Hello sunshine! And I do mean that literally – I’m so happy to report that I just returned from a weekend in the sunshine state. As you can imagine, Boston winters tend to drag a bit, so having trips planned always helps provide a bright spot on an otherwise slightly bleak first few months of the year. Having taken two trips to Miami in as many months, I thought I’d document a few of my favorite spots that I’ll be dreaming about for months to come, in case it’s helpful for anyone else hoping to plan a lil’ getaway of their own!
First, let’s address where to stay. Whether you’re looking for some rowdy fun, a boujee beach vacay, or anything in between, I highly recommend staying in South Beach. HOWEVER, I’ve also stayed in Brickell and it has so many fun things to offer, so I’d be remiss to not include some suggestions to partake in there as well!
So to start us off, here’s how to have a great day in Brickell:
- Go to Pasion Del Cielo for coffee – and while you’re there, be sure to grab a smoothie bowl from GreenLife.
- Shop at Brickell City Centre for anything your heart could possibly desire. I love it here because it’s an outdoor mall, so you can still enjoy the palm trees and fresh air while you browse!
- Walk around Brickell Key. There’s a path that circles the entire little island and it’s stunning! I stayed in this area once, and running this loop was my favorite part of the day.
- Head to the bar at the Mandarin Oriental for stunning sunset views of the city accompanied by some of the best drinks in town.
- Get dinner at Komodo for some amazing Asian small plates. The drinks are fantastic and the crispy lobster dynamite app will change your life forever.
- Grab post-dinner drinks at Sugar Rooftop for more great vibes and great views.
Now without further ado, the main event. Let’s have a great day in South Beach!
- First and foremost, let’s talk hotels. There’s a TON of great options to choose from in the area. Now if you’re one of the lucky ones, you should obviously stay at the 1. I’ve never stayed there myself, but its reputation preceeds itself. I HAVE just had the pleasure of staying at the W, however, and let me tell you – it certainly did not disappoint. The rooms were stunning and spacious, the service was above and beyond, the pool was luxurious, the food was amazing, the location was unbeatable… need I go on? For a similar but more affordable experience, I’d reccommend the Loew’s, and for an option that checks all those boxes without many of the extra frills, I’ve also enjoyed staying at the Nautilus. Really, as long as you’re close to the beach, you can’t go wrong!
- Now that we’re checked in, I recommend taking a stroll in the sun along the boardwalk, ideally ending at SoulCycle for a little morning workout.
- Next up, you can’t forget to grab a post-workout treat at Juice & Java or Pura Vida for the best smoothies in town.
- Now it’s time to hit the beach or the pool all day – piña coladas encouraged.
- When the sun going down, it’s officially happy hour time! I recommend grabbing drinks at the Faena or Edition for fun, upscale vibes.
- Next up, it’s the best time of the day – dinner time! Introducing three of my all-time favorite meal options, each worthy of their own air time:
- Byblos for Mediterranean small plates in a very photogenic environment. I recommend the tasting menu, but be sure the eggplant dumplings make the cut.
- Mila for the best blend of Mediterranean and Japanese cuisines. We ordered eighteen different things to share, from shishito peppers to burrata salad to sushi, and they were ALL amazing. Plus there’s multiple bars, fun drinks, and fire dancers – what more could you ask for!
- Carbone for your new favorite Italian meal. Last but not least, I present my favorite place of all time. You’ll be treated to spectacular service, tasty treats, and the best pasta you’ll ever have. The spicy rigatoni is forever in my dreams. I also highly recommend saving room for dessert – the lemon cheesecake is worth it. Reservations open a month in advance at 10am – grab one quick and you won’t regret it!
- To close out the night, it’s time for some after-dinner drinks. I recommend Broken Shaker or, even better, Watr at the 1 Hotel for a lovely rooftop rendezvous. Cheers!
And that’s a wrap! I you’re able to try any of the above, you’re guaranteed to have a great day filled with a whole lotta sunshine. Until next time, enjoy that Miami heat! ☼
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