My name is Chrissy and I’ve been living in Miami for 15 years. My first visit was in college, and I fell in love with the weather and how beautiful the city is. After several visits, I decided to apply for graduate school there and never returned to Texas. My passion for travel developed with my interests in learning about other cultures and seeing new places around the world. Today I share Miami tips (and other destinations) on my Instagram page (@chrissy.koulouris) and on my blog (www.jetlaggedroamer.com).
Why I Love Miami So Much
Miami is vibrant, eclectic and spicy! It feels like it’s its own country when compared to other spots in Florida or the US. I love how beautiful the city is and the beaches are amazing. I like to spend my time biking down to South Pointe or along the boardwalk up to Sunny Isles. There are also many restaurants I love dining at such as Abbale, Jaguar Sun and Spanglish.
Must-Do Experiences in Miami
- Relax at the Beach: You can’t visit Miami without going to the beach and soaking up the sun. Sunny Islands Beach is a great place to start.
- Visit Jungle Island for Treetop Trekking: This is a fun and unique activity to do, and you can see the epic Miami skyline from here!
- Head to Little Havana: Dine at Cafe La Trova and after dinner, grab a drink at Terras – a rooftop bar with amazing views of the Brickell skyline.
- Have Brunch at the Rusty Pelican Miami: It’s a stylish waterfront restaurant with great views all day round and it serves delicious food.
- Go Paddle Boarding or Kayaking in Sunset Harbour: The perfect spot in Biscayne Bay to head out on the calm waters and enjoy the views.
- Shop Till You Drop on Lincoln Road: This is a pedestrian-only shopping district filled with many wonderful shops, cafes and restaurants.
- Tour the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens: A lovely mansion by Biscayne Bay and definitely worth touring around for a couple of hours.
- Stroll Through Coconut Grove: This adorable, quaint neighborhood is ideal for a short stroll. I enjoy grabbing a burger from LoKal when I go.
- Walk Around the Colorful Neighborhood of Wynwood: There are lots of murals that are unique to look at here. While there, grab a mojito at Miami Mojito Company. Also, try the best donut you will ever eat at Salty Donut. For some delicious Italian food, I suggest Joey’s Italian Cafe.
- Visit South Pointe Park and Have a Picnic: It’s a spot filled with many locals and you will always spot someone doing acrobatics. You can enjoy the waterfront dining at Monty’s or Smith & Wollensky. There is also Joe’s Stone Crab which is a must eat at spot when visiting Miami.
Tips For Visiting Miami
I recommend staying in Miami Beach. Some of my favorite hotels are The Standard, The Confidante, Faena and Hotel Greystone. When it comes to eating in Miami, some of the local favorites are Cuban coffee, croquetas, Publix chicken tender sandwich, Cuban sandwich and pastelitos.
If you’re looking for great Cuban food, Cafe Versaille is a fantastic option. For a really delicious Cuban sandwich, visit Sanguich in Little Havana. Some of my favorite places to eat that I frequent in Miami (aside from the ones that I’ve already mentioned) are Lucali, Gitano and the Necessary Purveyor.
You can easily see a lot of Miami in just 4-5 days. If you want to go more at a leisurely pace and have some beach time, then I would recommend staying for a week. If you can squeeze it into your schedule, take a road trip and spend a day or two in Key West. It is such a beautiful drive!
Miami is crowded and there is a lot of traffic. Be sure to have plenty of money because it can be expensive. If you plan on doing a lot of driving on the highway, get a Sunpass or purchase tolls with your rentals. If you visit during summer, it will be very hot. You will also experience some heavy rain. However, it doesn’t last long and the rest of the day is clear.
Miami has perfect weather from January through to April, which is great for al fresco dining. Just know it is peak season then and a little more crowded, and with that the accommodations are more expensive.
