A Treasure in Biscayne Bay: Miami’s Bayside Marketplace

One of Florida’s most popular cities with tourists and locals alike, Miami has been immortalized in popular culture in a series of violent movies: Bad Boys, Miami Vice, and Scarface, among others, have done much to fuel the the city’s image in the national spotlight, though not always for the right reasons. But Miami remains a popular tourist destination, and one of its most famous highlights is the Bayside Marketplace.

Located on fabulous Biscayne Boulevard, overlooking Biscayne Bay, the Bayside Marketplace [http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/html] it is one of Miami’s main shopping malls in its downtown business district. Located on more than 16 acres, it includes more than 150 shops, restaurants and outdoor cafes, and features a pedestrian link to the American Airlines Arena, Miami’s most popular concert destination that has played host in the past to artists like Mariah Carey, Eric Clapton and Madonna.

Bayside Marketplace is home to a host of US and international retail stores including; Gap, Claire’s Accessories, Discovery Channel Store, Disney Store, Foot Locker and Sunglass Hut; so Bayside Marketplace clearly caters to a variety of retail styles. Its eclectic mix of restaurants and cafes includes: Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Los Ranchos, Chilli’s and Hard Rock Café. In addition, Bayside Marketplace also hosts live music events, booking regular bands like Gypsy Heart and Brazilian Explosion, making the Bayside Marketplace retail experience that much more unique and exciting.

However, the unique nature of Bayside Marketplace means that it doesn’t just offer retail stores and a multitude of tasty restaurants; it also organizes different clubs and groups for members of the Miami community to join. For example, programs include: El Loro (pirate ship), Heritage of Miami (Tall ship/Sightseeing), and Captain Jimmy’s Fiesta (Party Cruise).

Featuring “the best food, entertainment and shopping Miami has to offer,” Bayside Marketplace is clearly a hub of activity, a stone’s throw from Miami Beach and other key Miami attractions like the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve and the Miami Children’s Museum. . It is also close to many affordable and comfortable Miami hotels. [http://feedmelinks.com/f/130991] so visitors to Bayside Marketplace can stay in Miami longer and visit attractions further away from Biscayne Bay, such as the Art Deco District, Everglades National Park and the Metro Zoo. Bayside Marketplace is also not far from Miami International Airport, making it an interesting place to spend some time if you’re on an extended layover in Miami.