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.
MALL OF THE AMERICAS
Mall of the Americas is an indoor mall located just 6 miles from Miami International Airport. Many national retailers can be found inside as well as an AMC Theatre with discount matinees Monday to Thursday. The mall’s food court features international cuisine from Cuba, Honduras, Brazil and other countries.
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.