Bayside Marketplace, Waterfront marketplace in downtown Miami, United States.
Bayside Marketplace is an open-air complex of two retail structures, the North and South Pavilions, on 16 acres beside Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami, next to the city marina. It opened with about 235,000 square feet of shops and restaurants. The cream-walled buildings have covered walkways on both levels, and the Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel rises behind them.
The marketplace opened in 1987 as part of a downtown waterfront development project to create a shopping center near the port. This project helped revitalize the waterfront and establish a new gathering place for locals and visitors.
The name Bayside comes from its position on the shore of Biscayne Bay. The complex opened with 77 minority-owned businesses, and its second-floor food court and a space for local musical acts were part of the original layout. Since January 2024 the PIER 5 venue has hosted free live acts, cultural performances and DJs, with a Rum Bar and Black Market Miami on the second floor.
The marketplace operates daily and sits close to the port with direct access to parking and water taxi services. Arriving earlier in the day helps visitors walk around comfortably and explore the shops without feeling crowded.
On 1 January 2024 a large police response to reports of teenagers fighting and setting off fireworks at the mall gave rise to unfounded conspiracy theories that Bayside was being attacked by aliens; police said videos of giant extraterrestrials simply showed officers walking beside their shadows.
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