Greater Miami an exciting shopping destination: independent boutiques, gift shops and sparkling malls

If you've come to Greater Miami to shop, you've come to the right place. From luxury flagships and lavish open-air malls to elegant boutiques, budget-friendly stores and Florida's largest mall, this destination has everything you want when it comes to shopping.

Outdoor shopping

With warm, sunny weather year-round and blue skies adorned with swaying palm trees, it's no wonder there are so many outdoor malls and shopping districts in Greater Miami. Bal Harbor Shops, whi
ch opened in 1965, is Miami's first indoor/outdoor luxury shopping destination. Anchored near Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, it's home to boutiques from beloved designers like Chanel, Prada, and Tiffany & Co.

In South Beach, Lincoln Road is a classic destination for shopping, people-watching, and lunch at a beer garden. In downtown Miami, Bayside Marketplace overlooks Biscayne Bay. It's a great place to shop for souvenirs and fun activities, including boat tours and the Skyviews Miami observation wheel.

In chic Coral Gables, the Miracle Mile shopping district is home to a range of boutiques, galleries, and fine restaurants. Further south in Pinecrest, The Falls is an open-air shopping center with lush tropical foliage and a million-gallon waterscape running through it.

Trendy shopping places

The Miami Design District has taken shape over the past decade with high-end boutiques ranging from Hermès to Cartier, all surrounded by a pastiche of cutting-edge architecture and interactive public art that turns your shopping trip into a overall artistic experience.

Brickell City Center is an upscale outdoor shopping center located in the heart of the financial district, where a high-tech "climate ribbon" naturally cools catwalks that lead to a mix of upscale and accessible boutiques, from Giuseppe Zanotti to Zara and Sephora.

Iconic shopping centers

Greater Miami is also home to a host of classic shopping malls, such as Dadeland Mall, Midway Passages, Dolphin Mall, and open-air CityPlace Doral. For a true shopping extravaganza, check out Aventura Mall, Florida's largest mall, home to more than 300 retailers, a sculptural 93-foot-tall slide tower, and dining options that rival the trendiest food halls await enthusiastic buyers.

Chicago (Illinois): Chicago Northwest metropolitan area - very dynamic urban place (II)

(follow-up of a previous post)

The exceptional boutiques of Woodfield Mall

Woodfield Mall is the largest shopping center in Illinois. Located in Schaumburg, a city northwest of Chicago served by the Milwaukee West Line of the Metra commuter train network, it has no fewer than 300 stores spread over approximately 5 square kilometers. However, it remains very airy and elegant, with natural vertical lighting, green spaces and diagonal paths between the different levels. You will find big brands like J. Crew, H&M, Microsoft, Apple, Coach and many others. You can even end your evening at Woodfield: there you will find a comedy improvisation circle which offers hilarious shows.

If you have any energy left, the Streets of Woodfield area directly across from the mall is full of restaurants and stores for even more shopping and delicious food. There you will also find an entertainment complex. Not far away, the LEGOLAND Discovery Center is the ideal attraction for young and old, with rides, a 4D cinema and numerous LEGO activities. On-site dining options include Mexican specialties at Chipotle, Italian fare at Maggiano’s Little Italy, and seafood at Shaw’s Crab Shack. Finally, stop by Whole Foods to buy tasty healthy products, not forgetting Starbucks and its famous coffees.

The largest IKEA store in the United States

Chicago Northwest is also home to the largest IKEA store in the country, very close to Woodfield Mall. If this is your first visit to IKEA, allow several hours to take the time to discover their world. IKEA stores are huge and shopping there at peak times can be overwhelming. If you want to take a break, stop by the store's café to order Swedish meatballs, the menu's most popular item, which pays homage to the brand's Scandinavian origins.

The best places to shop in London (II)

(this is a continuation of a previous post)

Covent Garden

Looking for trendy fashion items or unusual souvenirs? Covent Garden is the ideal location. Explore Neal Street to find the latest fashion items and browse Covent Garden Market for artisan goods. Make sure you don't miss Floral Street, Monmouth Street, St Martin's Courtyard and Seven Dials, the ultimate chic shopping spots. Make a stop at Neal's Yard, an ultra-colorful street in the capital, where you can take sublime selfies.

Greenwich

If you are more into markets and crafts, then explore Greenwich Market. You will be able to make real finds of craft objects (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and weekends) and antiques and collectibles (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays). Need some shopping therapy? Head to ICON Outlet at The O2, on the Greenwich Peninsula, to benefit from special offers on products from major chains like Adidas and Calvin Klein.

Knightsbridge

Tourists flock to Knightsbridge and Brompton Road to shop in the boutiques and department stores. The area is known for its Harrods and Harvey Nichols stores, but you will also find designer boutiques along Sloane Street, or ready-to-wear stores like H&M, Topshop, Tommy Hilfiger and Ted Baker.

Notting Hill

Famous around the world thanks to its eponymous film, Notting Hill is full of small shops selling vintage clothing, antiques, original gifts, books and organic products. Don't miss the Portobello Road Market, open every day of the year, to enjoy more than a kilometer and a half of colorful stalls. Not far away, Westbourne Grove is full of more upscale boutiques such as Goop and Sézane.

Savile Row

Savile Row is known around the world for its very British bespoke suits. Henry Poole & Co, to whom we owe the invention of the tuxedo, still takes action at No. 15. There are other big names there, such as Gieves & Hawkes, H Huntsman & Sons and Ozwald Boateng, not forgetting the Abercrombie & Fitch flagship store.

(to be continued)

The best places to shop in London (I)

Plan your visit with this guide to the best places and shopping areas in London. Shopping, here we come!

Are you more into luxury items, vintage clothes or large shopping centers? Follow the guide through Mayfair, Notting Hill and Oxford Street for a day of shopping – London has enough entertainment for easily an hour, an afternoon or a whole day!

Bond Street and Mayfair

Whether to stretch your credit card or just for the pleasure of the eyes, Bond Street and Mayfair are ideal shopping addresses for splurging. Popular with celebrities, this shopping area is the most chic in London. There are major luxury brands like Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co and very pretty shopping malls like Burlington Arcade. Fortnum & Mason, a London department store, is also worth a detour!

Carnaby

Cradle of fashion and culture in the 1960s, Carnaby Street and the surrounding 13 streets offer more than 150 brands and more than 50 independent restaurants and bars. Pass under the iconic arch where you'll find a wide choice of independent retailers, both well-established brands and new designers. And don't miss Kingly Court, with its trendy restaurants and bars.

Oxford Street

As well as the legendary Selfridges, Oxford Street is home to other well-known department stores, such as John Lewis and Debenhams, as well as many well-known chain stores. Sneak into a side street away from the crowds and let your taste buds guide you as you stroll through St Christopher's Place.

Regent Street

Regent Street is an incredibly chic street that is home to a great selection of affordable fashion boutiques and some of the city's most famous boutiques, including Hamleys, Liberty and the Apple Store. Nearby, historic Jermyn Street is particularly renowned for its high-end menswear boutiques.

(to be continued)