Spending a weekend in Miami is really what you make of it. You can choose to simply bath in the sun all day, sipping your cocktail by one of the many boutique- and design hotels. OR, you can instead choose to explore this lively city with its trendy neighborhoods, art deco buildings and white sand beaches.
We spent a few days in the second most populous metropolis in the southeastern US and here are a few our visits and tips for a spending a great weekend.
Where to stay - checking in
Habitat Residence
We had the chance to stay at the Habitat Residence, a family-owned, full-service condo hotel in the Brickell area, not far from Downtown Miami. Its a great place to stay if you want to explore the city. It has lots of great amenities, comfy and spacious rooms and is just a short, 10 minute walk away from Miami Avenue. You can read our full review of the Habitat Residence Condo here. It is located in the new hip area of Brickell which is a nice place to discover as well. There are several restaurants around, you can also choose to book your stay with a complimentary breakfast!
DAY 1: South Beach, Art Deco District & Brickell
When arriving in Miami, we highly suggest to go straight over to Miami Beach. It is located on a partially natural and man-made barrier island between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It is divided into North-, Mid- and South-Beach. Densely populated by both locals and tourists, South Beach is still a must-see and nice place to hang around for a few hours.
After, venture on to a Art Deco safari and enjoy the 1930s architecture, most prominently found on Ocean Drive. Have some drinks and food along the street and stroll around to enjoy the famous Miami vibes.
Head back to Brickell, the up-and-coming neighborhood of Miami. Amazing restaurants, Bars and cafés invite for a great night out – a perfect hip & urban experience in Downtown Miami.
Spots to visit
- South Beach
- Ocean Drive
- Lincoln Road
- Collins Avenue
- South Pointe Park & Pier
- The Raleigh Hotel
- The Celino South Beach Hotel
- Brickell City Centre
- Riverfront
Where to eat - Havana 1957
DAY 2: Vizcaya Museum/Gardens, Coconut Grove & Key Biscayne
Spots to visit
- Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
- Miami Seaquarium
- Crandon Park
- Key Biscayne Village Green Park
- Cape Florida Lighthouse
- CocoWalk Mall
Head South of Miami and explore the gorgeous treasures outside of the city. The Viscaya Museum and gardens is a former winter home estate of the 20th century industrialist James Deering. Architecturally, a very beautiful building along with a garden full of Italian and French fountains.
Head further down South and reach Coconut Grove, Miami’s greenest area. It offers a very calm and laid-back atmosphere of charming boutiques, restaurants and sidewalk cafés. Check out the iconic CocoWalk, a huge open air mall.
Before or after visiting Coconut Grove you can head over to Key Biscayne, a small community full of nice beaches and beautiful parks.
Spend your last hours within the Downtown Miami area and hit out to some of Miamis’s ethnic enclaves. You can also have a walk along the Wynwood Art District and discover the Wynwood Walls, a mix of graffiti murals across warehouse walls.
Also nice to explore is the Bayside Marketplace which is a farmers market located between the Bayfron Park and the American Airlines Arena.
These are a few of the best things to do in Miami on a weekend. Depending on your mood and time you can also head out to the Everglades National Park which is about an hour drive away from Downtown Miami.
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Some tips on the side...
- You don't have to rent a car in Miami! Parking is quite expensive and traffic can be terrible. Instead, grab a taxi or Uber.
- You don't have to spend your full beach time at South Beach as it can get super packed, especially on weekends. You can also check out Haulover Beach which is a local favorite beach and much less crowded.