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Miami Design District
The Miami Design District is a compact neighbourhood of luxury boutiques, design showrooms, public art and restaurants, with free museums including ICA Miami nearby.
At a glance
- Type
- Design, art and shopping district
- Area
- Design District, Miami, United States
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- miamidesigndistrict.com
Good to know
- Free Wi-Fi
- Public art
- Dog friendly
- Garages
Why we recommend it
The Miami Design District is a compact neighbourhood north of downtown, roughly between NE 36th and NE 43rd Streets and between West 1st Avenue and Biscayne Boulevard. In the 1920s the Moore family built the Moore Building here for their furniture business, but the area declined later in the century. From the late 1990s, the developer Craig Robins and his company Dacra bought many of the run-down buildings and brought in designers and showrooms, and since 2010 the district has been developed as a luxury shopping and lifestyle destination.
Today it is a mix of high-end fashion boutiques, design showrooms, restaurants and public art. Look out for Buckminster Fuller's Fly's Eye Dome in Palm Court, one of the best-known pieces in the district's public art collection, and check the official events calendar for public art tours. The Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, moved into its own building here in December 2017; entry is free and it has an outdoor sculpture garden. The de la Cruz Collection, next to the ICA, shows contemporary art from the private collection of Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz and is also free.
The district's shops are generally open from Monday to Saturday between 11am and 8pm and on Sunday from 12pm to 6pm, although restaurant hours vary. Food is a strong reason to come: COTE Miami, Michael's Genuine Food and Drink and Mandolin Aegean Bistro are all within or close to the district. There is free Wi-Fi across the neighbourhood, dogs are welcome, and public restrooms are on the second floor of Palm Court and Paradise Plaza.
Even if luxury shopping is not your thing, the architecture, art and food make it a pleasant half day. It suits couples, design lovers and anyone who enjoys architecture and contemporary art. Allow two to three hours, including lunch.
There are four garages: City View Garage at 3800 NE 1st Avenue, Museum Garage at 90 NE 41st Street, Palm Court Garage at 140 NE 39th Street and Paradise Plaza Garage at 151 NE 41st Street, with contactless payment by licence plate. The district says it is about 10 minutes from Miami International Airport and from Miami Beach, and about 20 minutes from downtown.
Miami Design District FAQs
What are the district's opening hours?
Shops are generally open Monday to Saturday 11am to 8pm and Sunday 12pm to 6pm; restaurant hours vary.
Is the Design District free to visit?
Yes, walking around is free, and the ICA Miami and the de la Cruz Collection are also free.
Where can I park?
There are four garages, including Palm Court Garage at 140 NE 39th Street and Museum Garage at 90 NE 41st Street.
Is there public art?
Yes, including Buckminster Fuller's Fly's Eye Dome in Palm Court, and public art tours are listed on the events calendar.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, dogs are welcome throughout the neighbourhood.
Where can I eat?
Options include COTE Miami, Michael's Genuine Food and Drink and Mandolin Aegean Bistro.
How far is it from the airport?
The district says it is about 10 minutes from Miami International Airport.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Yes, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the neighbourhood.