Iconic Miami. Sunny beaches, Latin American cuisine and fresh seafood. Late nights and late mornings. A playground of those with money and connections, there is also much to explore, experience and discover for everyone.
Epic Things to do in Miami:
- Wynwood
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Millionaires Cruise
- South Beach and other beaches
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
- Everglades
- Key Largo – boating and snorkeling
Wynwood – this is my favorite place to go to in the Miami area. The area is super trendy right now and continues to develop. There are colorful murals on many of the buildings in the area and the Walls of Wynwood showcase some of the world’s best-known street artists. There are art galleries, quirky boutiques, craft breweries, stylish bistros and late-night bars. Even the sidewalks have art painted on them. It is such a fun place to discover and explore! Don’t miss it!
Restaurants – I could not even begin to start with the many outstanding restaurants that fill this area. I will say that I think South Beach is my least favorite area to eat in because many of the restaurants are geared towards the tourists and not the regulars, so they are not looking for repeat customers. If you eat at South Beach, take some time to research and discover one of the gems that is going to be a good fit for you and your wallet. Prices are high here so be prepared. And check to see if you need or can get reservations as many of the best places in South Beach either book months ahead or only seat on a first come first serve basis. Also note that most locals will not even attempt to go out to dinner before 8 pm. This is a late dinner crowd – preferring 8 pm – 10 pm as an ideal dinner time. Keep that in mind when making your own plans.
I also will add that I think that the city of Coral Cables has the best restaurants. There are so many great places here – high-quality food and a fun little area to wander around in. Worth checking out.
Much of the food in Miami has Latin American origins and it is fresh and delicious. Try something new. And don’t leave without sampling a Cuban sandwich, plantains and a mojito!
Shopping – There is plenty of places to shop. For great high-end shopping and lunch try Lincoln Road Mall in South Beach or the Brickell City Center. For budget shopping, lunch and great people watching you cannot beat the Dolphin Mall. Seriously, you must grab a drink and a seat in the courtyard outside and you will be entertained for hours just watching people come and go! If you are downtown Miami, there are some fun and touristy shops at Bayside Marketplace.
Millionaire’s Cruise – At Bayside Market, there are a couple of operators that offer some Biscayne Bay boat tours. I love this because you get an incredible view of the Miami skyline from the water, you see the Port of Miami, and some private islands as well as Millionaire’s Row – opulent, celebrity mansions. It is lighthearted and fun, and you will see things from the water that you would not otherwise have had an opportunity to see. The tours last about 90 minutes and are a great source of information and fun facts about the city and the celebrity homes.
South Beach – You do have to go at least once. Yes- the traffic is horrific, it is very touristy, expensive and hard to find parking. At a minimum, you should drive around Collins Ave and Ocean Drive and see the iconic South Beach with its fancy cars, beautiful art deco hotels, and the miles of beaches. Don’t forget to check out the cute life guard stations. Each station is a unique design and color. They are so fun. Start at South Pointe and take a long walk to check them out!
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens – If you like to take a step back in time, consider spending a few hours touring the Vizcaya. The historic home was the former estate of James Deering. It is located on Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove. The home is decorated extensively with period pieces and the gardens are stunning. A cooler day is perfect for getting lost in the gardens here and gazing out to sea.
Everglades – If you want to experience something completely opposite of the city, head west to the Everglades. Everglades National Park is a wetland preserve – a “River of Grass” that is the largest subtropical wilderness in the USA. It is a perfect opportunity to see alligators, and a variety of tropical birds. I highly suggest you take a tour of some kind. If you have a four-wheel drive, you should drive Loop Road. Otherwise, go out to Shark Valley or take an airboat tour. At Shark Valley you can walk around, take a tram ride or bring or rent a bike and ride a 15-mile loop trail. Watch out for alligators – I have never been here when I haven’t seen plenty of them! The airboat tours are another nice way to get out into the Everglades, look for wildlife and learn about this unique wetland.
The Keys – The Florida Keys are drivable from Miami, but I would not advise you to tackle anything too ambitious based on mileage. There is only one two lane road from Key Largo down to Key West and it can, depending on the day, season, holiday, be a very slow go! Instead, if you only have one day, I suggest a trip to Key Largo. The most epic things to do here are on the water – snorkeling and boating.
If you are familiar with boating and have the skill set (you do have to take a test to prove it) then definitely go to John Pennekamp. They rent nice, newer and well-maintained boats for a day or half day (call ahead to reserve) and we have enjoyed many great days here on the boat, fishing and snorkeling.
If you are not a captain – no worries because there are many tour operators who have you covered. There are snorkeling tours, scuba and glass bottom boat tours. There are kayaks and sailing tours. There is also Dolphins Plus, a dolphin research and interaction center that offer different experiences, including a swim with the dolphins. Just do your research, pick your passion and get out on the water! Afterwards, you can grab a bite to eat and some Key Lime Pie before heading back.
Overall – Miami holds a special place in my heart. The cons of Miami are the traffic and high costs, but I enjoyed living here. I call Miami the “Country of Miami” because it is Latin America and you will feel like you are visiting another country. Spanish is spoken by most everyone, although most people also speak English and will happily switch to English if you ask them to do so. Otherwise, it is a great chance to practice your Spanish skills. In addition to the language, the culture is different as is the food. Not better or worse- just different. So, if you go – just embrace it!
