A Guide to Outdoor Shopping in Miami

In Greater Miami & Miami Beach, you don’t have to trade time in the sunshine for retail therapy. You can have the best of both worlds. Swaying palm trees, lush grounds and waterfalls, the sun on your face … experience it all at outdoor shopping destinations that offer everything you’re looking for, including the food and drink you need to give you the energy to keep shopping.

Bal Harbour Shops

Bal Harbour Shops, located in the swanky village of Bal Harbour, boasts 100 luxury retailers with a who’s-who in high fashion, including Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Valentino and Balmain, along with an ever-growing roster of brands, such as Aquazzura luxury footwear, Harry Winston jewelry and the fashions of Australia’s Zimmermann. Guests can meander through three floors of boutiques tucked into a lush landscape of palm trees, koi ponds and fountains and then find a seat at a trendy restaurant, such as Carpaccio, Makoto or Le Zoo, to watch a parade of fashionistas strut by. Looking ahead, Bal Harbour Shops has begun work on an expansion that will nearly double its retail space, providing approximately 40 additional luxury boutiques in a new wing, all with the center’s signature tropical landscaping. The expansion, scheduled to be completed in 2025, also includes a new seven-level parking garage.

Bayside Marketplace

With a prime location overlooking a marina and with stunning views of Biscayne Bay, Bayside Marketplace in Downtown Miami is a lively, colorful waterfront market. It’s located at the base of the 176-foot-tall Skyviews Miami observation wheel. The collection of more than 60 businesses is adjacent to the cruise ship docks at PortMiami, which explains its mix of casual and resort wear, sunglasses, swimwear, electronics, gifts and souvenirs. If all that shopping makes you hungry or thirsty, you’ll find restaurants such as Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., bar-restaurants, including a Margaritaville, a Black Market sports bar and a Hard Rock Cafe. 

Lincoln Road Shopping District

Lincoln Road Shopping District in South Beach is an eight-block-long, pedestrian-only mecca of shopping, dining and entertainment that’s constantly bustling with a mix of locals and tourists. Among the more than 200 boutique shops and restaurants that line both sides of the street, you will find mainstream stores typical of indoor malls, including Apple, Anthropologie, Gap, H&M, J. Crew, Lacoste, Zara and Forever 21, as well as some intriguing locally owned shops. Grab a seat at an al fresco restaurant to watch a constant parade of local characters, street performers and well-dressed dogs, or grab a bite at one of the many restaurants, the Lincoln Eatery food hall or the Friday night market Smorgasburg Miami.

River Landing Miami

The shopping experience at River Landing Miami in Downtown Miami is unparalleled, featuring a vertical retail haven anchored by popular grocers and the fastest-growing stores of today. From fashion to technology, it hosts a diverse array of beloved brands. As the day unfolds, visitors can savor a variety of culinary delights and libations at River Landing's enticing array of eateries.

Shops At Merrick Park

Shops at Merrick Park in Coral Gables is another destination where you’ll find upscale stores in a gorgeous outdoor setting. With a central courtyard dotted with soaring water fountains and crossed by winding walkways flanked by palm trees, this three-story mall offers nearly 100 high-end stores and restaurants, ranging from big retailers, such as Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, to trendy spots, such as Anthropologie, Eberjey and Madewell. You’ll also find several restaurants, including the popular sports bar Yard House, plus a movie theater and a fitness center, Equinox Fitness Club.

The Shops At Midtown Miami

At The Shops at Midtown Miami, you can mingle with locals running errands or popping in for some shopping and a bite to eat. With more than 50 restaurants and shops, including Target, West Elm, HomeGoods, Nordstrom Rack and Marshalls, the open-air mall is always bustling. This shopping destination, which takes up several blocks, cranks up at night as people flock to some of Miami’s many excellent restaurants, such as Negroni Midtown and Giraldas, which serves Brazilian-style steaks and burgers.

Upper Buena Vista

This shopping sanctuary, just north of Wynwood, is built around towering trees and filled with thatched-roof huts, miniature temples and lush vegetation. While shopping can be a fast-paced endeavor, Upper Buena Vista makes you feel like you’ve escaped to a calming oasis that encourages you to linger. What’s truly different is the small size and intentional, uncommon nature of the shops, appropriately called micro boutiques. You’ll find vintage pieces at The House of Findings, other inspired clothing and accessories at Amaroo and Sun and Rituals plus handmade Panama-style hats at WANAhat, which also offers art-inspired clothing by La Obra De Arte Soy Yo. Unique jewelry designs are available at Bosque Boutique and Island Soul.

The Falls

One of Miami’s largest open-air shopping centers, The Falls in Kendall is another relaxing place to browse high-end shops, such as Coach. Bring the whole family to stroll the covered walkways that are flanked by lush tropical foliage and a million-gallon waterscape and visit its 100 stores and nearly 20 places to eat, from the Spanish delicacies at Bulla Gastrobar to Vayla’s Gourmet Shaved Ice.

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