Miami Travel Guide

When the winter is at its coldest and northerners dream of warmer months, Miami is often the destination of choice. The water is turquoise blue, temperatures hover in the low 80’s and the clubs stay open until the wee hours. It’s a tempting combination.

Things to Do in Miami Beach

The most popular attraction is South Beach. Here you can sample some of the area’s best restaurants, get some sun on the beach or rent a bike and cruise around. But there’s much more than sand and sunshine. Check out the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, an Italian-style villa located in Coconut Grove. In the know visitors escape to the more tranquil Key Biscayne for beautiful, but quieter beaches and a general escape from the chaos of South Beach. Calle 8 in Little Havana is an excellent place to take in the city’s strong Cuban culture. Grab some Cuban food too.

Best Places to Stay in Miami Beach

Travelers looking for beach access and nightlife usually stay on South Beach, while Key Biscayne is the quieter alternative.

Best Time to Visit Miami Beach

The best time to visit Miami is late winter and into the spring. Temperatures aren’t quite as extreme as in the summer months and the normal winter crowds begin to thin out. But don’t leave out heading down for a New Year’s celebration. You’ll have to deal with crowds, but it might just be worth it.

A Local's Guide to Miami

For decades, Miami has been one of Florida’s best vacation spots. With brilliant weather, long beaches and a buzzing nightlife it has everything for tourists to enjoy. The 56-square-mile area has many beaches and is known as the “cruise capital of the world” as more passenger cruise ships dock here than anywhere else around the globe.

Miami is a huge resort which stretches from the Everglades through to Biscayne Bay so there are plenty of places to stay. Finding somewhere within walking distance of a beach or entertainment is easy. There are lots of short term vacation rentals for one night or longer term leases for weeks or even months.

For a great stay close to the beach, visitors can rent somewhere along Biscayne Boulevard or any one of a number of oceanfront locations. There are rentals including pools, hot tubs and games rooms to make sure every trip is fun-packed.

Travelers can fly into Miami international airport then catch a cab to the house rental. This isn’t the only way to get to this destination though, and if this stopover is part of a longer trip, it may be easier to drive or catch a train.

Coming from Florida state, a drive down the coast with the stunning views of the Atlantic can be a great way to kick off the vacation. There’s also several trains that get into the heart of Miami quickly and easily.

Getting around in Miami is also convenient. Buses, trains, and a free electric-powered “Metromover” make it fast and safe to navigate the city. The Metromover is a 4.4-mile rail that stops at certain points so tourists can jump on. It can even be tracked via a phone app to make the whole experience simple. Segways and bikes are also available to hire for the more active sightseers.

Miami is full of things to do and places to see. One of the most popular places to visit is the famous South Beach. There are also hundreds of nightclubs, restaurants, designer stores, and resorts dotted around. A largely car-free area, there's plenty of free transport for visitors to use to get around. Ocean Drive is one of the most popular tourist spots and has several busy restaurants.

Another area for vacationers to check out is Miami Beach. The coastal resort is linked to the mainland by a series of bridges and has tonnes of attractions and entertainment including the Art Center South Florida and Miami Beach Botanical Gardens.

Golfers can play a few rounds at one of several golf courses in Miami. With more than 70 to choose from, there’s a course layout to suit everyone from novice to pro. Alternatively, take a trip out to the Florida Everglades to experience the swamps and wildlife before taking in the views of the Atlantic Ocean from Biscayne Bay.

Miami Beach is home to the pastel colours and 1920s Art Deco influence. There are tours running from the area to discover the signature architecture. The incredible designs have been preserved after it was rebuilt following a devastating 1926 hurricane. There are more than 800 buildings to spot and hungry travelers can also grab a bite at one of the beautifully preserved diners.

With about 40% of the population from Cuban origin, the influence is seen in food, music and culture across Miami. The downtown area of Miami is known as “Little Havana” and is home to incredible Cuban food, theaters and museums.