Miami Beach is a converging point for cultures, residents, and visitors. Waifish models, amateur architecture critics, dignified seniors, and tropics-seeking families are among those that visit “America’s Riviera.” North Miami Beach has the most kid-friendly beaches as well as the cheapest restaurants and motels. Greater Miami’s galleries, museums, and theaters are less than ten miles distant.
South Beach is another option. This popular southerly area demonstrates that Miami Beach feels more like two cities: a family-friendly holiday destination during the day and a super-chic metropolitan at night. To stay on top of it all, you must use your credit card at high-end boutiques, mingle at innovative fusion restaurants, dance at dynamic nightclubs, and relax beachside at hotels with art deco style.
But it’s not just the rich and famous who will have a good time here. Relax along the dunes of Haulover Park or Lummus Park, learn more about the architectural designs on an art deco tour, or try their luck by going to fish at the South Pointe Pier. What about another must-do to cross the list? The Lincoln Road Mall is the ideal place for window shopping and going for a walk. And when you’re at Miami Beach you must sample delectable small food tryouts and cocktails from a rooftop bar.
Rankings
The U.S. News & World Report travel rankings depend on expert and user feedback.
No. 2 in Best Spring Break Destinations
No. 2 in Best Nightlife Cities in the U.S.
No. 14 in Best Places to Visit in Florida
No. 14 in Best Places to Visit in May 2023
No. 20 in Best Beaches in the U.S.
Best Hotels in Miami Beach
- Acqualina Resort & Residences
- Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, Surfside
- Faena Hotel Miami Beach
- The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort
- The Setai, Miami Beach
- The Miami Beach EDITION
- The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
- 1 Hotel South Beach
- The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour, Miami
- Carillon Miami Wellness Resort
Best Places to Visit in Miami Beach
- South Beach
- Ocean Drive
- Haulover Park
- Lincoln Road Mall
- Lummus Park
- Ancient Spanish Monastery
- Art Deco Tour
- South Pointe Park and Pier
- Holocaust Memorial
- Miami Children’s Museum
Best Months to Visit
Miami Beach is best visited around March to May when the sun shines and the weather ranges between the mid-70s and low-80s during daytime. Aside from the beautiful weather, visiting in the spring helps you to avoid the peak winter costs. This area of Florida has a climate that is considered subtropical, which means it is usually sunny and moist all year. If you visit in the summer or fall, bring an umbrella; at minimum, expect occasional afternoon showers. Because the Atlantic storm season runs from June to November, you may suffer severe rainfall in the worst-case situation. If you’re looking to save money, hotel prices and flight prices tend to fall in the summer as temperatures and precipitation rise.
How to Save Money in Miami Beach
Weekdays are less expensive
There aren’t many business travelers in Miami Beach. As a result, hotel rates fall slightly during the weekends.
Get the early bird discount
This means that you should arrive at your preferred bar or club before they start charging a cover or raising it. For the exact hour, check the bar’s webpage earlier that day. Furthermore, due to cover fees, bar hopping is a luxury that many people cannot afford.
Take advantage of the great outdoors.
Many of the outdoor activities in the area are entirely free to enjoy. Stroll around the Lincoln Road Mall, take a stroll along Ocean Drive, or relax while the cruise ships arrive at South Pointe Park and Pier.
Take a look around Fort Lauderdale.
Low-cost carriers such as Southwest, Allegiant, and Spirit do not serve Miami International Airport. However, they do provide service to the adjacent Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. If you want to save money on flights, travel into Fort Lauderdale and then rent a car or take a bus 30 miles to Miami Beach.
Culture & Customs
Miami Beach is a metropolis of immigrants, home to one of the country’s largest Cuban communities. Many Miami residents speak Spanish as their first language, and it can be heard throughout the city. In turn, Cuban culture has inspired the city’s music, architecture, and cuisine.
The city also boasts a vibrant LGBT culture, with a concentration in South Beach, particularly between 11th and 12th streets. If you’re in town in March, don’t miss the Winter Party, an annual celebration for the gay community that draws thousands of tourists. Miami Beach Gay Pride is a large annual event that takes place in April.
What to Eat
Miami Beach’s streets are packed with luxurious dining places smelling of Caribbean, Peruvian, Cuban, Asian, and American cuisine – sometimes all at once. What other cities refer to as “fusion” has a different persona in Miami Beach: “Floribbean.” Prepare to be pleasantly surprised by its flavor and low prices. The South Beach neighborhood has its fair share of reasonably priced restaurants, but the most economical options are hidden away on side streets. Stone crab, empanadas, Cuban pork sandwiches, ceviche, and pastelitos (pastries packed with sweet or savory contents) are some of the characteristic Miami Beach cuisines that visitors should sample.
Seafood enthusiasts vouch for Joe’s Stone Crab, claiming that the stone crab claws served here are excellent. The main drawback is that this restaurant does not accept bookings and, due to its popularity, there is always waiting. Las Olas Café is well-known for its delectable classic Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, plantains, and genuine café con leche. Many of Miami Beach’s best hotels also house some of the best restaurants in the city. OLA serves Latin American food at the Eurostars Vintro Hotel, while Hakkasan serves Cantonese cuisine and dim sum at the Fontainebleau Hotel. Furthermore, some prominent chefs run popular restaurants in Miami Beach, including Scott Conant’s Scarpetta.
Think about going to the South Beach Food & Wine Festival to sample the best of Miami Beach and beyond. Every February, the five-day festival attracts the most famous renowned chefs and modern cuisine.
Safety
Visitors are normally safe on Miami Beach. However, like with most major tourist attractions, pickpocketing is the main danger, especially at night and along crowded Washington Street. At night, walk in groups and avoid any unknown territory. If you’re driving a car, keep your belongings hidden to avoid becoming a target for theft.
When swimming, stay close to a lifeguard post and look for the flags, which follow an identical layout for beaches across the state. Green indicates calm sea, whereas yellow indicates moderate surf conditions. Purple indicates an abundance of marine animals such as jellyfish. When a red flag appears, you are not allowed to enter the water.
Getting Around Miami Beach
Walking is the most effective way to get to Miami Beach. South Beach is notably pedestrian-friendly, because how can you individuals-watch or tan if you’re driving? Bikes, another option, can be leased from a variety of merchants or from the Citi Bike bike-sharing system. Bicycle theft can be an issue, so bring or buy a robust lock. Driving will cause problems, especially when parking is scarce during peak hours. If you get tired along the way, Miami-Dade Transit operates buses.
For visiting tourists, the South Beach Local is extremely handy and inexpensive. Nonetheless, hailing a cab (or Uber or Lyft) rather than waiting at a bus stop is preferable. You’ll almost certainly take a cab from Miami International Airport (MIA), which is about 12 miles west of town. For excursions to Miami Beach, plan to pay a flat cost of $35 to $55. For $2.25, a shuttle bus runs to and from the Miami International Airport Metrorail station and Miami Beach.