Bayside Marketplace, Downtown Miami - Shops, Marina and Boat Trips

Bayside Marketplace & Marina, Miami

The touristy Bayside Marketplace is a pleasant spot to take a stroll around the marina, have a coffee or a beer, and shop for souvenirs.

It's not a place where I'd want to spend more than a couple of hours, but you could have an interesting day out if you combined your trip to Bayside with a visit to other nearby attractions in Miami's Downtown, ending the day with a boat trip.

Other Downtown Attractions
Take a look at the nearby Freedom Tower, on the opposite side of Biscayne Boulevard from Bayside, stroll around Miami's main Downtown shopping centre in and around Flagler Street (although not in the evening when the shops are closed) and have a ride on the free Metromover driverless train for a view of the Brickell financial district.

Bayside Boat Trips
A boat trip from Bayside is definitely worth considering. Several companies operate trips which skirt the islands in Biscayne Bay, including Star Island, where you can see the lavish homes of millionaire celebrities such as Gloria Estefan, Sylvester Stallone and Julio Iglesias.

If you leave about an hour before sunset you could have a spectacular view when you return of the sun going down behind the towers of the Brickell financial district.

Free Concerts at Bayside
Daily live concerts at Bayside's outdoor stage are free and there is plenty of seating. Local groups play a variety of music from rock to reggae to salsa, and you will sometimes see people dancing near the stage.

Bayside Marketplace Shopping Mall
Bayside's shopping mall isn't all that big and one section is full of souvenir stalls. The mall includes a mixture of big chains, such as Foot Locker and Victoria's Secret, and smaller businesses. Don't waste your time looking for a bookshop, because there isn't one.

For music and films, take a look at FYE (zone A, level 2), hidden away at the far end from the entrance.

Incompatible DVDs
Non-American visitors shouldn't buy DVDs, as virtually all of them will be region 1, and therefore incompatible with DVD players sold in the UK and other European countries, unless they are multi-region players. DVDs sold in most European countries are region 2.

Hard Rock Café
There is a Hard Rock Café at Bayside, but minus the signature giant guitar that used to be there, which was a casualty of Hurricane Wilma in 2005. Although the guitar wasn't destroyed by the hurricane, it was removed because of fears that it might fall on the building, and it has never been re-erected.

Good Selection of Beers at Sharkey's
For a better selection of beers, in fact a good choice of American microbrews and imported beers, try Sharkey's (zone D, level 1) in the restaurant section, before you reach the Hard Rock Café, facing the marina. Sharkey's is small and open to the elements.

Starbucks and Cuban Coffee
Starbucks at Bayside is tucked away indoors, and therefore lacking a view. However, you could buy a coffee and drink it outside, as there are plenty of places to sit in the open air.

To try an authentic Cuban coffee, go to the Latin American Café (zone D, level 1), which has a counter for take-away orders. If you don't want sugar, say so, as most Cuban coffee is served very sweet.

Vegetarians and the Food Court
A vegetarian will find something in the food court, but a better option just a ten-minute walk away is Raja's Indian Cuisine, in Downtown Miami. Raja's is a budget Indian restaurant on Northeast 2nd Avenue, off Flagler Street. It has a reasonable selection of vegan food, but it closes early, as most Downtown restaurants do, at 6 pm, or 4 pm at weekends.

By Bus from South Beach
Buses from South Beach to Bayside will take 30 to 45 minutes, depending on where you're staying ($2 flat fare, exact money only). Ask the driver to tell you where to get off, and sit near enough to hear.

Directions to Bayside Using Google Transit
For bus routes or driving directions to Bayside click on the Google Transit link in the right-hand sidebar of this blog.

Should you need help using Google Transit read the following post: Directions in Miami - Walking, Driving, Bike, Buses & Trains.