Miami
Beautiful beaches and art deco delights are just some of Miami’s many charms – there’s also the blazing nightlife, tropical gardens, lively arts scene and sizzling cuisine.
The Miami you think you know—the one flush with mojitos, exotic cars, and neon string bikinis—still thrives in pockets of South Beach. But that image doesn’t fully capture the reality, the diversity or the soul of the city. Across the causeway, a new cosmopolitanism hub has sprouted in once-gritty Wynwood and the business hub of Brickell. Calle Ocho thrums with energy. And even the beachy side of the Miami continues to grow and change.
Nights in the City
When the sun sets and the brilliant colors of a South Florida sunset fill the sky, that’s when the best part of the day begins for Miami’s party people. By moonlight, all the magic of the city unfolds, in its salsa-filled dance halls, swanky candlelit lounges, and rooftop bars with sweeping views over Biscayne Bay and the glittering city skyline. While there’s plenty of bling on display, Miami has something for all, from backyard bars full of indie rockers to hidden dens of debauchery concealed behind neon-lit taco stands.
Architectural Jewel Box
Even if there was no beach, Miami would still have undeniable allure. The gorgeous 1930s hotels lining Ocean Dr are part of the world’s greatest collection of art deco buildings. Tropical motifs, whimsical nautical elements and those iconic pastel shades create a cinematic backdrop for exploring the streets of Miami Beach. Of course, you don’t have to see these architectural beauties at arm’s length. Lavishly restored, Miami’s art deco and mid-century modern hotels are also the playground for locals and out-of-towners alike, with sunny poolside terraces, artfully designed dining rooms and plush nightclubs.
Miami Beach’s beaches
With twelve miles of calm waters, clean sands, swaying palms and candy-coloured lifeguard towers, you can’t go wrong with Miami’s cornucopia of beaches. The young and beautiful frequent those between 5th and 21st streets, a convenient hop from the juice bars and cafés on Ocean Drive. From 6th to 14th streets, Lummus Park – containing sand shipped in from the Bahamas – is the heart of the scene; there’s an unofficial gay section roughly around 12th Street. North of 21st, things are more family-oriented, with a boardwalk running between the shore and the hotels up to 46th. To the south, First Street Beach and South Pointe are favoured by Cuban families, and are quite busy on weekends. For good swimming, head up to 85th, a quiet stretch that’s usually patrolled by lifeguards.
Creativity, Miami Style
Chalk it up to Miami’s diverse population, or perhaps its love of always being on the cutting edge. Whatever the reason, creativity is one of the great hallmarks of this city. From art and design to global cuisine, Miami remains ever on the search for bold new ideas, which manifest themselves in surprising ways. You’ll find brilliantly inventive chefs blending Eastern and Western cooking styles, sustainably designed buildings inspired by South Florida ecosystems and open-air galleries where museum-quality artwork covers once-derelict warehouses. The one constant in Miami is its uncanny ability to astonish.
The Great Outdoors
Few cities are as blessed as Miami when it comes to natural beauty. White sandy beaches are lapped by teal waters – perfect for sunrise strolls along peaceful stretches of Mid-Beach to scenic paddles in search of manatees off Virginia Key. You can look for colorful bird species while walking the trails of Oleta River State Park, or go to any of the tropical gardens across the city. With year-round sunshine, and a love for celebration, the open air is also where Miami’s biggest parties unfold – whether at massive music and dance festivals or the neighborhood fiestas that pack Miami’s calendar.
Best of Miami
Believe it or not, Miami offers much more than just an epic party scene:
- Wynwood Walls – street art paints the walls of alleyways and formerly downtrodden buildings in this revitalized neighborhood
- Art Deco District, South Beach – South Beach is more than a party with the historical Art Deco buildings lining the streets
- Little Havana – Calle Ocho, Maximo Gomez Park, Ball & Chain, and Versailles are just a few culturally significant points of interest in this Cuban enclave
- Cape Florida Lighthouse – the climbable 19th-century lighthouse reveals epic views of Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami
- Vizcaya Museum & Gardens – Experience opulence at James Deering’s Mediterranean-style villa overlooking Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove
Day Trips
- Fort Lauderdale – South Florida’s boating capital with 300+ miles of navigable waterways
- Key Largo, Florida Keys – the best snorkeling & scuba diving in Florida
- Jupiter – old Florida charm mixed with a hint of outdoor adventure
- Islamorada, Florida Keys – epic deep sea fishing in the Sportfishing Capital of the World
- Fort Myers Beach – a family-friendly beach town on Florida’s Gulf Coast
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You could easily spend a lifetime in the US and still feel like you’ve just scratched the surface.
It’s epic on every scale. After all, this is a place where you can watch the thunderous spectacle of Niagara Falls, trek through the soaring Black Hills of South Dakota and cruise along California’s glorious Pacific Coast; where you can ski at Lake Tahoe, go cattle ranching in the Midwest and imbibe live jazz in New Orleans.
The options, it seems, are endless.
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