Traveler's Blog

Must See

With all the exciting things going on in Miami, a mere weekend in the city may not seem like very much. But don’t worry, you can fit a whole lot into 48 hours! To help you decide what to do and how to make the most of your getaway, we’ve put together a list of some of the trendy and indulgent sites and activities there are in Miami. No doubt you have plenty of options to choose from – just don’t blame us if your weekend in Miami turns into a week!

South Pointe Park

With its tropical, sunny climate and soft breezes, it’s no wonder that you’ll be wanting to spend most of your time outdoors. One of our top spots to soak in the sun is South Pointe Park, a stunning green space on the southern tip of Miami Beach, which offers unbeatable views of South Beach’s gorgeous shoreline. There’s so much to do at this 17 acre park. Go for a run or a sunset stroll along its numerous walking trails, dine al fresco at the picnic and barbeque spots available throughout, or take your furry friend for a roam at its off leash dog park. For the little ones, the park also has a mini water playground, perfect for splashing around on a hot day. And if fishing is your thing, the South Pointe Pier opens out into the Atlantic Ocean and is a popular place to fish, or just watch passing surfers and kayakers.

 Perez Art Museum 

The Perez Art Museum in downtown Miami is a go to destination for exploring modern and contemporary art. The PAMM as it is otherwise known, has been collecting artworks since 1996 and is now home to an impressive collection of 20th and 21st century artworks. Visitors can get lost in the three floors of galleries, including around 3000 permanent collection items, as well as other rotating exhibits. And in a city as diverse as Miami, it’s no surprise that the collection includes works of cultural significance to Miami’s immigrant diaspora, such as pieces from all over Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. What’s more, not only is the art inside famous, the building itself is an architectural wonder of its own. Designed in 2013 by Swiss architectural firm Herzon & de Meuron, the building has drawn critical acclaim for its innovative design. And if you work up an appetite from all your browsing, have a drink or a bite at the museum’s own restaurant, Verde, which serves up dishes with fresh, seasonal ingredients, a signature pastry range, and handcrafted cocktails. And just before leaving stop at the PAMM gift shop to grab a souvenir of the visit.

Miami Design District

For anyone in Miami to do some serious retail therapy, you’ll want to head to the Miami Design District, a creative, stylish neighborhood and major retail destination. The Design District conveniently houses together more than 60 high-end fashion boutiques in an easy to access 18 block neighborhood. Miami loves a name brand, so you’re sure to find all the big names like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, and countless others – good luck leaving without making your wallet hurt. But beyond shopping the Design District also has plenty of edgy art galleries and hip restaurants to discover too. 

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

A 1916 waterfront estate home of a wealthy businessman in its previous life, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is now a national historic landmark. Today, the 50 acre estate includes a Main House museum and expansive gardens. Inside the Main House, you’ll find a museum of more than seventy rooms with numerous antiques and ceramics, with an emphasis on 15th through early 19th century European decorative art and furnishings. But what’s most striking is the distinctive architectural style and interiors, with Mediterranean-inspired architecture and gilded panels, fresco ceilings and other intricate decor pieces imported from across Europe. 

Not to be outdone by the rest of the estate, the Vizcaya’s European-inspired Gardens are reminiscent of the wonders of the 17th and 18th century Italian and French outdoors. The main area is characterized by low hedges, called parterres, in a geometric arrangement. But that’s not all, you can also get lost in the evocative Secret Garden, the cozy Theater Garden, the Maze Garden and the Fountain Garden. 

Palm Island

If marveling at exquisite multi million-dollar homes sounds like a good time to you, there’s no better place than at Palm Island. This neighborhood finds itself on an exclusive man-made island on Biscayne Bay, on Miami’s southwestern shore, and holds some of the state’s most luxurious waterfront homes. These houses feature stunning architectural designs from Mediterranean to Art Deco to contemporary, and most even have their own private docks. Wander around Palm Island to marvel at these homes, and to enjoy the spectacular views of pristine beaches and glistening waters.

Lincoln Road

Another buzzing shopping destination in the South Beach area is Lincoln Road. This trendy spot boasts a 14 block outdoor pedestrian street filled with all kinds of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Its unique offerings include boutiques and art galleries, as well as restaurants and cafes that stay open for late visitors. You can easily spend a day here, shopping, eating, and relishing in its stylish atmosphere. 

Brickell City Center

For a truly world class retail experience, head to Brickell City Center. Brickell is one of the most stylish shopping locations In Miami, and offers three levels of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The retail options extend from well-established luxury brands, as well as more affordable and contemporary stores, from beauty, fashion, homeware, jewelry, and lots more. One of the retail highlights at Brickell is a massive, 107,000 square foot flagship Saks Fifth Avenue store, where  you will be absolutely spoiled for choice. But it’s not all about shopping at Brickell, there are also plenty of trendy restaurants and bars to be found, so you are sure to find something delicious to eat and drink, whatever your cravings are. 

Seaquarium

For those traveling with young kids or even curious adults, the Miami Seaquarium is a must see. As the biggest aquarium in the United States, the Miami Seaquarium is home to hundreds of marine species including fish, turtles, sharks, reptiles, and so much more. Visitors can enjoy amazing marine mammal shows that showcase dolphins and sea lions, or meet cuddly penguins at Penguin Isle . You can also learn about the many endangered species that find refuge in the Seaquarium, and educate yourself on the latest developments in marine conservation and wildlife care efforts. And if you’re feeling brave, you even have the chance to have animal encounters up close and personal, as the aquarium offers the unique chance to meet dolphins, seals, and penguins in the water. 

FTX arena 

A great option for some live entertainment is found at FTX Arena in Biscayne Bay. Whether you’re looking to catch a concert, show, or sporting event, the FTX Arena always has plenty on offer. A glance at the Arena’s event schedule will allow you to choose from a number of upcoming showings in 2022 – from multiple high-intensity NBA games to buzzworthy performances by major international music stars. 

Superblue Miami

For a brand new way to experience art, head to Superblue Miami. But this is no ordinary museum. Superblue is an immersive, interactive, technology-driven venue, a long way from the traditional museum halls. Instead, Superblue is a rotating collection of interactive art collections, which takes advantage of innovative light displays, sound and video facilities, to create an unparalleled multi-sensory experience for its guests. This makes its art collections visually impressive and thought-provoking in equal parts, and is guaranteed to be an artistic experience like no other. 

Coral Gables

Affectionately known as the “City Beautiful” Coral Gables is a city known for its palm-tree lined streets, stunning luxury mansions, and historic landmarks all in one central location. A highlight of the Gables is the Venetian Pool, an incredible 820,000 gallon pool which has been around since the 1920’s, and is fed with fresh spring water from an underground aquifer. The pool is decorated by two stunning waterfalls and cave-like grottos for visitors to explore, and surrounded by swaying palm trees. It’s the perfect place to cool off on a hot Miami day, and take a much-needed dip.

The Wharf Miami

Located along the Miami River, The Wharf is a dynamic open-air event space that hosts events showcasing Miami’s exciting culinary and cultural scene. The venue hosts an ever-changing selection of pop-up food and drink stalls, offering unique and delicious options for all palates, in a lively waterfront atmosphere. A long-standing favorite at the Wharf is Garcia’s Seafood where you can buy the freshest catches of the day, from oysters, ceviche, claws and more, or head over to their food truck to sample some of their iconic cooked seafood plates. 

Bal Harbor Beach and Shops 

No trip to Miami is complete without a beach visit, and you have plenty of sunny spots to choose from. One of our favorites is Bal Harbor Beach, a particularly quiet and exclusive spot on the Northern tip of Miami. But Bal Harbor isn’t any old beach location, rather it showcases the most luxurious side of the city. At Bal Harbor you’ll find a number of high-end resorts like the Ritz-Carlton or the St. Regis, which offer state-of-the-art spa and pool facilities, as well as waterfront fine dining. ​​And to wrap up an ultra indulgent day,  head to the Bal Harbour Shops – a boujee outdoor mall featuring the fanciest designer boutiques in an airy, tropical setting.