Miami has long been somewhere I had hoped to visit, so when I got the alert for a great deal on flights, I snapped it up and got ready to pack my bikini. I was excited to explore the largest city in southern Florida, and was especially looking forward to experiencing the Cuban influence I had heard so much about.
I ended up having a great time in Miami and will definitely return! Here are some of my favorite experiences while exploring the Magic City:
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To help get orientated in Miami, the first activity I did was a hop-on-hop-off bus tour. Though it might seem slightly cliché and overly touristy for some, the bus’ route takes in most of Miami’s most famous attractions and places, including South Beach and Little Havana. I especially enjoyed how each of Miami’s neighborhoods was distinctive and had their own charms. I also got to connect with other tourists on the bus, so it was a really fun introduction to the city.
After the bus ride, I was ready to hit the stunning Miami waters, so I signed up for a jet boat ride in Biscayne Bay. It ended up being such a fun experience zipping over the water and feeling the salt spray on my face.
My fun-filled day worked up an appetite, so when it was dinnertime, I decided to check out the neighborhood of Wynwood. Wynwood, one of Miami’s most buzzed about neighborhoods, is best known for its colorful street art, lively nightlife scene, and murals. I spent about forty-five minutes exploring the art and galleries of the Wynwood Walls before heading over to the Wynwood Diner for a casual dinner for one.
When I first read that you could take a daytrip from Miami to another country, I knew that was a must for my itinerary. I was picked up and taken to a small cruise ship to depart for the Bahamas. Making the journey as fun as the destination, the cruise was relaxing and fun. Once we stepped onto the shores of the Bahamas, the beautiful, calm beaches had a different atmosphere to downtown Miami and it was lovely to see both. Make sure you’re hungry and thirsty when you arrive, because the piña coladas and conch fritters are experiences in and of themselves!
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The next morning, I decided to visit Miami’s most famous beach, South Beach. Having grown up seeing the bright neon lights of Ocean Drive featured in TV and movies, I was excited to experience its glamour for myself. It doesn’t disappoint, with trendy beachfront restaurants and powder white sand beaches. Some of my favorite streets to explore were Lincoln Road, Española Way, and Collins Avenue. South of Fifth is also an amazing area to visit, with its quieter streets, upscale vibe, and South Pointe Park. Be sure to hit up Joe’s Stone Crabs during season or Nikki Beach on 1 Ocean Drive to try their famous mojitos, beautiful crowd, and Sunday Brunch.
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As mentioned, one of the things I was most interested in seeing in Miami was Little Havana. Due to its location, Miami has a strong Cuban influence. I checked out Little Havana and the colorful streets and vibrancy of the area was the perfect way to end my Miami trip. Make sure to indulge in a cortadito when you need an afternoon pick-me-up and for lunch, I recommend ropa vieja, a famous Cuban dish of shredded beef dish that’s slow cooked in tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic and wine.