Miami, Florida, is one of those magical places that makes you feel just a little bit cooler as soon as you step foot inside the city limits. Maybe it’s the never-ending rows of open-air nightclubs dotting South Beach or the Latin flavor brimming from the Cuban bakeries lining Calle Ocho in Little Havana.
No matter what you’re after, head to this southern Florida hotspot to take in art, culture and a whole lot of zesty food.
Once the sun sets, the vibe shifts as the temperature lowers — surround yourself in the energy Miami is known for and head to the many spaces that will fill your head with music and your eyes with flashing lights.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Friday: Take in the Street Art
Wynwood Walls, a once-drab warehouse district, was completely transformed by the late Tony Goldman (an iconic real estate developer and supporter of the arts) in 2009, who saw the giant walls of each building as inviting blank canvases.
But rather than just any old art, Goldman specifically wanted to display graffiti works to help elevate the art form. “By presenting it in a way that has not been done before, I was able to expose the public to something they had only seen peripherally,” Goldman shared before his death in 2012.
Though you can go and view the art for free, there are a few official tours that offer guests even deeper insights into the works and the neighborhood.
After viewing the art, hop around the neighborhood to do a little shopping at places like the Wynwood Walls Shop for some seriously chic home goods; Frangipani, a boutique boasting a wide selection of accessories and apparel; and BASE, a trendy men’s clothing store.
It’s always a good time for a snack, but settle in for a full meal at Hiyakawa Miami for sushi, Beaker & Gray for inventive drinks and inspiring shared plates or Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s Momosan Wynwood for some soul-reviving ramen. After filling up, linger over a cocktail or two at Rácket — consider it a digestif before a night of dancing.
There’s always a good time and friendly crowds at Centro Wynwood, a neighborhood favorite a three-minute walk from the Wynwood Walls. Brick is a beer garden located in a house built in the 1920s that also hosts boisterous DJ sets.
Saturday: Hit the Museums, Gardens and Clubs
Continue your artistic journey through Miami by visiting the city’s museums. Kick the day off with a visit to the Pérez Art Museum Miami, first admiring the gorgeous building itself, designed by the Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron.
From there, step inside to immerse yourself in the museum’s massive collection of 20th- and 21st-century art, a showcase for Miami’s diverse communities and unique geographical location. Make sure to head back outside to get a view of the sculptures in the hammock garden and grab a snack at Verde, the in-house restaurant that focuses on locally sourced ingredients.
Next, head to the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, a Gilded Age estate with formal gardens and a mangrove shoreline, all for you to roam. Guests are also invited inside to see every piece of beautifully preserved Italian furniture and an eclectic collection of artifacts from around the world.
Head to South Beach for a late-afternoon dip at the AC Hotel‘s hip rooftop pool. After a day spent feasting your eyes, indulge your senses in another night of crowd energy in South Beach. Stop for dinner at Pubbelly for a Latin take on sushi, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila for tacos or Byblos Miami for Greek bites and an unforgettable cocktail service.
Post-meal, take the party to LIV for the kind of club scenes you see in movies, Do Not Sit on the Furniture for a taste of the underground music scene or Nikki Beach for a party on the sand.
Sunday: Head to Little Havana
No visit to Miami is complete without spending time in Little Havana, the vibrant neighborhood center of Cuban culture in Miami.
The area is packed with restaurants, cafés and markets, all selling goods you’ve got to see, smell and taste. You can do that by going on a food tour of Little Havana with companies like Miami Culinary Tours.
If you’ve got a little more time to spare, head down to Calle Ocho to soak in the best of Little Havana. The street is lined with shops and bakeries all worth a taste, which lead down to Máximo Gómez Park, where you’ll likely find more than a few locals smoking cigars and playing dominoes.
Try to plan a trip around the Calle Ocho Music Festival, the largest street festival celebrating Latin music in the southeastern United States.
Once the sun starts to set, head to the iconic Versailles Restaurant, which is known for its Cuban cuisine, turning out everything from croquettes and stuffed green plantains to paella and picadillo a la cubana.
This neighborhood is full of surprising little bars around every corner. Check out Ball & Chain for the ambience — the space was once a music hot spot in the 1930s that superstars like Billie Holiday and Chet Baker frequented. If you’re into the vibe of being transported to a different time, find a seat at Café La Trova, which oozes classic Cuban style.
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