24 Hours in the Miami Design District Guide

24 Hours in the Miami Design District Guide

Whether you’re a local or an out-of-towner on vacation, the Miami Design District (MDD) is a must-see for all sorts of reasons and one of the most historically iconic destinations in all of Florida. One of the Miami Design District’s biggest draws is its ability to seamlessly combine four of the city’s principal pillars - culture, art, dining, and fashion - into a one-stop-shop neighborhood haven. Full of creative experiences and hidden architectural gems around every corner, there’s no shortage of things to do and places to explore within. Spend a day in MDD and see for yourself; we’ve even done the planning for you...

A Day in MDD

9:00AM | FIRST STOP: BREAKFAST

Fuel your day’s adventures at local’s favorite neighborhood breakfast spot…

Pura Vida 

Pura Vida is South Florida’s go-to wellness eatery and all-day café, offering a balance of nutritious and delectable dishes, sourced using local and organic ingredients. Serving as the utmost perfect place to kickstart your day in MDD, the neighborhood favorite provides an extensive menu that showcases an all-day breakfast menu, including a range of raw, organic açai bowls, freshly squeezed juices, superfood smoothies, fresh salads, wraps, bowls, and so much more.

3818 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137

10:00AM-11:30AM |ART IN THE DISTRICT

Take a tour through the Miami Design District's profound art exhibitions and experiential galleries

Emmett Moore’s Grotto Lounge

Immerse yourself in this extraordinary installation comprised of faux coral boulders sculpted into a secluded lounge. Inspired by coral rock quarries and the mythology surrounding the fictional identities that form around these places, The Grotto is part pavilion, part folly, where one can escape from everyday life, and is part of Moore’s In an ongoing investigation into the relationship between art, architectural systems and human representation of the natural world. Here, Moore handcrafts each piece with an intricate attention to detail, imbedding each piece with coral rock and everyday objects such as cellphones, car keys, and lighters, contemporary fossils of items one might lose while communing amongst the boulders.

3920 NE 2nd Ave.Miami, FL 33137

Apollo Projects | ‘Landed’

Apollo ‘Landed’ is the initial iteration of the first plant exhibition to take place in Miami Design District. All artists involved were invited to create, with nature as collaborator and muse, bringing attention to a living, shifting climate and all her inhabitants. From May to July, this pop-up will be hosting activations and installations, focused on reconnecting with the environments around us, where locals are invited to create art, with nature as their muse.

151 Northeast 41st Street, Suite 12, Miami, FL 3313

Jade Alley Films: 2021

A collaborative year-long art video feature, Jade Alley Film: 2021 Series features four artist video selections by the District’s key institutions, including Locust Projects, de la Cruz Collection and ICA Miami. From April 1 to June 30, the Miami Design District will feature ‘Outage’ by Philadelphia-based artists: Jennifer Levonian and Eva Wylie. Originally commissioned and premiered by Locust Projects in 2019, Outage is a video that utilizes Levonian's signature cut paper animation technique, which incorporates deftly rendered watercolors into short films that wryly depict prescient social narratives and Eva Wylie's unique printmaking techniques. The single-channel animation was made from over 3,000 frames and more than 275 screens were used to create pieces for the animation.

Garden Building Lobby in Jade Alley, Miami, FL 33137

Special Sunset Public Art Tour

Immerse yourself in the Miami Design District’s rich art and architecture. Experience the neighborhood like never before alongside resident expert Thom Wheeler Castillo. Visit Emmett Moore’s The Grotto, Apollo Projects ‘Landed’, April Bey’s Fringe Project installation, and more. Miami Design District’s Special Sunset Public Art Tours take place the first and last Sunday of every month at 6PM

Palm Court Plaza 140 NE 39th St, Miami, FL 33137

Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami

The Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA Miami) is dedicated to promoting continuous experimentation in contemporary art, and to the exchange of art and ideas throughout the Miami region and internationally. Through an energetic calendar of exhibitions and programs, and its collections, ICA Miami provides an important international platform for the work of local, emerging, and under-recognized artists. The museum is deeply committed to providing open, public access to artistic excellence by offering year-round free admission.

61 NE 41 St. Miami, FL 33137

11:30PM-1:30PM | FASHION IN THE DISTRICT

Explore some of the biggest and most exciting names in the world of fashion in the neighborhood…

From Luxury Picks... 

Louis Vuitton | Gucci | Hermes | Fendi | Versace | Dior | Cartier | Christian Louboutin | Valentino | Balenciaga

...to New District Favorites:

THE KINGDOM

Featuring exclusive selections of shoes, handbags, ready-to-wear and accessories, The Kingdom offers the most renowned luxury fashion houses including Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Gucci, Fendi, Christian Louboutin, Givenchy, Balmain, Valentino, Manolo Blahnik, Golden Goose, Amina Muaddi, Bottega Veneta, Jimmy Choo, The Attico, Mugler, Paco Rabanne, and more.

140 NE 39th St. Suite 105, Miami, FL 33137

John Elliott

Focusing on custom fabric development, John Elliott creates functional and modern fits that are designed to build the core of a wardrobe. Known for carefully considered choices of materials and details, this minimalistic approach to luxury draws inspiration from the city of Los Angeles where the brand is based. Miami is the second flagship store, following Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood.

119 NE 41st Street, Miami, FL 33137

GANNI

From Copenhagen, GANNI is a contemporary, global fashion brand owned and led by husband-and-wife team, Ditte Reffstrup and Nicolaj Reffstrup. Inspired by the women that wear the brand, their mission is to create confident designs for the everyday. GANNI is ‘Scandi style 2.0’ – a new era of Scandinavian style full of unexpected details and personality - designed to reflect the laid-back attitude of Copenhagen, one that eschews trends, and celebrates individual style.

3906 NE 1st Ave. Miami, FL 33137

Chrome Hearts

Chrome Hearts, the luxury accessories, leather, and furniture company renowned for its sophisticated life-inspired designs, was conceived in 1988 by Richard Stark in Los Angeles. Since then, fashion & art’s place in contemporary culture has changed radically. Chrome Hearts Miami is a space where the retail “experience” as it’s been known is unhinged and the constant interplay between artists, designers and artisans under one roof will take center stage. The space is home to both emerging and established artists & designers handpicked to create pieces exclusively for this location.

4025 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, FL 33137

Balenciaga Men’s

Balenciaga is pleased to announce the opening of its Men's Pop Up in the Miami Design District. With an eye-catching bright green storefront going two stories high, the industrial and utilitarian interior provides a refreshing contrast that is a design experience unto itself. The interior decoration has been created by Crosby Studios, who have most recently shown their designs in Art Basel 2019. The open floor plan allows for a seamless experience of the full Men's 2021 collection, from accessories to Ready to Wear.

140 NE 39th St, Suite 117, Miami, FL 33137

1:30PM-2:45PM | LUNCH BREAK

Indulge in a multitude of chef-driven experiences from a roster of exciting young purveyors and restaurateurs...

Mia Market

All that shopping’s definitely worked up an appetite! Mia Market, the chef-driven food hall platform features a thoughtfully curated mix of local food and beverage talent - an ever so perfect pit-stop to refuel before your MDD explorations continue. Offering an elevated food hall experience that encourages the exploration of shareable dishes in beautiful, inviting, and communal spaces, Mia Market fosters a spirit of exploration by connecting people through food. Vendors include: The Bar at Mia Market, Coop, Dal Plin, Hot Lime, Foirette, Ruby Dee's, Jaffa, Sabal Coffee, Tran An, Yasu Tanaka, and more coming soon.

140 NE 39th St. Suite 241, Miami, FL 33137

2:45PM-5:30PM | BEAUTY IN THE DISTRICT

Because you deserve a little pampering after all...

Dr. Barbara Sturm Boutique & Spa

Globally recognized German aesthetics doctor, Dr. Barbara Sturm just brought her groundbreaking anti-inflammatory philosophy and non-surgical anti-aging skin treatments to the Miami Design District neighborhood with the recent opening of her first Miami boutique and spa outpost. The brand-new Spa serves as a place of skincare education and advanced scientific innovations where you can enjoy the full range of Dr. Barbara Sturm’s most renowned treatments. Pop in and get pampered with one of her ‘Summer Facial’ treatments, which is exclusive to Miami and LA, or opt for a personalized consultation to find out what your skin really needs!

140 NE 39th Street, Suite 111, Miami, Florida 33137

IGK Salon

The pampering shouldn’t stop there when the future of hairdressing awaits. At IGK Salon, French stylists Frank and Leo Izquierdo specialize in framing customers' faces with expertly crafted haircuts and color trends. The 3,500-square-foot space features a uniquely artsy decor, bustling playlists, cheerful staffers, and a regular stream of locals, models, and celebrity DJs. Choose from over 20 stylists to tend to your locks and refresh your look from color and cuts, to styling and blow-outs.

3930 NE 2nd Ave. Miami, FL 33137

The Fuel Stop

The Fuel Stop is a fast-track regeneration center offering advanced European technologies for immediate results and long-term benefits, where customers can treat their brains and bodies with advanced, cutting-edge services typically reserved for professional athletes and ageless celebrities. Mila J. teamed up with Bio-Age Clinic of Dr.Paukman, and their Fast-Track Regeneration concept provides all necessary tools for holistic regeneration: from extensive blood testing and bio-identical hormone replacement to advanced detoxification, anti-inflammatory, and immune-building customized treatments.

140 NE 39th Street, Suite 207, Miami, FL 33137

5:30PM | AFTERNOON PICK-ME-UP

Love logos and all things caffeinated? Oh do we have the spots for you…

Fendi Caffé @ OTL

From now until July 5th, you can partake in what seems to be causing the most buzz in the neighborhood, and visit the new Fendi Caffé takeover of OTL! Dressed with psychedelic yellow walls and multicolored FF Vertigo logos— revisited through a Seventies’ filter and inspired by the FENDI Summer 2021 Capsule— the cafe includes a fusion of local and Italian favorite bites and beverages, including a signature FF logo cappuccino served in porcelain cups decorated with FENDI’s signature Pequin striped motif. Your mid-afternoon pick-me-up has never looked so glamorous, and you’ve definitely never wanted to take a picture of it more.

160 NE 40th St. Miami, FL 33137

Baccarat Boutique B Bar & Lounge

Baccarat invites you to live the unique experience of sipping a coffee, tea or cappuccino; enjoy a bubbling coupe of champagne, a glass of wine, or discover their signature cocktails and taste their delicious bites. All served in Baccarat, surrounded by Baccarat’s beautiful and colorful crystal.

140 NE 39th St., Suite 210, Miami, FL 33137

7:30PM-9:30PM | DINNER-TIME

And last, but most certainly not least, dinner-time!

ZZ's Club

Located in the heart of the Miami Design District, ZZ’s Club is a two-story Japanese restaurant and membership club, helmed by critically acclaimed global restaurant company, Major Food Group (MFG). Within the heart of the first-floor dining area lies a 14-seat marble sushi counter, presided over by two of New York City's most revered and beloved sushi chefs, Masa Ito and Kevin Kim. Upstairs, a second level of uninhibited decadence boasts exclusive amenities with an outdoor cigar lounge, backgammon terrace, and subterranean cocktail bar. A true architectural wonder, opulently designed by the renowned Ken Fulk, ZZ’s Club reflects a playful yet glamorous environment, offering the highest caliber of cuisine, personalized hospitality, and unmatched amenities, all under one roof.

151 NE 41st St. Suite 117 Miami, Florida 33137

COTE

COTE, the Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-nominated KOREAN STEAKHOUSE™ and vision of proprietor Simon Kim, emulate its flagship, high-energy New York City-based locale synonymous with marrying the fun and fire of Korean Barbeque with the hallmarks of a classic, regal American Steakhouse. The result is a unique and convivial atmosphere infusing a fine dining experience with world-class ingredients and service complemented with a show-stopping beverage program.

3900 NE 2nd Ave. Miami, FL 33137

*BONUS ROUND*

This one’s for the KIDS...

Your kids don’t just want to watch you have all the fun. Lucky for you, there are plenty of family fun activities and exciting things for them to get involved in as well.  At State of Kid, they aim to make parenting a little less stressful and a lot more fun, offering a wide variety of activities such as prenatal classes, mommy & me play, art, dance, science and more - for all youngsters up to age five. There’s also the famed Museum Garage, one of the neighborhood’s most talked about architectural wonders that has a few surprises inside. Make your way to the garage’s vibrant rooftop and you’ll find a bunch of hidden slides and climbing nets that’ll playfully lead you down each floor without needing to take the elevator. Curated by parents and loved by kids, Nini And Loli provides the finest parenting essentials including infant & toddler apparel, toys, books, baby gear and more. Lastly, Baby Dior is set to debut in the neighborhood on July 18th!