Miami Travel Guide
How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Miami with American Express Travel®
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September 18, 2025
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A multicultural hot spot, Miami is the place to see and be seen. Visitors flock here for the year-round beach weather, trendy nightlife and shopping, and a booming arts scene that encompasses the murals of Wynwood Walls, museums, and events like Art Basel Miami. You’re also spoilt for choice with a bevy of luxury Miami hotels and resorts.
Explore tips below from our Travel Consultants and get more out of your next visit by booking your hotel stay through American Express Travel®. At Fine Hotels + Resorts® properties, Platinum Card® Members can enjoy elevated benefits* such as a $100 credit to use towards eligible charges1, a room upgrade upon arrival, when available2 daily breakfast for two, and guaranteed 4pm check-out. And at The Hotel Collection properties3*, you can also expect a $100 credit to use towards eligible charges1, a room upgrade upon arrival, when available2, and 12pm check-in and late check-out, both when available.
Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection3 bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®.*
1Eligible charges vary by property.
2Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
3The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
Explore our Miami Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Where to Eat, What to Do
Best Time to Visit
December through April when the weather is warm; avoid the summer humidity and risks of hurricane season, which can last into November.
Getting There
Miami International Airport (MIA)
8 miles
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
25 miles
1 Hotel South Beach
Serene and spacious, the 425 rooms and suites at 1 Hotel South Beach start at 550 square feet and expand significantly; Platinum Card Members can get a room upgrade at check-in, when available. (Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.) The design lets the beach vibes in, with floor-to-ceiling windows and salvaged driftwood walls, live-edge wood desks, and glass terrariums. Get your fun in the sun at four pools, including an adults-only rooftop option, and 600 feet of private white-sand beach. Seedlings Camp hosts daily kids’ nature and art activities, and there are complimentary beach cruisers for joy rides along Miami Beach Boardwalk. You can also explore the art scene; the Bass Museum is nearby, and Art Basel Miami takes place in South Beach.
TRAVEL CONSULTANT TIP
“Make time for an evening at Tala Beach, a sprawling al fresco restaurant and lounge with Mediterranean shared plates, cocktails, and live music.”
The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour, Miami
With only two rooms per floor, staying at The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour, promises quiet and seclusion. The elegant, neutral interiors put the focus on the blue water beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, which you can admire from your terrace and your freestanding bathtub. Apartment-style suites are also equipped with kitchens. Platinum Card Members might use the $100 credit towards a meal at Artisan Beach House, which hosts a popular Sunday brunch. Take advantage of guaranteed 4pm check-out to stick around for a splash in the pool or at the semi-private beach.
TRAVEL CONSULTANT TIP
“Book a session with the hotel’s in-house personal shopper at nearby Bal Harbour Shops or take advantage of complimentary access to local museums and private collections with the hotel’s Art Access pass.”
The Setai, Miami Beach
East meets West at The Setai, Miami Beach, an all-suites hotel that exemplifies Asian Art Deco style, with dark woods, sumptuous furnishings, and artifacts. It’s an intimate size and occupies a 1936 beachfront landmark on palm-tree-lined Collins Avenue, so Platinum Card Members can take advantage of early check-in, when available, and head right for the ocean. Don’t sleep on the Sunday Jazz Brunch, featuring a lavish buffet of culinary delights – including carving stations and an array of sweet treats – set to a live jazz soundtrack.
TRAVEL CONSULTANT TIP
“If you’re feeling adventurous, rent one of the hotel’s jet skis. Plus, there are plenty of daybeds for relaxing afterwards.”
Kimpton EPIC Miami
Take in the big city’s bright lights or views of Biscayne Bay from your private balcony at the Kimpton EPIC Miami, where rooms and suites have airy, contemporary interiors and yoga mats. Card Members will receive a room upgrade at check-in, when available (certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade). There are two sparkling rooftop pools, complete with cabanas, and a marina with departures for deep sea fishing and sightseeing tours. In fact, you can even cruise up to the hotel and check-in dockside at the marina. Minutes away, explore the sprawling Bayfront Park and the Brickell City Centre shopping complex. Swing by the hotel’s Area 31 beforehand for complimentary coffee and tea or upon your return for the nightly wine hour.
TRAVEL CONSULTANT TIP
“Check with the front desk about bike rentals and Micro Kickboard scooters and helmets for kids, accessible for free during your stay.”
Restaurant photos courtesy of Aviv
Aviv
At AVIV, acclaimed chef Michael Solomonov and restaurateur Steve Cook put a signature touch on Israeli flavors and culinary traditions. AVIV (Hebrew for “spring”) blends ancient Israeli cooking methods with the modern cultural energies of both Miami and Tel Aviv. The result is a dynamic dining experience highlighted by a menu of delightful and creative dishes. Don’t miss out on favorites like the creamy Hummus Tehina or the flavor-packed Tuna Boreeka.
Restaurant photos courtesy of Tâm Tâm
Tâm Tâm
What started as a backyard supper club now holds a place among the top restaurants in Miami. Tâm Tâm is an unabashed Vietnamese food and drink party spot featuring boldly flavored dishes served on sharable plates. The Tâm Tâm menu is less about traditional Vietnamese staples and more about specialty choices such as wings, scallop pomelo goi, and salt and pepper frog legs. Pair with the perfect wine or beer. Reservations go fast. Check out the karaoke machine in the bathroom.
Restaurant photos courtesy of Rosemary’s Miami
Rosemary’s Miami
With tables nestled among a living, indoor garden, is Rosemary’s Italian restaurant in Miami. Pull up a chair next to tomato vines or the eggplant stalks. At Rosemary’s it’s all about freshness, simplicity, and a little bit of romance. Enjoy homemade pasta and exceptional seasonal dishes. Many menu items featuring ingredients harvested right from the indoor garden, from nearby farms, or from a coastal bounty of local seafood.
Restaurant photos courtesy of Sunny’s Steakhouse
Sunny’s Steakhouse
Sunny’s Steakhouse strikes a vibe that’s equal parts vintage and contemporary. The indoor-outdoor restaurant, complete with a banyan tree, boasts a long menu of classic steaks, hand-made pastas, delightful salads, and a raw seafood bar. Start off with an oyster platter before diving into hearty, dry-aged Wagyu steaks with your choice of traditional and special sauces. All steaks are prepared over a live oak fire that you can see from the dining room.
Restaurant photos courtesy of Bouchon Bistro
Bouchon Bistro
Dine among rare orchids or under the shade of lignum vitae and calamondin plants at Bouchon. This French bistro features an open-air dining room that reflects the natural beauty of Coral Gables and its inviting community spirit. The Mediterranean-style exterior frames a beautiful central courtyard. Seasonal classic French dishes include roast chicken, steak frites, and croque madame. Don’t miss the signature raw bar and its delightful selection of fruits de mer. Pair your meal with the perfect choice from an extensive French and domestic wine list.
Restaurant photos courtesy of Recoveco
Recoveco
Spanish for “nook” or “cranny,” Recoveco offers an intimate setting, an open kitchen, and dishes that burst with flavor. A seasonally dynamic menu knows no borders. But count on the best available ingredients in every selection. Fresh fish, chicken, pork, and Wagyu beef are renowned for taste and prepared like you’ve never seen before. Dine at a pace that lets you savor every moment. With a rotating menu, Recoveco is worth repeat visits.
Restaurant photos courtesy of ViceVersa
ViceVersa
Enjoy Italian food and spirits spun from a distinctly Miami point of view at ViceVersa, a downtown aperitivo (“open the appetite”) bar and restaurant. Drop in for a drink with a light bite or stay for a full dinner with wine. Start with fresh Treasure Coast oysters at the raw bar before moving to a classic Italian salad or the menu highlight, neo-Neapolitan pizzas. All pizzas feature daily stretched mozzarella and cold-fermented dough made from local flour. Complete the visit with house-made gelati or sorbet.
Restaurant photos courtesy of Café La Trova
Café La Trova
The Cuban bartending (cantinero) tradition of mixing an impressive repertoire of cocktails with skill, style, and generous hospitality is alive and well at Café La Trova in Miami’s Little Havana. The vision of famed cantinero Julio Cabrera, Café La Trova strikes a retro-Cuba tone complete with live rumba music and Cuban-inspired cuisine. It’s been consistently voted one of America’s top bars, with some of Miami’s best empanadas to boot. To experience it for yourself, be sure to plan ahead: tables are by reservation only, and there is a dress code of dress-to-impress (no athletic or sports attire, tennis shoes or flip-flops or baseball caps).
Admire the Arts
Explore the contemporary art at the Perez Art Museum Miami (pamm.org) or Rubell Museum (rubellmuseum.org) and the graffiti and murals at Wynwood Walls (thewynwoodwalls.com). Then take in the show at the Adrienne Arsht Center of Performing Arts (arshtcenter.org), one of the largest in the United States.
Take a Tour of Little Havana
Take in real Cuban color and culture with a Get Your Guide food and walking tour of Miami's Little Havana. On the tour, you’ll sample authentic Cuban food with stops at restaurants and coffee shops, stroll down Calle Ocho, America’s most famous Cuban-American street, and visit local landmarks like the Bay of Pigs monument and the famous rooster sculptures. Along the way, enjoy street art, cigar stores, and the famed “Domino” Park. Don’t be surprised if you encounter a wild rooster or two. Tours run about three hours.
Book your experience at getyourguide.com
Discover Art Basel Miami
A mecca for art lovers, Art Basel Miami Beach showcases modern and contemporary art from local, regional, and international artists. Art enthusiasts, collectors, and gallery operators know Art Basel as one of the most important annual global art events. Art Basel Miami 2025 runs from December 5 to December 7 during Miami Art Week, which is also an internationally renowned art event. Check out exhibits, fairs, and other art celebrations all over town. (artbasel.com)
Explore the Design District
Creativity is alive in Miami’s Design District, a treasure trove of art galleries, public art displays, iconic fashion stores, and trendy restaurants. Take a free tour of outdoor art or step inside the always-free Institute of Contemporary Art featuring rotating exhibits and permanent collections. The Design District is filled with award-winning architectural design to admire, too. When you get hungry, choose from some of Miami’s top restaurants and lounges and sit back for a world-class dining experience. (miamidesigndistrict.com)
Shop and Repeat
Brickell City Centre features four levels of shopping, dining, and entertainment sprawled over three city blocks. Get some shopping in at Lincoln Road Mall (lincolnroad.com), one of Miami’s most popular outdoor malls with more than 200 boutiques and restaurants. If you’re looking for high-end stores and chic eateries, look no further than the world-famous Bal Harbor Shops (balharbourflorida.com), an open-air mall in a lush tropical garden setting.
Hit the Gardens
Take in the aroma of Florida's natural foliage at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden (mbgarden.org), a 3-acre tropical oasis, or pay a visit to Italian-inspired Vizcaya Museum and Gardens for orchids, art, and antiques (vizcaya.org).
Stroll the Boardwalk and Sip
The Miami Beach Boardwalk is a 40-block path offering ocean views, people-watching, and plenty of spots to break for drinks, dining, and shopping.
Unwind at the National and State Parks
Explore a watery wonderland at Biscayne National Park (nps.gov/bisc), renowned for swimming and snorkeling among diverse marine life along the mangrove-lined shores. Across the Bay is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Miami skyline. Be sure to see Cape Florida Light, the oldest standing structure in the greater Miami area. With more than 1000 acres, Oleta State Park is Florida’s largest urban park; a gem for paddlers, kayakers, swimmers, and bicyclers. (floridastateparks.org)
Book your experience at getyourguide.com.
Visit the Monastery of Our Lady, Queen of Angels
When you’re ready to jump off the beaten path, check out the Ancient Spanish Monastery (theancientspanishmonastery.com) in North Miami Beach. Relocated from Spain in the 1900s, the monastery’s cloisters and outbuildings date to 1133 AD. William Randolph Hearst’s effort to purchase, dismantle, and ship the structures, stone by stone, to the United States offers a fascinating look at yet another passion project by the media tycoon. Walking tours are available during operating hours.
Soak Up the Views at South Pointe Park
South Pointe Park, located at the southernmost point of South Beach, is the place for gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. After dark, watch the neighborhood’s nightclub scene heat up.
Get more out of your Miami getaway with American Express
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