Miami Design District

The Miami Design District is a pedestrian-oriented neighbourhood centred on 140 NE 39th Street in Miami, Florida, devoted to luxury retail, design, public art and restaurants. Streets are lined with boutiques from international fashion and jewellery houses, furniture and design showrooms and galleries, and the architecture is a mix of contemporary buildings designed for the district and restored older structures. Public art is part of the experience: the free public art plaza, sculptures, installations and the Fendi Fly Fly pavilion give visitors reasons to walk without buying anything. Restaurants and cafes sit around plazas and courtyards, and the streets are shaded in places by sculptural canopies. A visit takes about one to two hours for browsing and photographs, longer with a meal. Late afternoon is a good time, with warmer light on the buildings and cooler air, while shops are open about 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, so afternoon visits match shopping hours. Public areas are open daily and are free to enter. Weekends and evening events bring more visitors, and quiet weekday mornings suit visitors who mainly want to see the art. Free parking is not available, and garages charge fees, so many visitors prefer a rideshare, which costs about 12 to 18 USD from Downtown, or Metrobus 2 or 9. The district sits close to Wynwood, so the two can be combined in a single outing. Prices at shops and restaurants are high, but there is no cost to wander the streets, enjoy the public art and take photographs.