Miami, Florida
Where we stayed:
Generator Hotel: We wanted to stay near everything but a little bit removed from the craziness of Ocean Drive, so we chose this great little hotel in Mid Beach. Generator is like an upscale hostel but also has great private rooms and it is very affordable. The location was fantastic and was still within walking distance of several hotels, restaurants, and was right across the street from the beach!
Restaurants:
Las Olas Cafe: No trip to Miami is complete without a colada! This deliciously sweet Cuban-style espresso will give you all of the energy needed to explore the city! We also tried an empanada, croquetas and the fresh strawberry juice, and it was all fantastic!
Puerto Sagua: This was our first meal of the trip and it was perfect. We ordered a Cuban sandwich and a midnight or “media noche” sandwich, along with an iced Cuban coffee. The Cuban was pretty good, but the Midnight was to die for! You can find this sandwich at pretty much every Cuban restaurant in Miami and I would highly recommend it!
Jaya: This may have been the most beautiful restaurant I’ve ever been to. The food and service were both incredible, and the ambiance made it even better. Be sure to make reservations and ask to sit in the room with the palm trees!
Gianni’s: This is a must if you are in Miami! This beautiful restaurant is set in Gianni Versace’s former residence, perched right on Ocean Drive. The food, service and ambiance are all amazing. This one also fills up quickly, so make a reservation ahead of time. Be sure to take a photo in front of the beautiful pool during your visit!
27 Restaurant / Broken Shaker: During our first night, we decided to grab some drinks and dinner at the Freehand hotel. The Broken Shaker has such a fun Miami vibe and was the perfect place to grab a cocktail before dinner. 27 Restaurant is located right next to Broken Shaker and has the same fun vibe, as well as deliciously unique food and excellent service!
Los Fuegos: This wonderful Francis Mallmann restaurant is located near the pool deck of the beautiful Faena hotel. We came here for breakfast and let me tell you, it was the most relaxing part of our trip. We got the Faena Breakfast and the Key Lime French Toast and they were both absolutely delicious! I would highly recommend stopping here for the beautiful, relaxing ambiance and yummy meal.
Things to do/see:
Rent bikes and ride along the boardwalk: This is the best way to see the city! The Miami Beach area has several Citi Bike rental areas. We paid $10 per bike for a 2 hour rental and rode from our hotel in Mid Beach all the way to South Point along the boardwalk. It’s the best way to take in the scenic ocean views and see the beautiful hotels that line the beach! When you’re done, you can just park your bike at any Citi Bike rental area. Simple and perfect!
Walk along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue: These are by far the best areas for people watching. These streets run right along side each other and are jam packed with bars, restaurants, shops, fancy cars and TONS of people.
Faena statue: This is my absolute favorite hotel in Miami, and this statue is part of the reason why. It is beautiful and one of the most photographed places in Miami, for good reason!
Go to the beach: Florida has some of the best beaches in the United States. The beaches in Miami are picturesque, sandy white with clear turquoise water. Just be sure to watch out for sharks, I saw one about 30 feet away from us while I was swimming in South Beach a few years ago!
Miami Travel Tips:
All of the restaurants on Ocean Drive are geared for tourists. If you are looking for less expensive food or drinks, I would recommend trying restaurants a block or two off of Ocean Drive.
Weekends in Miami Beach are packed with people. Like anywhere else, people tend to flock to party cities on weekends and Miami is no exception. We walked around on Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue every day of our trip, and the amount of people on Saturday was about three times as much as Monday or Tuesday. If you are looking for a less crowded vacation, I would recommend visiting during the week.
It can get loud. South Beach is known for partying, loud music, lots of people, and loud cars. If you are looking for a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere, I would recommend staying a few blocks off of Ocean Drive, or further up in Mid Beach area.
Below are some photos from our trip!
Dinner and drinks at 27 Restaurant!
Hello from sunny Florida!
The beautiful Versace Mansion
More from Gianni’s - dinner here is a must!
The coolest place to snap a photo in Miami - the Faena!
Paradise
The famous “stairway to nowhere” at the Fontainebleau
Dinner at Jaya - another must do!
See you later Miami! ❤️
