I heard from my friend Cindy who lives in Kansas City, that she and her daughter were coming to Florida on vacation. We decided to head to Miami for some shopping at the Top Miami Malls and sightseeing.
There are a total of eleven malls in Miami that are worth visiting. Our top three picks are Bayside Marketplace, Dolphin Mall, and the Miami International Mall. The Bayside Marketplace is a festival market located in downtown Miami in Brickell. Bayside is the most popular and is the closest to most tourist activities. It offers the full Miami experience with shops, restaurants, and great views of the Biscayne Bay area.
- Bayside Marketplace
- Dolphin Mall
- Miami International Mall
- Design District
- Lincoln Road Mall
- Bal Harbour
- CocoWalk
- Miracle Mile
- Shops at Merrick Park
- The Falls
- Dadeland Mall
I had not been to Miami in years, and I was not sure what my friends wanted to see or liked to do. Shopping in the Top Miami Malls was on their list, but I wanted to visit Miami since I recently went to Cuba. I thought it would be fun to tag along and get some great food, like tostone burgers, and see the sights of Little Havana as well, while we were in Miami.
Table of Contents
Getting There
Miami is a straight shot down I-95 on the East Coast of Florida, or you can get there from Florida’s Turnpike and then head east. If you are coming from the southwest coast of Florida, you can get to I-95 from Alligator Alley.
The great thing about Vero Beach is that it is centrally located, and Miami is only three hours away. We wake up at 5 and head out to make the most of our day. The first thing my friends want to do is go shopping.
1. Number One Pick – Bayside Marketplace
The Bayside Marketplace is surrounded by Biscayne Bay, so there are great views of the water and city.
There are plenty of eateries and live music for your entertainment at Bayside Marketplace.
There is a Hard Rock Cafe, along with other great restaurants. You will also find plenty of bars and entertainment. Most of the restaurants are open-air, and they are spaced out nicely so you can enjoy the music without other venues interfering with your experience.
The marina hosts all kinds of personal yachts and boats as well as commercial vessels to take tourists out. While walking around the mall, you will find tour companies offering information about their excursions and how to see the sights of Miami.
We arrive at 10 AM, and they are just starting to open.
The Bayside Marketplace was nice because it is an open-air market with an international feel.
There were plenty of the usual mall shops like Nike and Sketchers at The Bayside Marketplace, but you could also shop in smaller open areas that provided you with unique tropical clothing, hats, and accessories. Kiosks are all over the outer areas before you even reach the mall, so there is something for everyone and every budget.
Dress in lighter clothes as it does get warm by noon.
Many high-performance boats and yachts were docked in the area.
Surrounded by water, my favorite part was the boats and water views. You can enjoy lunch or a cocktail and watch the boats come in and out of the marinas.
Tourist Excursions
There are also plenty of tours and excursions along the bay and at the entrances that you can book while you are there.
This red ship was a Pirate Excursion that was offering tours of the Biscayne Bay area. This would be a fun excursion for kids. The parents still get to see the islands, downtown skyline, and houses of the rich and famous of Miami, all from the decks of a pirate ship! There’s no better way to discover Miami and keep the kids happy as well!
Here is Cindy enjoying some Nitro frozen cereal. She thought it was ice cream when she purchased it. Great for kids!
Tip: If you plan to explore more of Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami, leave your car at Bayside. There is all-day parking, and it is very inexpensive. Once you leave Bayside, you can get on the Brickell Loop to get around the downtown area.
2. Dolphin Mall
The Dolphin Mall was on the list of the top ten places to visit in Miami as well, so we made the drive there and decided to get lunch at the Kobe Steak House. Dolphin Mall was more of an outlet mall with shops like Neiman Marcus Last Call and Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth. If you are looking for deals on designer clothing, this is the mall to go to.
3. Miami International Mall
Miami International Mall is an enclosed shopping mall in Doral, Florida in southwestern Metropolitan Miami. Its hours are 11 AM – 7 PM compared to the Dolphin Mall, which is open from 10 AM to 9:30 PM. It is only half a mile away from the larger Dolphin Mall.
It is also close to the airport, hence the name International. I needed to get to a Macy’s, which was housed at Miami International Mall and has more mainstream anchors and stores.
Miami, Florida, is one of the nicest and cleanest cities I have visited in a long time. Visiting the top Miami Malls should be on your list if you like to shop. I look forward to going back with my husband for a trip.
See where else we went to while in Miami!
134 responses to “Top 11 Malls You Need To Visit in Miami, Florida!”
I like Bayside Marketplace !
I love the open air mall and those with water views! So different from what I have in the Midwest.
I bet! But you do have the Mall of America!
This is an awesome curated list of the best malls to visit in Miami, Florida. Love the local’s perspective. Will be a great resource when I visit the area again.
I hope you enjoy Miami!
I love that you have scoped out all the best places to shop!
Thanks Barbara!
I haven’t made it to Miami yet but it is on my list. I would like to visit the malls of Miami
There is so much culture in Miami. It is truly an international city!
I was in Miami when I was a kid. My great grandmother lived right outside of the city. I would like to go back at some point. A meal on the water sounds heavenly right now.
It is lovely all year!
As I was reading this I said “oohhh , fun “ out loud. My husband wondered what I was reading and I said that I was finding some fun malls to visit. He said “nope” oops, too late!😂
Haha! You will have to sneak off on a girl’s trip!
I’d love to take the pirate ship excursion. And shopping outside is the best.
It looks so fun!
Great list! I’m not much of a mall person anymore… but my older kids are at the stage of being “mall rats” so they would definitely appreciate these suggestions should we ever be in the Miami area!
I think that is why I listed Bayside as my number one! Outdoor malls offer a much different feel.
I like restaurants where you can sit outside. I didn’t realize Miami had tall buildings.
Yes! It is truly a metropolitan area.
These look like a lot of fun! I haven’t been to Miami yet, but shopping there looks like a blast. I’d like to watch the boats come in at the marina, too. Great post!
You will love it! I hope you get to visit soon!
Great list of malls in Miami. We often stay at Pompano so I’ll have to plan a trip to Bayside Marketplace when we next go – sounds like a terrific day trip.
You will love it there! So much to see!
I love your pictures! Miami is such a beautiful city, and I can’t wait to visit again 🙂
I fell in love with it!
You sure got your shopping in in Miami!
I love the open air mall concept!
Great photos! The outdoor one by the water looks like so much fun!
It was definitely my favorite as well!
I totally remember seeing Bayside featured in episodes of CSI Miami! So cool!
That is cool!
The next time I’m in Miami, this is going to be on my list!
Thanks, Dennis!
I love that pirate ship!! I still haven’t been down to Miami, but this certainly gives me a few ideas on things to see if and when I get down that way.
I’ve seen nitro cereal before, but never gave it a try. The area around the mall looks great as well!
Thanks, Jordin! Nothing like shopping on the water!
I would love to visit Miami…this looks like a great day!
So cool!!! I have never been to Miami. That nitro frozen cereal sounds weird, so now I have to try it.
It was crazy! I was a little intimidated to try it!
I love waterfront areas like this. We’ve only ventured to the Gulf side of Florida, but I’m thinking next time we should head towards the Atlantic side. Thanks for sharing!
I need to get over to the Gulf!
Been awhile since we’ve been to Miami, love open-air shopping we’ll check this out for sure!! Love your photos 🙂
Thanks, Angela!
I’ve never been to Miami, but it looks like a lot of fun! Very inspiring and colorful photos!
Thank you, Ramae!
Wow! Looks like a beautiful place to do some shopping! Great post!
Thank you, Laura!
I love a good shopping trip! I love the banyan tree!
It was very cool!
I’m so bummed I missed this when I was in Miami last year 🙁
Next time, Amanda!
Open air, waterside shopping … sounds like this was made for me 🙂 I’ve been to Miami once, but missed this – hope I can check it out soon!
Can’t wait to hear about it!
We often go to bayside bc we have Miami Heat season tickets… so fun!
How cool, Gail!
Looks like a spectacular shopping destination!
Thanks, Shirley! It was!
Looks like a fun day trip! Florida is such a nice place to visit!
Thanks, Kristi!
What a fun visit! Looks like a great time!
Thanks, Junell! It was!
What a fun day! Beautiful surroundings. I’d love to visit this part of Miami.
Thanks, Cindy!
What a gorgeous location! I really enjoy the climate in Florida but have not been to Miami yet. Definitely would want to shop there!
Shopping is one of the best parts!
Love banyan trees, they are so petty. I would enjoy walking the docks and seeing all the yachts!!
It is a lovely place!
Always looking for something fun to do while in a new place! That nitro frozen cereal looks interesting ha.
My friend thought it was ice cream! lol She was totally disappointed when she realized she got cereal over ice cream.
Always looking for fun things to do when in a new place! That nitro cereal seems interesting ha.
Yeah, you have to try it once. But I was not a fan.
I’ve never been to Miami to vacation, but when I make it there I’m definitely going to check this out!
Can’t wait to hear about it!
Looks like a fun day trip! If I ever make it to Miami I’ll have to check out Vero Beach.
I love showing off Vero! You will love it here! A lot smaller than Miami but beautiful and laid back.
Looks fantastic! I would love to visit Miami soon, and I am definitely going to check out the Bayside Marketplace. Thanks for sharing…It is now on my list! 😉
Thanks, Vessy!
I’m not a big shopper, but I love marinas. I’ve only been through Miami, never stopped. i enjoyed visiting vicariously through your post. 🙂
I am not a shopper either. The people who were taking me there were. But I will say that I still enjoyed looking at the boats and views!
Take me to Miami NOW! Sun and warmth – not happening in Massachusetts at the moment!
Yikes! Come on down!
Looks like a lot of fun!
Thanks, Meagan!
I have yet to visit Miami. The hubs and I are hoping to visit family in Pensacola this summer, though. Perhaps we can make a trip down to Miami then, as well! Great post!
FL is a long state! Enjoy Pensacola!
what a surprising variety of things to see and do!
It was a nice change from the indoor malls!
I have never been to Miami but looks like a great place to visit. I always think of Miami Vice when I hear about it. lol
Haha! I used to as well. Nothing like that now!
What a great trip! I haven’t spent a lot of time in Miami, but this makes me want to go back!! Thanks for sharing your adventure!
I never thought I would like it there but it is a lovely city!
The shopping areas look wonderful. Do you suggest a specific time of year to visit?
I love FL in May. The crowds have minimized. Little chance of rain. No hurricanes. Not too hot. Not too cold.
That looks like my kind of mall – warm weather and open air. I love that it’s a mix of stores too! We get to Pompano once in a while so might have to make the drive on down!
Miami is so worth it!
It looks beautiful! We hope to get down there in a few months!
Can’t wait to hear about it!
Looks like great fun. Beautiful pictures!
Thank you, Brianna!
I can’t wait to check this out when we are in Florida next year!
Can’t wait to hear about your trip!
Blast from the past. Years ago when I lived in S. Florida I was a tour guide. South Beach and Bayside were two stops of mine that I would visit once a week. Still looking like it’s still a hot spot. Next time I visit Florida I’ll have to visit again for sure!
I would love to hear about it and if it has changed much!
I do like the flags hung all over the market. That red ship is a sight!
Thank you!
Love shopping trips. I liked the photos of the boats.
Love shopping adventures!
Thank you for this glimpse into part of Miami!
That Banyan tree looks so interesting! How fun to have some time with your out of town friend with her daughter!
I love Miami. There is so much to see and do and eat! I’m glad you enjoyed your trip.
Looks like a great place to do some shopping!
I like the the flags of the different countries. It’s been awhile since I visited Miami but there is always great shopping and entertainment.
Very nice photos! I love the Banyan tree.
That is awesome to hear that Miami is a clean city. It makes a visit so much more enjoyable.
I could totally spend the day there! Shopping and a great view sounds perfect to me!
I have also never been to Miami! It looks like there is a lot to see and do!
Great pictures! Hubby and I are heading to Miami next spring so I’ll be sure to check this area out.
Such a great post! I love all the pictures. I’ve never been to Miami before, but I’m excited to go now!
Looks like so much fun! Glad you had a good time. I hope to get down to Miami someday!
That is really good place to visit and enjoying the day! Beautiful picture too!
My kids would love to walk around and look at all of those boats. What a fun time with your friend! Can’t wait to make it to Miami.
Love all the pictures. Makes me wanna go myself. It must have been so much fun getting ready to see your friends while living in paradise!!
I have never been to Miami, but it looks fun. Good to know it is clean. I had heard from somebody about thirty years ago that it wasn’t very clean. Yay, Miami!
Did you go on a Big Bus tour. Love those!
No, I will have to look for one the next time I am there!
Miami is tons of fun. Love the photos. I will take an outdoor marketplace any day over an indoor mall.
Looks like some great shopping! I’ve never been to Miami, but it’s on my bucket list.
Looks like a great way to spend a day. And super pictures. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never been to Miami. But I must say it really looks like a fun trip to take. I really would like to see that tree in person!
How fun! I love the photos!
I’m always on the hunt for a good open air market, and I think you’ve stumbled upon a great one! Adding to my list for my next trip to Miami
Miami is such a fun and eclectic city! Shopping there is always fun! Love staying away from the big malls!
Looks like some great shopping! We go to Vero and Pompano regularly but it’s been years since I’ve driven down to Miami – I need to add that on to our next beach trip.
Do you come to Vero? We need to connect and have lunch! And yes after visiting Miami I realized I have been missing out. It is really fun there and the people are really friendly!