Miami is one of my favorite convenient vacation spots, as it’s easy to get to, doesn’t require leaving the states, & is tropical-island-level beautiful.
I grew up on the Gulf Coast of Florida for the first eight years of my life, so the white sand & clear blue water combination feels like HOME to me. It always makes me incredibly nostalgic.
Two of my best friends ( Kristen & Claire ) and I spent a little under a week in Miami last month, going to all of our favorite places. Kristen & I have frequented Miami in the last two years or so, so we consider ourselves Miami almost-experts.
PS, you can see our Miami VLOG here, or at the bottom of this post. Also, this outfit is linked in this post as well!
how to do miami the right way
Kristen & I went to Miami for the first time during Art Basel in 2016. We tried to get into the “scene,” attended lots of Art Basel events, went out to clubs at night, etc. After just 3 days of that madness, we were OVER IT.
The Miami club scene is just NOT for me. Plus, we were supposed to be on vacation, which, for me, means relaxing, eating good food, getting some sun, & sipping rose by the beach/pool ( & maybe doing some blog work and working out ).
I just want to feel good about myself & my life, ya know?
Now, every time we go to Miami, we switch into vacation mode, with a touch of work mixed in ( because I cannot help but take 1 million photos ).
We usually start the day with getting work done, working out, & prepping for the beach. Then, we spend the day with some food & drank action by the pool or on the beach. At night, we get all cute and head to dinner ( & maybe a drink, if we’re feelin’ it ), making sure to come home early-ish, so we can do it all again the next day. SO DREAMY.
miami hotels & places to stay
As I’m sure you can imagine, Miami boasts a number of UNREAL hotels. Think ocean-front, ethereal, all-white hotels with incredible pools & private beach set-ups.
We have always stayed in the South Beach area, because it’s a good place to base out of, though Miami Beach is just North & equally convenient.
1 Hotel South Beach: This hotel’s aesthetic is TO-DIE-FOR. Seriously. They have a rooftop bar area for drinks if you aren’t staying at the hotel, which I high recommend visiting.
W South Beach: Another BEAUTIFUL hotel. The W South Beach seems to be such a classic place to stay in Miami. You can’t go wrong booking here.
The Miami Beach EDITION: The EDITION is another iconic Miami hotel positioned on the beach. Its another one of my favorites.
Faena Hotel: The Faena is a BRAND NEW hotel & I have heard SO MUCH about it. Everyone we talked to last time we were in Miami suggested we stop by & take a look. Again, it’s UNREAL.
Soho Beach House: I tend to spend a LOT of time at Soho House in Miami, hanging by the pool & on the private beach. Soho House is a members-only club ( can’t say that without sounding like a dick, I know ), BUT this location is also a hotel open to the public! The rooms are super unique. As per usual, Soho House killed it with the interior decor. Soho House contains a couple restaurants & bar areas in addition to the pool & private beach.
miami restaurants
Joe’s Stone Crab: A staple, a modern marvel. I didn’t even know I liked crab until tried STONE CRAB. Joe’s doesn’t take reservations, but the wait is always shorter than they say it is, & its worth it. I recommend going on a week night ( if you can ) & grabbing a drink while you wait. You MUST order the stone crab legs ( the bigger the better ) & the key lime pie at the end. Trust me.
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila: YUM. If you want some quick, delicious tacos, Bodega is the place. They also have healthier options, like the quinoa taco bowl ( which I frequently ordered via Postmates during our last Miami trip ).
DIRT: I’m OBSESSSSED with this healthy restaurant! It’s SUPER H+H-approved, with satisfying, healthy food. You have to stop here. Just do it.
Pubbelly Sushi: for some really good sushi. I stopped by this sushi spot last time I was in Miami, after all of my friends left & I had a night to myself ( because y’all know eating alone is one of my favorite things about life ).
KITH Treats: OMG– dessert heaven. Kith specializes in CEREAL-based desserts, from ice-cream sundae-style treats to milkshakes to bowls of cereal. Think ice cream swirls with cinnamon toast crunch, frosted flakes, etc. For a gluten-free-person, options are incredibly limited, but still SO good.
Sweet Liberty: This place is known more for its drinks than its food ( or so-I’ve-been-told ), but the food is classic American goodness. We always find ourselves stumbling into here accidentally, because the location is so convenient.
outfit details
How SICK is this look? I’m wearing ASOS swim + Chanel ( via Tradesy ) in this post, and I’m living for how extra this ensemble is. The suit is incredibly affordable, too. You can learn more about my obsession with Tradesy & how I afford designer here.
Find vintage Chanel on Tradesy here. I’m going to have a promo code for y’all to shop Tradesy soon, so keep an eye out for that on my Instagram stories!
Miami Bars
TBH, I think grabbing a drink at a hotel bar is the best way to go. The atmosphere is nice & clean. The prices are obviously a little dramatic, but isn’t that whats expected? One place I will recommend is:
The Standard Hotel: The view from The Standard patio out back is AMAZING. I’m all for grabbing a pina colada & watching the sunset.
Do y’all have any Miami bar/lounge favorites I should add to this?? Like I said, I gave up on the nightlife during my first visit to Miami, LOL.
Things to Do in Miami
Beach: Obviously. I recommend finding access to a private beach ( at a hotel ), because it makes life A LOT easier. But, totally cool if you can’t. You’ll still enjoy the sun & the WATER.
Wynwood: This ~trendy~ area of Miami is a hipster-y, modern-art-focussed neighborhood with lots to see & do. The Wynwood Walls are a popular destination, and the Wynwood area has a number of coffee shops, bars, & places to shop. I’d definitely designate a half day or a full day to this!
Perez Art Museum Miami: Kristen & I were feeling very cultured during our first Miami trip, so we made a trip to PAMM & it did NOT disappoint. If it rains during your trip to Miami OR if you’re looking for a little time out of the sun, I definitely recommend walking around PAMM!
I’ll be adding to & editing this guide as I discover new Miami gems! If any of you have recommendations, don’t hesitate to share! Just comment on this post, so I can come back to it for reference. & so other people can stalk your favorite spots!
If you’ve never been to Miami, you NEED TO GO. It’s such a unique place.
I love the beaches here on the West Coast ( Malibu is BEAUTIFUL ), but there is something about the warmth of the ocean on the Florida coast that will always keep me coming back!
Talk soon, beebs! x
Love your Miami guide!! The Standard bar is beautiful, love that place!
Krista
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