Where to begin in Miami? Do you head straight for the beach or explore the Cuban district first? Take a dip in the pool at a 1930s hotel or delve into the vibrant and tireless arts scene? Throw in sensational food, state parks and a buzzing nightlife, and you can do Miami any way you want.
The art deco trail
There are few US cities that can put on a show quite as special as Miami. It’s a handsome town where aesthetic glory sits alongside great, curling expanses of sand next to the azure sea. Best of all, and most notably, are the classically art deco buildings that pepper the town.
South Beach is home to the most eye-catching art deco buildings in the city – and there are more than 800 here. Park up and take a walking tour that’ll shed fascinating light on the history of the buildings.
Shades of blue and green gleam in the sun, with plentiful nautical elements. Hotel highlights include the Tides, the Carlyle and the Park Central Hotel – reserve your room a good while in advance to stay in a part of history.
Munching on Miami
It’s easy to eat brilliantly in Miami. All tastes are catered for, with pretty much every international cuisine represented somewhere within the city limits. There are loads of authentic, local flavors to be explored, though, whether it’s in places that embrace southern heritage or those that showcase Cuban influence.
If you’re looking to dip your toe into the latter, drive over to El Mago de las Fritas. Unpretentious and friendly, they do superb hot dogs and steak sandwiches in Cuban bread, but are best known for their ‘frita’. It’s their take on a hamburger and comes stacked with wispy potato fries and onions. They’re so good, in fact, that Barack Obama dropped by to try one while he was president.
At the other end of the spectrum, Stubborn Seed is making waves down at South Beach. They elevate humble ingredients by sourcing locally and presenting dramatically. Homemade bread comes with fennel pollen, chicken is boosted by rich truffle butter, and halibut is crusted with sourdough, with a side of shiitake mushrooms. It’s high-flying Miami food.
Beach bound
Miami has beaches for every type of vacation – sunbathing spots, watersport havens, and others where the party never stops.
South Beach is perhaps the busiest slice of sand, popular with tourists and lined with places to grab a cooling drink or some lunch in the shade. Mid-Beach, as it’s known, is a bit more chilled out, with lounge bars and fashionable hotels only a block back.
There are private stretches, too, usually run by hotels, but you can often use them for a fee even if you’re not a resident. Look out for Setai Beach Club at South Beach and you can relax on a lounger while waiters serve up drinks and excellent food. Further up on North Beach, you’ll find a similar vibe at Acqualina Resort.
It doesn’t matter which you go for – dip your toes into the sugar-soft sand and you’ll soon experience true bliss. With beaches, a bounty of restaurants, amazing art and a multitude of museums, clubs and more, this is one of the world’s great cities.
Car rental in Miami will put you in the perfect position to see it all.
