The Sawgrass Mills mall is home to more than 350 name-brand stores and outlets. One of the largest shopping malls in Florida, Sawgrass is touted as the state’s second-most-popular attraction after Disney World. Encompassing 440 acres (180 hectares) of space, this alligator-shaped mall attracts more than 26 million shoppers every year. Join locals and tourists in hunting for discounts and enjoy a meal at one of the complex’s two enormous food courts or dine-in restaurants.
To maximize your shopping time, print off a map of the stores and plan your itinerary before your visit. Take advantage of the free bus that loops between the mall’s main entrances. Depending on how many stores you want to visit, you can easily spend a full day in this massive complex. When you’re ready for a break, head to one of the mall’s food courts or see a movie at the 23-screen theatre.
The mall’s outdoor Colonnade Outlets are a particularly pleasant place for browsing, with their attractive Mediterranean-inspired façades. Visit the Neiman Marcus Last Call Outlet for an excellent selection of high-end sunglasses, as well as both men’s and women’s clothing. Continue down the covered walkways to find discontinued purses and accessories at the Coach Outlet Store, which is restocked every week.
Inside the mall, shop for last season’s shoes at the Nine West Outlet and designer jeans at Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th. Head to the clearance area at the back of the Banana Republic Factory Store for casual basics or stock up on athletic gear at the Nike Factory Store.
The Sawgrass Mills mall is located 13 miles (21 kilometres) northwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Drive and use the free on-site parking or use the free shuttle service from selected hotels in Fort Lauderdale. It’s also possible to reach the mall by bus from Fort Lauderdale Airport. Weekends are typically quite busy, so plan your visit early on a weekday morning to avoid the biggest crowds.
