Welcome to Miami, a city that truly lives up to its name — derived from the native word “Mayaimi,” meaning “Big Water.” With its amazing beaches and vibrant nightlife, Miami is perfect for relaxation and excitement. Whether you’re planning an extended stay, making a pit stop on your way to Key West, or preparing for a cruise, there’s no shortage of incredible things to do, see, and taste. In this Miami travel guide, we’ll dive into the best places to stay, the must-try eats, and the most exciting attractions that make Miami a top spot for travelers of all kinds.
Where to stay
Assuming you want to be near the water (really, what other choice is there?), you’ll want to sleep where it makes the most sense geographically, aka Miami Beach. Fortunately, there are myriad of oceanside options to choose from, from boutique hotels to ultra-luxury properties — not that you can put a price on waking up and immediately taking a dip.
Kimpton EPIC Hotel
Located in the heart of Downtown Miami overlooking Biscayne Bay, the Kimpton EPIC Hotel has everything. Outdoor cigar lounge? Check. Japanese izakaya dining at Zuma? Yessir. You can even opt to arrive by yacht to a private marina if you desire. The amenities are so seductive, you’ll never want to leave.
Another option? Book a day pass or rent a private cabana at the picturesque Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel in South Beach. Trust us, the happy hour is well worth it.
- Nearest airport: Miami International Airport
- Time: 20 minutes
- Distance: 6 miles
Hotel Riu Plaza Miami Beach
Situated right on the beach, Riu Plaza Miami Beach Hotel is one of the nicest beaches in the area. Awarded GOLD certification for the Travelife Sustainability System, this hotel features a swimming pool and sun terrace, a poolside snack bar and restaurant, and rooms with gorgeous ocean views.
- Nearest airport: Miami International Airport
- Time: 21 minutes
- Distance: 12 miles
Goodtime Hotel
Whether or not you’re there for a long time, you’re guaranteed to have a good — nay, great — time at The Goodtime Hotel, a collaboration from hospitality impresario David Grutman and Pharrell Williams featuring 266 rooms with chic AF interiors and a 30,000 square-foot vintage-tinged pool club. After a raucous opening night with Kim Kardashian and David Beckham in attendance, you can expect a celeb-caliber getaway.
- Nearest airport: Miami International Airport
- Time: 23 minutes
- Distance: 9.2 miles
Faena Hotel Miami Beach
When it comes to Miami hotels, the Faena is, without a doubt, the most coveted stay. Its signature red umbrellas are a defining characteristic of the property, which offers suites with panoramic ocean views and a wildly decadent asado experience over an open flame curated by Argentine chef Francis Mallmann against the backdrop of a gilded woolly mammoth by the artist Damian Hirst, unmissable to passersby on the boardwalk.
- Nearest airport: Miami International Airport
- Time: 23 minutes
- Distance: 10.5 miles
What to eat
There are so many great restaurants to choose from in this city that it’s hard to fit them all in during one Miami vacation.
- “$” = budget-friendly or cheap
- “$$”= average
- “$$$”= expensive
The Front Porch Cafe
Start off your day at The Front Porch Cafe, which has been serving up delicious breakfast for customers in the Miami area since 1989. Make sure you try famous menu items like green eggs, tomato avocado toast, and French toast.
- Best for breakfast
- $$
Zak the Baker
No trip to Miami would be complete without a quick schlep to Wynwood for Zak the Baker, a kosher eatery with an easily recognizable graffiti exterior that specializes in delicious baked goods that range from the classic (double chocolate babka) to the creative (salmon Reuben) — but be warned, the pastries sell out fast, so go early to get the goods.
- Best for baked goods
- $$
Oasis
A stone’s throw away, the Oasis offers an assortment of lunch options, including New York institutions Alidoro and Prince Street Pizza.
- Best for lunch
- $$
La Sandwicherie
Queue up at La Sandwicherie and grab a sizable sandwich on a crisp baguette to-go, you can’t go wrong.
- Best for lunch
- $$
Osaka
Arguably the most important meal of the day in Miami, dinner is an opportunity to see and be seen. One of the most hard-to-get reservations includes the Peruvian-Japanese restaurant Osaka.
- Best for dinner
- $$$
Planta
If you’re looking for delicious plant-based food, Planta sources its produce from its own rooftop garden at the restaurant.
- Best for lunch, dinner
- $$$
Byblos
Byblos serves up Eastern Mediterranean cuisine such as lamb ribs, couscous, and stuffed baklava accompanied by a wide variety of their signature cocktails.
- Best for dinner
- $$$
Red Rooster Overtown
You’ll feel like a local at Red Rooster. It celebrates local arts and musicians and offers delicious comfort food.
- Best for lunch, dinner
- $$$
Carbone
Don’t miss out on this Italian restaurant. The spicy rigatoni vodka is one-of-a-kind, but if you want to get a spot, be sure to make a reservation ahead of time.
- Best for dinner
- $$$
Lido Restaurant and Champagne Bar
Bubbly, anyone? Cruise by Lido’s Champagne Bar, located at the historic Surf Club, for a glass to relax and recharge. Replete with palm trees, the space oozes glamour. It’s no surprise, then, that it was a go-to for Hollywood icons, including Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor.
- Best for drinks
- $$$
Swan
Swan, the indoor-outdoor space and celeb-favorite haunt run by Grutman and Williams, is an absolute must.
- Best for drinks
- $$$
Medium Cool
Stop by Medium Cool for some of the best cocktails in the city. This classy lounge offers nightly live jazz, DJs, and dancing. Be mindful that Medium Cool has a strict “casual chic” dress code, and prohibits any bathing attire, sportswear, or flip-flops.
- Best for drinks
- $$
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
For a late-night bite, wrap up your marathon evening at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, a taco joint-slash-speakeasy lounge that’s undeniably cool from the front to the back. Let’s be honest, after a night of dancing, who isn’t craving a ginormous burrito?
- Best for late-night eats
- $$
What to do
Aside from amazing hotels and yummy food, there’s plenty to do and see in Magic City.
Wynwood Walls
Wynwood Walls, the outdoor museum featuring sweeping street art murals from prolific talents like Faile and Shepard Fairey, is a can’t-miss, if only for the Instagram opportunities. Get your steps in (and maybe some additional pics, too) by walking around the Design District, where you can shop, eat, pose, and peruse the galleries and art installations, including Virgil Abloh’s inflatable figures from his collection showcase.
Joia Beach
Enjoy some R&R on a cozy daybed at Joia Beach on Jungle Island, modeled after European beach clubs. Perhaps you’ll see one of the venue’s fans, including Blake Griffin, Adriana Lima, and Dwayne Wade, but if not, it’s still the ideal location to enjoy an epic sunset.
E11EVEN
Head to the infamous after-hours club E11EVEN that’s open 24/7 — we honestly can’t think of a better spot to let loose when you’re at peak immunity.
Bayside Marketplace
Bayside Marketplace is an open-air shopping and dining destination in Downtown Miami, offering a mix of nearly 70 shops and 30 restaurants, including popular spots like Hard Rock Cafe and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Here, you’ll find everything from small, unique boutiques to well-known national brands. For amazing views of the city, hop on the Sky Views Miami observation wheel, which towers 180 feet above, providing breathtaking panoramas of Downtown Miami’s skyline and the waterfront.
How to save money on your trip to Miami
Experiences
Look for free activities. Wynwood Walls, for example, doesn’t charge any money to walk around. The beach is always free. Save money where you can because Miami can certainly be a high-end (read: expensive) vacation if you want it to be.
Hotels and vehicle rentals
Book in advance and travel in the off-season!
