Travel guide to Miami
Looking for the best travel guide to Miami after covid? Are you ready to catch some sun? Do you want a beachside vacation that you can indulge in all year round? Miami is the perfect spot for you. It has a unique blend of arts and culture, along with its world-renowned beaches. You can visit Miami by itself, or as part of a Florida road trip along with Orlando. It’s one of the most popular vacation spots in the United States and should be on everyone’s bucket list. This ultimate travel guide to Miami will help you plan your perfect time for the Sunshine State.
About Miami
Miami is on the southeast coast of Florida and is full of Latin American culture. It’s even been nicknamed the ‘Capital of Latin America’. The Port at Miami is one of the busiest cruise routes in the world, making it a hub for international tourists. If you’re planning a cruise out of the port, why not spend a few days before or after your cruise exploring the city?
Did you know that Miami is the only major city in the US that was founded by a woman? Julia Tuttle, from Cleveland, was the original owner of the land. Every neighbourhood in Miami is different, and you don’t want to miss spots like Little Havana and Coral Way.
It has something to offer everyone – from stunning architecture to a bustling night life.
Best Time to Visit Miami
Deciding when the best time is to visit it is a decision you’ll have to make.
You will want to figure out your budget and what sites are top of your itinerary before jumping into deciding when to visit. If you’re chasing the sun, you’ll want to explore it and its beaches during the height of the summer. You’ll have to be prepared to pay a steep mark-up in prices during tourist season, as well as battling against both the domestic and international tourists. Be prepared for the humidity, as well as the occasional Florida rainstorm. You’ll want to pack a rain jacket in with your shorts and bikinis.
If you have flexibility in your dates, try to visit between November and March. The weather is still pleasant enough to visit the beach, especially if you’re coming from a colder climate. You can enjoy the benefit of off-peak rates and not having to worry about hurricane season, which ends in November.
If you’re a runner, you can coordinate your trip around the Miami Marathon which is held at the end of January each year. There is also the Life in Colour international music festival that happens in January. For fans of tennis, you won’t want to miss the Miami Open, which happens in March.
In reality, it’s never a bad time to visit Miami.
How to get there
Can you picture yourself on the beach? You can have a cocktail in one hand and your favourite book in another. You’re probably wondering how you get to the tropical paradise that is Miami.
If you’re flying to Miami, you have the option of using either Miami International Airport or Fort Lauderdale. The latter option is only 30 miles away, and you might be able to find a cheaper fare with that route. If you arrive at the International Airport, you can grab the Miami Beach Airport Flyer with the Metrobus for less than $3. The metro runs from the airport to downtown Miami, meaning you can get straight to the party. If you want to take a taxi from the airport, expect to pay around $20 to $35 depending on where you are getting dropped off at.
Fans of the Amtrak train service can jump on the Silver Service and Silver Star routes which take you from New York to Miami. You can watch the world go by as you travel into Miami’s Amtrak station before grabbing an Uber or Lyft over to your accommodation.
Best Places to Stay in Miami
Miami Hotels
Hilton Cabana Miami Beach
You’ll want to stay at this hotel for its amazing outdoor pools and first-floor pool deck. It has its own fitness center and offers retro-inspired rooms. You can opt for a full ocean view room if you want to fully immerse yourself in the beach lifestyle. The Hilton has an on-site restaurant that serves American-style cuisine throughout the day, as well as poolside dining. This beachfront hotel is perfect for anyone looking for a quiet getaway.
Nautilus by Arlo
This 1950s inspired hotel is the perfect luxury vacation spot. It has its own private beach with spa services and an on-site restaurant. The South Beach area is just a 10-minute walk away from this hotel. You can visit the 24-hour fitness centre and lounge in the chairs at the beach with a full food and beverage service. If you’re a keen golfer, the Miami Beach Golf Club is just a five-minute drive away.
The Palms Hotel & Spa
The Palms is an oceanfront hotel with its own outdoor pool. This tropical inspired hotel has an on-site AVEDA spa that provides every treatment you could ever need. You can experience al fresco dining on the terrace with freshly sourced ingredients or sit at the Tiki Bar for poolside drinks. It’s just 12 miles away from Miami International Airport and is the perfect mix of beachside and urban city life.
Grand Beach Hotel Surfside
If you’re a couple taking a long weekend vacation, then the Grand Beach Hotel is perfect for you. It offers a beachfront view with 2 oceanfront pools, a rooftop pool, and 2 bars. You can enjoy four hot tubs, as well as a fitness centre and boutique gift shop. The on-site food and drink selection ranges from gelato treats to cocktails and French cuisine. This luxury hotel has its own private beach if you want to enjoy some peace and quiet.
Airbnb
If you want to immerse yourself in the culture and nightlife of Miami, then an Airbnb might be the perfect accommodation for you. You can choose between guest houses, suites, apartments, and private homes. If you choose to stay at an Airbnb, you’ll want to choose a neighborhood with good transport links and that you think you’ll spend plenty of time in.
Airbnb accommodation is a great option if you’re travelling with friends or young children and want some space. You can also take advantage of long-stay discounts if you intend to explore all that Miami has to offer.
The Best Places to Eat in Miami
When you visit Miami, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink. You’ll find everything from oriental cuisine through to little food trucks serving up a feast.
If you’re a foodie, you’ll want to visit La Mar by Gaston Acurio at the Mandarin Oriental. Gaston is a celebrity chef known for his dramatic dishes, and the restaurant has stunning views of Biscayne Bay, as well as the Miami skyline. His Peruvian food will suit any palette and you can even experience a two-hour Sunday brunch. I recommend grabbing a cocktail at its YAKU bar before enjoying a long dinner ahead of a nightclubbing.
You can’t visit Miami without indulging in Cuban cuisine.
You’ll want to make sure that you try a Cuban coffee, one of the go-to drinks of any native Miamian. It’s a 50/50 drink of dark coffee and frothy milk. You will usually find it served with Cuban bread, which you can drunk into the coffee. For lunch, try a Cuban sandwich, which comes with ham, pork, swiss cheese, yellow mustard, and dill pickles. The sandwich comes on Cuban bread, which is similar in taste to a baguette.
Make a point of visiting Little Havana. Trust me, you won’t regret it. La Carreta opened up in Little Havana in 1976. It offers traditional family-style Cuban dining. It offers ‘Abuela style’ food and is famous for its coffee. If you want something with a twist in Little Havana, visit Versailles. It serves Cuban cuisine with décor that is inspired by the famous Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. Although it’s full of golden chandeliers, it has a casual feel.
If you want to grab a mojito, then you need to take a trip to Larios on the Beach. This restaurant brings together Cuban music and cuisine, and even has a section of its menu that it calls ‘Calorie Conscious Cuban’. If you have any dietary requirements, then this is the perfect spot for you.
Best things to do and see in Miami
You can’t go to Miami without visiting the beach. Bring your favorite sunglasses and pick a spot on the sand to work on your tan and watch the sunset. You’ll get a beautiful view of the Miami skyline, and you can explore its Art Deco district after spending a few hours on the beach. You will know the Art Deco district when you see it. The area is famous for its pastel buildings and neon signs. It’s the perfect area to explore when you’re looking for a quick bite to eat.
No travel guide is ever complete without a look at the shops. The Bayside Market is the ideal place to pick up some souvenirs to commemorate your visit to Miami. It offers a mixture of independent shops and restaurants. You can easily pass away an afternoon exploring everything that the marketplace has to offer.
Dolphin Mall is one of the largest shopping centres in Miami. The mall offers a mixture of stores and restaurants, with something for every aesthetic. You can check out classic American brands like Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and Hollister. The Dolphin Mall also offers several outlet stores if you’re looking to grab yourself a bargain.
Miami is famous for its beaches. The water is the best place from which to see Miami in all its glory. You can take a speedboat sightseeing tour of Miami, which is perfect for thrill-seekers. For anyone who wants to experience Cuban culture, you can take a food and walking tour of Little Havana.
There’s no better way to make your trip memorable than by skydiving in Miami. You’ll jump from two miles in the air for 40 seconds at 120 miles per hour. The adrenaline rush will have you buzzing for days. If you’re a first-time skydiver, Miami is the perfect place to take your first skydive. For anyone who wants to experience it from the sky without jumping out of a plane, you can take a helicopter ride above the skyline.
If you’re visiting Miami with kids, then the Frost Museum of Science should be top of your itinerary. It’s open 365 days a year and showcases the power of science. The museum is conveniently located on the Metromover, meaning you can get straight there from Downtown of it.
Wynwood Walls is one of the most popular free experiences that you can explore in Miami. It’s an outdoor museum that showcases international street art. Every year, new art is added by up-and-coming street artists. It’s known as the “museum of streets” and attracts visitors from all over the world.
When Are You Going to Visit Miami?
I can already smell the amazing Cuban cuisine. Miami has something to offer everyone, and it’s impossible to fit it all into one travel guide. You can dance the night away with a mojito in hand or spend a quiet vacation at a private beach. There is no wrong way to experience in it. You could easily spend weeks on the beach in Miami or visit it for a quick weekend getaway.
It’s one city that you won’t want to miss off your travel bucket list. If you’re planning a cruise out of PortMiami, why not spend a couple of extra days at the beach? Miami is one of my favorite places to visit and I know you’ll love it!
Looking for other cities in the US to visit this summer? Check out the metropolitan girl travel guide to new york city.
