It’s been about four years since I went to Miami for the first time. Since then, my content and approach to blogging has tremendously improved, so I figured this recent trip back was the perfect time to update this post. And for the purpose of nostalgia and #growth, here’s the original intro I wrote for this post in October of 2018:
In early September, the weekend after Labor Day, my best friend and I went on our first “adult” vacation. Although I have done a lot of traveling in my 24 years, they have all been school-related trips or to see family –– except for a couple visits to Chicago, but I’ve been there so much that I hardly count those. This was the first time I went somewhere to truly just relax and let loose for a few days. So, we chose a popular vacation destination that neither of us have ever been: Miami! We were there for about five days and we had the best time! Our trip was full of beach days, frozen drinks, art, and neon lights. I would totally recommend Miami to anyone who has never been. Here are six things you absolutely have to do while in Miami!
This time, I’m 28, I have been on TONS of trips, and I was ready for another fun Miami experience! I joined three of my girlfriends for a long weekend, and although we had some very annoying flight delays and cancellations, it was still a really fun vacation!
I’ve combined all the things I did in Miami both in 2018 and in 2022 to help you plan your next visit. Here are some of the best things to do in Miami.
Book a place to stay with a pool
Whether you’re going the hotel or Airbnb route, you will definitely be happy if you book a place with a pool. It is HOT in Miami, especially during summer. So having a pool to cool off in and lounge around is something you’ll want to consider when finding somewhere to stay. Bonus points if your stay also has a balcony! For my most recent trip, we stayed at a luxury condo found through Airbnb and it was gorgeous! It had three rooms, a large balcony, two full bathrooms, a pool, and food and shops on the lower level.
Have Lunch or Dinner at the Versace Mansion
If you’re a lover of fashion, architecture, or history, then you must stop by to see the Versace Mansion. The villa was built in 1930 by Alden Freeman. In 1992, Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace purchased the original house built by Freeman for $2.95 million and the lot next door. And in 1997, only 5 years later, Versace was killed on the front steps of the house. If you’re interested in learning more about his murder, I recommend watching The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story on Hulu.
Today, The Villa Casa Casuarina is a hotel. The restaurant Gianni’s located inside is a great way to experience the villa, without having to book a stay. There is outdoor dining next to a beautiful pool that lights up at night. The food is a blend of Italian and Mediterranean and the drinks were delicious. If you go during lunch hours you can get a three course meal for $34.
Attend a pool party at Strawberry Moon
Strawberry Moon is a contemporary Mediterranean restaurant, bar, and day-to-night swim club. It’s located in South Beach at The Goodtime Hotel (which is co-owned by Pharrell Williams). If you stay at the hotel, you can get into the pool parties for free. But if you just want to go for the party, tickets for ladies are $40. Keep in mind you have to pay extra if you want a cabana or daybed (they run upwards of $1,000!!) but we had no problem finding room to sit on towels by the pool. We went on a Friday and the party was def busy, but not too packed. We had frozen drinks, got in the water, and danced a little to the DJ. There was also a moment when the workers circled the pool, let off pink smoke, and popped bottles of champaign over the pool!
Go on a boat tour
Getting out on a boat is a great way to explore Miami. We found our tour private boat tour through Airbnb Experiences and it was 100% worth it. The guide was great, we got to jump off the boat into the ocean, we had drinks and music on board, and he told us about some of the luxurious homes and properties in the area.
See the colorful lifeguard towers at Miami Beach
The brightly colored lifeguard towers along South Beach are a must-see. According to MiamiScapes, “The towers started popping up shortly after Hurrican Andrew hit in the early 1990s. The first towers were designed and built by Architect William Lane, whose donation quickly became a hallmark of Miami associated with its revival after the devastation. Many more followed, some as a result of design competitions, and some commissioned by local entrepreneurs.”
They make for a great Instagram moment!
And here are some photos from when I was there in 2018:
Swim in the Atlantic Ocean
While you’re at the beach, you have to take some time to enjoy the beautiful ocean. Miami Beach has white sand, blue water, and tons of sunshine. There are some areas that had a lot of seaweed near the shore. However, the further south you go, the less seaweed there is in your way. There are also chairs, umbrellas, and daybeds you can rent in some areas, just be aware they reserve a lot of them for hotel guests. That said, you can see if your hotel has a section of reserved beach chairs. During my most recent trip, we rented a daybed for $150.
And here are my beach day photos from 2018:
Check out the nightlife scene on Ocean Drive
Ocean Drive is a street right along South Beach that’s full of bars, clubs, and restaurants. Almost all of the spots offer great frozen drinks and a lot of them serve hookah too. Palace Bar is known for their lively drag shows. If you walk down the street at night, especially on a weekend, you’ll hear a lot of music and see plenty of drunk people dancing. It’s a fun party spot.
And us partying on Ocean Drive in 2018:
Tour the street art of Wynwood Walls
Wynwood is Miami’s Arts District and one of my favorite places to go in the city. Every building is covered in extravagant murals, and there are also free galleries you can explore where you’ll find everything from sculptures to old cars to guitars. Wynwood Walls specifically is a designated space (like a huge outdoor museum) for some of the biggest and coolest street art projects in the area. It was created By Tony Goldman in 2009 and now covers over 80,000 square feet of walls. According to their website, “The Wynwood Walls became a major art statement with Tony’s commitment to graffiti and street art, a genre that he believed was under appreciated and not respected historically.”
Eat at the many trendy bars and restaurants in Wynwood
In addition to amazing art, Wynwood also has tons of great food and drinks. Here are a few spots I’ve went to and really enjoyed:
Astra
This is a rooftop bar that serves Mediterranean food. My cocktail and oysters were really good and the views and atmosphere were great. They also have cute photo spots throughout.
Le Chick
This was probably our favorite meal during my recent trip. They serve upscale comfort food, which was delicious. The service was good, the vibes were on point, and the drinks were tasty.
Wynwood Marketplace
This area features various food trucks where you can grab different bites from local vendors.
Chill at a hookah lounge
I know hookah isn’t everyone’s thing (which is totally fine because it’s not good for you). But, this is something I personally like to do on vacation. as I mentioned above, there are a lot of lounges and bars that serve hookah around Miami. A couple I’ve been to are Wynwood Smoke & Lounge in Wynwood, Salt Café in South Beach, and a few different ones on Ocean Drive.
Party at E11even Nightclub
And if you’re really looking for a wild night, then check out E11even Miami. This unique venue has the world’s only 24/7 Ultraclub, according to their website. So yes, you can truly turn up all night (and day) long. The club has popular DJs, celebrity guests, strippers, and other performances. There is a main stage area, as well as a bunch of smaller stages throughout featuring the exotic dancers. Obviously, it’s 21+ and when I went admission was $40. Photography isn’t allowed inside, but here’s some pics of what I wore that night.
Watch My 2018 Miami Travel Vlog:
Have you ever been to Miami?
