A curated guide to Miami’s best beaches, restaurants, culture, and experiences, with places I genuinely love and would recommend to anyone visiting the city.
Map
Sections
6
Beaches & Sunny Miami Days
Breakfast & Brunch Worth Waking Up For
Lunch, Dinner & Miami Nights
Culture, Art & Iconic Miami Places
Miami Experiences
Unforgettable Miami Plans for Kids
Beaches & Sunny Miami Days
For beautiful sand, clear water, sunshine, and the kind of beach days Miami is known for.☀️
My favorite beach for a true Miami Beach day. The water is beautiful for swimming, the atmosphere feels polished and lively, and the views of Fisher Island, cruise ships, and the skyline make it feel uniquely Miami. Spend the day in the sun, then wal...
South Pointe
A peaceful, polished beach with soft white sand and clear turquoise water. It is perfect for swimming, relaxing in the sun, and enjoying a quieter, more elevated side of Miami Beach.
Bal Harbour Beach
A beautiful beach escape at the southern tip of Key Biscayne, with calm water, soft sand, and the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse in the background. Perfect for visitors who want a relaxed beach day with stunning views, nature, and a little Miami hi...
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
A quieter and more polished beach day just south of Bal Harbour. The water is beautiful, the beach feels relaxed and refined, and the walking path makes it perfect for a morning swim followed by coffee or lunch nearby.
Surfside Beach
One of the best beach days in Miami if you want soft sand, calm water, and plenty of space to relax. It feels more natural and local than South Beach, with beautiful views, picnic areas, cabanas, and a true Key Biscayne escape.
Crandon Park
Breakfast & Brunch Worth Waking Up For
From relaxed cafecito mornings to beautiful brunches that feel like part of the Miami experience.
A chic all-day brunch spot in the heart of Coconut Grove. Come for great bagels, pastries, and classic breakfast dishes, then spend the rest of the morning exploring one of Miami’s prettiest neighborhoods.
Sadelle's Coconut Grove
Pura Vida Doral is a lovely and welcoming place to enjoy a good coffee and a delicious brunch. The atmosphere is always bright, cozy, and inviting, perfect for a relaxed morning or an afternoon break.
Pura Vida
No matter how many years go by, Bocas Grill Kendall continues to serve incredible food. The flavors and quality remain consistently good, and the service is always A+. Definitely one of my favorite places for delicious Latin food in Miami.
Bocas Grill Kendall
A Michelin Bib Gourmand favorite for Cuban-American breakfast done really well. It is the perfect place for cafecito, pastelitos, croquetas, and a more local Miami experience in Coconut Grove.
Chug's Diner
For a truly luxurious Miami brunch, Jaya at The Setai is hard to beat. The weekend Caviar & Champagne Brunch combines beautiful courtyard dining, live entertainment, seafood, Asian dishes, and an unforgettable Miami Beach setting.
Jaya | The Setai Miami Beach
Lunch, Dinner & Miami Nights
My favorite places for a great meal, a special dinner, cocktails, and a memorable night out.
A beautiful waterfront destination on the Miami River for Mediterranean food, sunset drinks, and a truly elevated Miami atmosphere. The beach club and lounge make it feel like a full experience, not just dinner.
CASA NEOS
A beautiful Roman-inspired restaurant in the Design District with an elegant but energetic dinner atmosphere. Perfect for great pasta, pizza, and a special night out.
Mother Wolf
A newer Miami Beach spot with a playful, moody vibe and bold Pan-Asian dishes. Such a fun choice when you want dinner somewhere that feels a little different.
Cho Asian Bistro
A beautiful waterfront spot for sunset drinks, dinner, and unforgettable views of the Miami skyline. The marina, yachts, music, and lively weekend atmosphere make it feel like a true Miami night out.
The Deck | Island Gardens
One of Brickell’s most talked-about dinner spots right now. It has a tropical, glamorous atmosphere, live music, great cocktails, and a rooftop that makes it perfect for a special night out
Amazónico Miami Restaurant, Rooftop, Bar & Lounge
Culture, Art & Iconic Miami Places
The art, architecture, history, and neighborhoods that make Miami feel unlike anywhere else.
A must for anyone who loves art, photos, and immersive experiences. You walk through large-scale installations that feel completely interactive and unlike a traditional museum.
Superblue Miami Immersive Art Experience
The best way to experience Wynwood is during Art Walk on the second Saturday of the month. Galleries, murals, music, pop-ups, and restaurants all come alive in one night.
Wynwood Art Walk - Wynwood Business Improvement District | Miami, Florida
I’ve visited Vizcaya several times, and I still find its history fascinating. The beautiful architecture and gardens make every visit feel special. It’s one of those Miami places that is always worth experiencing again.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens | Historic Miami Landmark ...
A beautiful neighborhood to explore for luxury shopping, incredible architecture, public art, and some of Miami’s best restaurants. Even if you are not shopping, it is worth visiting for the atmosphere alone.
Miami Design District
A beautiful contemporary art museum with incredible architecture and peaceful views of Biscayne Bay. Come for the exhibitions, stay for the waterfront terrace and one of the most relaxing views in Downtown Miami.
Pérez Art Museum Miami
A must-visit for anyone who wants to experience the heart of Miami’s Cuban culture. Walk Calle Ocho for cafecito, hand-rolled cigars, colorful murals, live Latin music, and the unmistakable energy of Little Havana
Authentic Little Havana • Walk to Calle Ocho
A one of a kind swimming experience in a historic coral rock setting. With waterfalls, caves, and beautiful Mediterranean-style architecture, it feels like discovering a hidden oasis in Coral Gables.
Venetian Pool
An iconic Miami experience for anyone visiting for the first time. Walk along Ocean Drive to see the colorful Art Deco hotels, palm trees, classic cars, and the lively energy that makes South Beach so famous.
Art Deco District and Ocean Drive
Miami Experiences
Unique Miami plans beyond restaurants and beaches, from boat rides to the Everglades.
One of the best ways to see Miami from a completely different perspective. Cruise past Biscayne Bay, the skyline, Star Island, and beautiful waterfront homes while enjoying the breeze and sunset views.
Island Queen Cruises & Tours
A must-do for anyone who wants to experience the wild side of South Florida. Take the tram or rent a bike to explore the Everglades, spot alligators in their natural habitat, and enjoy views unlike anywhere else near Miami.
Shark Valley Visitor Center
A classic Miami day trip and one of the best ways to experience the Everglades. Ride an airboat through the River of Grass, look for alligators and native wildlife, and see a completely different side of South Florida.
Everglades Day Safari
A beautiful outdoor escape in North Miami Beach for kayaking, biking, nature trails, and waterfront views. The newly opened Oleta River Grill makes it even better for a relaxed afternoon by the water.
Oleta River Adventures
A beautiful way to see a side of Miami most visitors miss. Take a boat out from Coconut Grove to snorkel clear water, reefs, mangroves, or shipwreck sites in Biscayne National Park. Definitely book ahead because weather and availability can change
Biscayne National Park Institute
Unforgettable Miami Plans for Kids
For kids and families looking for fun and memorable experiences in Miami
One of the best family experiences in Miami. Explore a spectacular aquarium, watch a show in the planetarium, and enjoy hands-on science exhibits that keep both kids and adults genuinely entertained for hours.
Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science
A truly memorable Miami adventure for families. Ride an airboat through the Everglades, look for wildlife, and learn about the culture and traditions of the Miccosukee Tribe from the people who know this land best.
Miccosukee Airboat Rides
A tropical wildlife adventure with animal encounters, treetop play areas, shows, and shaded paths to explore. Kids can get closer to animals like lemurs, capybaras, flamingos, and sloths in a setting that feels much more interactive than a typical zo...
Jungle Island
A luxury waterpark day with thrilling slides, a lazy river, a FlowRider surf experience, splash areas, cabanas, and poolside food. It is perfect for kids who want nonstop fun and adults who still want a beautiful place to relax.
Tidal Cove
A full-day family adventure through one of the country’s best subtropical zoos. Explore animals from around the world, enjoy up close encounters and feeding experiences, and ride through the park by tram or safari cycle