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Best Places to Visit in Miami

February 29, 2020 /

Miami is the winter escape of choice for a lot of Northerners in the US, and for good reason. Beautiful white sand beaches aside, it is also a prime destination for culture, parties, water sports and eclectic cuisine. With a beautiful skyline, and a short drive away from numerous other locations, Miami is one of the most popular travel destinations in United States.

Having visited the city thrice, here is a curated list of places you can visit to experience this gorgeous city in all its glory.

South Beach and Ocean Drive

On the top of our list is a trendy Ocean Drive overlooking the fabulous South Beach.

Head to this picture-perfect beach and spend the day lazing around in the sun. Once you have had your fill of this American Riviera, go to a pool party at ‘Clevelander’ or stroll along the historic art deco district and check out the impressive architecture. The Art Deco Welcome Centre has brochures & maps and can be considered as the starting point for a self guided tour. The colorful retro buildings and lush palm trees are sure to brighten your day!

The hustle-bustle of this trendy neighborhood will definitely make you return for more. Try some water sports such as Jet Skiing, Fly-boarding, Tubing and more. It’s a real thrill when you ride the crashing waves at 33 MPH!

Car-lovers rejoice – you can spot some hot wheels and vintage cars as Miami is a trendsetting destination often frequented by celebrities.

Head to the ‘Mango’s Tropical Café’ for live Latin music and dance performances. Dance the night away and get a taste of Caribbean life like never before.

Ocean drive is a perfect place for people watching. Indulge in some delish food and sip on refreshing cocktails at one of the many sidewalk cafes. Shop at the chic boutiques, stores & designer shops. This happening beachfront neighborhood can be enjoyed at any hour of the day.

Lunch – Havana 1957 (Authentic Cuban Cuisine)

Dinner – Roni’s by the Ocean (Adaani Kebab is a must try)

Bayside Marketplace & Biscayne Bay

Funky boats and sails

Unique souvenir and gift shops

Next on the list is open air shopping center “Bayside Marketplace” located on the banks of the Biscayne Bay in Downtown Miami – home to waterfront dining and entertainment, bars, boutiques, souvenir & gift shops, and much more! There are a number of themed tour boats that depart from the Marketplace. You can also enjoy the free live music and dance performances almost everyday.

Biscayne bay lagoon, with it’s twenty six artificial islands, is also the home of the rich and famous. Go on a group tour or rent a private boat to see the best of celebrity homes in Miami. You will get to see lush trees (some of them imported from exotic islands says our guide) and luxury yachts anchored in front of the houses. These were some of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen in my life (Second only to the Summer homes in Sconset, Nantucket). The infamous Pablo Escobar also used to own a house in Biscayne bay!

Little Havana

Calle Ocho in Little Havana is like a slice of Cuba in Miami. It turned out to be one of my favorite streets as I felt like I had stepped back in time. Its a living breathing tribute to Old Cuba – coffee windows, Domino Park, Cuban cigar shops, homemade Cuban ice cream shops, gorgeous street art and so much more.

We came across some beautiful Cuban art galleries, saw the locals play the game of Domino, tried some Cuban Coffee and guava-filled pastries. None of the people around spoke English (an inconsequential inconvenience in the presence of love and sign language). It was like a world on its own.

Must Try – Cafe Versailles for an authentic Cuban Bakery experience

Wynwood Walls

Street Art Lovers.. Brace yourselves! Welcome to one of the largest movements in the history of world street art. 85000 square feet of wall murals painted like giant canvases by artists from 20 countries, these thought-provoking and creative walls will make you do double-takes. There are also some galleries connected to these walls celebrating the achievements of the artists.

Brunch Options: Wynwood Kitchen & Bar – We loved the Wynwood Benedict, Tostada, Shrimp Tacos & Perico.

Accommodation

Hilton Cabana Miami beach at Collin’s Avenue is an art-deco style hotel with cabana-style buildings and direct access to the beach. There is a restaurant and pool with the ocean view. Relax in the hot tub with a glass of champagne or order room service and enjoy a quiet night. The location was perfect for its proximity to the South beach but away enough to escape the crowded Ocean Drive.

Bonus Feature: Drive to Key West

We planned to spend the last two days of our vacation in Key West. While I would have preferred to take more breaks on our drive and stay there longer, we made the most of these 2 days.

We rented a convertible (best-suited type of vehicle for this drive) for our road trip and made it just in time to witness the epic Key West sunset at Mallory Square. While the drive altogether was a little dry, the journey through the seven mile bridge was breathtaking. It was my first time driving a convertible and weather couldn’t be any better!

We browsed the souvenir carts, clothing boutiques and watched performances by epic street artists. Next, we went bar hopping on the notorious Duval street. There are plenty of pubs and clubs with live music, pool tables and alfresco dining.

Next morning, we had a lovely breakfast in company of the famous Key West roosters (Note: They can be seen around the Mallory square as well). It was time to checkout the southernmost point of the continental United States and spend some time at the Higgs Beach.

We couldn’t leave Key West without trying the famous conch fritters, key lime pie and the key lime mojito. It was a perfect end to an eventful trip. We called it a night to start our early morning journey back to Miami and catch the flight to Boston.

This picture below taken at the airport sums up my love for the ocean perfectly. I could never get tired of the beach. It’s just like they say – Sky above, Sand below, Peace Within! Until next time..

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