Aventura Guide

Translated into Spanish, Aventura means “adventure,” and visitors find it lives up to its name. Years ago, Aventura was little more than a sea of high-rises and a mall. But today, it’s one of the liveliest areas of Greater Miami and Miami Beach, a place where new restaurants pop up all the time and a place that people from across the world call home. Whether you’re visiting family or enjoying a few days of vacation, here’s the inside scoop on things to do.

Shop at Aventura Mall

Before Aventura was a hotspot for dining and entertainment, it was a shopping destination. And Aventura Mall (the largest mall in Florida and among the largest in the United States) is still its biggest draw. You can peruse the racks at big-name department stores like Nordstrom and Macy’s or shop retail outlets from Fendi, 7 For All Mankind, Gucci and other top brands. The mall is home to over 300 retailers, and even a vitamin injections shop, The B-12 Store. After shopping, refuel at one of the mall’s many restaurants.

Stay, Splash and Play

Make your Aventura home base at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, with its adults-only pool and two 18-hole championship golf courses. A resort stay gets you access to tee times usually reserved for members.

The resort is home to Tidal Cove, a waterpark that’s fun for all ages. Book a cabana and kick back with cocktails between trips down the waterslides. The park also offers a winding lazy river surrounded by tropical landscaping and a FlowRider simulator if you want to try surfing. A Kids Cove features an emoji-themed, 4,000-square-foot swimming pool and a splash pad. And if you’ve got a big group, the park offers a special shaded party deck with catering.

The resort also has best-in-class restaurants, and cocktails are served at Soff’s lounge in the lobby.

Catch a Movie

AMC Aventura 24 at Aventura Mall has been a cinematic destination for Miamians for decades, offering the latest releases on several screens. The theater also includes an IMAX screen, reclining seats, food and bar service, Dolby surround sound, and other amenities.

Visit the Parks

Founders Park is Aventura’s largest park, a 12-acre swath of green space offering a quarter-mile exercise trail with workout equipment, clay tennis courts, and a splash pad. In the southern part of the park, you’ll find pickleball courts and a short walk overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Waterways Park offers a similar exercise path with a couple of fitness stations, and a large, lighted athletic field. At Peace Park, you can sit by the water and enjoy the breeze off the Intracoastal while the kids play under a covered playground.

Find Family-Friendly Fun

Aventura Mall’s iconic Slide Tower is both an art installation and a whimsical tunnel slide that winds 50 feet down. It’s open to ride Friday through Sunday. The state-of-the-art Aventura Arts and Cultural Center, an intimate 330-seat venue, hosts concerts and summer theater camps for kids. Near JCPenney in Aventura Mall, little ones can run through rainbows and smiling mountains in air-conditioned comfort at the artist-designed Rainbow Valley Playground.

Where to Eat

JOEY

JOEY Aventura, located in The Abbey at Aventura, is a Canadian import with two levels of dining. Guests can look down at the bustling bar while enjoying food from across the world. Begin your meal with Japanese gyoza and Mediterranean hummus, then move on to sushi, Baja fish tacos or chicken parmesan. JOEY also serves one of Aventura’s top steak menus, with prime filet and New York strip available to pair with fresh lobster.

Motek

Motek is one of the most popular restaurants in Greater Miami and Miami Beach. Motek Aventura is a standout, offering sunny outdoor dining. Start with the signature prime beef hummus with some of the lightest, fluffiest pita you’ll ever find. The rest of the menu is long on grilled, marinated meats and fresh seafood. Motek Aventura is also a great option for lunch, where you can enjoy crispy falafel sandwiches and summer salads with watermelon and pistachio.

Eataly

Dining in Aventura goes beyond standard sit-down restaurants. Eataly Aventura is a massive Italian food hall where counters sell everything from pizza slices to fresh soppressata sandwiches and gelato. You can peruse aisles of imported Italian foods like pastas, sauces, olive oils and wines. Or do a little grocery shopping at Eataly's produce and meat markets. Traditional dining is also an option at La Pizza & La Pasta, the food hall’s full-service restaurant that’s ideal for big groups.

STK Steakhouse

STK Steakhouse Aventura embodies the chic, stylish elements STK is known for, with a meandering white curved ceiling, ultra-modern white seats and rounded booths, and LED lights that change color. The menu offers dry-aged steaks perfect for sharing, like the 28-oz. Porterhouse and 34-oz. Tomahawk. There’s also a broad selection of Wagyu beef, alongside a full raw bar with oysters and king crab legs. STK can open its dining room doors, creating a breezy, balmy indoor-outdoor space.

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar

For an interactive sushi experience, make a reservation at Kura Revolving Sushi Bar. This high-tech restaurant features a seemingly never-ending parade of sushi that rolls by on a belt, letting guests pick the dishes that look most enticing. The restaurant also has a mascot, Mutenmaru, who appears on a tablet screen and plays short animations for every five empty plates inserted into a slot at the table. Once 15 plates have been deposited, the table wins a Bikkura Pon prize to take home.

Insider Tip

For a fast, comfortable way to travel to and from Aventura, check out Brightline, the high-speed rail service. The Aventura station is located across the street from Aventura Mall. The train offers spacious seating, Wi-Fi and food and beverage service. The trip between Aventura and Downtown Miami takes about 22 minutes.