Sawgrass Mills Mall, one of the largest discount malls in Florida, can be accessed by car, bus, train or by private charter from anywhere in town. Less than 40 miles from Miami, the least expensive transportation is via Tri-Rail train to the Fort Lauderdale Station and transfer to BCT bus route 22 which drops off at the Sawgrass Mall Entrance.
A number of local charter bus services offer day trips to the Mall with pick up from Miami and Miami Beach area hotels (Sawgrass Express 305-651-7196). The most convenient method may be to rent a car for the day, take i-95 north to Sunrise Boulevard and head west to the Mall so you can set your own pace, lock bargains in the trunk and have as much time as you need to visit all the shops.
Before your visit, print out the mall floor plan from your home computer and check off your favorite shops so you know where to start your day. Because it is so easy to get overwhelmed with choices, having a simple strategy avoids exhaustion. If you are visiting with a group, a printed guide makes it easy to choose a rendezvous point to meet for lunch or a drink at day’s end to show off all your treasures.
South Florida visitors who love to shop should gather their credit cards, put on some sneakers and head to Sawgrass Mills Mall where the outlet shopping is second to none! The mall is a fashionista’s favorite resource for designer merchandise at more than half off the retail price at department store outlets including Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue which specialize in upscale clothing, accessories and gifts for the whole family. Just outside Saks, the Colonnade Shops are a separate premium designer area where Prada, Burberry, Coach, Max Mara and Ralph Lauren have name-brand shops with discounted logo handbags, cashmere sweaters, and all the latest looks. Inside the mall, explore 300 different stores with discount prices on Custo Barcelona, Giorgio Armani, BCBG, Calvin Klein, Nike and Tommy Hilfiger. Whether you are looking for shoes, electronics, menswear, makeup, athletic apparel or children’s clothing, there is something for everyone at the mall.
Divided into distinct shopping zones, Sawgrass has convenient rest areas with casual food courts so guests can stop for coffee, review their purchases and power up for the next round of bargain hunting. For a leisurely lunch, a cocktail or dinner after shopping, the Grand Lux Cafe, Cheesecake Factory, Rainforest Cafe and P.F. Chang’s China Bistro provide prompt table service day and night. A 23-screen movie theater with IMAX, a GameWorks arcade, and a Billiard Club make the mall a popular destination for locals and overnight guests who stay at nearby motels so they can return in the morning to shop, shop, shop again!
Sawgrass Mills Outlet Mall is located at 12801 West Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Open Monday through Saturday 10am-9:30pm and Sunday 11am-8pm, some restaurants and movies are opened later than the mall. Ample free parking.