coach, Sephora and Talbots are among the mall’s more than 185 specialty stores.

Bal Harbour Shops

In the stylish village of Bal Harbour, superlative shopping meets tropical sophistication at Bal Harbour Shops whose store directory reads like a Who’s Who of retail royalty — Balenciaga, Carolina Herrera, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren — the list goes on. Frequent fashion events, including designer appearances and charity functions, keep Bal Harbour on the radar of couture, while its sunny ambience and colorful foliage make it a relaxing place to spend the day.

Dolphin Mall

On the flip side of the designer offerings are the money-saving bargains to be found at Dolphin Mall, home of outlets like Calvin Klein Factory Outlet, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Tommy Hilfiger Company Store and many others. Meanwhile, Dolphin Mall’s dining options reflect multicultural Miami with choices that include Kobe Japanese Steak & Seafood and Texas de Brazil Churrascaria.

Miami International Mall

A mix of upscale and casual shopping defines Miami International Mall, located right near the airport and offering more than 140 shops along with department-store favorites like Macy’s The Women’s and Kid’s Store, Macy’s Men’s and Home, JCPenney and Sears.

Miami International Airport

If you still haven’t finished shopping before your flight, not to worry — MIA Shops at Miami International Airport include jewelers, bookstores, art retailers and duty-free merchandise.

No matter where you go in the Magic City, whether you’re looking for a bargain or a designer, whether you wear no-nonsense track shoes or take-your-time sandals, whether you’re focused on purchasing or people-watching, Greater Miami has plenty of shopping excitement in store.

SHOPPING STREETS

Soak up the South Florida sunshine, not to mention some local color, by hitting the streets for some great goods to take home with you. Make shopping a full sensory experience by strolling around the backstreets for hidden gems, walking around boutique filled boardwalks and filling your suitcase with treasures found while walking around. Your closet, or your friends and family, will thank you for taking the time to explore Miami's most popular shopping streets. 

Open Air On Miami Beach

Designer shopping on the streets of South Beach, whose Lincoln Road, Española Way, Washington Avenue, Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive stores are synonymous with must-have merchandise and unique shopping experiences. One-of-a-kind jewelry, housewares, books, gifts and tchotchkes of every imaginable kind are all here. 

In the market for a fine painting or sculpture? Galleries across South Beach feature works by cutting-edge artists both local and international. On Lincoln Road, ArtCenter/South Florida provides subsidized studio spaces for emerging artists take this work home with you to fill your walls or just get inspired midway through your shopping trip.

If fashion is your passion, look no further than Nicole Miller, Kenneth Cole, Tommy Hilfiger and the myriad other ultra-hip, independent boutiques on the avenues and side streets of South Beach. In a place where chocolate, cheese and pet collars all carry designer labels, you’re bound to walk away with something special.

Bridal Shops, Bakeries, and More on Coral Gables Promenades

The same can be said of Mediterranean-style Coral Gables a historically charming neighborhood known for independent shops, restaurants and a walk-able downtown area. In “the Gables,” unique shops and sidewalk cafes can turn a quick stop into a whole day of shopping adventures. Anchored by its signature promenade, Miracle Mile, the streets of downtown Coral Gables are lined with bridal shops, clothing and jewelry boutiques, shoe stores, art galleries and even a few bakeries. Après-shopping activities may include a performance at Actors’ Playhouse, a film at the Coral Gables Art Cinema, or a wine tasting.

Street-Smart Shopping In Downtown Miami

Street-smart shopping is a hallmark of Downtown Miami, home to one of the nation’s largest jewelry districts and hundreds of retailers, including Macy’s and Alberto Cortés Cosmetics & Perfumes. Check out La Época, a department store transplanted from Cuba. Countless mom-and-pop shops sell electronics, sporting goods, cameras and cosmetics.

Shopping Villages

At the county’s northern end, in Miami Lakes, Main Street re-creates a small-town feeling with specialty shops and homegrown restaurants such as Shula’s Steak 2, honoring legendary Miami Dolphins football coach Don Shula. Continue northeast and you’ll discover theVillage at Gulfstream Park, an outdoor streetscape of shopping, dining and entertainment, directly adjacent to the famed racetrack.

Design At Every Corner In The Design District

Just north of Downtown Miami, the Design District tempts serious collectors with contemporary and traditional furniture showrooms, antique dealers, art galleries and innovative retail spaces. This haute design area is an entire neighborhood populated by high end stores specializing in a wide array of goods to take home with you from fashionable accessories, home goods, and jewelry to brandname appliances and large scale art pieces.

OUT DOOR SHOPPING IN MIAMI

Mix shopping with sunshine at one of Greater Miami’s many outdoor marketplaces, where visitors can see the sights while filling their shopping bags, relaxing and refueling at onsite cafes, restaurants and bars...then shopping some more.

Bayside Marketplace

Overlooking beautiful Biscayne Bay and surrounded by a dramatic downtown cityscape — including the Port of Miami and AmericanAirlines Arena — Bayside Marketplace blends shopping with pleasure as national retailers share space with culturally distinctive merchandise and nonstop entertainment. More than 150 shops include big names like Gap, Wet Seal and Victoria’s Secret, while small carts and kiosks sell local crafts and memorabilia, exotic jewelry, leather goods and gift items from around the world. An open-air plaza invites strolling and relaxing in between purchases, as shoppers take a break from browsing to take in street performances and concerts while enjoying spectacular waterfront views.

The Bayside experience continues even after the shopping ends, though. In addition to a huge Hard Rock Cafe, Bayside offers great seafood, steak and Latin restaurants, along with scores of places to savor a quick café con leche or gelato, or to linger over fruity drinks by the bay. Next, head out under the moonlight aboard one of several sightseeing and party boats departing from Miamarina.

Mary Brickell Village

In Downtown Miami is Mary Brickell Village, whose tree-shaded courtyards are lined with boutiques, restaurants and bars. The serenity can make you forget that Brickell Avenue, the financial capital of Latin America, is just a block away.

CocoWalk

Coconut Grove was Miami’s first neighborhood and remains one of its most picturesque — an area of frequent festivals, endless street life, eccentric artists and sophisticated arts. At the heart of “the Grove” is CocoWalk, a multicultural marketplace. This open-air shopping, dining and entertainment destination invokes the ambiance of a European town square amid South Florida’s tropical atmosphere, and offers something for everyone.

Unique boutiques nestle between national retail favorites like GAP, Cheesecake Factory, Fat Tuesday, Maui Nix Surf Shop, Edward Beiner Eyewear, and the exclusive First Flight Out, a Pan Am historical exhibit and retail store.

When the sun sets, CocoWalk heats up with live music and art strolls, as well as bars and restaurants for drinks, dining and desserts. Celluloid lovers can also catch a flick in the ultramodern Paragon 13 movie theaters.

Shops At Sunset Place

In the city of South Miami, south of Coconut Grove near the University of Miami, colorful streetscapes point the way to dozens of specialty stores in the Shops at Sunset Place. Spacious piazzas set a soothing tone for shopping, dining, movie-going and martini-sipping. While readers browse in Barnes & Noble, fashionistas can check out the Armani Exchange, Banana Republic, Urban Outfitters and a host of other stylish shops, or skip shopping in favor of the fun waiting at the Gametime entertainment zone, the AMC Sunset Place 24 with IMAX Theatre, and Splitsville Luxury Lanes & Dinner Lounge.

Village of Merrick Park

In Coral Gables, the Village of Merrick Park is home to 115 leading shops and restaurants that surround a courtyard with tropical gardens and fountains; Juicy Couture, Burberry, CH Carolina Herrera, and Tiffany are among the elegant choices.

The Falls

Farther south, waterfalls and covered walkways complemented by lush flora make The Falls a serene place to shop. Boasting more than 100 shops and restaurants, anchored by Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, The Falls is one of the nation’s largest open-air shopping centers, with Apple Computer Store, Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware, bebe, Nine West and Williams-Sonoma among the specialty retailers. T.G.I. Friday’s, Johnny Rockets, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Los Ranchos and other eateries await those who need to build their strength for more shopping.