Fifty years ago, the United States was in the middle of the Vietnam War; Bob Dylan released Blonde on Blonde; Star Trek aired its first episode, "The Man Trap"; and the Bal Harbour Shops celebrated its first anniversary. A lot has changed since the 450,000-square-foot mall — which was built on the site of a demolished World War II barracks — first opened its doors in 1965, including the construction of a second level of stores inside the white-painted open-air center. But the shopping mecca has maintained its rep as the Magic City's go-to destination for all things designer and luxury. Whether you're looking to pamper yourself with a Michael Kors handbag or some Tory Burch flats, Bal Harbour still stocks more high-end fashion than anyone else in town to make you feel and look like a million bucks. But that doesn't mean your net worth has to be in the seven-figure range to enjoy a trip here. There's a comfortable outpost of Books & Books with thousands of titles to peruse and fresh Italian fare on the menu at Carpaccio. And there's no law against spending an hour or two window shopping at Chanel, Tiffany & Co., or the dozens of other Milan-approved boutiques that are well out of most Miamians' price range.
Readers' choice: Aventura Mall