Miami Travel Guide
Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore in Miami
Link copied!
March 05, 2026
Link copied!
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®. Along with hotel benefits, you’ll receive 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.
3The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
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
Enjoy savings on select economy tickets with Delta Air Lines on designated domestic flights through Amex Travel™ with Platinum Member Airfares™* when booked through American Express Travel®. Platinum Card and Centurion Members receive reduced fares compared to fares available for other American Express® Card Members through Amex Travel™. Plus, Platinum Card® Members earn 5X Membership Rewards® points* on up to $500,000 per calendar year on flights booked through American Express Travel® or flights purchased directly from airlines.
Miami International Airport (MIA)
8 miles
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
25 miles
*
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available1
Daily breakfast for two
$100 credit to use toward eligible charges2
Guaranteed 4pm check-out
1Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
2Eligible charges vary by property.
3,*
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available1
$100 credit to use toward eligible charges2
Late check-out, when available
1Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
2Eligible charges vary by property.
3The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
Faena Miami Beach
Situated on pristine white sand and unmistakably glamorous, Faena Miami Beach delivers a luxury experience rooted in art, culture, and elevated hospitality. Guest rooms and suites are richly designed with Golden Age-inspired details, red velvet accents, and sweeping views of the Atlantic. Platinum Card Members can get a room upgrade at check-in, when available. Beyond lounging at the pool or private beach (under an iconic candy cane-striped umbrella), you can catch an immersive live performances at Faena Theater, and savor award-winning cuisine at upscale Argentinian steakhouse, Los Fuegos.
TRAVEL CONSULTANT TIP
“Even without a full spa day, a visit to the incredibly serene Tierra Santa Healing House is worth it for a moment of calm during your stay. And don’t miss the daily yoga classes.”
Andaz Miami Beach Resort and Spa
Andaz Miami Beach Resort and Spa pairs contemporary design with a relaxed, oceanfront setting on a prime stretch of Mid-Beach. Spacious rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies with water or city views, and a bright, modern-coastal aesthetic. Unwind at two outdoor pools or step directly onto the sand for a laid-back beach day. The property’s location offers easy access to both South Beach’s energy and Miami’s cultural scene. Platinum Card Members might use the $100 credit toward bold-flavored Latin fare at Aguasal or a craft cocktail at Bar Centro.
TRAVEL CONSULTANT TIP
“The adults-only pool is ideal in the late afternoon, especially if you want a more relaxed, low-key vibe before dinner.”
1 Hotel South Beach
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 serene 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 toward 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
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, robust Salatim spread, and flavor-packed 72-Hour Braised Short Rib.
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 specialties such as the namesake chicken wings, scallop pomelo crudo, and salt and pepper frog legs. Pair with a great wine, beer, or frozen mango Thai basil daiquiri. Reservations go fast. Check out the karaoke machine in the bathroom.
Restaurant photos courtesy of Rosemary’s Miami
Rosemary’s Miami
This New York City mainstay has become a go-to in Wynwood for its Italian countryside charm and excellent food. With tables nestled among a living indoor garden, you can pull up a chair next to flourishing tomato vines or 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 feature ingredients harvested right from the on-site garden, from nearby farms, or from a coastal bounty of local seafood.
Restaurant photos courtesy of Dirty French Steakhouse
Dirty French Steakhouse
Dirty French Steakhouse delivers a flamboyant, high-energy take on the classic American steakhouse in the heart of Brickell. French influences meet bold flavors among neon accents, zebra-print chairs, and a disco room that set a nightlife-forward tone. The menu features premium cuts of prime aged steak—from a New York Strip to a Wagyu Tomahawk—and decadent entrees, as well as a rotating raw bar selection and seafood towers. Tableside preparations and an extensive wine list complete the experience.
Restaurant photos courtesy of Bouchon Bistro
Bouchon Bistro
This award-winning 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, where you can dine among rare orchids or under the shade of lignum vitae and calamondin plants. Bouchon's menu showcases French classics like roast chicken, steak frites, and croque madame, along with a raw bar and lavish seafood towers. Pair your meal with a selection from the 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 chef-driven dishes. This celebrated South Miami spot features a seasonally dynamic menu that knows no borders, but count on the best available ingredients in every selection. Standouts such as bone-in flounder, crackling-skin chicken, and Wagyu beef are renowned for their dynamic flavor and creative preparations—and served at a leisurely pace that lets you savor every bite. With a rotating menu and impeccable service to match, Recoveco is worth repeat visits (recovecorestaurant.com).
Restaurant photos courtesy of ViceVersa
ViceVersa
Enjoy Italian food and spirits spun from a distinctly Miami point of view at ViceVersa, a downtown aperitivo 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 caprese salad or the menu highlight, neo-Neapolitan pizzas. All pies feature daily stretched mozzarella and cold-fermented dough made from local flour. Cap off your meal with house-made gelato or sorbet.
Restaurant photos courtesy of FLORA
FLORA
FLORA reimagines plant-based dining through bold Latin American flavors and a produce-forward menu that’s vibrant and creative. Dishes spotlight ingredients like smoky mushroom skewers, torched avocado, Okinawa sweet potato with chimichurri, and a family recipe for Colombian corn arepas, with responsibly sourced meat and seafood options also available. Matching the menu’s energy, the transportive space features tropical greenery, warm textures, and an easy flow from the cozy dining room to the lush outdoor patio.
Admire the Arts
Explore 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 a 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 GetYourGuide 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 works from local, regional, and international artists. It's recognized as one of the most important annual global art events, attracting collectors, enthusiasts, and gallery operators worldwide. Art Basel Miami 2026 runs from December 4 to December 6 during Miami Art Week, which is also an internationally renowned arts festival. Check out exhibits, fairs, and other creative 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 installations, iconic fashion stores, and trendy restaurants. Take a complimentary tour of outdoor exhibits or step inside the always-free Institute of Contemporary Art featuring rotating 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 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, explore the world-famous Bal Harbor Shops (balharbourflorida.com), an open-air galleria in a lush tropical garden setting.
Hit the Gardens
Immerse yourself in the sights and scents of Florida's natural foliage at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden (mbgarden.org), a three-acre tropical oasis, or pay a visit to Italian-inspired Vizcaya Museum and Gardens for orchids, art, and antiques (vizcaya.org).
Stroll the Boardwalk
The Miami Beach Boardwalk is a vibrant 40-block promenade offering spectacular Atlantic Ocean views, leisurely 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 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).
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 back 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
Located at the southernmost point of South Beach, South Pointe Park is the place to soak up gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. After dark, watch the neighborhood’s nightclub scene heat up.
Get more out of your Miami getaway with American Express
Enjoy savings on select economy tickets with Delta Air Lines on designated domestic flights through Amex Travel™ with Platinum Member Airfares™*. Platinum Card and Centurion Members receive reduced fares compared to fares available for other American Express Card Members through Amex Travel™. Plus, earn 5X Membership Rewards® points* on flights purchased directly from airlines or Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year) while also earning airline miles on these bookings as you typically would. Must provide airline loyalty number when booking through Amex Travel™. Airline loyalty program rules apply and are subject to change.
Get more out of your Miami getaway with American Express
With the American Express Global Lounge Collection® get access to 1,550+ airport lounges in over 500 airports around the world, including The Centurion® Lounge. Enjoy exclusive Centurion Member perks like priority check-in, complimentary premium drinks, and dedicated seating at select Centurion Lounges. Terms apply.
Get more out of your Miami getaway with American Express
Global Dining Access by Resy* gives you special access to sought-after restaurants across the globe when you add your eligible Card to your Resy profile. Access to exclusive reservations, premium dining experiences, Priority Notify, and more, all from Resy app. Terms apply.
Get more out of your Miami getaway with American Express
As an American Express Card Member, make your trip unforgettable with 10% off tours and activities booked at gyg.me/amex from 03/01/26 to 08/31/26. Terms apply.
Get more out of your Miami getaway with American Express
When you Shop Small®, you’re not just supporting neighborhood favorites – you’re investing in the community. Whether you’re a local or visiting, explore our map to find small businesses near you.
