Florida is a gorgeous state with vibrant cities, stunning white sand beaches, world-famous theme parks, and an extensive selection of stores. In this guide, we will highlight the best shopping destinations in The Sunshine State. For this, we chose three locations: Greater Miami, Tampa, and Orlando. Real estate in Florida in these three areas is most sought-after by tourists, investors, and end users. This comes as no surprise since these cities have everything you need for a comfortable and exciting life, from kindergartens to nightclubs, concert venues, and, of course, shopping malls.
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Greater Miami
The urbanised area of Greater Miami stretches along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean for almost a 100 km, and inland for about 40 km, to the border with Everglades National Park. It includes not only Miami but also a number of other, formerly separate cities and towns, the largest of which is Fort Lauderdale. Today, the development of Miami and Fort Lauderdale blends so smoothly that it is impossible to tell where one city ends and another begins without signs. However, cities have different administrations and slightly different characters.
Shopping in Miami
Miami is a hotspot for many shoppers. Here, high-end boutiques coexist with huge shopping malls, and you can find entire designer districts with themed stores and expensive brands. Here are the best places to shop in Miami:
Bal Harbour Shops. This luxury open-air shopping mall is located on the northern tip of the barrier island of Miami Beach. Here you can find stores of the world’s most prestigious brands such as Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. Landscaped gardens and upmarket restaurants make boutique shopping an exclusive experience. If you want to avoid the crowds of young people and noise at night, but still enjoy the sun, beaches, and fine shopping and dining when travelling to Miami, rent apartments in Florida in the north of the island, rather than the south. You can get around the island on foot or by free trolleys, so you don’t need to rent a car for a short trip.
However, if you’re thinking of buying an apartment or villa in Florida for your own residence, and you’re inclined to choose one of the towns on the barrier islands, perhaps in the future, it is worth buying not only a car but also a boat or a yacht and learning how to drive it in order to fully enjoy life the Florida way.
Aventura Mall. This is one of the largest malls in South Florida, with over 300 stores ranging from mid-range to high-end.
Miami Design District. This chic neighbourhood is a real paradise for lovers of art, fashion, and design. It is home to the flagship stores of brands such as Hermès and Dior, as well as the best contemporary art galleries.
Dolphin Mall. Miami’s largest outlet mall offers great deals on popular brands like Nike, Coach, or Michael Kors.
Lincoln Road Mall. This is another iconic pedestrian mall in Miami Beach, but this time on the southern tip. Here you can find an eclectic mix of boutiques, art galleries, and cafes. This place is ideal for a leisurely walk, browsing, and people watching—you may as well meet world celebrities.
Shopping in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale offers a combination of upscale malls and exciting shopping districts, including:
Sawgrass Mills. The largest outlet mall in the United States sells branded goods at discounted prices. It features more than 350 retailers. Among them are outlets for brands such as Gucci, Prada, and Versace.
The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale. This is a mall with stores in different price ranges, from Neiman Marcus to Coach and Macy’s.
Las Olas Boulevard. This bohemian shopping district is home to unique cafes, art galleries, and one-of-a-kind boutiques. If you’re considering moving to Florida, you’re an artist at heart, and don’t live by the book, development projects in Florida in this area of Fort Lauderdale are your best bet.
Orlando
Orlando is known worldwide for its amusement and theme parks. However, the city also offers ample shopping opportunities. Below are some of the best shopping destinations in the city.
The Mall at Millenia. This luxury mall features brands such as Jimmy Choo, Cartier, and Burberry.
Florida Mall. This is another major mall and one of the leading shopping venues in Central Florida. It has more than 250 stores including brands such as Zara, Apple, and H&M.
Orlando International Premium Outlets. Here you can find discounts on brands such as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Calvin Klein. Get ready to walk a lot: the mall is truly huge.
Disney Springs. Located at Walt Disney World Resort, this mall offers a variety of Disney merchandise and other souvenirs.
Tampa
This city was once the centre of tobacco production in the United States. Today it is a major business and tourist city with a wide variety of shopping options, from upscale malls to unique local brand boutiques. Here are the best places to shop in Tampa:
International Plaza and Bay Street. This is Tampa’s premier mall, where you can shop at more than 200 retailers. Brands include Neiman Marcus, Tiffany & Co., and Nordstrom.
Westfield Brandon. This mall features more than 150 stores, as well as restaurants and cafes.
Hyde Park Village. This open-air shopping district offers shoppers a combination of US retail chains and local boutiques. Here you can also have a snack or a cup of coffee in one of the cafes.
Tampa Premium Outlets. Loved by so many shoppers, this type of shopping mall offers products from your favourite brands at a significant discount. Here you can find stores like Saks OFF 5TH, J.Crew Factory, Adidas, and others.
Whether you visit Florida for a short exciting holiday with shopping or a reconnaissance trip before buying a luxurious early 20th-century villa or a home in an off-plan project in Florida and making the move to the US, this state is sure to live up to your expectations. Sun, sea, premium shopping and dining await everyone here—from young tourists to families with children and retirees who want to spend their golden years in a resort environment.