Five best things to do when you visit Miami

May 5, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

By far one of the most enticing things about visiting Miami, Florida is the fact that no matter when you go, you can almost always count on getting some sunshine. Yes, south Florida enjoys warm sunny weather all year round. Now couple that with the fact that it has some of the best beaches in America (starting, of course, with the iconic Miami Beach) and you have a beautiful destination worth visiting every single time.

During this time of uncertainty, outdoor activities offer the best ability to safely social distance. Hotels.com asked me to share my favorite activities and tips for exploring Miami, so start here as you plan a safe and responsible vacation.

Of course, if you are going to visit an oceanside city there is simply no way that you can go the entire trip without sunbathing at one of the iconic beaches and getting a glorious tan while you are at it. However, once you are done with all that, or when you are taking a break from laying in the sun, you might want to enjoy these other wonderful attractions that can only be found in Miami, Florida. Here are 5 of the best things to do when you visit Miami.

Take a Ride on the Metromover

Miami has one of the most spectacular skylines in the country. One of the best ways to see it is to party at its iconic rooftop bars at night the other is to ride the metromover during the day. While the locals might think of the metromover as an overcrowded necessity, as a visitor it is by far one of the best ways to get a good look at the city from above. You can simply take a ride from Brickell all the to the Arsht Center and back. That should give you enough time to fully appreciated the alluring architecture that riddles this sunny city.

Go Shopping at the Bayside Marketplace

While Miami has an assortment of well-known chain stores, if you want to find some of the most unique items for sale then you should visit the Bayside Marketplace. Here you will find an array of boutiques in what is America’s most exciting outdoor style malls. The Bayside Marketplace is located right along Miami’s waterfront and it is the place to go if you want to do more than just shop. You can mingle with the locals who come out in droves to soak up the wonderfully lively atmosphere full of live music and all sorts of entertainment.

Rent a Boat and Sail Out into the Ocean

It is true that there is a lot of fun to be had at the beach. You can sunbathe, workout and deep your toes in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. However, if you want to really get out there and have some serious unbridled fun then you should consider renting a boat and sail out into the ocean with a few of your friends. You can do some fishing, more sunbathing, swimming and take awesome selfies showing off your wonderful tan while sipping champagne on a boat in Miami. There are very few better ways to make your friends green with envy.

Where to stay: When visiting Miami, families will want to choose between a midtown or downtown Miami hotel or a South Beach hotel. Miami hotel options are abundant! Bear in mind that while South Beach hotels often have beach access, they also have livelier crowds. Opt for the best environment for your family.

Go Swimming in the Venetian Pool

Miami is one of those metropolitan cities that pays tribute a wide variety of cultures that make it such a warm and vibrant place to be. You can get a taste of Cuba in “Little Havana” or you could experience a little bit of Venice in the Venetian Pool. The Venetian Pool is a historic facility that attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year. Built in 1923, the Venetian Pool can be found in Coral Gables and it was built out of a coral rock quarry. This gorgeous pool holds about 820,000 gallons of water at any given time and is fed by an underground spring water. When summer hits and the pool gets very busy, it gets emptied out and refilled every single day. They even stop selling tickets at some point so you have to book early.

Pay Crandon Park a Visit

If you travel a little south of Miami Beach, right across Rickenbacker Causeway you will come to Key Biscayne. This is one of the most beautiful locations in this part of the planet. As tiny as it is, Key Biscayne has some of the most stunning beaches and outstanding park areas in the region. Out of all these wonderful parks, Crandon Park is by far the most visited and most popular in the area. The reason for this is that the reef here makes swimming a joyous activity. The park also has a Nature and Amusement Center that offers extraordinarily entertaining wholesome family fun. So if you are traveling with the kids be sure to take them over to Crandon Park for an afternoon of fun lessons and reef swimming.

Of course, you could also do the usual things such as:

Go to a vivacious bar
Visit the Miami Children’s Museum
Cruise down Ocean Drive
Catch a live event

Finally, you simply must visit the Miami Sea Aquarium where you can see manatees, killer whales, dolphins and even sharks. The best way to enjoy Miami is to plan a few trips and create a Miami-focused bucket list. You simply cannot do it all in one visit.

We worked in conjunction with hotels.com to bring you the best of Miami. All opinions are our own.

Where to stay in Miami: Hampton Inn & Suites Midtown Miami review

April 4, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

A midtown Miami hotel is a good choice for a pre or post-cruise stay with easy access to the airport, or can be centrally-located for a Miami weekend away from South Beach. I recently checked out the brand new Hampton Inn & Suites Midtown Miami on a recent stay, and was very pleasantly surprised.

Where to stay in Miami:

The Hampton Inn & Suites Midtown Miami is without a doubt the prettiest, hippest Hampton Inn & Suites I’ve seen. The lobby is chic and spacious, but better yet, there’s an entire second floor of lounge space and seating, which reminded me more of a boutique hotel than of a economy hotel. The second floor is where the complimentary breakfast is served, which offers a nice variety of breakfast items, from hot dishes (real eggs, yay!) and waffles to yogurt, fresh fruit (which was exceptional), hard-boiled eggs, and hot, freshly prepared oatmeal.

Also on the 2nd floor is the small but serviceable fitness room and the far-beyond expectations outdoor pool and lounge area. The pool is not exceptionally sized, but is ringed by various upscale outdoor furnishings, including fun rocking seats, couches, and loungers. While it’s only on the 2nd floor, you still get some nice Miami skyline views. As you can tell by the description of the 2nd floor, this is really the gathering area and ‘living room’ space of the hotel.

Rooms at the Hampton feature nice touches like wood (style) floors (no carpets), tons of outlets and charging stations, excellent lighting, and comfortable beds. It doesn’t hurt that everything is new, of course. My bathroom featured a shower only (no tub), so ask when you book about any tub availability if you need one. Each room has a mini fridge ready for your snack items or leftovers, and another cabinet that’s designed to hold non-perishable food items. There’s a microwave available to use in the 2nd floor breakfast area (accessible all day).

WiFi is free for Hilton Hhonors members (which is also free, so definitely sign up), and while parking is valet-only, it’s only $25 a day, which is a deal in downtown Miami. My room was very quiet at night, which was a very nice change from South Beach hotel rooms.

Pros and cons of the midtown location:

The location of the Hampton Inn & Suites is both a pro and a con. It’s quiet at night, as noted above, and while it’s possible to walk to desirable destinations like the Shops at Midtown or even Wynwood, it’s not a pleasant walk. There’s a lot of construction going on in this part of Miami, and while I walked to Wynwood in 25 minutes, I had to hop on and off sidewalks and it wasn’t scenic. Instead, you’ll want to plan on renting a car (and parking it) if you stay here, or relying on Uber or Lyft.

There are a few chain restaurants in the immediate vicinity within walking distance, and one fun bar with a great outdoor patio just two buildings down, called Lagniappe. Other than snack food items in the lobby marketplace, there’s really nothing else directly near the hotel.

I found the trade-off of location worth the savings, since I knew I’d be getting around Miami by car anyway, but for anyone hoping to walk most places, situate yourself in Brickell or Wynwood and plan to do most of your eating in those neighborhoods. Miami is not a pedestrian-friendly town, though it has improved in this regard.

Room rates at the time of my visit were around $129 off season, and I enjoyed not having to pay a hefty resort fee as I have on South Beach. Find the Hampton at 3450 Biscayne Boulevard, about ten minutes from the airport.

If you are staying on South Beach instead of midtown or downtown, check out our review of the Kimpton Surfcomber.

Disclosure: I experienced the Hampton Inn & Suites as a guest of the hotel, for the purpose of review. All opinions remain my own.

Kimpton Surfcomber review: Where to stay on South Beach with kids

April 1, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

South Beach Miami may not be the most kid-friendly destination, but as Miami’s a major cruise port, families will find themselves navigating Miami Beach with kids in tow. When we realized our red-eye flight from San Francisco to Miami would land us in the city at 6 am, a full 10 hours before standard hotel check in, I knew exactly where I wanted to stay: at a Kimpton property. I knew a Kimpton would provide the level of customer service I needed when I arrived at dawn with tired kids: ample on-site relaxation we could take advantage of before check-in, as well as a friendly staff who would do all they could to get us in our room early.

Kimpton Surfcomber was perfect. Located in the heart of South Beach, directly on the sand, Surfcomber has three sections of outdoor entertainment: 1. their pool area, which has a beautiful art deco pool and plenty of lounge chairs, with a dedicated pool staff, 2. their ‘backyard’, which is a palm-tree shaded, grassy and sandy area behind the pool with outdoor sofas, Adirondack chairs, ping-pong, and the High Tide Bar, and 3. the beach, with yet another dedicated staff on premises to set your family up with lounge chairs, towels, sunscreen, shade, and water. In addition to these three main areas, Surfcomber has the following perks:

evening complimentary wine hour for parents
morning coffee and tea service in the lobby, and afternoon ‘Arnold Palmer’ service (tea and lemonade mix)
complimentary cruiser bike use (adult sizes)
two on-site dining options: High Tide and The Social Club
exercise room (and beach boardwalk adjacent for running, biking, or walking)
bell service and easy access to South Beach locations
on-site spa services and cabanas
as always, free WiFi and honor bar credit for Kimpton Karma members

We spent our long day pre-check-in at the beach, where we were able to use the beach butler service even though we didn’t have a room number yet, and took the bikes for a spin to check out the local scene (with teens, the adult sized bikes worked well). We ate a late breakfast at The Social Club, and took a swim in the pool, all while desk services held our luggage.

I asked for an early check-in if possible, and was notified around 2 pm that my room was ready. We spent the late afternoon relaxing in the room, then took a second swim at the beach before hitting South Beach for dinner. Note: the only downside to Surfcomber’s location: South Beach is an expensive place to eat…we were hard pressed to find any truly affordable options. Breakfast at the Social Club was absolutely delicious, but well over $50 for three of us, and adult beverages at High Tide were $14 each. We did find a breakfast counter option at the Walgreens one block away (odd, I know!) but expect to pay at least $15-20 per person for dinner and lunch in the South Beach area, at a bare minimum.

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The beach along this section of South Beach is calm and still in the mornings, with more waves and current in the late afternoons, and there’s plenty of sand to play in as well. We tended to roam between the pool and the beach. Our room was tastefully decorated and unique, as Kimptons tend to be, but also small, which Kimptons also tend to be. I loved the generous size of the property, however, and how relaxed, artistic, and spacious everything felt outdoors. The overall vibe is very chill and cool, without being snooty. We didn’t see many young kids here, but the adult party scene was elsewhere too, which I appreciated. It got a little loud at times on a Saturday night, but nothing we couldn’t deal with.

Room rates:

We paid around $250 for our standard room with two queen beds, and with all the on-site amenities, I felt I got a good value. The Loews and Ritz Carlton practically next door ask twice as much or more, and I don’t see much addition to the amenities (I could see their pools and beaches alongside ours). And you can’t beat the style of a Kimpton!

Directions:

The Surfcomber is located at 1717 Collins Avenue, South Beach. We paid a $35 flat rate for a taxi from MIA. We were in walking distance of restaurants and beaches and 15 minutes from the cruise port.

Grown Up Getaway: Miami beyond the beaches

February 11, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Maybe you’ve ‘done’ South Beach. Or maybe, you remember the Miami of the ‘80s and ‘90s, when South Beach defined the city. Whether beachside clubbing and hot days on the sand are not for you, or whether you’re ready for something different, check out Miami beyond the beaches for your next Grown-Up Getaway. Here’s your ready-made itinerary for your Grown Up Getaway Miami:

Start in the artsy Wynwood neighborhood:

Wynwood perhaps defines the ‘new’ Miami better than any other single neighborhood. An eclectic mix of art galleries, trendy bars and restaurants, and boutiques, Wynwood may have become gentrified from the time of its artistic roots, but it’s still a great representation of the mixing pot that is Miami.

Start with a stroll through the neighborhood to appreciate the street art…don’t worry, you can’t miss it. Wynwood Walls sits at the epicenter of the street art movement, with commissioned murals across several blocks. Enter at 2520 NW 2nd Avenue, where you’ll see arched gates into the artwork. (It’s free to enter.) Between murals, a few galleries are open within Wynwood Walls, as well as a juice bar and a few other small cafes.

After seeing the ‘official’ art of Wynwood, walk through the next few blocks, wandering at will and popping into additional galleries and boutiques and checking out more unofficial murals, some as impressive as the commissioned work.

Grab a pre-dinner drink at Alter, which has an inviting outdoor bar just adjacent to the small dining room. Make a reservation to eat here to taste celebrated chef Brad Kilgore’s inventive pre-fixed menu (he also creates his magic at Brava, home of one of Miami’s hardest-to-get reservations).

If you’re looking for a more casual meal, head instead to Rust, a hole-in-the-wall on 2nd Ave in the most gentrified of ways. Located down an open-air marketplace hallway in the heart of Wynwood, Rust is owned by a Uruguayan transplant who has made Miami his home. Featuring a globally inspired menu that includes everything from chivitos (Uruguayan sandwiches) and Spanish tortillas to ceviche, Rust is a place to linger on the patio with a sangria and tapas to share.

Spend your next day in Museum Park:

Ten years ago, Miami’s downtown became a ghost town after work hours. With the addition of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County located within easy walking distance to Museum Park (featuring the stellar Perez Art Museum Miami and brand new Frost Museum of Science), that all changed. Now a hub for performing and visual arts lovers, this region of Miami is vibrant day and night.

During the day, linger during the morning at the Perez (PAMM), where two floors of permanent and featured art exhibits are on display. Make sure to leave time to stroll outside, where Adirondack chairs and hanging hammock chairs invite you to sit a while to enjoy the ocean breezes and views of the bay. Grab a coffee at the museum cafe, or better yet, head over the the Arsht Center to enjoy lunch at the cafe at Books and Books. A Miami institution, Books and Books is located in their original Sears storefront, and features a farm-to-table style menu upstairs from the bookseller.

Check out the Frost Museum of Science (yes, even if you’ve left the kids at home). This brand new museum is actually divided into four buildings: the Frost Planetarium, Aquarium, and North and West Wings, where you can learn about the core science behind living systems, the solar system and known universe, the physics of flight, light and lasers, the biology of the human body and mind, and much more. If nothing else, see a show at the planetarium (or come back at night to see it set to contemporary music such as Pink Floyd or U2.

In the evening, see a performance at the Arsht Center. This massive and beautiful center features visual art embedded in the design and architecture, and offers space for both large-scale musical theater performances, ballet and symphony, and intimate plays and dance performances. I was lucky enough to see The Death of Harry Houdini in the small black box theater, and was blown away.

Note: if you take Uber to the theater, they’ve made it easier for you to identify where you’ll meet your driver with pre-set stations…otherwise, the sprawling center spread over several city blocks proves problematic.

Do some shopping:

For the most impressive shopping malls, you’ll want to go to Brickell City Center (or farther out, Coconut Grove). The City Center is a LEAD certified building with an amazing (and beautiful) eco-design feature: the climate ribbon spans over the top of the open air mall, collecting rain water for reuse and simultaneously managing climate control. (It truly feels cooler in the mall than just outside.)

You’ll find no shortage of shopping opportunities in City Center (Saks is the flagship), but perhaps the bigger attraction are the bars and restaurants, as well as the luxury movie theater. We recommend a movie followed by drinks on the rooftop bar, Sugar.

Where to stay and how to get around:

Miami, unfortunately, isn’t a pedestrian friendly city, nor does it boast great public transportation, but it IS improving. If you stay in the Brickell area, you can easily transit between City Center and Museum Park by MetroMover, the free metro line that’s located downtown. Otherwise, you’ll need a car, which is why I recommend a Midtown hotel. You’ll be within about 10 minutes’ drive from Wynwood, Brickell, and Museum Park, all without getting on a freeway (and thus avoiding traffic).

The Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Midtown is a brand new hotel located in Midtown that’s quite frankly the nicest Hampton I’ve ever stayed in. See our review here. Valet parking is reasonable (or better yet, use Uber in Miami) and the stay includes an upscale complimentary breakfast and nice outdoor pool with lounging areas. You get a lot for your money here, and you won’t be in your room much, anyway. There’s another location in Brickell, which would be a good choice if that’s the neighborhood you decide to focus on, but you’ll save money staying in Midtown. Finding travel deals is now simple and can be done in a jiffy especially when you want to cut down your budget.’

If you DO bring the kids:

Check the Arsht Center website for options of kid-friendly shows…there are many! The Frost Museum of Science is a home run, and the Perez Art Museum offers kid programming every first Thursday, as well as special programs for the family. All the dining options listed above, with perhaps the exception of Alter, are appropriate for kids of any age.

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Planning a family vacation To Miami

December 19, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

After its record 15.5 million visitors in 2015, Miami easily holds its status as one of the premier tourist cities in the US. And that’s not surprising at all, given its warm, sunny climate, beautiful white sand beaches, and abundance of popular historic sites and entertainment stops. We’ve visited Miami many times, and have learned there’s much more to this destination than the glamour of South Beach.

Add to that numerous nature-focused, “eco-tourism” adventures in or not far from Miami, and it’s easy to see why families with kids are flocking to Miami for the tourist experience of a lifetime.

But getting there can be long and tedious, especially with kids on board, and really especially if you’re driving or going by bus from distance starting points like New York, Chicago, or L.A. Traveling the major airlines can be challenging as well. That’s one reason why taking your family to Miami on a private jet charter flight is such an attractive alternative. Yes, you’ve been hearing about taking a private plane to Miami, and yes, they’re within reach for ‘regular’ families.

But regardless of how you get there, here are some great ideas on what to do that the whole family can enjoy:

1. Start At Bayside Marketplace

Not all shopping experiences are entertaining enough for kids, but the shops of Bayside Marketplace are a clear exception. Buy fossils, rock formations, and glow in the dark paraphernalia at “Art By God.” Then stop by Freedom Tower just a couple blocks north to learn of Miami’s fascinating Cuban heritage, just before eating lunch at Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana or hopping on a Biscayne Bay boat tour at Miamarina at Bayside.

2. Stop Off At Miami Science Museum

Museums may try kids’ patience in most instances, but Miami Science Museum will fascinate them. The natural history section, birds of prey zone, planetarium, and “laser show” are always favorites. Big Pink, a great burger/pizza joint that won’t cost an arm and a leg is not far away.

3. See The Seaquarium

In business since 1955, Miami Seaquarium is a true classic. Your kids can take in a show featuring whales, sea lions, or dolphins, get up close and personal with a manatee, and gaze in amazement while watching “shark feeding time” happen.

4. Venture Off To Jungle Island

Jungle Island is a kid’s paradise. A more than 20-acre rainforest full of all kinds of plant, bird, and other (non-dangerous) species – plus dramatic waterfalls, it will hold kids spellbound. The bird show and petting zoo are also key components of this “transplanted jungle” experience.

5. See The 3 Biggest Attractions Of The Region

After just an hour or so drive west from Miami, you can visit Everglades National Park. An airboat ride and a stop at Everglades Alligator Farm will ensure you see some significant wildlife.

Go south from Miami instead, and you can hit Bahia Honda State Park, not so far a drive as Key West and still an amazing drive. Also see the mostly underwater John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in the same vicinity: you can snorkel, dive, canoe, motor boat, or ride on a glass-bottomed tourist vessel over the reef area.

Finally, don’t overlook Miami Beach, where besides the beach and boardwalk, you’ll find (toddler-friendly) Miami Children’s Museum, a place where kids can floss gigantic teeth and record their own music in a studio. Jungle Island (mentioned earlier) is also here. And a family bike ride down the boardwalk of nearby Hollywood and a stop at Taco Beach Shack (or a picnic on the sand, with picnic table) is also a memorable event.