Miami is full of things to do and areas to see. One such area many people visit is the Design District in Miami.
The Miami Design District offers visitors designer stores, unique restaurants, interesting sculptures and architecture.
Last year, I got the opportunity to go to the Miami Design District, where I got to see Fernando Laposse’s installation of shaggy pink sloths known as the Pink Beasts.
While the installation may not be there, the Miami Design District offers plenty of other things to see and do.
Miami Design District Stores
Stores in the Miami Design District are not the cheapest stores. In fact, the stores in this district are designer brands such as Louis Vuitton, Versace, Dior, Burberry, Cartier and many more.
Here you will find many interested in designer brands shopping away, while others are there to check out the decor in each store.
Although I went to every store, the ones that impressed me the most were Dior and Burberry with their unique store decor.
The stores may not be in your budget range, but checking out the decor and pretending to be rich is absolutely free.
Miami Design District Art Tours
Miami Design District is known for their architecture and sculptures. They have so much art around, that they even have free guided art tours every 1st Saturday and 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Even if you can’t make it to the art tour, you can still do your own tour and check out all of the art around the Design District.
While doing my own tour, I found the following pieces around the Design District.
This wall known as the Actual Infinity can be found on the second floor. One of the benefits of going on the guided tour is that you learn more about each work of art. Since I didn’t go on the guided tour, I don’t have much information except for the name and artist.
This next piece is of Le Corbusier, who was a talented architect, designer, painter and city planner. He defined modern architecture and left an indelible mark on art and architecture. You can also find this piece on the second floor.
The Design District’s building is quite unique as well. Built by Japanese architect, Sou Fujimoto, he was inspired to build the façade structure from South Florida’s relationship to water and tropical weather.
The District has plenty of art around. Some of which I don’t know by name or who created it, but they are still great pieces to admire.
The Fly’s Eye Dome is a creation by R. Buckminster Fuller and also one of the main pieces in The Miami Design District.
Miami Design District Restaurants
There’s a variety of restaurants in the Miami Design District. Dior also has a cafe, which you can get into by going into the store and letting someone know.
Although, I didn’t have a chance to eat around the area, I did get recommendations that the following places are worth the visit.
Swan
Offering modern Euro cuisine and a full bar in a garden-like interior, Swan offers guests something different than other places. This chic restaurant is great for anyone who loves to take photos and the food looks great.
Harry’s Pizzeria
If you’re looking for something less on the fancy side, Harry’s Pizzeria is the place to go. This restaurant offers craft beers and wood oven pizzas, which is great for a casual night out.
Mandolin Aegean Bistro
Hungry for Greek and Turkish Cuisine? Well this is the spot. Not only does it feel like a restaurant in Greece, but the restaurant has patio seating, which gives it that Greek vibe.
MC Kitchen
Unlike the Mandolin, the MC Kitchen has a fancier style and they serve contemporary Italian cuisine. They also have a vast wine list for anyone wanting to wine and dine their hot date.
L’atelier de Joël Robuchon
Offering modern French cuisine, L’atelier will surprise your tastebuds. The visuals of the food is impressive and the atmosphere is a mix of cool and sophisticated.
Ember
Located in Paradise Plaza, Ember is an American bistro. Offering burgers, quesadillas, bbq and a little bit of everything else, this spot is great for a casual day or night out.
Other things to do in the Design District
Aside from shopping, art tours and restaurants. The Design District also has concerts, galleries and much more. Below is a list of other places to check out.
Aubi & Ramsa
This delightful ice cream shop sells boozy ice cream. That’s right, their ice cream has booze in it! So take a stroll with some ice cream in hand.
Institute of Contemporary Art
The ICA offers year round free admission. This museum has paintings, sculptures and multi-media installations.
Concerts in Palm Court
The Design District hosts free concerts in the palm court area. These don’t happen year round, so you may need to check their website for dates.
Miami Design District Parking
I was surprised to find the parking at the Miami Design District cheap. This Miami District is by far cheap and one of the most expensive, but the parking was only $5 for 4 hours, which gave me plenty of time to look around.
It wasn’t hard to find parking, even with so many cars and people in the area.
You don’t have to be rich to enjoy your time at the Miami Design District. There’s plenty to do for different types of budgets and the best part is that it’s close to Wynwood, which is another part of South Florida worth checking out.
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