Miami Beach is one of my favorite beach destinations in the United States. It has the most beautiful turquoise blue water, sandy beaches, colorful Art Deco architecture, amazing restaurants, boutique hotels, an art scene and Latin American cultural influences that make it truly unique. I’ve traveled to Miami more than anywhere else in the world, so I’ve curated my list of Instagrammable travel recommendations in this guide to help plan your next beach vacation, girl’s trip or weekend getaway to Miami Beach, Florida.
*This article is written in Partnership with Experience Miami Beach
I’ve created an interactive map with all of my recommendations from my travel guide below for your to easily plan your trip to Miami Beach:
HOW TO GET THERE
Miami has an international airport that services most major airlines and it’s an easy city to get around without renting a car. Car rentals are available at the airport, though Miami Beach area is very walkable and ride-shares and taxis are readily available. We walked around the island a ton and used ride-sharing apps when our walk was a bit further!
HOW MUCH TIME TO SPEND IN MIAMI BEACH
Miami Beach is a great spot to visit for a week-long vacation or a weekend getaway. There is plenty to do in Miami Beach to fill your week full of activities or you can take the time to relax and enjoy the pristine sandy beaches. If you’re looking for a romantic couples weekend or a fun girl’s trip, I’ve traveled to Miami Beach for both occasions and had fun experiences each time!
WHEN TO TRAVEL TO MIAMI BEACH
The best time to travel to Miami Beach is from February – May when the Miami Beach weather conditions are mild and dry compared to the hot weather in the summer and rainy season in the fall.
WHAT TO DO
Miami Beach may be a beachside area, but it is far from a sleepy beach town. There is so much to do here, rather it’s shopping, activities, arts and culture. I’ve gathered some of my favorite things to do in Miami Beach below:
SOAK UP THE SUN AT MIAMI BEACH
This activity may be a given, but Miami has some of the best crystal-clear beaches and you definitely need to schedule some beach time on your itinerary. There’s also a great beach boardwalk that extends all the way from Miami Beach to South Beach if you’re looking for a good running or biking trail, or simply want to explore!
If you’re looking for a cute photo spot, check out the colorful life guard stands on Miami Beach. My favorite is the pink and orange one located near the Faena Hotel.
TAKE A WALKING TOUR OF THE ART DECO DISTRICT
Miami Beach is famous for it’s Art Deco architecture which feels like you are stepping into a different era. Miami has the largest concentration of Art Deco architecture in the world, which is incredible to be able to experience the city how it was nearly 100 years ago!
The Art Deco District spans several streets, but the most famous areas are Ocean Drive and Collin’s Avenue. I love strolling down both of these streets and admiring the colorful buildings!
If you’re looking for a cute photo spot with the colorful art deco architecture, The Crescent and The Avalon boutique hotels both have charming facades AND there’s sometimes a vintage car parked outside of Avalon.
SHOP LINCOLN ROAD MALL
Miami Beach has an outdoor pedestrian mall with local boutiques and brand-name shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. I always take a stroll down Lincoln Road mall for some cute beachwear while I’m there.
ENJOY A ROOFTOP MOVIE
Miami has great weather, so an outdoor movie is such a fun activity to do in the evenings here. Rooftop Cinema Club is located on a rooftop around the corner from Lincoln Road Mall in the center of Miami Beach. The cinema shows nightly movies featuring cult-classics and fan favorites, offers a premium snack and cocktail bar, and has comfy seating to watch a movie in style.
This is also a GREAT sunset spot, so be sure to come early for your showing to catch the gorgeous colors fade over the Miami skyline.
GO ON A SUNSET BOAT CRUISE
A boat rental in Miami is always a good idea. There are both private and small group boat excursions readily available on sites like Airbnb Experiences, Viator or Get Your Guide.
EXPLORE THE WYNWOOD ARTS & DESIGN DISTRICTS
While not technically Miami Beach, these spots are close by and absolutely should be added to the list. Located on the mainland, The Wynwood Arts and Design Districts are Miami’s art and creative centers. The Wynwood Arts District is filled with local street art and murals and the Design District has a curated selection of fashion and designer shopping.
WHERE TO STAY
Miami Beach hotels are hard to beat. This area is full of cute beach resorts and boutique hotels. I’ve stayed at so many of them, that it’s hard to choose a favorite! I’m a sucker for a cool insta-worthy design, so I’ve curated a list of some of my favs below:
ESME HOTEL
The Esmé Hotel is a new boutique hotel located in South Beach on the iconic Española Way. We loved being in the middle of all of the action and nearby so many of the great Miami Beach restaurants.
It has an eclectic design that has a vintage feel with Spanish and Moroccan influences. The hotel courtyard reminded me so much of being in Europe!
Esmé also has a rooftop pool lounge, restaurant and bar serving up the BEST sangrias in town with a beautiful sunset view.
THE CONFIDANTE
The Confidante is a colorful beach-front resort with two pools, a restaurant, cocktail bar and cute rooms. This is my favorite hotel for a girl’s trip!
The pool and beach area are full of colorful striped umbrellas and cabanas that are great for a photo-op. You can also reserve day passes here via sites like Resort Pass.
FAENA MIAMI
The Faena Miami is a 5-star luxury beach resort located on Miami Beach. It has a vast array of dining and entertainment options, an art collection, spa and wellness activities, and a dazzling red & white hotel design.
I loved their morning yoga classes out on the lawn and enjoying the beautiful spa. You can also purchase a spa day pass or schedule a spa service if you are not a resident of the hotel.
The restaurant selection here also has some of the top restaurants on the island with celebrity chef notoriety and fun dinner shows.
THE GOODTIME HOTEL
The Goodtime Hotel is a new boutique hotel located in South Beach. I am OBSESSED with the hotel design and love the mix of pastels and tropical prints. This is totally a spot for a girl’s trip!
The hotel also has a booming day club, rooftop pool and a delicious restaurant which I highly recommend in my restaurant list below!
THE PLYMOUTH
If you’re looking for an affordable option, The Plymouth is a cute boutique hotel located a few blocks from the main areas, but with tons of charm! The pool is is oh-so-cute and it has an amazing sushi restaurant in-house.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
Dining in Miami Beach is a culinary TREAT. Miami Beach has a diverse range of cultural influences mixed with coastal cuisine, so the restaurant selection certainly does not disappoint. Check out some of my favorite restaurants and bars below:
DREAMER MIAMI
Dreamer Miami is one of the cutest healthy options with an instagrammable seating area featuring pink flamingo wallpaper. It serves up fresh juices, smoothies, toasts and of course, smoothie bowls!
GIANNI’S RESTAURANT
Gianni’s is an italian restaurant in the former Versace Mansion located in South Beach. As a fashion-lover, I came here for the aesthetics, but stayed for the food! Our meal here was delicious, though it was crowded. Don’t expect to have the place to yourself and make sure to reserve in advance.
GITANO MIAMI
Gitano Miami is a super-cool Mexican restaurant and rooftop lounge located in the Casa Faena boutique hotel. We went here for light bites and sunset cocktails before a girls night out and loved our experience, plus I’m always a fan of a disco ball moment!
STRAWBERRY MOON
Strawberry Moon is a new restaurant concept located in The Goodnight Hotel. It has fresh Mediterranean food with a cool restaurant design and outdoor deck.
LIMONADA BAR + BRUNCH
Limonada is a great brunch spot with a cute pool deck patio that has all of the dolce vita vibes and delicious bites.
The pool deck has the italian-inspired striped umbrellas, which I adore! It’s a great foodie photo spot.
ALTON FOOD HALL
Alton Food Hall is a fun new food concept in South Beach with a variety of different food stalls serving different cuisines from around the world. My personal favorite were the soup dumplings!
BROKEN SHAKER
Broken Shaker is a poolside cocktail bar and patio located at the trendy Freehand Miami Hotel & Hostel. This spot is always a good time and a great way to socialize without hitting the clubs!
HAVANA 1957
Cuban food is a Miami classic. With a huge Cuban influence, Miami has a great selection of Cuban restaurants. My tried and true favorite (albeit touristy) is Havana 1957. It has all of the classic Cuban dishes and nightly entertainment.
BIG PINK
BIG PINK is a typical American dinner with comfort classics for breakfast and lunch – and you guessed it, the restaurant is all PINK!
I hope this Miami Beach Travel Guide has helped plan your next beach trip. Drop a comment below or send a DM to me at @sammcclendon if you have any questions!
