The Greater Miami is several destinations in one. At its finest, the city offers unmatched multicultural experience: international cultural events and cuisines, melodic Caribbean and Latin tongues and a distinctive joie de vivre. In Coconut Grove, you can hear Caribbean steel drums ringing out during the Bahamas/Miami Goombay Festival while in Little Havana the air is filled with the aroma of strong Cuban coffee.
Many visitors are not aware of the fact that Miami Beach and Miami are two very different cities. Found on the mainland, Miami is the commercial hub of South Florida. On the other hand, Miami Beach, with 17 islands in Biscayne Bay, is what many people think of as Americas’ own Riviera. It attracts visitors from around the globe with its graceful, shady palms, sandy beaches, tireless nightlife and warm sunshine.
As the natives will tell you, there is more to the Greater Miami than the Art District Deco and bustle of the South Beach. Apart from well-documented places like Lincoln Road and the Ocean Drive, the less known spots, for instance, the Coral Gables and the imposing Design District, as well as the secluded Key Biscayne Beaches, are top insider destinations. In this comprehensive guide to Miami, we tell you how to get there, things to do, what to eat and the best restaurants and bars for you.
What are the Best Times to Visit Miami?
The best time to go to Miami is between March and May. At this time, there is plenty of sunshine with temperatures between the 70s and 80s during the day. Apart from the wonderful weather, visiting Miami during spring allows you to evade the peak winter rates. Miami experiences a subtropical climate, which means that it is usually warm throughout the year and a bit rainy.
Bring an umbrella if you plan to visit during the fall or summer. Expect a few afternoon showers at the very least. Brace for torrential downpours because Atlantic hurricane starts from June to November.
If you want to avoid high costs, visit during summer because flight rates and hotel prices tend to fall as precipitation and temperatures increase.
June-August
During summer, families converge on the beach but they don’t often stick around during the evenings. With temperatures approaching 90s, make sure you pack lots of sunscreens and take regular plunges in the ocean. But remember that the Atlantic season often starts in June. If you can brave the scorching temperatures, be prepared to enjoy more breathing space at the top attractions, restaurants, and hotels of the area. To sample the best of the restaurants in the area at a fraction of the usual price, make sure you visit in August when the annual Miami Spice event is held.
September-November
Given that hurricanes are a definite possibility, it’s a big gamble to visit during the fall. You will also get to save a lot of money at Miami’s top hotels. Still, you can even encounter leftover summer humidity and heat. The beaches tend to be least congested at this time.
December-February
Winter brings out Miami Beach’s best. You get to enjoy people-watching while relaxing on the outdoor patio of that exclusive restaurant with temperatures in the mid-70s. Everyone wants to be in Miami Beach around this time, so it’s important that you book 3-4 months in advance.
March-May
At his time, there is a little bit of cooling off by the clubs, but the beach remains with temperatures that rise to even above the 70s in March to even mid-80s in May. Visitors enjoy their tans even as they lounge on the expansive beaches. Remember that Spring Break always brings droves of college students to the shores of Miami. If you don’t find it appealing to share the sand with the students, try going there in late April or even early May.
Key Events:
•Ultra Music Festival (March)
•Miami Fashion Week (this happens in May)
•Miami Beach Gay Pride (visit in April)
•Winter Party (from February to March)
Getting Around
If you have chosen to stay in Miami Beach and are desirous of exploring Miami, the best thing is to take Lyft or Uber across the bay for about $15 each way. Taxis may appear a little easier to get, but they are as much as 4 times more expensive. If you want to explore Ft. Lauderdale, the Keys or even Boca Raton, you don’t have to worry because there are lots of car rental agencies in the beach. It costs an average of $20 for all-day parking in city garages.
Toll roads are Miami’s arteries, but many of these won’t warn you that they are toll roads, until you get slapped with a $2.50 in the mail for driving in the dolphin Extension.’ Rental car companies rent you automatic transponder for $7 a day which is inclusive of tolls, but it’s best to opt for your SunPass for $5 and then load it with cash.
When it comes to driving, it’s important to understand that some drivers simply don’t respect traffic laws. Be ready for someone to cut across 4 lanes of traffic at 80 mph at any time, without even a courtesy wave. And if you are a pedestrian, just never expect that a car will slow down for you, not even when it’s at a red light. Despite an abundance of laws, they don’t just seem enough to deter these road hogs.
Lastly, the traffic can be a nightmare especially if you want to go anywhere west of I-95 after 2 p.m. and can ruin your vacation. Similarly, heading north Downtown after 3 p.m. isn’t the best of experiences.
Take Express Lanes if you must, despite the fact that can be as expensive as $11 at times. Don’t buy the lost’ warning on the Express Lanes because this is mostly a lie. Only avoid them if there are police blocking them off. In general, it’s advisable to do your traveling between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and do not even think about again until it is 7 p.m.
What are the typical costs of things?
Hostel price
Spending a night in a six-bed dorm will cost you roughly $25. For a private room, the cost starts at $100 a night. Most of the hostels come with free towels, free linens, free Wi-Fi and even free breakfast. The best hostels here are South Beach Hostel, Freehand, and the Jazz Hostel.
Budget hotel prices
If you wish to spend a room in a pocket-friendly hotel, the price often starts from around $70 a night. These hotels typically include air conditioning, private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and TV. Shared rooms start at around $25 per night on Airbnb and spending a night at entire home will cost you in the region of $50.
The average cost of food
It costs a minimum of $20 for a meal if you are eating in the South Beach region or any restaurant found on the strip. However, if you move farther away from this area, you can get the same meal for half the price. As is the case elsewhere in the US, there are lots of fast food options for not more than $7.
You will find nice Cuban food in Little Havana for less than $10. Choosing to cook own food means you will pay $50 per week to go for costs of vegetables, pasta, chickens as well as other basic foods.
Transportation costs
You can be sure that Miami’s extensive public transport system will get you just about anywhere you want to go. Both Metrorail and the bus cost $2.25 per trip. Uber is also available and costs a base fare of $1 and another $1 per mile and is often much cheaper compared to the taxi.
WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK
Recently, Miami was ranked as the number one foodie paradise, which might come as a little shock given its reputation as a city of people who appear to always be living on soda water and white powder diet. This might explain why Miami has more gyms than the number of breweries in Portland.
However, the rising culinary reputation is not that inaccurate after all. If you would like to experience the city’s vaunted scene, it’s worth noting that certain neighborhoods have better options compared to others.
In Wynwood, there are Alter, Coyo Taco, Kyu and R House, all of which only opened recently but are foodie favorites. Coconut Grove has lately moved from a collection of bad-decision, late night bars to the best and newest culinary destinations in the city, and has hits such as Glass & Vine, Spillover and 33 Kitchen as some of its best restaurants. And while on the MiMo District which is on Biscayne Blvd, get your friends giggling by posting pictures from Phuc Yea!
But the main reason why Miami is filled with boutique gyms isn’t down to vanity, it’s because of the abundance of Cuban food. There are lots of delicacies like vaca frita, ropa vieja, medianoches and Arroz imperial. Medianoches is greasy, pork-based delicacy with plenty of cheese and onions. As for Cuban food, the divider the restaurant, the better it will be.
Apart from the Cuban food, Miami also has a city chock full with people from different heritages eager to showcase their authentic home cuisines. In Hialeah, they will literally come to you and give you a sample. You can purchase the food off your nearby truck on the Palmetto Expressway. This explains why food, just like other experiences you will get in Miami, isn’t like anything else you will find in the US.
Top Eating Places of Miami
1. HABITAT
No Miamian can say they aren’t familiar with Chef Jose Mendin and his expansive empire of restaurants. However, in spite of boasting five James Beard Nominations, the Habitat hadn’t really been a hit with tourists. This 1 Hotel situated along Collins Avenue has had neighbors seeing why there is all that fuss, with Mendin’s trademark blend of Spanish, Latin America, and Asian flavors.
While the restaurant remains a clean, crisp décor that it used to be when it was still called Beachcraft, the menu is more complex, having been split among sea, fire and land sections. Try their pine nut-crusted octopus from the sea, pork ribs sans gochujang sauce and Jamon Iberico-wrapped croquetas from land. But make sure you bring your wallet because the food here can be quite expensive.
2.CALL ME GABY
This Italian spot, situated on a quiet corner, is the best place to take advantage of Miami’s perfect weather. It has a sprawling patio populated with big umbrellas and comfy seats, where you can enjoy fresh burrata imported directly from Italy. It is the ideal preview for their stunning pizzas to come, which are allowed to rise for 3 days before being tossed and then wood-fired. Their pasta isn't slouched either. Try the fiocchetti all pere e tarfuto (handcrafted pasta filled with caramelized pear and cream) and gnocchi with gorgonzola cream.
3.THE STRAND BAR AND GRILL
The Carillon Hotel has metamorphosed into a wellness resort, and its headline culinary achievement is this warm-restaurant headed by Stephen Ulrich of Beechcraft. Their menu is varied with Florida ingredients. While the vibe inside doesn’t come as close to being touristy as you would expect in a hotel located this far in the beach, you can expect to find a good number of locals seated on the big windows and the beach wood.
4.BEACH TACO
Nothing gives you the feeling of spending your day in the ocean and having a good place of tacos. Get a bit of the surfer vibe SoFi’s used to have for decades and drop by in this taqueria for freshly made tortillas. Of course, you can still enjoy favorites like filet mignon, marinated chicken, and grilled shrimp. But if you want to be a little adventurous, why not try crispy shallots, kimchi, and Korean BBQ?
5.RED, THE STEAKHOUSE
This best steakhouse in Miami offers more than just meat. In South Beach where it appears as if a new steakhouse is being opened every new season, it’s pretty tough to stay on top. However, despite opening branches in other cities, Red the Steakhouse still maintains its tag of the best steakhouse in the city by providing a menu that goes beyond their trademark tomahawks and filets. The place is also famous for offering some of the finest donuts and tapas, as well as Italian food that will make you fall in love with one cut of meat. Despite all this, Red has zero pretentiousness or attitude and strikes the unique balance of a relaxed atmosphere with fine dining.
WHERE TO DRINK
Miami is a strange city for drinking. Since a majority of bars here are shitty tourist traps, trendy as hell or downright expensive, it is not often easy to know which bar to go to. One day a bar might appear cool and suddenly the crowd that used to throng it disappears. A previously cool spot can shut and another spot opens right in its place. And it continues on and on. This is why it is a little miraculous when a joint last long enough to the extent it becomes a cultural staple. Here are a few places that have really stood the test of time.
1.Gramps
It didn’t take long before this joint could become Wynwood bar scene’s centerpiece. Although the cocktails are a little expensive, Gramps sports some certain dope Miami cubic windows that are styled from the 80’s as well as few areas and rooms to get wasted in.
It features good DJs and music, and there are certain times when guests get to see great live acts. Anyone who has gone to Wynwood and ended up exhausted from the lame bars always ends up decompressing at Gramps. Fittingly, Gramps also occasional hosts film nights.
2.Churchill's Pub
Churchill’s Pub is a wonderfully smelly bar right at the heart of Little Haiti, and it’s long been an influential bar for the locals. Ask any local here, and chances are that they will tell you they’ve ever got drunk and messy at Churchill’s’. Marilyn Manson is said to have performed for his first show at Churchill’s, and there are even rumors that a porno was once shot in one of the bathrooms at this bar!
Churchill’s frequently hosts punk and metal shows, and also the lovingly named and venerable International Noise Conference. Make sure you check out the open mic/jazz night every Monday to see some strange happenings.
3.Seven Seas Karaoke
This is a legendary Karaoke spot that features walls filled with a pool table, songbooks longer than even the Torah and Florida Keys boating ephemera. It has a varied mix of clients, and you shouldn’t be shocked when you see a group of 80-year-old Cuban barking out some Cuban jazz tune! Only go on Thursdays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays during the Karaoke nights.
4.King of Diamonds
If you love hip-hop, chances are that you’ve already heard of this stripper emporium. However, if you want to have that rap video experience, you must be prepared to drop some serious cash. In terms of strippers, they come in all manner of shapes and sizes but they all have one thing in common: they are very, very expensive and incredibly aggressive. We recommend that you go in, grab a drink and hide like someone fears naked women like a plague. The music alone is worth the experience. When two strippers approach you and sit on your laps, tell them no unless you can afford it.
5.Keg South
This is a dirty hole-in-the-wall pub that is found under a billboard on US1, and it’s not an exaggeration. To enter the bar, you will need to walk around the billboard base. But make no mistake. It has everything you would want in a true dive: burgers tasting like they just dropped off a 4th of July Grill, fantastic smoky wings, and cheap pitchers. It has a somewhat Southern cracker vibe, but this doesn’t necessarily ruin its charm. There is a good reason the place has been open for over 50 years.
THINGS TO DO
Whether you want miles of pristine beaches or perfect year-round weather, there are many reasons to visit Miami. But the true reasons to go to Miami have to do with the phenomenal beaches of the city. Sure you can visit Miami and take your mojitos for the whole time that you will be here but there is a lot more that Miami has to offer. Here are some of the things to do in Miami.
1. Art Basel Miami Beach
An extension of the famous Swiss art fair, the Art Basel Miami Beach has turned Miami into an art extravaganza since 2012. Gallerists drew from all over the world pitch tent at Miami Beach Convention Center to showcase, sell and even schmooze with the over 70,000 people who grace the event every year. Although the parties have become a top attraction, lectures, concerts, performance art pieces, public installations and film screenings are also regular festivities.
Also, they have expanded well beyond South Beach to other venues like the Design District and Wynwood.
2. Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Situated straight across the Miami Beach Convention Center and only a few blocks from Lincoln Road, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden offers a slice of calm in the middle of the bustling activity. The garden has a rich and convoluted history, which goes way back to 1962.
Space underwent a $1.2 million facelift in 2011, and all this was thanks to local landscaping architect Raymond Jungles. The garden, which offers free admission, today features snaking collections of pathways that meander through palms, orchids, flowering trees and various plant species native to Florida, as well as a stunning water garden.
Wynwood Walls
It was only recently that the Wynwood neighborhood in Miami was a warehouse-filled ghost town. But that was until Tony Goldman, the man credited with inventing New York City’s SoHo, entered the scene. Today, it’s impossible for anyone coming to Miami to leave without first taking a stroll through the Wynwood Walls. It plays hosts to hundreds of guests daily, who come to gaze at works from people like Shepard Fairey and Kenny Scharf.
3. Miami Children’s Museum
Set on a little island between South Beach and downtown Miami, the main focus of the Miami Children’s Museum is child-friendly interactive exhibits. These include the Castle of Dreams, Music Makers Studio, and six-foot piggy bank.
The Miami Children’s Museum is a wonderful air-conditioned place ideal for spending quality time with kids, more so because most of the exhibits here are so engaging. However, you will have to contend with the high admission costs. Also, you have to pay parking fees and the area doesn’t have several dining options onsite. However, if you want free admission, you have to go on the third Friday every month, and it’s from 4 to 8 pm. But there are complaints that the venue gets packed to the rafters on those days.
Generally, admissions cost $20 although, for Florida residents, it’s usually $15. Children 1 year and younger are not charged for entry. Parking fees are $1 an hour. The museum is served by bus routes S, M, K, and C. it is usually open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
4. The Holocaust Memorial
Situated near the intersection of Meridian Avenue and Dade Boulevard, South Beach’s the Holocaust Memorial is a moving tribute to survivors and victims of the Holocaust. A small group of those who survived the Holocaust came up with the idea to set up this place in 1984, and it was to wait until 1990 before it opened its doors to the public. It features architectural pieces, statues, a memorial wall and a garden of meditation. The sculpture spots dozens of withered people trying to reach for help, clinging tightly to one another, which is what makes up the outstretched arm that reaches to the sky.
The Holocaust Memorial is sure to move you and provides a timely reminder of the importance of not forgetting a tragedy. If you want to learn about the Holocaust, make sure you stop by, as it has great photo panels.
Open daily from around 9.30 a.m. till sunset. Guests will find metered parking, and there is also municipal parking that is near the City Hall. Accessing the memorial is easy, given that the free South Beach Loop trolley stops within a walking distance of the place.
5. Art Deco Tour
Nothing stands out more strikingly in Miami Beach than its art deco architecture, which is a design style of the 0’s and 0s characterized by geometric shapes and bold colors. It normally incorporates styles of expressionism and cubism, as well as other varying art movements. It is the dominating architectural design, and you will see adorning the gorgeous storefronts, hotels, and restaurants as well as other buildings lining the South Beach.
To best enjoy all the art deco in Miami Beach, use a walking tour. Many outfitters offer tours, which include Art Deco Walks and the Miami Design Preservation League. Prices start from $25 per person.
If you go on an art deco tour, you will enjoy watching and learning about the remarkably preserved architecture. The tours have informative guides who give you a wealth of interesting facts and are more than happy to answer all your questions.
Length and times of tour vary from one company to the next, but most of them last for one-and-a-half hours and are offered 1-2 times a day. But if you can’t get the time for a guided tour, just take a stroll through Art Deco Historic District. It sits between the 5th Street and 23rd Street along Collins Avenue, Washington Avenue, and Ocean Drive.
6. EVERGLADES SAFARI PARK
There no better way to enjoy an all-encompassing alligator experience in Miami than Everglades Safari Park. Hop onto a swamp buggy or an airboat to whip through tall Everglades sawgrass, and get to observe these stunning alligators in their pristine environment while keeping a safe distance. Also, you can watch an alligator wrestling show and even pet baby alligators.
7. Lummus Park Beach
Since South Beach is a broad description, and because the beaches often stretch for miles, we decided to narrow it down for you. Located along Ocean Drive, Lummus Park offers a magnificent South Beach experience. This strip of sand is often the most crowded and is an excellent spot for people watching. A mini playground for children of 2-5 years of age is just before the entrance, although your kids will just be happy splashing on the shore. For adults, you will most likely be craning your neck to have a clear view of the colorful locals. After soaking up all the sun, head to one of the bars or restaurants that Line Ocean Drive for a treat.
Money Saving Tips
Be on the lookout for package deals
Since Miami is a big tourist destination, there are often packages for hotels and flights. Register for deal alerts and also be flexible about your traveling dates. This is often among the easiest ways of saving money.
Consider Getting the Go Miami Card
If you intend to see the sights around the Miami area, it will benefit you to get Go Miami Card. This gives you as much as 25 unlimited admissions to major attractions in Miami for one price. The cards remain valid for up to 14 days.
Couchsurf
Couch surfing began in the US, and free accommodation provided is more than enough to make up for the inadequacy of hostels. There are lots of hosts throughout the Miami city who are willing to show you around town and even let you stay with them for free. It’s a perfect way to meet people.
Free walking tour
Walking is a fantastic way of learning the history behind the places that you see and also to avoid missing out on any must-see sights. Hop on Dr. Paul George’s Free Little Havana Walking Tour that leaves daily at 7 pm from the Tower Theater.
Rideshares
Lyft and Uber are my favorite and are often much cheaper compared to taxis. They offer a perfect way of getting around the city if you do not want to pay for a taxi or take a bus. Rideshare typically means that you share a ride with other people, and it offers even better savings.
Conclusion
Miami is often nicknamed the magic city’ and suits the city perfectly. With sun-kissed beaches, year-round sunshine, magnificent attractions and extremely hospitable people, there is simply nowhere that can is half as enchanting as Miami.
Wherever you go, whether it’s Miami Beach’s Art Deco condos or the beautiful populated clubs found on the South Beach, you will be greeted by a pure world of glitz and glamour.
Part of the delight is the role that Miami plays as an intersection point for cultures. From elderly New Yorkers to Cuban exiles to Venezuelan dancers to European surfers, the people of this city form half of the show. It’s the best place to go for vacation.
