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Miami has been at the top of my travel list for years! This past January, I finally got to check it off.
Myself and four of my best friends flew south for warmer weather to celebrate my 30th birthday in style. (If you’d like to see more from that trip, head here to check out the video!)
From my first sip of a mojito in a bar on Little Havana’s famous Calle Ocho’s, I absolutely fell in love with Miami.
And I don’t say this often about cities, but I could have easily spent another week or two here exploring all that it offers. I feel like I barely scratched the surface.
For more great places to visit in January, click here!
Miami Travel Guide
Still, I had four long days of some amazing Miami adventures. There was a little bit of something for all of my friends.
Enough of the small talk though… Here are five fun things to do in Miami, along with tips and recommendations on where to stay.
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Why Visit Miami?
With its year-round warm climate, rich culture, and world-famous food scene, Miami is, in my opinion, heaven on earth. More than that..
- Miami is home to the world’s largest collection of art deco architecture.
- The Port of Miami is the Cruise Capital of the world!
- Miami is not just all nightclubs. It also has 800 parks and is surrounded by two national parks: Biscayne and the Everglades.
- It’s only snowed once (flurries) in Miami’s official meteorological history, way back in 1977.
Where to Stay in Miami
There are dozens of unique and interesting neighborhoods in Miami, making it a bit of a challenge to decide where to stay.
My advice is prioritizing what you want to see and searching for accommodation that falls within your budget.
Here are my recommendations for the best Miami neighborhoods to stay in:
- Miami Beach – an ocean front hotspot for art, culture, and nightlife.
- Wynwood – known for its many colorful murals, Wynwood is one of the city’s most happening districts with plenty of breweries, bars, and shopping to keep you busy for days.
- Little Havana – is Miami’s vibrant Cuban heart, you’ll find many Latin American art galleries and busy restaurants and bars in a very walkable area.
5 Can’t Miss Things To Do in Miami
1. Visit Wynwood Walls
Miami’s Wynwood Walls are a unique outdoor destination featuring huge, colorful street murals by artists from around the globe. If you’re looking for some fly photos for the ‘gram, this is the place to be.
Though honestly, you should spend time exploring the neighborhood for even more art that’s not just in this park. Literally every building in Wynwood is covered in color. It’s like visiting an urban, metro rainbow.
My tip? Plan a day brewery hopping in Wynwood. You’ll get a good feel of the neighborhood as you bounce around. See more details about that below!
2. Brewery Hop in Wynwood
Wynwood is home to four craft breweries. Pictured above is Concrete Beach Brewery.
Miami’s craft beer scene is still in its early days. However, there are a cluster of great Miami breweries in the Wynwood area.
Stop here for a cold beer while you’re exploring the colorful artwork of the neighborhood:
- Veza Sur Brewing: Colorful boutique brewery pouring craft beers & micheladas in a Latin-style and dog-friendly space.
- J. Wakefield: Star Wars-themed brewery with a long list of unique brews.
- Concrete Beach Brewery: Great brewery for a group or to come solo and hang out at the massive bar.
- Wynwood Brewing Company: Miami’s very first craft brewery.
Bonus: Stop at Kush FIRST for a banging brunch. Make sure to ask for their secret beer list to see what they have in their secret stash. My tip? Come here early. It’s a small place, but gets full quick! Want another tip? (Yes, of course!!) Order a burger, it’ll blow ya mind!
3. Explore Art Deco Architecture in South Beach
Miami is home to the world’s largest collection of Art Deco architecture and most of that is found in South Beach. There’s a lot to see, do, eat, and drink in South Beach…
Just make sure you come with a full wallet. South Beach can be very pricey– even for Miami standards.
Even if you’re on a budget, you can still find a lot of things to do in South Beach.
For starters, have a beach day, walk by and pay respects to the Versace mansion, or just walkabout, taking in all the pastel-colored art deco architecture.
4. Do a Boat Cruise Around the City
The best way to see Miami is by boat. Whether you’re coming in on a mega-yacht or booking a tour with one of the cities countless charter boats (plenty of options for both public and private charters on every budget)
Touring the city by boat is an unforgettable experience.
You’ll cruise up the canals by the coast, with good chances of spotting manatees, cruise by the vacation homes of the rich and famous, and get to soak in incredible views of the skyline.
My tips for booking a great charter? Search Groupon for good deals. Then check the reviews there, as well as any reviews on Yelp and Facebook to ensure you’re booking with a safe and respected company. Additionally, make sure you let your captain know what you want to see.
5. Eat ALL the Cuban Food at Versailles Restaurant
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Known as the “most famous Cuban restaurant on the planet” Versailles is an Iconic Cuban restaurant serving traditional fare in a roomy, vintage dining room with chandeliers.
You can’t come to Miami without stopping here.
When you do visit, the line will be long, but it moves fast. And it will be so worth it.
If you’re pressed for time, I recommend stopping at their bakery next door for empanadas or ordering bites to go with cafecitos from the restaurant’s walk-up window.
