Bayside Marketplace
Open-air waterfront marketplace at Bayfront Park — boat tours, food court, and the launch point for almost every Miami boat trip.
Distance
2 mi
Drive time
~8 min
Route
Biscayne Blvd N to 401 Biscayne Blvd (next to Bayfront Park)
Best window
November through April for comfortable evenings on the bay
About Bayside Marketplace
Bayside Marketplace is a two-level, open-air waterfront mall on Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami — about 2 miles from Brickell and a 5–10 minute walk from the AmericanAirlines Arena (Kaseya Center). It's where almost every Miami boat tour, jet-ski rental, and Biscayne Bay sightseeing cruise launches from, with 100+ shops, kiosks, and restaurants wrapped around a live-music plaza. For groups, it's the easiest 'meet here' spot in the city — paid garage, big food court, and the boat docks all in one stop.
Why it's worth the drive
- Departure point for Island Queen Cruises, Thriller Miami Speedboat tours, and most Biscayne Bay celebrity-home boat tours.
- Free live music on the central stage most afternoons and evenings — salsa, Latin pop, reggae.
- Walk to Bayfront Park, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science.
- Two-level food court plus full-service restaurants — easy to feed a large group without a reservation.
Things to do
What groups actually do at Bayside Marketplace
Biscayne Bay boat tour
Island Queen's 90-minute Millionaire's Row cruise is the classic — passes Star Island and the celebrity homes.
Thriller Miami Speedboat
45-minute high-speed boat ride through Government Cut and around the cruise port — best for adult groups.
Bayfront Park
32-acre downtown waterfront park next door — sand volleyball, the Pepper Fountain, and free outdoor yoga.
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
Herzog & de Meuron-designed waterfront art museum about 5 min walk north.
Frost Museum of Science
Aquarium, planetarium, and science exhibits next to PAMM — great rainy-day backup.
Kaseya Center
Home of the Miami Heat — game-night dinner-and-drinks loop with Bayside is one of the easier downtown nights out.
Group + van tips
Driving a 12-15 passenger van to Bayside Marketplace
- Bayside has its own paid parking garage on the south end with standard-height clearance — fits 12-15 passenger vans.
- The Miami Trolley (free) connects Brickell, downtown, and Bayside — easy way to leave the van parked while exploring.
- Boat tours often have a 15-minute boarding window — arrive 30 min before departure if your group is 8+ people.
- Bayside is open later than most downtown — most stores close at 10 PM, restaurants and the plaza go later.
Bayside's on-site garage fits standard Sprinters and Transits; the larger Miami Parking Authority lots on Biscayne also work.
When to go
Best time to visit
November through April for comfortable evenings on the bay. Sunset boat tours (3:30 PM and 5:30 PM in winter) are the most-photographed time slot. Avoid afternoon thunderstorm windows in summer for the speedboat tours.
Need a van for the trip?
Our Miami fleet of 12-15 passenger Sprinters and Ford Transits delivers free to MIA, FLL, the Port of Miami, and South Beach hotels.
See Miami vansPlan your visit
Official Bayside Marketplace resources
Bayside Marketplace — official site
www.baysidemarketplace.com
Island Queen Cruises (Biscayne Bay tours)
www.islandqueencruises.com
Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures
thrillermiami.com
Greater Miami CVB — downtown guide
www.miamiandbeaches.com
More background
Bayside Marketplace FAQ
How far is Bayside Marketplace from MIA airport?
About 8 miles and 15–20 minutes via SR-836 E (Dolphin Expressway) to I-95 N to the Biscayne Blvd exit.
Do I need a reservation for the Biscayne Bay boat tour?
Walk-ups are usually fine for Island Queen on weekdays, but groups of 8+ should book online to guarantee adjacent seating. Sunset tours sell out in season.
Can I park a 15-passenger van at Bayside?
Yes — the on-site Bayside garage has standard 7-ft clearance and accepts 12-15 passenger Sprinters and Transits. Hourly rates apply.
Is Bayside walkable to the Heat game?
Yes — the Kaseya Center (formerly AmericanAirlines Arena) is a 5-minute walk north along Biscayne Boulevard.
More day trips