Things to Do & Places to See
South Pointe Park
For those in search of the beach, this is the best place to start. Walk through the lovely green park to the pier that jettisons out past the beach and the beginning of the South Beach boardwalk. If you're here around Sunday sunset, you can catch the cruise ships leaving port. If you're hungry, stop by Joe's Stone Crab and grab a lobster roll or crab claws from their takeaway cafe. (Joe's is Miami's oldest restaurant; Miami was founded 1896 and Joe's started 1913. It's still loved by locals). Or grab an outdoor table at Smith & Wollensky (only if you can get outdoor table!).
Ocean Drive
For the Art Deco and classic Miami Beach vibes. The blocks between 5-15th street are the most tourist heavy but also feature the most Art Deco buildings. Try to avoid eating at a restaurant here unless you want to be price gorged. Our top reccos: The Betsy Hotel (1940s) is a reliable stopping point. One of our favorites, Tropezon, is a short walk from here on Espanola way (less touristy paseo with restaurants). For cocktail bars: Swizzle and the Scapegoat (industry bar). Fun but touristy: Palace, Bongo's.
The Standard Spa, Miami Beach
For those that want a spa break or waterfront views - without the hassle of South Beach. The Standard is blocks away from Tony's apartment in a small but cute neighborhood called Sunset Harbour. It's on it's own artificial island along the Venetian Causeway, which is great for a bike ride or walk across. The Standard has a midcentury modern lobby, great spa with hammam, small cocktail bar called The Monterry and the Lido Bayside Grill for great sunset views (but only ok food).
Miami Design District
For the (high end) shoppers and design enthusiasts. This is an upscale shopping neighborhood where the designer buildings are more fun (read: accessible) to look at than the items inside. Only a couple blocks long, make sure to walk from the Palm Court to Jungle Plaza. There's a food hall, MIA Market, on the second floor with a variety of food options. Or Dior has it's own cafe. Pura Vida, a local favorite health cafe, is also a reliable brunch or juice spot. The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) is a couple blocks down for art lovers.
Wynwood Walls
What used to be the top gram spot. The center of Wynwood. Come here to stroll through streets of graffiti and murals. But heads up, this area is going through a lot of construction lately, so the cultural relics are few and the construction is plenty. The recommended places that speak to 'original' Wynwood vibe are Gramps (bar), Panther (local coffee), Coyo Taco (tacos! Barack Obama did a photo op here), Astra (rooftop bar, ok drinks) and 1-800 Lucky (Asian food hall). Note the Wynwood walls you now need tickets to see!
Brickell City Centre
Brickell is not our favorite neighborhood (too busy), but many people love it and we won't be offended if you do too! If you want the hustle and bustle of a city, come here! It's the most dense neighborhood outside of Manhattan; full of skyscrapers that have appeared in the last 10 years. There's tons of food locations (especially upscale sushi), palm tree lined streets, and much more. Brickell City Center is a central point in the neighborhood and the best place for shopping (Zara). For views of Biscayne Bay, walk all around Brickell Key, a small man made island in the neighborhood.
Coconut Grove
If you're staying at the Mayfair, this is your home base for the weekend and where we live. The oldest neighborhood in Miami, built by Bahamanian and artists in late 1880s. Still more laid back and local than other neighborhoods (though losing some of it's hippie-ness), there are multiple yacht clubs, a tree canopy, family parks and more. The marina has rental kayaks. Our favorites food-wise: Panther (coffee), Fuzzee's (healthy/juice), Chug's (Cuban, takeaway ventanita), Los Felix (Mexican), Le Bouchon du Grove (French), Sapore di Mare (Italian), Bombay Darbur (Indian), Mister 01 (pizza), Bellini @ Mr.C (upscale Italian w/ rooftop views), Greenstreet (hearty brunch) Taurus (old whisky bar), Barracuda's (dive bar), Level 6 (Spanish food/bar with rooftop views), Bayshore Club (outdoor dining in a marina w/ water views).
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
For the architects and old Miami history lovers. This is the top wedding spot in Miami (booked out 16 months in advance), which was built by James Deering starting in 1912 (1 year before Miami was founded). The Italian gardens are beautiful, the building is Mediterranean Revival architecture, and the interior has been kept up to date. Don't miss the small but fun basement grotto pool, the back of the house veranda with bay views, and all the nooks of the gardens.
Coconut Grove Farmer's Market
For the hipsters and health-conscious. Only open on Saturdays. Great for a stroll, fresh juice, and hippie vibes. Lara used to go here almost every weekend before she met Tony, it was part of her "yoga followed by farmer's market" ideal weekend. There is a wide variety of vendors here - from florists to masseuses - that sell clothing, food, crystals, kombucha, dog treats and more. Head to the ice-filled coolers for freshly made juices and nut milks. Carrot/turmeric and spicy-7 are Lara's favorites, pistachio nut milk is Tony's.
Crandon Park
For the beach, without the noise. This is a more laid back beach that only locals visit. It's super kid friendly and has palm trees for shade (unlike Miami Beach). There's ample parking, rental bikes, a hut with good ceviche, and a long boardwalk to stroll. You could also stop by Rusty Pelican's for food with a view before/after. For those more thirsty, Gramp's Getaway is a great local bar with seafood settled within the marina next door (one of our new favs)
Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science
For the families. Mostly an aquarium, but artfully done with a great view of Miami Beach and the port on the top floors. You can combine a trip with the small art museum PAMM (Perez Art Museum) right next door. Even if you don't go to the PAMM, walk around the building to the back/ocean side for views of the Miami skyline. There's a cafe, Verde, and steps to enjoy the view.
Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables
For those who want to see the *real* old Miami, Coral Gables is the place. This is super residential, but the Biltmore Hotel and Venetian Pool (currently under reno) are two institutions that speak to Miami's history. Built in 1926 and modeled after The Giralda in Seville, Spain, the Biltmore has an interior courtyard restaurant, impressive ballrooms (Lara's prom was held here), an 18-hole golf course, parakeets in the lobby, and a massive pool (once the biggest in the world) where you can rent cabanas. FDR had a temporary office here when he visited Miami.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
We almost had the wedding here! Fairchild is only a 15-20 min drive south of Coconut Grove in Coral Gables, but a great way to escape the 'city' and a must for those who love gardens and tropical fauna. Founded in 1936 and sitting on 83 acres, it supports local conservation outside of having just an impressive collection of plants. Make sure to drive down Old Cutler en route, to see the Banyan trees (this was Lara's route to school growing up). At Fairchild, our favorite spots are the small tropical/rare palm tree house and the butterfly house (for kids). If you're coming here with kids, we also recommend bringing your bathing suit and stopping by Matheson Hammock just down the street which has a peaceful small and shallow atoll for toddlers (and older) to dip in the water.
Calle Ocho Plaza
Calle Ocho / Little Havana is the place to visit to honor the Cuban diaspora in Miami - but be warned there's not too much to do here outside of a couple food spots. Those spots: Versailles (most classic affordable Cuban), Versailles bakery (order guava pastellitos), Azucar (local ice cream), Cuba Ocho (bar filled with art and music), Ball and Chain (classic Miami restaurant, be warned it's loud), Cafe la Trova (copy cat restaurant, also loud). You could also stop by Dominoes Park, or do a food + history tour (we've heard good things). Terras (hotel) has a cute rooftop bar with food and good views of Downtown.