I’ll admit it — I used to roll my eyes at outdoor malls. They always felt like the same ten chain stores rearranged under a different sky. Then a friend dragged me to Dania Pointe on a random Saturday, and I ended up staying for six hours, three restaurants, and one very unplanned Anthropologie candle purchase. This place changed my mind.
Dania Pointe sits right off I-95 near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and it’s become one of my go-to recommendations for anyone spending a day in the Dania Beach or Fort Lauderdale area — whether you’ve got a long layover, a weekend trip, or you just live nearby and need a proper afternoon out. Here’s everything I’ve learned from multiple trips, so you can plan yours better than I planned mine.
Dania Pointe is a 102-acre open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment center at 139 S Compass Way in Dania Beach, FL, featuring stores like Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, American Eagle, and Kendra Scott, restaurants including Cooper’s Hawk and Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar, and entertainment like Bowlero, Regal Cinemas, and Improv Comedy Club. It’s free to visit, open daily, and located just off I-95 near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Dania Pointe at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | 139 S Compass Way, Dania Beach, FL 33004 |
| Size | 102 acres, nearly 1 million sq. ft. of retail and dining |
| Admission | Free; parking is free too |
| General hours | Mon–Thu 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (individual store hours vary) |
| Location perks | Just off I-95, minutes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport and Port Everglades |
| Notable stores | Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, American Eagle, Aerie, Kendra Scott, Tommy Bahama, Build-A-Bear |
| Notable restaurants | Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Rodizio Grill, Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar, Firebirds, First Watch, Padrino’s Cuban Cuisine |
| Entertainment | Bowlero bowling, Regal Cinemas, Improv Comedy Club |
| Live events | Live music on The Lawn Friday and Saturday nights, 6–10 p.m. |
| Best for | Shopping, date nights, family outings, layover days |
Where Dania Pointe Is and Why the Location Is So Convenient
Dania Pointe is located at 139 S Compass Way in Dania Beach, right at I-95 and Stirling Road, with three separate I-95 access points feeding directly into the property. What makes it genuinely useful — not just pretty — is how close it sits to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades cruise port. I’ve personally used it as a “kill three hours before my flight” spot more than once, and it works perfectly for that.
If you’re building a longer South Florida trip around it, I’d also point you toward my Florida Keys first-timer’s guide — Dania Beach sits right on the route down, so it’s an easy stop on the way in or out.
Hours and What to Expect at the Gate
There’s no admission fee here — it’s a free, open-air center, and parking is free too, which honestly still feels like a small miracle in South Florida. General mall hours run Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., though individual stores and restaurants often keep their own hours — some restaurants and the Bowlero stay open later, especially on weekends.
My honest tip: if you’re coming specifically for shopping, go earlier in the day. If you’re coming for dinner, drinks, or the Friday/Saturday live music on The Lawn, evenings are where Dania Pointe really comes alive.
Shopping: What’s Actually Worth Your Time
Dania Pointe has grown into a legitimately solid retail lineup — not the overwhelming size of a place like Sawgrass Mills, but a curated, walkable mix that doesn’t feel exhausting. Some of my personal stops:
- Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters for anything home decor or clothing related — this is where that candle happened
- American Eagle, Aerie, and OFFLINE by Aerie for casual and athletic wear
- Kendra Scott for jewelry that makes a great last-minute gift
- Tommy Bahama for resort wear that actually makes sense once you step back outside into the Florida heat
- Build-A-Bear Workshop if you’ve got kids (or, no judgment, if you don’t)
- Benefit Cosmetics BrowBar for a quick beauty stop between stores
There’s also a Nike Clearance Store if you’re hunting for a deal, plus specialty shops that rotate seasonally.
Where to Eat: My Honest Restaurant Picks
This is where Dania Pointe genuinely surprised me. The restaurant lineup punches above what you’d expect from an outdoor shopping center:
- Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant — great for a proper sit-down dinner with a full wine list
- Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar — my go-to for outdoor seating and a tropical cocktail after a few hours of walking
- Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse — go hungry, seriously
- Firebirds Wood Fired Grill — reliable, comfortable, good for groups
- First Watch — my favorite breakfast/brunch stop if you’re starting your day here instead of ending it
- Padrino’s Cuban Cuisine and InRamen Asian Street Eatery — both great if you want something faster and more casual
- Haagen-Dazs — self-explanatory, and a smart way to close out the day
Entertainment: More Than Just Shopping and Dinner
What sets Dania Pointe apart from a standard strip mall is the entertainment layer built into the property. Bowlero covers bowling and arcade games if you want something active, Regal Cinemas handles movie nights, and the Improv Comedy Club is a great option if you’re looking for a date night with a little more personality than dinner-and-a-movie.
On The Lawn, a grassy central gathering space, Dania Pointe runs live music every Friday and Saturday night from 6 to 10 p.m. — free, family-friendly, and one of my favorite ways to spend a South Florida evening without spending much money at all. The property also hosts a Little Free Library on The Lawn and rotating seasonal events like Night Markets and Wellness Wednesdays, so it’s worth checking their event calendar before you go if you want to time your visit around something specific.
Small bit of trivia I love sharing: the land Dania Pointe now sits on used to be home to Florida’s largest wooden roller coaster — a fun contrast to what’s there now.
What’s Coming: Hotels, Apartments, and a Major Corporate Move
Dania Pointe isn’t just retail — it’s a genuine mixed-use development. The property already includes two Marriott hotels and the Avery luxury apartments, and it’s slated to become the new global headquarters for Spirit Airlines. If you’re the type who likes watching a neighborhood grow (I am), it’s worth keeping an eye on this corner of Broward County over the next few years.
If bigger-picture Florida growth and relocation trends interest you, I dug into a lot of this in my piece on why people are leaving Florida — developments like Dania Pointe are part of the flip side of that story, where certain pockets of the state are booming even as others see people move out.
My Honest Tips for Visiting Dania Pointe
- Go on a weeknight if you want it quieter. Weekends, especially Friday and Saturday evenings during live music, get genuinely busy.
- Eat before 7 p.m. if you want a table without a wait at the more popular spots like Cooper’s Hawk or the Marlin Bar.
- Wear real walking shoes. It’s a sprawling outdoor property — cute sandals are tempting, but I’ve regretted that choice more than once here.
- Check individual store hours, especially on Sundays, since several close earlier than the property’s general hours suggest.
- If you’re near the airport with time to kill, this beats sitting in a terminal — it’s close enough to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International that I’ve used it as a proper layover activity.
- Bring a light layer for dinner. Evenings cool down just enough that outdoor seating at places like the Marlin Bar feels perfect, not sweaty.
Pairing Dania Pointe With the Rest of Your South Florida Trip
If you’re using Dania Beach as a home base, or just passing through on the way somewhere else, Dania Pointe is an easy half-day (or full evening) to slot in. I’d pair it with a beach morning at nearby Hollywood Beach or Fort Lauderdale Beach, then head to Dania Pointe once the sun starts to soften in the late afternoon.
If your South Florida trip is stretching further south, my Florida Keys guide covers everything you need for the drive down, and if you’re comparing this kind of outdoor lifestyle shopping district to others I’ve covered on the Gulf Coast, I think you’ll enjoy my St. Armands Circle guide in Sarasota — different vibe, same idea of shopping, eating, and lingering outside all in one spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dania Pointe free to visit?
Yes. There’s no admission fee, and parking is free as well.
What are Dania Pointe’s hours?
General hours are Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Individual stores and restaurants may keep different hours.
Where is Dania Pointe located?
Dania Pointe is at 139 S Compass Way, Dania Beach, FL 33004, right off I-95 near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades.
What stores are at Dania Pointe?
Notable stores include Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, American Eagle, Aerie, Kendra Scott, Tommy Bahama, Build-A-Bear Workshop, and a Nike Clearance Store.
What restaurants are at Dania Pointe?
Dining options include Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, First Watch, Padrino’s Cuban Cuisine, and InRamen Asian Street Eatery.
Is there entertainment at Dania Pointe besides shopping?
Yes. Dania Pointe has a Bowlero bowling and arcade center, a Regal Cinemas movie theater, an Improv Comedy Club, and free live music on The Lawn every Friday and Saturday night from 6 to 10 p.m.
Is Dania Pointe good for a layover from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport?
Yes. It’s just minutes from FLL airport and offers shopping, dining, and entertainment, making it a solid way to spend a few hours during a longer layover.
Is Dania Pointe family-friendly?
Yes. Between Build-A-Bear Workshop, casual dining options, Bowlero, and the free weekend live music on The Lawn, it works well for a family outing as much as a date night.
Final Thoughts
Dania Pointe won me over precisely because it doesn’t try too hard. It’s not flashy in the way some of the bigger South Florida malls are — it’s just genuinely well put together, easy to walk, and stocked with enough good restaurants and little surprises (hello, Little Free Library) that a quick stop always turns into a longer one. Whether you’re killing time before a flight, planning a proper date night, or just need somewhere pleasant to wander on a Saturday, it’s earned its spot on my South Florida list — and I have a feeling it’ll earn a spot on yours too.
