Bal Harbour
Bal Harbour, Florida
Bal Harbour is an upscale community located in the northern section of Miami Beach. It is known for its luxury shops, high-rise apartment buildings, and luxury hotels. The open-air Bal Harbour Shops includes high-end retailers and designers such as Prada, Gucci, Versace, Hermes, and Chanel. The community also has fine dining and cocktail options.
Beyond the open-air shopping center known for its palm fronds and tropical feel, Bal Harbour also has a white sand beach (though it is difficult to reach and is for the most part, private). Compared to other sections of Miami Beach, Bal Harbour is usually quiet and peaceful in the evenings, with solid options for restaurants and bars. The community can be seen during helicopter and seaplane tours of Miami.
- Bal Harbour is a must-see attraction for shopping enthusiasts; it offers a serious concentration of designers in one place.
- The Bal Harbour Shops are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
- Visitors to this well-heeled community may want to dress to impress.
Bal Harbour is located on the northern tip of Miami Beach, between Surfside and Haulover beaches (the entire barrier island is about 10 miles from north to south). To reach Bal Harbour from downtown Miami, take I-195E; it’s about a 40-minute drive. Most visitors arrive by car or by taxi from nearby South Beach.
The most popular time of year to visit Bal Harbour (and Miami in general) is during the winter months. Temperatures are warm but not hot, and travelers from snowy destinations arrive in search of sand and sun. Visitors may want to plan around the hot and humid months of summer and hurricane season in late summer and early fall.
A wide range of shopping choices are set among the palm trees at this open-air shopping center. There are upscale department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, shoe stores like Jimmy Choo, jewelry stores like Harry Winston, and a beloved local bookstore called Books & Books.
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