Shopping in Florida is a totally diverse experience, with types of shops to suit all tastes and budgets, often handily grouped into shopping malls that reflect different styles.
Florida Mall
Orlando's Florida mall is a popular hotspot with both locals and tourists, offering the largest selection of best known department stores and retailers under one roof including Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's and Abercrombie & Fitch.
This mall has a competitive sales technique due to the rising numbers of outlet stores in the area; many of the hosted stores have ongoing sales and offers throughout the year. It's also home to Adrenalina, a store specializing in extreme sportswear and merchandise, featuring an incredible Flow Rider in the store itself, the latest extreme sports surfing simulator. The mall is located just minutes from popular attractions such as Disney World and Universal Studios, and is open until 9pm most evenings.
The Mall at Millenia
If you're attracted to high end designer names, The Mall at Millenia will be just the place for you. Claiming to be "beyond upscale", this breathtakingly beautiful mall is an ultimate luxury shopping destination, focusing on quality international designer names, housed in a cathedral of architectural beauty. Classic favourites such as Chanel, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tiffany & Co and Jimmy Choo, younger label lovers will find funky styles in Urban Outfitters and Banana Republic. A few "top end" high street chains such as Gap and Zara are in residence for those looking for classic basics, along with more prestigious department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's.
Designer Outlet Stores
Designer labels have a designer price tag, right? Not necessarily so in Orlando. Outlet stores are becoming increasingly popular, so if you're looking for the opulence of designer threads but don't have the deep pockets to pay for them, why not check out Orlando Premium Outlets, conveniently located just five minutes from Disney World. Premium Outlets is home to a huge array of name-brand outlets, created in a "village" setting, with savings on labels such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein for classics, Nike and Adidas for sports, and even high end luxury such as Dior, Fendi and Giorgio Armani, all with up to 65% off the recommended retail price. Another great outlet store is Prime Outlets: recently the recipient of a major makeover, the mall houses a host of designer outlets, in particular the Neiman Marcus Last Call Clearance Centre, which is an Aladdin's cave of sumptuous designer bargains. Prime is also home to an exclusive outlet branch of Victoria's Secret, one of only two in the entire US.
Winter Park
Shopping in a mall is by no means the only option on offer in Florida, and only thirty minutes by car from Orlando, the stunning ambience of Winter Park provides a completely different experience: Aside from the trendy restaurants and sushi bars, Winter Park has many nooks and crannies for the discerning shopper to explore. The cobbled streets will lead you away into unique shopping areas, from inexpensive individual boutiques to couture fashion emporiums. Rummage in a sample sale and you could come up with a beautiful bargain at a fraction of the original price.
Shopping in Miami
Further out towards Miami you will again find some fantastic shopping malls, one of the most interesting being The Falls in Greater Miami, an open air mall featuring a wide variety of shops and restaurants, taking a beautiful waterfall as its centerpiece. Only half an hour outside Miami, you will also find Sawgrass Mills, the largest outlet store in the Florida, covering over 2.1 million square feet, and toting the likes of Roberto Cavalli and Salvatore Ferragamo.
Alternatively, why not stroll down Lincoln Road surrounded by unique Art Deco architecture, browsing in boutiques and book shops. Most restaurants in the area have outdoor seating, so if your perusal of the numerous art galleries, museums, antique shops, boutiques and designer havens has worn you out, why not settle back with a cool drink and watch all the other fashionable people go by.
