Miami is a great destination not only because of all it has to offer: different neighborhoods, beaches, activities, bars and restaurants, but also because the temperature is pleasant all year long.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL?
As expected, between June and August, as its summer season, it is very hot. But the rest of the year it usually keeps a normal warm temperature to travel without problems. That is why it is a perfect destination, as you can go any time.
It is important to note that the rainy season runs from May to October and the dry season from November to April. This makes January the coldest month of the year and August the hottest.
If you are a shopping fan, the third Thursday and Friday of November is Thanksgiving and Black Friday. There are many offers for 24 hours! There are also usually sales at the end of each winter/summer season.
In summary, it could be said that from October to December is the perfect time of the year, since the weather is more pleasant and it is not a high season as January and April, so prices are not as high. In addition, you avoid the hurricane season.
But if what you want is to fully enjoy the beach, you would have to go in May/June as it is hotter to get into the sea but you don't get to have the exhausting temperature as high as in July/August.
Be sure to read the guide: MIAMI BEACHES, to see which are the ones you cannot miss.
WHAT TO DO IN MIAMI?
It is big and every spot is far from each other, therefore we recommend renting a car. You will see all the general tips to take into account in the guide: GENERAL TIPS AND USEFUL APPS.
To better understand its geography:
The small group of buildings that are part the center of the city (known as Downtown) are also located in the geographic center of the city. Once you locate Downtown, the airport is to the northwest, the beaches of Miami Beach and South Beach are to the east, Coconut Grove is to the south, Coral Gables is to the west, and the rest of the city is to the north.
We created a useful summary of the most important neighborhoods to visit:
DOWNTOWN
It is easy to recognize it because it is full of buildings and is usually very crowded. Around here you will also find LITTLE HAVANA, the Cuban neighborhood where immigrants settled in the years after Castro's revolution. Calle Ocho is the most popular among tourists, and although it is not recommended to visit it at night, it is worth exploring on foot during the day. If you have time to go around and get into all the stores, the prices are really cheap!
You can enjoy authentic Cuban food, handmade cigars, aromatic coffee and Latin rhythms. In the Máximo Gómez park, you will be able to see some elderly people who meet daily to play dominoes.
If you are a gastronomy lover, there are many places with good quality products at very good prices. To buy knives: El Gallego Afilador. They also sharpen yours, and they last a long time!
If you travel in March, you can enjoy the Calle Ocho festival that celebrates Latino culture at a party in the middle of the street.
MIAMI BEACH
Central area surrounded by the sea, north of South Beach. A neighborhood with restored design buildings.
COLLINS AVENUE is one of the key points to visit and buy clothes.
One of its most famous beaches is HAULOVE BEACH PARK.
You also have the MIAMI BEACH BOARDWALK.
SOUTHBEACH
It is the most iconic area of Miami. The typical image you have in your mind of the beach, the street filled with palm trees that borders the beach with people rollerblading, skateboarding or biking... Its architecture is very "beachy". Huge verity of restaurants, bars, and full of life.
It was the first area of Miami Beach to be developed, as it was originally a sandbank only accessible by boat.
It is an obligatory stop and you cannot miss visiting:
- OCEAN DRIVE: It is the street that borders the beach that we detailed above. The architecture is fine art deco. The hotels that are located between the 6th and 9th street of Ocean Drive are the most representative, where the combination of colors, pink flamingos and neon lights abound.
- LUMMUS PARK: The most popular park-beach in South Beach that runs along almost the entire length of Ocean Drive (from 6th to 14th streets). It is a very large park and walking through it takes about 3 hours. You are going to find volleyball courts, lots of palm trees and everything you ever saw in the movies. It has a paved path that attracts famous skaters, runners and cyclists. Lummus Park is a good place to relax, take a walk, or sit and just chill and enjoy the authentic South Beach atmosphere.
- BEACHES: If you are a surf lover, your perfect spot is in the section that goes to 5th street. If you prefer to be in a calmer spot, it is better to go to the beaches that are between 6th and 14th street.
- COLLINS AV. AND WASHINGTON AV.: In these two important avenues you will find a lot of clothing stores, accessories, tattoo stands and, of course, the best nightclubs in South Beach. In the BARS/ROOFTOPS/NIGHTCLUBS guide you can read more about this.
Just behind it, at 1300 Washington Ave, is the South Beach Post Office, a building worth visiting.
- CASA CASUARINA (VERSACE MANSION): It is located at 1116 Ocean Drive. The mansion belonged to the famous designer Gianni Versace, and is the place where he was murdered in 1997. Andrew Cuananan killed the designer when he returned to his house. Today, the Casuarina house is called "Villa de Barton G" and is home to a boutique hotel and Il Sole restaurant.
- ESPANOLA WAY: It is a pedestrian street with Mediterranean style between Washington and Drexel avenues, full of restaurants and bars. Another must in the city. It is best to visit it at night!
- LINCOLN ROAD: It is a pedestrian avenue and is located north of South Beach. Fashion lovers, you cannot miss this! This is one of the first commercial streets to be built in the United States. It is full of life both at day and at night, full of clothing stores, technology, bars, restaurants, etc. Lots of happy hours!
WYNWOOD
It is in the Art District, and as its name already says, it is a super cool artistic neighborhood with graffitis everywhere, which was originally the settlement of the Puerto Rican community in Miami. Today it is the center of its avant-garde activity, museums and art galleries.
You can find home decor, clothes, accessories, restaurants, bars...
This neighborhood also has more than 80 art galleries and plenty of shops with the most indie and hipster fashion in the city of Miami.
It is highly recommended to go back at night as there are many bars and nightclubs therefore the options are wide and one next to the other.
You can read everything about this neighborhood in our special guide: “MIAMI- Wynwood”.
BAL HARBOR
This neighborhood is best known for its style and glam, also for its fashion boutiques. It is situated between Surfside and Haulover beaches, with water to the east and west. That makes properties here very exclusive (and very expensive), with some private houses and luxury apartments. The restaurants and shops in the area have the same luxury style to keep the architectural visual harmony.
COCONUT GROVE
It was the legendary hippie neighborhood in the 1960s, but today it has a much more elegant atmosphere. Today there are only a few vintage shops left that are the symbol of what is often known as "the village".
The central point is the intersection of Gran Avenue with McFarlane and the Main Highway, where you can find the famous Johnny Rockets burger joint, set in the style of the '50s.
When going here you cannot miss COCO WALK, a huge shopping and entertainment complex. There are shops, restaurants and plenty of nightlife. It is a very popular area for tourists. It has a pedestrian area that gives the feeling of being a small bohemian village with a very calm atmosphere.
The streets of Mayfair is another interesting place to go shopping. And even if you don't want to buy, it's worth going through its impressive set of Spanish tiles, the waterfalls, the vegetation and its shops.
VISCAYA MUSEUM & GARDENS: It is the largest mansion in Florida and is located north of Coconut Grove. The owner's intention was to build a replica of a 16th century Italian mansion. For this reason, a mixture of styles ranging from Renaissance, Rococo and even Neoclassical is seen, in addition, the furniture comes from various parts of Europe. The gardens of the house perfectly copy the features of the French and Italian gardens but using native Florida vegetation.
FARMERS MARKET: Every Saturday morning, small stands are set up along Grand Avenue. Apart from buying all kinds of things, it is possible to eat at one of the stalls that offer everything from vegan menus to sushi.
CORAL GABLES
It is one of the oldest areas of Miami, very calm and relaxed. The style of the houses is rather Mediterranean. Its streets are mostly residential.
The highlight of the neighborhood is the VENETIAN POOL. The most impressive pool in and around Miami. It was created in 1923 in an old coral rock quarry, which was the place where the stones were extracted to build the Coral Gables mansions. It has a Venetian style and is located on De Soto Blvd. Be sure to go if you are in the area!
The water is pumped from an underground aquifer which makes it clear and very transparent. The area also has two historic towers and a very beautiful landscape full of palm trees, gardens and very careful architecture.
MIRACLE MILE: In 1940, a developer named Coral Gables' commercial street "Miracle Mile." Full of sophisticated art galleries and top designer shops. Due to its high prices, there are usually not many people.
The BILTMORE was built in 1926 between luxury and opulence and over the years it became an icon of Coral Gables. During its early days, it was frequented by celebrities and the jet set of the time. It also has a dark past: it was the site of the murder of gangster Thomas “Fatty” Walsh and was used as a military hospital during World War II. All this aside, today the hotel remains one of the most coveted destinations in South Florida. Every Sunday, the best brunches in the city are made in the patio.
OLD CUTLER TRAIL (CORAL WAY): If you want a more relaxed plan through nature, you can take this trail under canopies of huge trees that crosses some of the most beautiful green areas in Coral Gables. It is also known as Coral Way, and is perfect for walking or cycling. If you pay attention, you probably saw it in several movies and television series. The loop begins at the intersection of Old Cutler Road, Sunset Road and LeJune Road and follows the road south. It is an 18 kilometer journey and connects with the famous Biscayne Trail.
If you are intrigued by the house this neighborhood's creator, you can visit the MERRICK HOUSE, which is now a museum where you can find photos, furniture, and personal treasures.
LITTLE HAITI
This is the other ethnic neighborhood in Miami, much less touristy than Little Havana. The area has art galleries, Haitian music and book stores, and the Cultural Center, where dance and theater performances are held. A bronze statue of General Toussaint Louverture, the father of Haitian independence, stands northeast of 2nd Avenue and 62nd Street in the heart of "La Petite Haiti".
SUNNY ISLES
Here you can see a group of hotels from the 50s facing the beach giving way to luxury apartment towers and hotels. Very relaxed atmosphere. You'll also get to see the classic Newport Fishing Pier. Sunny Isles is often referred to as the Florida Riviera. It is a beach community and with a great mix of cultures.
KEY BISCAYNE
To get to this island you have to cross the Rickenbacker Causeway, a street elevated above the sea from where you have a view of Miami from another side. The Biscayne area is characterized by very beautiful white sand beaches, green parks and residential areas with incredible houses.
Depending on the season, there are beaches that can have a lot of seaweed. The best known beaches are:
CRANDON PARK BEACH. It is the public beach, very very large. It has paid parking and restrooms. Also tables and grills under the palm trees in case you want to put together a meal. If you want to be quieter, you can walk a little further away. It is very large and people gather as soon as you get out of the parking lot.
Beyond the beach you can visit the natural park. The two most interesting points are: Biscayne Nature Center and the Bear Cut Nature Preserve.
The other beach is THE KEY BISCAYNE LIGHTHOUSE at BILL BAGGS CAPE FLORIDA STATE PARK. It is further south and with much less people.
Key Biscayne also offers a fringing reef and the only underwater archaeological trail in the United States.
KEY BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK
Just under an hour from Miami. Key Biscayne should not be confused with Key Biscayne National Park, as they are two separate islands. Key Biscayne National Park is located between Miami and Cabo Largo and can only be reached by boat. Key Biscayne National Park is one of the most important marine reserves in the USA, an island full of mangroves and flooded areas with unique flora and fauna. The main activities to do in this National Park are boat tours, kayaking and diving.
POOL PARTIES
If you travel with friends you cannot miss Miami's pool parties. In general they are in luxury hotels such as: Hyde Beach, W South Beach, Delano Hotel and Raleigh Hotel.
OTHER USEFUL GUIDES
The art district: Wynwood
All the best Buying Tips
Where to go out at night - Bars, Rooftops and Nightclubs
The best beaches