Most people head South when the weather is cold up North, but I am making the case that you should embrace the Miami heat! Miami is fabulous anytime of year but in the summer, you get to enjoy its full potential. Lets see why you should take a weekend getaway to Miami this summer!
Why Go
Miami is hot in the summer, but if you love the beach, water-sports, and plain old fun in the sun, this is the trip for you. The tropical air and the balmy water just warm the heart and incite a feeling of adventure. So do like we did and jump in a convertible and just go!
There is so much to Miami that you will never be able to experience everything in one trip. But it’s only a short 3-hour flight from Boston, so go ahead and pop down a few times a year.
Watersports
The first thing you need to add to your list is watersports. Any trip to Miami just has to include getting out on the water. Whether you rent a boat, go jet skiing, tubing or parasailing, water has to be involved. And the best way to find some amazing activities is with TripAdvisor. Read reviews, book instantly and go! We used TripAdvisor for an amazing parasailing adventure with Miami Watersports and it was just magical. Sky-high views just make a trip so memorable.
Rent a boat, just do it. Seriously, there are so many options for boat rentals in the area, you can charter anything from a little sailboat to a yacht. Having a boat to yourself for a day gives you the freedom to explore and the ability to see Miami the way the locals do, check out small islands, sand bars and just take in the city views.
Road Trip
As you all know, we love roadtrps and like to incorate them into our vacations whenever we can! This time around we hopped in a convertible when we landed and didn’t look back. The first day of our trip we shot down to Key West. Our first time in the keys, we were mezmorzied y the miles of over water bridges and the hundreds of islands making up the area.
It truly is more fun with the top down! There were so many interesting vantage points on the way down and it was so cool to visit the southernmost point of the country!
Oh and of course after lunch we had to try some authentic Key Lime Pie!
Miami Food Guide
Miami is a foodie city. The diverse population, the tropical air and the fun vibe, just make for a dynamic culinary scene. Everything from tacos to sushi is at your fingertips, here are my top picks!
Chotto Matte – A new hotspot, Chotto Matte is exactly what you want from a fusion restaurant. Drawing from both Japanese and Peruvian influences, the kitchen delivers on flavor. The unexpected combinations pack a punch and the space is cooler than a cucumber, I mean there is even a retractable roof! We were lucky to dine there on 4th of July so in addition to their fantastic menu items, they also had one of the best chicken wing dishes as a special that I have had in a while!
Number 3 & No. 3 Social – These two destinations are located in the forever cool Wynwood area, the graffiti filled, Brooklyn of Miami. So for all my cool girls and hipster guys, this is the spot for you! But it is also the spot for any foodie. Number 3 is fine dining heaven, serving up seasonal, locally sourced, inspired dishes.
And No. 3 Social is their rooftop lounge, with live Latin music and the best views in Wynwood. Another must for your Miami food crawl!
Bar Collins at the Loews Hotel – South Beach is the place to see and be seen. And for a dinner that is both a part of the scene and set back from it, head to the Bar Collins at Loews. When we visited a few weeks ago, we had an amazing time! The hotel and restaurant sources as many ingredients and components locally as possible, as part of an initiative they call Flavor Miami. The dishes that really stood out for us were the octopus, tuna tartare and the New York Strip. The staff was extremely professional, friendly and attentive. Oh and the drinks were very tasty as well! And after dinner you are in the heart of the South Beach scene, so lots of after dinner activities are at your disposal!
Basement at the Edition Hotel – Speaking of after dinner activities, one hotspot you just have to check out is Basement at the Edition. This is like no other nightclub on Miami Beach, it includes a bowling alley and a very Instagrammable indoor ice-skating rink! The beautiful neon lights, the talented Djs and the tasty cocktails make for a fun night out with your friends. I am a huge fan of nightlife options that include something new and fun and Basement definitely does that!
Bodega – Bodega is a multi-functioning dining destination. One the one hand it can be the place you go after a long night out for some rejuvenating tacos or it could be the place where you start your night out with some tacos. Let me explain. When you first arrive at the restaurant, it looks like you are at a not-so-typical taco shack, there is a fun exterior, and a food truck inside the building serving up the some amazing tacos, made with fresh tortillas and fresh homemade salsas on the side. But the experience gets even that much more unexpected when you take a peak behind the door that reads “meat market”. This is a semi-secret entrance to a back room speakeasy that is a as cool as it sounds. A beautifully sultry space, with a fantastic bar and an even more impressive drinks menu, this is the spot to be at the beginning, middle or end of the night!
Where to Stay
There are so many hotel options in Miami. The first decision to make is whether you want to stay on South Beach or not. If you want to focus on art and cultural attractions, you will probably want to stay on Miami proper, and if you want to focus on soaking up some sun, Miami Beach is for you. We chose Miami Beach and wanted a chic, relaxing atmosphere, so we went with the Eden Roc Miami Beach, located on Mid Beach.
The hotel was everything you would expect from Eden Roc, luxurious, modern and exquisitely finished. There were multiple pools to enjoy and of the their fabulous beach club. It was the perfect way to unwind and relax over 4th of July week. We can’t wait to come back!
