I am blessed that one of my best girlfriends, Lisa, has a condo in Miami, Florida, so I had the opportunity to enjoy a three-day girls’ trip to Miami! We headed to Miami in March to enjoy a day at the Tennis Miami Open, which takes place in Miami Gardens, about an hour north of Miami. We had such a wonderful time on our girls’ trip, full of culture, beaches, and fabulous food, that we are planning another trip this year. Lisa knows the area, so she planned a perfect trip to see what Miami offers but still have a relaxing, fun weekend.
Miami is a colorful, vibrant city with neighborhoods of modern sky-rises, small artsy sections, megamansions on oceanfront property, and areas full of distinct South and Central American cultures. It is unique from any other part of Florida that I have visited and is reminiscent of visiting another country, which I love.
Miami ended up being one of my two favorite parts of Florida, as I loved the energy, the ease of using the beaches, the public transportation, and the Latino flair. My other favorite spots are the Florida Keys, which are close enough to include on a more extended trip to the Miami area.
How to Get to Miami, Florida
Miami is located in southern Florida. You will want to fly if you aren’t close enough to drive to Miami. Miami has an airport (MIA), but it is usually more expensive to fly into, so both times I have come to the area, I have flown into Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL).
Things to Do in Miami
Breakfast in Brickell Key
Lisa has a condo in Brickell Key, an upscale area in south Miami full of Argentinian food, shopping, and lively bars.
Start your day with a Mexican breakfast at Ojo de Agua, decorated with lights and plants and featuring food like Guava pancakes and chilaquiles, one of my favorite things to eat when I visit Mexico.
Take a Harbor Cruise.
Lisa planned a harbor cruise for our first day in Miami to give us an overview of Miami. This was a relaxing way to grab a drink and the perfect way to see the waterfront megamansions of many celebrities, including Al Capone, Ricky Martin, Cher, Gloria Estefan, and Jennifer Lopez.
Enjoy an Argentinian Feast at Baires Grill Brickell.
This upscale restaurant has delicious meat and potatoes and the best empanadas. They are so good that I am still dreaming about them.
Catch a Miami Heat game.
The fans make watching a basketball game here fun, and the arena complex has restaurants and bars!
Spend a Day in South Beach, lying on the beach.
I don’t tend to love a day just sitting on a beach because my light complexion can’t sit out in the direct sun without getting damaged, and it is so much hassle to lug a bunch of stuff to the beach and set it up. If you are like me, South Beach is ideal. You will find vendors along the flat white beaches of South Beach offering chair and umbrella rentals. For a reasonable fee, they do all the work of setting up your beach day.
There are also lovely flat walking trails behind the beach, and restaurants to get food. We grabbed lunch at Oh Mexico Taco Shop.
One Day Exploring the Arts in Miami in the Wynwood Area
Wynwood is a neighborhood of Miami full of street art. With tickets, you can check out famous street artists at Wynwood Walls.
We had an exceptional taco and tequila-centered dinner at Bakan in this area.
You can also book golf cart tours of the area for a more in-depth look with commentary.
The next time we are in town, we want to visit the hidden tiki bar at The Koano Room Bar and Lounge.
Take a Cuban Food Tour in Little Havana.
There is a large Cuban population because southern Florida is so close to Cuba. Although we had ice cream and did get to walk around this neighborhood, we didn’t have time to do this tour on our last visit, but we plan to do it next time.
How to Get Around Miami
Like everywhere in Florida, the traffic in Miami is bad. Thankfully, Miami has a free network of monorails and trolleys. Check out its maps here.
Where to Stay in Miami
The only thing I can recommend is the area I stayed in. We found it safe, beautiful, and accessible with the transportation system. It is far away from South Beach if you are visiting the beaches.
Search for a hotel in Brickell Key, Miami.
We loved Miami for a quick girls’ trip for many reasons, and I can’t wait for this March! What is your favorite thing to do in Miami?
This is such a refreshing and Wonderful post. I really liked it.
I loved reading about your trip to Miami! It sounds like you had an amazing time exploring the vibrant culture and beautiful beaches. I’m taking notes for my own future trip – any must-try restaurants or hidden gems you would recommend? Can’t wait to see more of your adventures!