CITY TRIP TO MIAMI

INSPIRED BY OUR TRIP TAM COMMUNITY

4 NIGHTS IN MIAMI

Enjoy Miami as a local! 

 

We’ve received many questions about publishing a week-end trip to Miami. It is definitely a great city to visit with your family or with your friends and a fun way to escape cold weather. It is also a convenient location as there are direct flights from New York, Boston or Chicago, or even from most European cities. Miami offers beach time, great nightlife and art culture. Discover the best adresses from our Trip Tam community.

 

Long weekend or a 4 days stop within your itinerary to Florida
 $$$
from May to October
city, beach & art

ABOUT TRIP TAM TRAVEL COMMUNITY: they like to share those hidden gems that they have found on the web or that they have tested. They will often choose unique and comfortable places, boutique style hotels or guest houses. They like to mix lodging: from a tent in the middle of nowhere to a must see architect hotel. They love walks in nature, observing wildlife and scenery one one hand, and staying in cities where they can discover a rich cultural life, eat good and local food while sipping a cocktail in a trendy bar. Most of them lives or has lived abroad, are open minded and curious to discover new way of life, culture and local traditions. Travel is part of their life.

WHAT THEY LOVED ABOUT THIS CITY TRIP?

Beach, nightlife and culture, all in one city

Running in Miami Beach

Miami’s art district

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WHAT AMY LOVED ABOUT THIS TRIP?

Laid back mountain experience. 

Riding along the cliffs during the train ride

Mesa Verde National Park

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Arrival & Departure Airport

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This month’s chosen city is…Miami! Plan your week-end trip 🙂

I’ve received many questions about publishing a week-end trip to Miami. It is definitely a great city to visit with your family or with your friends and a fun way to escape cold weather. It is also a convenient location as there are direct flights from New York, Boston or Chicago, or even from most European cities. If you are not ready to commit to a full Miami itinerary, here are some to-go recommendations:

Where to stay?

Miami Beach:

• I would recommend one of the big resort hotels along Miami beach, located between 18th street and 14th street: Surfside hotel, Surf Comber or The Shore Club. Good to know: Hotels south of 14th street are usually noisy during the evenings due to the nearby bars and night clubs.
• One of my personal favorites for a family escape is the Raleigh Hotel (@theraleighhotel). It is a fabulous art deco hotel with a wonderful swimming pool, unique cocktails, and delicious light food. Importantly, it is not too crowded and it is steps away from the beach. It is currently closed for renovation, but it will open soon. I will keep you posted.
• My friend Claire’s personal favorite is Betsy Boutique, a small European-style boutique hotel.

Outside of Miami Beach:

• If you ever feel like escaping the busy and vibrant ambiance of Miami Beach, we suggest the Standard Hotel. They have a great spa and a breathtaking view of Miami bayside. The rooms are trendy and a great option when traveling with teenagers.
• The residential area called Coconut Grove (30 minutes from Miami beach) is also a great spot to escape the busy city life. It is located in a small shopping area with many trendy restaurants and bars. Sonesta Hotel is also nearby and provides a simple and cheap stay in the area and fitting if traveling with children.
• If these recommendations don’t peak your interest, you can always follow Claire’s recommendation and rent an apartment in Key Biscane via Airbnb or VRBO!

Our “coup de coeur” for a girl’s weekend:

Let’s get rid of the kids and husband for a weekend. Miami is a good place to discover, hang out, and energize. Experience both the relaxing and party scenes with the following recommendations:

• CarillonWellness: a resort style hotel with an amazing Thalasso area and a fully equipped sports center that offers more than 30 fitness lessons each day.
• The Standard hotel is also a great option for a girly weekend. Enjoy their Spa facilities, their nice restaurant along the bay and their beautiful swimming pool.
• SLS South Beach: Perfect for a party weekend
• Vagabond Hotel: a very trendy retro inspired hotel in the heart of Miami’s design district

Where to eat?

Kid friendly

• My friend and fellow traveler Valerie recommends Mandolin Restaurant in the Design District. It has a lovely garden terrace and delicious Greek food! I also went and I completely fell in love! It’s the ideal Mediterranean escape in Miami. It’s charming, healthy, and well decorated. What else?
• If you a prefer an all American style dinner, try Shorty’s renown Spare ribs recommended by Isabelle (she especially recommends the baby back ribs!) Get ready to eat with your hands and eat at large common tables and experience a sense of community. It’s also a great place for kids.
• Otherwise, Claire also recommends OnlyWood Pizzeria Trattoria for delicious pizza in Keywest and Sophie recommends Makoto for excellent sushi in Miami Beach! 

Romantic (let’s leave the kids at home for that one…)

Here are some of Sophie’s favorites:

• Seaspice: it has a romantic garden terrace overlooking the Miami river. Although it is on the pricy side, it is worth every penny if you are looking for a perfect romantic dinner with your partner
• Setai: not only do they serve amazing modern Asian cuisine, it is also an oasis of tranquility amidst the energy of South Beach
• Louie’s Backyard: a delicious seafood restaurant
• Juvia: rooftop restaurant serving eclectic food and drink in an ultra-modern space

Party mood?

• I highly recommend Baoli. I have been there twice and had great fun there. Begin your experience with relaxing dinner on their terrace and let the nightclub mood emerge as the night continues!
• Along the same lines is Gigi Bardot in the design district. It is a night club/bar with music and a diverse crowd.
• The Bazaar by José Andrés is amazing as well.
  

Brunch

• Standard Hotel: great spot overlooking the bay
• Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables: especially the patio section
  

More brunch…on the beach

• Try the Southernmost restaurant which is part of the Southernmost Beach Resort or Nicki Beach. The best part is being able to take a nap right after brunch in their comfortable sun chairs right on the beach. Or just have lunch at the Lido Bayside Grill or Salute, a simply delicious Italian restaurant.

Activity ideas

Let’s keep the kids active!

• When in Miami, one must wander Miami’s Art District. Wynwood is scattered with design shops, small trendy restaurants, and healthy juice/smoothie bars. It’s a great time for the kids – just wander and enjoy!
• Miami’s aquarium. The kids loved it. The dolphin performance is a very emblematic Miami experience
• Compliment this wandering with wake boarding and waterskiing with Miami’s skyline in the background or visiting the Fairchild Tropical Garden
• We also loved the modern and contemporary art Peréz museum. It has a convenient restaurant with an outside terrace for lunch
• Another idea is to rent a car and drive to Key Biscayne to spend time on the beautiful beaches! Crandon Park is also great but careful, pack your own lunch or eat at the Rusty Pelican which has an incredible view of Miami
• If it’s a rainy day, make your way to the Aventura Shopping center
• And if you want to extend your stay in Florida, don’t forget to check our 2 itineraries for Florida on triptam.com