From the iconic candy-colored lifeguard towers to sleek beachfront hotels, rooftop bars, and immersive art museums, Miami Beach is packed with energy and style. South Beach is especially famous for its Art Deco vibes, it’s home to the largest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world, with over 800 buildings! Think bold geometric lines, pastel colors, and tropical motifs like flamingos that channel the glam of the 1920s and ’30s. These charming low-rise buildings are only three stories tall, which gives the whole area a cozy, retro feel.
In this post, I’m breaking down the best time to visit Miami, what to pack, beach essentials, and my favorite spots to stay, eat, and explore including which museums are worth checking out and how to get around. Whether you're soaking up the sun or heading out for a night on the town, this guide has everything you need to make the most of Miami’s one-of-a-kind vibe. The beaches and nightlife are the big draws, but there’s a lot more to love.
Best Time to Visit Miami
Miami averages over 250 days of sunshine and has never had a single digit or triple digit temperature ever recorded. So the warmest day was 98F.
Dec/Jan
Winter is considered the high season when prices are highest for hotels. Temperatures will be 75 degrees and there are so many festivals going on. Art Deco Weekend is in January. South Beach Food & Wine Festival is in February. Art Basel is the first week of December. It's a contemporary art fair that is a pretty significant cultural event for Miami that brings in over 80,000 visitors for it each year including artists, collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts. The fair features over 280 galleries from around the world, showcasing works by emerging and established artists across various mediums. Last December they had a public art installation titled “The Great Elephant Migration” featured a herd of 100 life-sized elephant sculptures on the sands of Miami Beach aimed to raise awareness about conservation and human-wildlife coexistence
March - May
Ideal time as temperatures are 70-80s so perfect for beach and little rain and the lowest humidity (for Miami at 67%). End of April is the sweet spot for me.
In March you will need a cardigan at night for rooftop bars which I don't like. Try to avoid spring break for the crowds. Although Canadian tourism is down 20% due to our current political situation.
Miami Ultra (electronic) Music Festival is in March. This year the Global Champions Arabians Tour presented by Qatar made its debut in April and brought Arabian horses to a tent on the beach at 36th Street Park. It was a sight to see all the elegantly dressed Miami people at the show.
Formula 1 had it's fourth year in Miami in May and Carbone restaurant relocates to the beach during F1 for three nights and each night they have a huge performance with famous singers. This dinner party is one of the most coveted tickets in town. Tickets are $3000 - $40,000.
June - Aug
Hottest season, it rains the most in June! May - Oct are Miami wettest months.
Sept - Nov
Hurricane season and lowest prices. Highest humidity is in September at 78%. Beach Polo World Cup happens first week of November.
What to Pack
Miami is all about bright colors, leave your little black dress at home. Instead pack your neon green and bright fuchsia dress with your highest heels. Always have your swimsuit in your carryon in case your suitcase is lost by the airline. I've said this for years but to prove my point 58 year old Salma Hayek is on the cover of Sports Illustrated this month and she felt her body type hadn't been represented before so she had imposture syndrome and wanted to back out. They mailed her 200 bathing suits and she narrowed it down to 100 and had them altered. When she flew to Mexico for the shoot her suitcase with the bathing suits was lost! She had to wear the XS sample size suits that just happen to have on hand. You can always buy new clothes but swimsuits are the hardest to repurchase.
Here are some other items I brought: Aqua Vault or a Waterproof phone pouch for the beach. UV Protection Phone Umbrella to keep sun glare off your phone. Phoozy Thermal Capsule is a powerful phone case that protects your phone from extreme cold and heat and extends battery life up to 4X. Wide Brim Sun Hat. I brought my metal 14 oz water bottle. I went to Walgreens and bought cold water for $3, poured it into my bottle, and it stayed cold for hours while I was at the beach!
Beach
Miami Beach is home to 36 vibrant, candy-colored
Lifeguard Towers, stretching from the southern tip of South Beach all the way up to 87th Street. These iconic Art Deco structures received a fresh renovation just five years ago. I visited Miami in late April, and while the beach was beautiful, the ocean water was ice cold, lots of brown seaweed was washing up on the beach (even though crews clean it up every morning), and the sand was so hot it burned my feet on the way back to my chair. The tide was rough that day—I saw five different swimmers rescued by vigilant lifeguards as you can see in my picture above. If you're heading into the water, it's safest to stick to the sandbars—shallow stretches that extend far out into the ocean. You'll notice these areas by the clusters of people standing in knee-deep water, far from shore but still safely grounded.
Lummus Park is a 74-acre public park located right in the heart of South Beach from 5th to 15th streets along Ocean Drive. It has fitness Areas with two outdoor gym zones, a paved pathway, and 18 sand volleyball courts. I recently discovered that it has public restrooms located at 6th, 10th, and 14th streets, along with water fountains and beach wash stations. At the end of the park is this sign that says Miami Beach but as you can see from the harsh shadows in my morning picture, you can only take a picture of it in the late afternoon.
There are three beach clubs
Nikki Beach,
Joia Beach, and
Tala Beach that you need reservations for. Joia is located on Watson Island, offering a more secluded space surrounded by lush greenery. It has thatched-roof tiki huts, nautical decor, and luxurious daybeds overlooking Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. A daybed reservation is $50 plus a $25 minimum spending of food and beverage during the week, $100 during the weekend. A live DJ provides entertainment from day through night so expect loud music the whole time. Perfect for a romantic dinner on the beach. Tala Beach is at the 1 Hotel and the party goes late into the night. Nikki Beach on South Beach, the original beach club, doesn't make anything clear on their website, yelp reviews say food is subpar and its more about the pictures, see mine below.
Hotels
This visit I was surprised by how much construction and hotel demolition I saw. When a
condo building collapsed in Sunny Isles in 2021 a bunch of Miami Beach oceanfront property did not pass the 40 year inspections so they are getting torn down and rebuilt. The Delano, Raleigh, Shelbourne all got renovations and are expected to be open by the end of this year.
The Shelbourne opens this month with waived resort fees and 30% off rates for May $360 + tax. Expect a new evolution of the new Miami Beach strip once all these hotels open. My favorite lobby at the Shore Club is being turned into the Auberge Resorts Collection in 2027. When I go to Miami I prefer to stay in South Beach. I've stayed at all the hotels below and thought they were decent and would recommend.
A 10- story boutique hotel one block from the beach. It underwent a comprehensive renovation, completed in December 2024. My room had large windows that gave a wide view of South Beach's skyline and partial view of the coastline. The hotel offers free beach chairs (umbrellas are extra $35) and free bike rental (for 2 hours). Lobby is on the 3rd floor since it's a smallish hotel and it had a pool which I didn't use. Next door was Joe & the Juice which I love! A block away is Walgreens which was so useful to buy bottled water for the beach. The hotel gave me small bottles for my room. The bathroom had a nice amenities kit.
An iconic Art Deco property built in 1939 which exudes classic elegance and sleek interiors. The hotel is adults only, catering to guests seeking a tranquil and refined environment. Features a 205-foot-long infinity pool, one of the longest in South Beach, surrounded by lush palm trees and cabanas. Note the trees block your view of the ocean from your window. Its 7 floors high and has direct beach access.
A trendy, upscale hotel featuring a blend of Latin, Asian, contemporary, and Art Deco influences. It's 12 stories high and has direct beach access. This where you stay if you want a lively and fashionable environment. It has two pools: a guest-only pool and Hyde Beach, an adults-only day club and evening lounge. Picture a lively pool party with bouncer, music and socializing. They have theme parties and host special celebrations like Miami Music Week here. This is a prime spot for those looking to experience Miami's vibrant social scene. I took this picture when I stayed here, you take your drinks into the pool with you and my friend and I sat on one of those unicorns and chilled while the DJ spinned tunes.
A small 3-story boutique hotel with a rooftop pool that has ocean views. A retro glam hotel whose small rooms feature geometric patterns and blue mood lighting. It has a rooftop lounge and a Mexican restaurant on the ground floor.
A small boutique hotel that is budget-friendly that is good if you want the South Beach scene without breaking the bank. They have no pool or fitness center but give complimentary beach towels and Wi-Fi. Free happy hour daily at Maxine's Bistro & Bar the nearby sister property. No daily housekeeping. Full service is offered every 3rd day only. Trash pick-up and towel replenishment is provided daily. The hotel will not hold guests' luggage which is a major downside of course.
Mid- Range options I have not stayed at but would consider:
Loews always been my dream to stay here but $400.
Moxy not on the beach but you do get complimentary beach chairs.
AC Hotel upper Collins, really nice hotel with a decent rate $200/300, rooftop pool has a view of the beach even though the hotel is a block away from beach. I think I'll stay here next with my Marriott points, unless I earn enough points to stay at the Edition.
The Palms Hotel upper Collins, really nice hotel with a decent rate $200/300.
Grand Beach Hotel north Collins, I normally would have never considered staying this far north on the island but its an all suite hotel at $250/300 a night and its a beautiful pink themed property.
My dream hotels that cost $1000 a night
The Edition has the best smelling lobby in Miami, you can buy the candle! I walked around the lobby and I snapped this picture of the gorgeous pool area, I have to come back and stay here one day.
The Setai has my favorite restaurant, the vibes are just immaculate!
Faena - I always visit the elephant and have a drink at the outdoor bar! Los Fuegos Argentinean steakhouse has leopard print decor.
Museums
Perez Art Museum $18 A contemporary art museum supported by the city and focuses on international modern and contemporary art, with an emphasis on artists from the Americas, Western Europe, and Africa. It’s curated with an academic and institutional approach. The building design is known for its sleek, modern design and integration with the waterfront. Feels more formal and institutional, the kind of place you’d associate with large public museums worldwide.
Rubell Museum $15 opens at 11:30am. A private contemporary art museum which features cutting-edge, often provocative contemporary art, with a strong emphasis on emerging artists and global diversity. The collection is very personal and reflects the Rubells’ taste and collecting history since the 1960s. Housed in a repurposed warehouse in an industrial area of town so it is intentionally raw and edgy, aligning with the nature of its art. More intimate and edgy, popular with artists, collectors, and those looking for emerging trends in contemporary art. Right now it has a Yayoi Kusama Infinity Room which I saw in both Washington DC and San Francisco.
Superblue $40 open at 11am. Contemporary immersive art in a 50,000 square feet warehouse Superblue showcases large-scale installations. Interactive exhibits include biometric artworks where visitors' heartbeats influence lighting displays, and digital environments that respond to touch. The experience emphasizes sensory engagement, with features like mirrored labyrinths and immersive light installations. This is across the street from the Rubell museum but it's out of the way so you have to trek to get there and I thought the price was expensive, plus there's an add on cost if you want to do additional things.
Museum of Ice Cream $34 Whimsical, sensory play centered around ice cream culture. 14,000-square-foot venue features themed rooms like the "Sprinkle Pool," "Creamliner" airplane, and "Hall of Freezers." I visited the old location in Miami Beach in 2018 and it was fun for Instagram worthy pictures.
Restaurants
You need a reservation and you need to check the dress code. Women are required to wear heels - yes! Men can not wear athletic shorts and sneakers. A 20% tip is included in most restaurant bills. So look out for that because the tip line is still on the bill for additional tip. A proposed
Florida bill aims to restrict automatic gratuities at restaurants. Here's where I went:
South Beach
Mila
Mediterranean-Asian fusion rooftop restaurant opened in 2020 with innovative cuisine, stunning design, and vibrant atmosphere. Expect to find a rope and bouncer at the door as they have a strict dress code, women have to wear heels. Inside in the line for the bathroom every woman was in a pretty cocktail dress. They have a 3,000-square-foot open-air pond which just enhancing the serene ambiance. They have short live performances. The space includes two full bars, one indoors and another on the terrace. Reservations are required. I got the Ocho Blanco Martini.
Serena
Like an enchanted garden on a rooftop located atop the Moxy Miami South Beach hotel. Its an open-air terrace that reminded me of
Oaxaca, adorned with bold hues of pink, orange, coral, and blue, a domed cast iron canopy, strung with twinkling lights and bougainvillea. The menu features a modern interpretation of traditional Latin and Mexican dishes as the outdoor kitchen has a large circular stone mill for grinding blue and yellow nixtamalized cornmeal, which is then shaped into fresh tortillas on a traditional comal. They make creative cocktails that incorporate Mexican herbs, fruits, and spirits. Expect live DJ sets.
Planta
An upscale, 100% plant-based restaurant with innovative and flavorful plant-based cuisine. Located on a lush rooftop garden visible from the center skylight, where herbs, microgreens, and vegetables are handpicked and used in many dishes and cocktails. They have about a dozen locations nationwide including in DC.
Jaya at Setai
Located in the Setai Hotel, Jaya offers a modern Asian dining experience that requires reservations. The menu includes a wide range of Asian-inspired dishes, cocktails, and sake, all served in an immersive ambiance that blends Asian Art Deco design with rich teak wood accents. There is a retractable roof for the large courtyard space with a central zen stone-filled pool that has live entertainment every 20 minutes.
Theme Nights:
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Asian Night Bazaar (Nightly): A sensory journey through bold South Asian and contemporary Japanese flavors, paired with live performances from aerialists and contortionists, delivering a vibrant fusion of taste, sights, and sounds.
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Saturday Champagne Brunch: Enjoy free-flowing Louis Roederer Champagne accompanied by a curated mix of Parisian electro-lounge and Ibiza-style chillout beats.
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Sunday Jazz Brunch: Savor endless Louis Roederer Champagne and sparkling wines while listening to live jazz performed by The Vinyl Blvd.
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Flavors of India (Wednesdays): A weekly culinary celebration of regional Indian cuisine.
I sat at the bar and ordered a Prickly Pear Margarita $22 (because I wanted to see if they compare to the syrup that I use at home, they make theirs from scratch, it was delicious!) and guess who came and sat across from me? Alexia Nepola from Real Housewives of Miami!
Motek
Modern take on Eastern Mediterranean cuisine with two locations in South Beach. Motek's menu showcases a variety of dishes influenced by Lebanon, Morocco, Turkey, and Yemen.
Watr Rooftop
At the 1 Hotel, make a reservation to be there at sunset and eat Japanese food while enjoying the view and listening to a DJ next to their rooftop pool.
Brickell
Modern Indian restaurant in Miami, renowned for its farm-to-table approach and innovative take on traditional Indian cuisine. The restaurant has earned a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand distinction for three consecutive years. Has two locations.
A contemporary Italian restaurant, its huge and easy to walk in without a reservation. Handmade pastas, a rotating selection of pizzas crafted and seasonal cocktails. There's one in DC too.
A high-end Asian-inspired restaurant and bar from a London-based brand. It offers a glamorous dining experience that combines exquisite cuisine with opulent design as it has $20 million in art and design elements. Frank Gehry Fish Lamps: 26 bespoke light fixtures, Aquatic-Inspired Decor: Mid-century brasserie aesthetics blended with oceanic motifs, including coral leather seating and illuminated agate floors. Lavish Restrooms: The women's room features onyx sinks atop mermaid tails, while the men's room boasts an onyx octopus sculpture. You must have a reservation.
Kiki on the River
Greek-Mediterranean restaurant and lounge situated along the Miami River. Housed in a century-old building that once served as a fish market, Kiki on the River has been transformed into a waterfront venue. It has an intimate setting with seashell chandeliers, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the Miami River. It transforms into a lively nightlife spot on weekends. You can expect live DJs, dancing and napkin twirling. Popular spot for group celebrations, not a spot to go solo. You must have a reservation. There's two other spots on either side of it if you can't get in. Dress code enforced for men and women.
Wynwood district artisanal doughnut and coffee shop small-batch craft doughnuts with unique flavors. They are opening one up in DC soon!
Italian, I haven't been here but I keep seeing influencers go here so it's on my list.
Serve Robotics offer delivery for Shake Shack and Mister O1 Pizza through Uber Eats. I saw this day and night in Miami Beach and Brickell.
Public Transportation
Metromover - Free, one or two car trains that serves brickell and downtown on elevated trains. It has 21 stations on two loops. It's an automated people mover system that runs from 5am- midnight 7 days a week and runs every 3 minutes. Free wifi on board. Sometimes it stays open until 1am for special events so check their schedule.
Metrorail It runs from the airport to downtown Miami. It has two lines that for the most part run parallel to each other, only split at the end. The train is above ground and run every 5-10 minutes. You can purchase a One-Trip, One-Day, and Seven-Day Pass. One trip is $2.50. It has wifi on board. It's open from 5am to midnight and sometimes it stays open until 1am for special events so check their schedule. I rode this and it was fairly easy with working escalators.
Neither of these options runs to Miami Beach, for that see below.
Free Trolley service operates from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., 7 days a week at approximately 20-minute average service frequency along each route. It has 5 different routes. The South Beach route runs on Washington Avenue and Alton Road. The Middle Beach Route runs on Collins Ave between 22nd and 43rd street. The Collins Express Route runs from 17th street to 85th street. I think it would be a fun rainy day activity to just ride the trolley to see the neighborhoods.
Ride Freebee free rides in little cars that take you around downtown Miami Beach. 8am - 10pm
At night I took Lyft and it was $5 everywhere around in Miami Beach. Don't be surprised if your driver doesn't speak English.
Citi Bike This is pretty popular along the beach path. I did this once but my recommendation is to do it before 8am, otherwise there are so many people walking getting in your way that what should be a fun ride ends up being stressful for you a non-professional rider trying to dodge so many people. Since it's hot in Miami, there's already a lot of people out walking at 8am.
Miami Vice remake is being made! The movie is based the 1980s TV series, starring Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as undercover detectives in South Florida. The neon-hued show ran on NBC for five seasons from 1984-1989. Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell were in a 2006 movie version so curious who will be cast in this one.
Music
If you're looking for Caribbean and African music.
Rise & Toast is a Caribbean day party every Sunday at the Urban 1000 NW 2nd Ave Miami, FL 2pm - 4pm for brunch or 4pm - 9pm.
Stamped the Party is an Afro Beats party at the Arlo Wynwood, 2217 NW Miami Ct, Miami, FL.
Playa in Miami Beach is a restaurant that turns into a bar playing hip-hop and r&b music.
I used to take professional salsa lessons so of course I wanted to do that in Miami and tried and failed a few spots in Miami. Went to
Ball and Chain but that was packed to the brim and touristy. Still trying to figure that out. Definitely not
Mangos for $100.
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