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When you’re putting together a trip itinerary, you might think about scenic areas, national landmarks, or even great restaurants, if you’re a foodie. A mall might not be top of mind. But it should be if you’re visiting South Florida. While the Mall of America in Minnesota is the largest mall in the U.S., the largest outlet mall in the country is Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise, Florida. It has over 350 stores, including an impressive number of luxury outlet shops. If you’re someone who loves to shop and appreciates a good bargain, it’s the kind of place where you can spend an entire day or more. But you might need to bring an extra empty suitcase for all your new purchases.
The massive mall was built in the shape of an alligator, which is befitting a place that’s not far from the Everglades (Florida’s wildly underrated national park). Depending on traffic and tolls, it’s about an hour drive from West Palm Beach or the heart of Miami, and only 20 minutes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
The mall is the second most popular tourist attraction in the region, only beaten by Orlando’s theme parks, with millions of people visiting each year, according to the Miami Herald. Plenty of people add it to their pre- or post-cruise itinerary, and it’s particularly popular with South American visitors, per the Miami New Times. You can get a third-party bus tour to the mall, and Gregg Goodman, former president of Simon Property Group, which owns Sawgrass Mills, told WLRN, “These tour operators have actually told us that they have to bring in a second bus for when people leave in order to bring in the luggage.”
Sawgrass Mills lets you get luxury goods at a (relatively) bargain price
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Sawgrass Mills is nearly a mile from one end to the other, if you don’t make any detours into any shops. So make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes. It’s split up into three main sections, each with its own vibe and something for just about everyone. The main and oldest section of the mall is The Mills where you can find shops like Bloomingdale’s, Burlington, and H&M. Then there’s The Oasis, an open-air section where you can find affordable spots like Nordstrom Rack and an Old Navy Outlet. It also has many of the mall’s restaurants, including Cheesecake Factory and Yard House, as well as a multi-screen movie theater that shows Hollywood hits, as well as some foreign films.
The newest section is The Colonnade Outlets. It’s another open-air section of the mall, and it has some of the swankiest shops, like Prada, Gucci, and Burberry. It also has one of just three Christian Louboutin outlets in the country.
There are about 11,000 parking spaces, and if you’re someone who’s prone to forgetting where you parked, you might want to take advantage of the valet parking option. Beyond shopping and dining, the mall has an escape room, and there’s even a hotel adjacent to the mall. AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Sawgrass Mills/Sunrise has 174 rooms, making for a convenient place to get off your feet after a day of shopping.