Where to shop on Black Friday is a very big decision to make. Are you willing to compromise your sanity in an effort to pounce on all the outlet store deals? Or is Black Friday more of a leisurely family activity, one that sees all your aunts, grandparents, and children come out for a little shopping, and maybe some brunch?
It's a tough call to make. While your go-to mall might be perfect for a regular shopping escapade, it may not be on Black Friday. Likewise, the most obvious mall might not be the best, because what good is a deal if you can't even find parking?
To make the decision easier, we've ranked the eight best malls to shop on Black Friday. Our decision was based on several factors– amount of quality stores, parking amenities, ways to keep family members who aren't shopping happy (i.e. grumpy and hungry husbands, very bored and hyper kids). Because before we unleash our glorious list of deals in Miami on Black Friday, you should probably decide where you're going.
1. Sawgrass Mills
With over 350 stores and more than 100 kiosks and carts, we dare you not to finish at least a quarter of your holiday shopping at Sawgrass Mills. The mall has more than 40 outlet stores exclusive to the center, plus more being added this holiday season like Marc Jacobs, Alexis Bittar, and Rag & Bone. Stores range from Neiman Marcus to J Crew, from Tory Burch to Bed Bath and Beyond. There are two $10 valet stations (at The Colonnade Outlets and The Oasis) in case you can't find parking, plus a Circle bus which offers free and convenient transportation around the mall's perimeter, which is really helpful since this is the eighth largest in the country. There are plenty of diversions for the whole family, from restaurants to an arcade-filled Gameroom.
Address: 12801 W Sunrise Blvd, Sunrise, FL
Hours: November 26th, 6pm-1am; November 27th, 6am-10pm
2. Aventura Mall
Aventura Mall tops the list for several reasons, and it goes beyond the 300 stores that you can shop here, from luxury to fast fashion, and from department to small flagship. No other mall gets in the holiday spirit like this one, from the most elaborate Santa station we've ever seen to strategically placed Reindeers to take selfies with. This year the mall partnered with Snarkitecture to create an LED snowfall, which is just magical once the sun sets. There's an AMC Movie theater and Color Me Mine to keep your progeny entertained, and when the going gets tough, you can store your bags there or have all your items delivered through the concierge desk.
Address: 19501 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura, FL
Hours: November 26th, 6pm-1am; November 27th, 6am-10pm
3. Dolphin Mall
Talk about a head start. Dolphin Mall opens its doors on 6pm on Thanksgiving night, which gives you 29 hours of continuous shopping for the 5th year in a row. There are over 250 outlet stores in this circular shaped mall, plus a fancy new 1,300-space garage to alleviate the parking issue, which features a system that guides you to the best parking spot and lets you locate your vehicle through an onsite kiosk. While it's smaller than Sawgrass Mills, Dolphin makes up for it by offering some wonderful holiday programming to keep those little Grinches in your shopping trip in line, like nightly snow flurries at 7pm and The Peanuts Movie Ice Palace, both located in the Ramblas Plaza.
Address: 11401 NW 12th St, Miami, FL
Hours: November 26th, 6pm- November 27th, 11pm
4. Shops at Merrick Park
So you're not much into crowds, huh? Merrick Park has a lot of great designer stores offering Black Friday deals, from Kate Spade to Madewell, without the swarms and craziness that you'd find at any of the above malls. Although it officially opens at 8am, stores actually open at 9am, which already signals a calmer shopping experience. Once you're done scoring at Crate & Barrel, DVF, Lilly Pulitzer, or Nordstrom, you can have a nice outdoor brunch at one of the mall's many eateries, from Brasserie Central to Yardhouse. The only caveat is that parking can get pricey here depending on how many hours you stay, but the daily maximum is $10 which isn't too bad.
Address: 358 San Lorenzo Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33146
Hours: November 26th, 6pm-12am; November 27th, 9am-10pm
5. Dadeland Mall
Significantly smaller than Sawgrass and Aventura, Dadeland Mall has 185 quality stores to choose from. It's an oasis for department store shoppers, whether you're a Macy's or a Saks kind of gal, and it offers a few stores that other malls do not like Free People and Zara. Although Dadeland has never quite been known for its ample parking, its new Valet on Demand feature lets you call ahead to get your car in 20 minutes, which majorly makes your shopping experience ten times more pleasant. Couple that with Dadeland's amazing food options, and you're looking at a Black Friday that's not so bad.
Address: 7535 N Kendall Dr, Miami, FL
Hours: November 26th, 6pm-1am; November 27th, 6am-10pm
6. The Falls
The Falls also offers a pleasant shopping experience, much like Merrick Park's. While the big draw here was traditionally the now-closed Crate & Barrel, The Falls still has a number of great stores for gifts, like Alex & Ani, Brooks Brothers, L'Occitane, and even a Yankee Candle Co. If you happen to go on Thanksgiving night, the first 100 shoppers to visit Guest Services will receive a "Holiday Survival Kit" filled with everything you need for a successful holiday shopping experience, including a holiday coupon book, a Thanksgiving/Black Friday offer flyer, snacks, and other promotional items from the mall's retailers.
Address: 8888 SW 136 St, Miami, FL
Hours: November 26th, 6pm-1am; November 27th, 6am-10pm
7. Miami International Mall
So Miami International Mall doesn't have necessarily have the kinds of stores you go wild over, like a Zara or a Madewell, but it does have your classics, like Macy's and Bath & Body Works, or Kipling and Victoria's Secret Pink. You'll find plenty of deals here, plus if you're one of the first 100 shoppers on Black Friday, you'll receive a "Shopper Survival Kit," a swag bag filled with a snack, beverage, retailer showcase, and branded Spread Love bag. If you're out of energy, there's a rejuvenation station by Starbuck's and Disney where you can sample snacks. It's open on Thanksgiving from 6pm to 1am, which is the right time to go if you plan on hitting up Best Buy Mobile.
Address: 1455 NW 107th Avenue, Miami, FL
Hours: November 26th, 6pm-1am; November 27th, 6am-10pm
8. Westland Mall
With a brand new H&M in tow, Westland Mall is getting its swag back. If you take out all the kiosks and eateries, the mall only has about 60 stores including Pandora, Tous, G by Guess, and Aeropostale, which means that your odds of scoring as many deals as possible drops. Still, there are a lot of chances to score deals at places like Bath & Body Works and Macy's. If you can survive parking and driving through 49th street, then you'll have a fine time. The mall is also open on Thanksgiving.
Address: 1675 W 49th Street, Hialeah, FL 33012
Hours: November 26th, 6pm-12am; November 27th, 6am-10pm
Poll
What's your favorite mall to shop on Black Friday?
Sawgrass Mills
Aventura Mall
Dolphin Mall
Shops at Merrick Park
The Falls
Dadeland Mall
Miami International Mall
Westland Mall
7 votes | Results