Between Miami And Fort Lauderdale Is An Upscale City With Florida’s Largest Shopping Mall And Family Fun

While most vacationers head to Florida — America’s flattest state that brims with seashores — for its famed sandy stretches, there may be loads to find on land as nicely, together with procuring, golf, five-star resorts, and expansive water parks. There is probably no higher place to find the entire above than Aventura, a buzzy metropolis midway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Tucked a mile from the Atlantic Ocean, town was first developed within the late Nineteen Sixties by legendary Florida actual property tycoon Donald Soffer, who named it Aventura after the Spanish phrase for journey.

Measuring simply over 3 sq. miles, Aventura is an opulent, amenity-filled enclave. It is anchored by the JW Marriott Turnberry Resort and Spa, famend for its luxe lodging, huge Tidal Cove water park, two 18-hole golf programs, and a number of eating places. Just a couple of minutes from the resort is the Aventura Mall, which spans an astounding 2.7 million sq. ft, making it one of many 5 largest procuring malls in America. Beyond the spectacular procuring and eating choices, the mall additionally options loads of kid-friendly sights, resembling an exciting slide and a playground. 

Aventura is a few 50-minute drive north of Miami International Airport and a 30-minute drive south of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The finest time to go to Aventura for out of doors actions is November by way of April, when excessive temperatures hover between 75 and 82 levels Fahrenheit, and there may be little rain.

The finest place to remain in Aventura is the JW Marriott Turnberry Resort. Designed within the Mediterranean model, the resort boasts practically 700 lodging throughout 4 towers. The resort is a family-friendly paradise that options the on-site Tidal Cove waterpark, an aquatic wonderland that is enjoyable for youngsters of all ages. Older youngsters can glide down towering water slides or bodyboard on the surf-inspired FlowRider, whereas youthful ones can discover the Kids Cove playground and splash pool. There can also be a lazy river, the place you may drift round in an inner-tube float, in addition to the freeform Laguna Pool for wading or swimming. “It’s truly designed with families in mind,” raves a Tripadvisor reviewer. Tidal Cove admission for 2 is included for resort company, whereas everybody else should purchase tickets.

While Tidal Cove is usually the primary attraction, there are many different actions for households. A toddler aged 15 or youthful can be a part of their dad and mom on the golf course within the afternoon to play free of charge, and there can also be the Turnberry Isle Racquet Club, with padel and pickleball courts. Encircling the resort is the three.1-mile Don Soffer Exercise Trail, which can also be open to the general public, the place you may get pleasure from expansive views of the fantastically manicured golf programs. For extra journey, drive about 20 minutes south to Oleta River State Park, the place you may blissfully float down a crystal-clear river. Back on the resort, there are many locations to dine, from the poolside Surf House Bar & Grill at Tidal Cove to the upscale Bourbon Steak steakhouse. Families adore the convivial American restaurant Corsair, which has a bountiful breakfast buffet and all-day eating — plus, youngsters aged 3 and youthful eat free. 

As Florida’s largest mall, Aventura Mall is a real vacation spot procuring expertise. In truth, 30 million guests stream to this mall per 12 months, which brims with lots of of shops, a number of eating places, an AMC movie show, kid-friendly sights, and rather more. The immensity of the mall signifies that there’s looking for each customer and each finances, starting from upscale designer boutiques like Hermes and Prada to well-stocked shops together with Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale’s. 

However, the mall can also be value a go to in the event you simply plan on window procuring. The expansive house doubles as an indoor artwork museum, with over 20 unbelievable large-scale artwork installations discovered all through the mall. Art lovers ought to try the digital Art Walk to identify their favourite items by high artists, together with Robert Indiana, Takashi Murakami, and Louise Bourgeois. Some of those installations are even interactive, resembling Gorillas within the Mist, a sculptural fountain that youngsters can splash in. Artists additionally designed Aventura’s family-friendly actions, together with the 93-foot Aventura Slide Tower and the indoor Rainbow Valley Playground.

Once you have labored up an urge for food, you will uncover a variety of culinary selections, from upscale eating places to quick informal. One of the highest choices is Eataly, an Italian meals corridor with pizza and pasta eating places, a espresso store, a gelato counter, and a market stocked with imported Italian specialty gadgets. Other favorites are Pubbelly Sushi, a sushi bar, and Jacinta, a contemporary Mexican restaurant. If you desire a fast chunk whereas strolling by way of the mall, Pura Vida, the Miami quick informal chain for wraps and smoothies, is all the time a traditional.