The Bayside Marketplace is an open air entertainment complex in downtown Miami on Biscayne Bay. Aside from the beaches, the Bayside Marketplace is one of Miami's most popular attractions. The Bayside Marketplace is situated on Biscayne Bay, next to the American Airlines Arena, and across from the Port of Miami, and all its cruise ships and freighters with stacks of large containers to/from just about everywhere.

The Bayside Marketplace has a large concentration of shopping, restaurants, nightlife, and boat tours of Biscayne Bay. They have free live entertainment including dancers and live bands on a stage. In addition to all the things to do, Bayside is a great place for a relaxing stroll in the sun and breeze, or on a nice evening. Bayside is in a very nice setting on the waterfront.

We visited here several times during our visit to Miami. We visited several restaurants and bars, looked at all the shops, enjoyed several live bands, and even took a boat tour. They have over 150 shops and restaurants in an open-air mall that is covered, but outdoors. Some of the shops, restaurants, and bars are in covered kiosks and gazebo-like structures.

There are a wide range of restaurants here. You can get Cuban food and hot music at Mambo’s, great Italian food at Lombardi’s, and Seafood at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company (see my journal). There are popular chain restaurants including Hard Rock Cafe, Hooters, and more.

There are many specialty shops that are great fun to stroll. You can find a gift at Bay side Marketplace for even the hardest person to please. There are a lot of souvenir stores, but there are also nice specialty shops.

The restaurants, shops, colors, and live music of the Bayside Marketplace are rounded out with its Biscayne Bay waterfront location that provides views of downtown Miami, the Port of Miami, and the scenic bay. Bayside Marketplace is a great place to visit. Just look for the 60 foot guitar above the Hard Rock Cafe, and you know you have arrived.

The Bayside Marketplace is located in downtown Miami on the Biscayne Bay waterfront at Biscayne Boulevard (US-1) and 4th Street, next to the American Airlines Arena, home of the Miami Heat (basketball) and many other concerts and events. They have covered parking, but it is expensive. There is public parking on the Biscayne Boulevard median that was posted as $4, but we chose to use the garage.

Located near downtown Miami, Bayside is a waterfront, two-level, open air mall, with retail stores such as Gap, Bath&Body Works, Victoria's Secret, Guess, Bubba Gump Shrimp, and many other specialty shops; lots of restaurants, and tons of kiosks and souvenir stands. There are fountains and interesting trees (see my picture of the tree) built into the walls and doors. It's really cool! Out one side of the marketplace is a park-type area with more of these unique trees and a grassy area to hang out in.

The Hard Rock Cafe is accessible by a bridge. Since the weather was gorgeous, we sat outside. Outside, there are a few umbrella-covered tables and a bar. Our waiter/the bartender was a friendly young guy who chatted with us while we ordered and ate. The restaurant was pretty empty for a Sunday afternoon. We overlooked the marina and the water, and looking across we could see the AA Arena.

After lunch, we wandered around to the other side of the HRC, where there was a nice view of the Biscayne Bay and we could watch all the boats and giant cruise ships.

For shopping, or just a lunchtime stop, I highly recommend you try the Bayside Marketplace. Many local sightseeing cruises leave from ports nearby.

For more information visit http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/