Miami
Shopping, and especially Miami shopping, is no longer just about buying the obligatory t-shirt for someone’s grandkids. Shopping itself can be the experience that evens out your whole Miami trip, and all the better if you come out of it with items to hold dear (or rub in your friends’ faces when you get home!). Here are some tips for buying, or at least browsing, some good loot in Miami.
Bal Harbour is a must. It doesn’t matter if you have the big bucks to spend – no harm in a little wistful window-shopping. Chanel, Prada, Dior, Versace, Fendi, Gucci… the temptation of trendiness is in fine form here.
Go beyond clothes. Pedestrian-only Lincoln Road has art galleries, jewelry, bookstores, salons, sporting goods, electronics, coffee shops and yummy food. It also has an Outdoor Antique and Collectible Market on alternating Sundays.
Don’t forget the malls. They may not be as quaint as small boutiques by the shore, but convenience doesn’t have a price-tag. Dining and entertainment all in one place, a varied offering of styles and prices… Aventura Mall is one of the top-grossing malls in the U.S. with 300 stores and restaurants and 2.7 million square feet of retail space. It’s a good option if traveling with kids, since cranky tempers don’t always mix well with hours of lingerie-fitting.
Quality, not quantity. Did your mother ever tell you that spending a little extra on something that will last is better than snatching a bargain that won’t? Well if she didn’t, you’re hearing it now. Miami has secondhand and cheap deals just like any city, but if shopping is going to be a legitimately fun time-suck during your vacation, you may as well splurge with care, although that may sound ironic. Consider your own closet and the environment before buying up a storm; instead, channel all that consumer urgency toward something special and lasting that will forever represent your unforgettable trip to Miami – a special purchase by which you can remember the trip.
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April 26, 2012 by Viator
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