The girls and I have an annual trip tradition and this Summer, we left cloudy Raincouver for four days in sunny Miami! I’ve never been to Miami before and it was exciting being able to go for the first time.
Miami is such a unique city with so much to do, and prior to the trip, I always hear about the beaches, party scene, art and food! We were there for Miami Swim Week and so, it did feel busier than usual but I did manage to squeeze in quite a bit of exploring!
Here is My Guide on How to Spend Four Days in Miami:
First things first, the weather in Miami is hot hot hot and it can be prone to sudden flash floods, which means a large amount of rain that lasts for about 20 minutes. And yes, we experienced this first hand through our four days in Miami. Basically soaked.
So bring your adorable dresses, cute shorts and tanks but I would recommend bringing a light rain jacket or cover-up just to keep you dry. I’d also recommend a sun hat. Works as great rain cover and sun protection! For more travel packing tips, you can check out my post here.
Miami is known for its incredible beaches, lively culture, beautiful art scene, and entertainment. It’s all wrapped up in this unique Cuban flare that shows through the food and local street art all around the city.
The Art Deco District is a great snapshot of what Miami is all about: soaking up the sun and just being more relaxed with life. I love that Miami feels laid-back during the day but when the night hits, trust me, they know how to party!
Have a relaxing day by the beach
When I think of Miami, I think soaking up the sun on the beach is necessary. I basically lived in my swimsuit the whole trip, you can find my Miami LookBook here!
Miami South Beach is beautiful and it’s not actually in the main city of Miami. Miami Beach is located on an island, but with lots of transportation options and it’s an easy trip. On the first of our four days in Miami, we took an Uber to and from and it was around 30 minutes or less one way (not during rush hour).
There is plenty to do, like taking a walk along Ocean Drive or checking out the local restaurants. The hotels along the area are so cute. In addition, there’s a big thriving arts scene in the area where you can check out the work of local artists.
We found that with every hotel along the beach, they each have a designated area for their colourful beach umbrellas, all ready to rent and all of different colours. Really reminded me of Hawaii!
Exploring Little Havana is a MUST
Exploring Little Havana is one of my highlights from the trip!
The strip of Little Havana, also known as Calle Ocho is a showcase of all the amazing Cuban culture found in Miami. It really feels like you’re being transported to Cuba.
You can find some of the most amazing Cuban restaurants here but it is also overflowing with culture, art and the best music scene. There are pieces of street art and people playing music on the streets, with no shortage of Instagrammable spots! There’s also like, three Cuban Cigar shops every one block.
I love getting immersed into the culture by walking along the streets while sipping cuban coffee from a local shop. Mind you, there are quite a few tourists stores, so you can find souvenirs and trinkets all around.
Also, speaking about the Cuban coffee,
I learned from an elderly man at one of the souvenir coffee stalls in Little Havana to mix Cuban coffee with Coca Cola for an added OOMPH. It is a delicious concoction that led to very intense heart palpitations an hour later. So bear in mind, they’re strong!
Where to Shop, Eat and Walk in Miami
One of my favourite places to shop and explore would be Lincoln Road Mall! This outdoor mall concept really reminded me of Santa Monica Boulevard in LA!
It’s an area full of colourful streets and has some of the coolest restaurants and stores! It’s an outdoor area that consists of several blocks of stores and boutiques that you can look through for hours. They also open till late.
If you like to learn more about animals, Jungle Island is the place for you. It’s this tropical oasis that has stunning views and hundreds of specifies of wildlife. There are playgrounds, ziplines and simulators to help you learn more about the lives of these creatures. If you’re willing to splurge, you can go in for an animal encounter where you can have the chance to cradle lemurs, feed sloths and get close and personal with your favourite animals.
Wynwood Walls is the city’s only outdoor street art park with more than 40 murals from world-renowned artists. These one-of-a-kind pieces are such a sight to see and will really get your creative wheels spinning. Admission is free.
If you’re ready to enjoy some beautiful views and gardens, check out the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Coconut Grove. Four days in Miami is a good amount of time, but we didn’t make it there this trip!
There are 43 acres of beautiful plants, European antiques and decor for you to explore around a giant renaissance-style villa in the middle. The house itself is a beautiful building full of intricate designs and history. The bayfront terrace is an unforgettable waterfront view perfect for a sunny day out. It is actually home to some of Miami’s most instagrammable floors and staircases so you’ll leave with plenty of photos you’ll want to share.
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The Restaurants We Visited :
During our four days in Miami, we were always on the hunt for delicious food! Miami is a foodies paradise to Cuban food and more! Here are some of my favourites:
Sala’o Cuban Bar & Pescaderia
This charming restaurant has the prettiest decor and is located in Little Havana. The owner actually called us over and invited us into the restaurant 15 minutes before opening so we could take photos!
As a sea-foodie (foodie who loves seafood), Sala’o was the perfect place for me. I had delicious oyster shooters, and the girls and I shared a variety of Cuban dishes. There’s so much spice and flavour to Cuban food!
This restaurant has an Ernest Hemingway theme throughout the location, giving it this beautiful 1940s feel. Try the famous pink “Papa Hemingway” and the Mahi Mahi Tuna.
SushiSamba
This is the first place we had our meal after landing in Miami! It’s in Lincoln Road Mall.
I remember seeing a location in The Venetian in Vegas when I went!
A fusion of Japanese, Brazillian and Peruvian cuisine is something I’ve never tried before but I am SO GLAD I did. They put a different spin on traditional sushi like nigiri and sashimi to give it some Brazillian flare. All their dishes are perfect for sharing as they are served just like typical tapas you would get at a Peruvian restaurant.
HABITAT
Speaking of spanish influences, Habitat in Miami is the perfect restaurant to grab some lunch with your girlfriends or in my case, brunch! This is located within 1 South Beach Hotel. Their main focus is spanish tapas made with locally sourced food.
I love that they leverage the amazing seafood and local markets in the area to come up with their dishes. Everything is so fresh and healthy!
I personally love their omelette, so give this place a try if you’re looking for a local brunch staple. The decor is also gorgeous!
Nobu Miami
Okay, I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about Nobu before but it’s just so delicious! The girls and I had Nobu when we were in Hawaii last year, and we NEEDED to go back for Krystin’s birthday!
Nobu does elevated, delicious mixes of Japanese cuisine with share plates and sushi. Their hot dishes like Umami Chicken Wings (IS THE BEST) and King Crab Tempura are to die for. We get Hamachi whenever we go! It’s our dish lol
LaMuse Cafe
It wouldn’t be a Samsational Vacation without visiting some adorable cafes and I’m so lucky we stumbled across LaMuse Cafe.
It’s a cute European inspired cafe located in downtown Miami that does breakfast, lunch and other light bites. The decor inside is incredible with flowers hanging from the ceiling to gorgeous chairs and tables that match the beautiful Parisian vibes. It’s also connected to an art museum and the menu shares stories of key figures in art/history and how they each inspire some of the dishes.
I actually found it on Instagram by doing a quick search! The bowls are delicious, and I got the Acai bowl to go with my Bloody Mary (which, mind you isn’t as good as a Caesar) and Avo Toast.
Happy Hour at Nautilus by Arlo
A special thank you to Nautilus by Arlo hotel for having the girls and I at the lobby bar for Happy Hour! They have a great variety of shareables and cocktails! I honestly wish I could have had more drinks but this was post- Cuban coffee crash so I wasn’t feeling the best!
That said, I do recommend checking the hotel and lobby bar out for a chill time of drinks and appies.
Azucar Ice Cream Company
Miami is the perfect place for ice cream with how hot and humid it is!
Azucar Ice Cream is a local ice cream shop in Little Havana that has homemade Cuban inspired flavours like guava, cafe con leche and more. Everything is made in house and they are most famous for the classic vanilla ice cream and Maria Crackers.
We sadly didn’t make it there BUT if you’re looking for a drop off location for Uber in Little Havana, this is a good one because it’s very hard to miss.
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In its entirety, spending four days in Miami was so much fun with a lot of life. It’s the Vegas of the East Coast, and in my opinion, a more party version of Hawaii – with coarser sand.
If you love my travel posts, check out my tips on How to Spend 5 Days in LA!
Till next time,
xoxo Sam
