7 Reasons to visit Miami

As the songs go: Welcome to Miami! If you want to enjoy warm weather, have a getaway in a paradise or enjoy the finest Art Deco, Miami is the city for you! I selected for you the main 7 reasons to visit Miami!

Miami isn’t just a destination; it’s a sensation. Nestled between crystal-clear Atlantic waves and iconic pastel facades, this city promises more than just scenic ocean views. Whether you’re strolling through the colorful murals of Wynwood, tasting Cuban classics in Little Havana, or relaxing in the luxury of South Beach, Miami is a must-visit paradise that offers a blend of adventure, culture, and charm.

WHEN TO VISIT MIAMI?

The best season to visit Miami is from December until May. During this period, the city sees a steady flow of tourists. If you want to enjoy Miami on a budget, then I recommend the June to September period. Although you may be worried about hurricanes disrupting business, you shouldn’t be. As long as the sky is clear, Miami is not sleeping!

THE BOOMING ARTS STAGE

The first reason for visiting Miami is the arts scene. The Magic City as Miami is nicknamed, holds a renowned spot in the US arts stage. If you’ve seen on Instagram pictures of Miami, you have seen for sure the well known Wynwood Walls.

Next to Wynwood Neighbourhood, you’ll find the Design District, where high-end shops alongside fashion boutiques will astound you with exclusivist works of arts. Such as the Fly’s Eye Dome made by Buckminster Fuller.

VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS

Another reason to visit Miami is definitely to check out this incredible place. Don’t let yourself fooled by the century-old look that the building has. It was designed to replicate the 16th-century architecture, in particular, the Italian Renaissance style with an integration of the architecture found in Havana and Miami.

It offers over 70 rooms over 3 floors, each with its distinctive style. Over 10 acres of the lush vegetation are waiting to be discovered, offering stunning photos views. Of course, if you can avoid the big groups of people and the wedding photo shoots that take place in the gardens.

The rear end of the villa is situated on Biscayne Bay. To shelter the land from roaring waves, the Barge was built which plunges out of the water, imitating a shipwreck.

The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a place where history, art, and nature seamlessly come together. A must-visit that leaves a lasting impression on anyone exploring Miami’s hidden treasures.

MIAMI FOOD

Chefs and foodies introduced Miami to its exclusive cuisine in the New World. Created in the 1990s, the cuisine is known as New World, Nuevo Latino or Floribbean cuisine combines local products, the Latin American and Caribbean culinary knowledge with the maestro skills needed in European cooking. This kitchen influences many restaurants around the city to this day.

Miami is mostly known for Latin cuisine, especially Cuban cuisine, but also cuisines from South American countries. That’s why you will see many food truck with different specialities.

If you want to discover the cuisine, start with a stroll through Little Havana—this iconic neighborhood brings you the flavors of Cuba in every bite. Here, you can visit Versailles, a legendary Cuban diner where you’ll find the city’s best Cuban sandwich and perfectly brewed cafecito.

Don’t miss the seafood scene, either. Being on the coast, Miami boasts some of the freshest seafood around. Joe’s Stone Crab in South Beach is an institution—serving up their famous stone crabs with a side of tradition and luxury since 1913. 

Miami’s food scene offers a delicious journey through its many cultural influences, so come hungry and enjoy your way through the city.

FREEDOM TOWER

When you are walking along Biscayne Boulevard, you can also observe the architecture of this building, which, in the midst of modern skyscrapers, looks atypical. The Freedom Tower is an iconic symbol of the Cuban population of Miami, built between 1924 -1925. At first, it served as headquarters for the Miami Daily News. Once Cuban leader Fidel Castro took power in 1959, Cuban business owners and the middle class, usually people with more money, began to migrate to Miami. With the input of immigrants, the US government decided to use the tower as a facility for processing and documenting new residents.

Today, the tower houses a museum of contemporary art. And in the evening, it is beautifully lit, so do your best to get there after sunset. So it’s definitely one of the 7 reasons to visit Miami.

A FREE RIDE THROUGH THE SKYSCRAPERS WITH METROMOVER

For a unique way to explore Miami’s stunning skyline, hop on the Metromover, an automated tram that glides effortlessly through the heart of the city. This charming little tram system travels along elevated tracks at the base of towering skyscrapers, providing a bird’s-eye view of the vibrant city below.

The tram is free, so you can take a ride ”in the clouds” without paying anything. We recommend the blue route “Inner Loop”. It is a short route, of about 10-15 minutes, in which you practically make a loop, which is why you will descend to where you left off. And the ride is pretty cool.

One of the best parts of the Metromover experience is its convenience. It connects key areas like Downtown Miami, the Brickell financial district, and Bayside Marketplace, making it an easy way to navigate the city without the hassle of traffic or parking fees. Plus, with multiple stations, you can hop on and off at your leisure, exploring the shops, restaurants, and attractions that catch your eye.

LITTLE HAVANA

In almost all guides in Miami, this neighborhood is always recommended. Miami has a large Cuban community. So big that there is a whole neighborhood that is called Little Havana.

At first, Cuban newcomers settled west of the Freedom Tower, in an area known today as Little Havana, along Eighth Street, Calle Ocho. But as the Cuban population increased, people moved sporadically throughout the city. Spanish has in time become a popular language, prompting other refugees leaving the wars and economic difficulties of their countries to come here, in search of opportunities for a better life.

What to do around here? Nothing easier! Take a walk on Calle Ocho, have lunch in a Cuban-specific restaurant, treat yourself to a cigar like a true Cuban!

ART DECO & SOUTH BEACH

If I had to look after the large number of tourists I saw, I would say that it is the most popular tourist attraction in the area. Known as the Art Deco neighborhood, it is home to one of the largest concentrations of art-deco architecture since the 1930s. The best way to visit the area is on foot or by bicycle. We chose the first option and it filled us with some beautiful hours. We admired the cozy hotels, houses, and terraces warmed by the generous sunlight.

The neighborhood is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Sixth Street to the south, Alton Road to the west, respectively to the Collins Canal and Dade Boulevard to the north. There are around 960 historic buildings. You can combine a day of walking around the neighborhood with a few hours of beach on the famous South Beach.

The beach is huge, very wide, guarded by dunes covered with vegetation. The entrance to the beach is made on the small alleys among the dunes, and the lifeguards, like in films, are crouched in the colorful houses on the beach, on duty, with their eyes on the unsuspecting tourists who venture into the ocean waves. What’s more, it’s beautiful!

These are 7 reasons to consider when visiting Miami. The Magic City is vibrant, bursting with life, culture, and unforgettable experiences!

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