The Shops at Mary Brickell Village, more casually referred to as Mary Brickell Village, is an outdoor, high-end collection of restaurants, bars, boutiques and more, located in the heart of downtown Miami's business district. It appeals to both locals and visitors alike, and provides a large part of the lunchtime and nightlife opportunities for the people who work, live and stay there in the multitude of nearby hotels.
Must see/do at The Shops at Mary Brickell Village
Plan to drink and dine here, either for lunch or dinner, before or after a visit to a local museum, show or sporting event. But don't settle on the first restaurant or bar you see at Mary Brickell Village. To truly get a sense of this sprawling city center, you have to walk around first. Although it is essentially a mall, it doesn't have a typical layout, and has lengthened into side streets beyond its planned boundaries. Take a look at a directory to see the lay of the land.
Types of stores at The Shops at Mary Brickell Village
The boutiques here for both ladies and men tilt toward the high end, with prices to match. In addition to specialty retailers for clothing and shoes, visitors will find day spas for body, hair and nails; upscale jewelry stores; specialty food shops; and a few services geared toward those who live in the area, such as dry cleaners, supermarkets and fitness centers.
Food at The Shops at Mary Brickell Village
The restaurants at this outdoor mall are posh and international, ranging from high-end chains such as The Oceanaire Seafood Room, which features elegant seafood dishes from around the world, to local independent spots including the Italian-inspired Toscano Divino. Many, like Rosa Mexicano and Taverna Opa, also emphasize their bars and nightlife.
Parking and public transportation at The Shops at Mary Brickell Village
You can valet your car at any number of restaurants, or find metered street parking. There's also a signature parking garage at the corner on SW 10th Street and SW 1st Avenue. In addition, you can find nearby a couple of private lots where you can pay to park. Because Mary Brickell Village is in the heart of downtown, the MetroMover and MetroBus make stops nearby; Government Station is only a couple of blocks away.
Other places to visit near The Shops at Mary Brickell Village
American Airlines Arena is a couple of miles east, making this a great place to visit before or after a concert or game. The Pérez Art Museum Miami is also close by, as is the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.
Insider tip for visitors to The Shops at Mary Brickell Village
Don't assume that because this is an outdoor mall that this is a car-free zone. In fact, it is quite the opposite. It's still part of the city, and Miami drivers dislike those who meander in the streets, believing that Mary Brickell Village is closed to vehicles. Visitors should not only keep to the sidewalks, they should, as always, look both ways before crossing the streets.
Author's bio: Jen Karetnick has been living in and writing about Miami since 1992. Her latest books are Mango (University Press of Florida, 2014) and Brie Season (White Violet Press, 2014).
