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Miami: Your guide on where to eat, stay and play

Cue “Miami" by Will Smith! This colourful Florida city buzzes with its own uniquely vibrant energy and moves to the beat of its own intoxicating rhythm.

The perfect, sunny weather and playful Art Deco architecture set the scene. The diverse melting pot of cultures (and food), the energetic nightlife and the music bring that infectious Miami energy.

Whether you’re exploring the historic streets of Little Havana, indulging in haute cuisine in South Beach, or dancing the night away in Wynwood’s art district, Miami offers endless opportunities for adventure and discovery.

Where to stay in Miami

There are so many wonderful hotels in Miami that it’s hard to narrow it down. Look into Esmé for a charming, boutique experience in South Beach and The Setai for a luxury, five-star stay.

Pool shot at The Setai Miami Beach
Stay in five-star luxury. (Image: The Setai Miami Beach)

The Four Seasons Miami brings an ultra-luxe experience to Downtown Miami.

the entrance of Esmé Miami Beach Hotel
Settle into Esmé for a charming boutique stay. (Image: Esmé Miami Beach Hotel)

It’s the Four Seasons; you already know it’s going to be great, but this location really does shine.

The pool at Four Seasons Miami
The Four Seasons’ location really shines. (Image: Karolina Valeikaite)

Loews Miami Beach Hotel

Say hello to sparkling oceanfront views and the family-friendly amenities that you would expect from the venerable Loews brand. The stellar location of Loews Miami Beach Hotel directly places you in the walkable South Beach neighbourhood and steps away from the beach.

Exterior of Loews Miami Beach Hotel
The Loews Miami Beach Hotel is in an ideal spot.

Expect to spend plenty of time soaking up the sun here, because in addition to the prime beach access, the pool is a standout feature. It’s kid-friendly – a welcome departure from the many DJ-heavy pool vibes in the area. The SOAK pool cabanas are next level, tricked out with a plush indoor seating area, full bathroom and shower, and personalized butler service.

Pool at Loews Miami Beach Hotel
The SOAK pool cabanas are next level.

Mayfair House Hotel & Garden

Stepping into Mayfair House Hotel & Garden feels like stumbling into a secret, enchanted garden. Everywhere you look, there are charming, thoughtful details: from the unique, organic architecture of the old building to the intricate wood carvings on the suite doors.

Mayfair House garden interior
Mayfair House Hotel & Garden feels like stumbling into a secret, enchanted garden. (Image: Will Pryce)

No two rooms are the same, but they are all decked in jewel-toned hues and incredibly spacious (I’m talking room-for-two-king-beds spacious).

Room in Mayfair House
No two rooms are the same. (Image: Will Pryce)

This boutique hotel has been around since 1985, but it was reimagined and reopened in September 2022. Lush, garden-like greenery flows throughout the hotel, an ode to Miami’s iconic flora. The location perfectly places guests to walk out the door and explore sophisticated, peaceful Coconut Grove – my personal favourite neighbourhood in Miami.

an al fresco dining at Mayfair House and Garden Hotel
Dine al fresco on the lush garden-like setting. (Image: Will Pryce)

Where to eat in Miami

Area 31

In a city known for its rooftop bars and pools, Area 31 is a sky-high restaurant you don’t want to miss. Located on the 16th floor of Miami’s Kimpton EPIC Hotel, it’s the perfect spot for a ‘first night in Miami’ dinner, where you can toast to the adventures ahead while enjoying panoramic views of the Biscayne Bay and Miami River.

city skyline views at night from Area 31 restaurant, Miami
Dine overlooking the city skyline at Area 31.

Seafood is the name of the game here. Don’t miss the tender scallops sitting atop a creamy sweet corn puree.

a plate of food with a glass of wine on the table, Area 31 restaurant, Miami
Area 31 is the perfect spot for dinner.

Versailles

This Cuban restaurant is something of a Miami mainstay. It’s well-trodden (there will be tourists), but well-loved. And as some say – if you don’t eat at Versailles, did you even go to Miami?

Cuban culture is a significant influence in modern Miami life, so this is a great place to get a taste. Their extensive offerings range from stuffed green plantains to their famous Cuban sandwich to the braised oxtail. While you’re in Little Havana, hop on this tour to dive deeper into Cuban culture with an intro to salsa dancing, cigar rolling, and the largest collection of Cuban art in the US.

a Cuban sandwich at Versailles, Miami
Don’t pass up the chance to try Miami’s famous Cuban sandwich at Versailles.

El Bagel

El Bagel is a locally owned, independent bagel shop with great hand-rolled, slow-fermented bagels made with only five simple ingredients. Located in Coconut Grove and Little River.

Joe’s Stone Crab

With over a century of history, Joe’s was around before Miami Beach even was a city. From humble crab shack beginnings in 1913 to the upscale seafood restaurant it is today, Joe’s history provides a rare sense of family and old-school class. The stone crabs and key lime pie are two of their can’t-miss menu items.

Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami, Florida
Joe’s has come a long way from its humble crab shack beginnings.

What to do in Miami

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

This sea salt-worn, crumbling mansion and its French-inspired gardens immediately captured my imagination. The estate was built in 1916 as a vacation home for Chicago-based businessman James Deering.

the French-inspired garden and mansion at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Step into the French-inspired gardens. (Image: Robin Hill)

From the display of yacht chinaware to the waterside tearoom to the elaborate guest rooms, every turn had me imagining the fabulous recreational activities of this affluent mogul and his visitors.

an aerial view of Vizcaya Museum And Gardens
The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens used to be a private vacation home. (Image: Robin Hill)

Today, the mansion has transformed into an impressive art museum and botanical garden of sorts, paying homage to Miami’s fledgling days.

an external shot of the Vizcaya Museum And Gardens in Miami
Visit Vizcaya Museum And Gardens in Miami. (Image: Robin Hill)

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Groove to Miami’s Music

Miami is a city that grooves to its own beat, from the inescapable rooftop, poolside DJ to tiny record shops. Enjoy excellent cocktails, expertly curated vinyl records and chill vibes at Dante’s HiFi in Wynwood.

Miami Sound Bar is another notable vinyl bar in Downtown. Strawberry Moon at the top of the Goodtime Hotel is a great place to find the quintessential Miami pool party.

To kick back with Miami locals until the wee hours of the night, check out divey Better Days.

Beaches

You can’t miss the beach if you’re visiting sunny Miami. South Beach is dotted with colourful, Art Deco lifeguard huts, DJ sets and hotties on vacation.

an Art Deco lifeguard hut on South Beach
You’ll find Art Deco lifeguard huts on South Beach. (Image: Clark Van Der Beken)

There’s a great beach path that makes exploring easy – ideally with roller skates or a rented Citibike to cover more ground.

biking along the beach path dotted with palm trees in Miami
Ride your bike along the path. (Image: Juan Rojas)

Head north to Hollywood Beach for a more laid-back vibe and a family-friendly boardwalk.

an aerial view of the palm tree beach landscape in Miami
Miami is famous for its towering palm trees. (Image: Lance Asper)

Art Deco architecture

Miami is a wonderland of Art Deco architecture. As you walk around town, you can’t miss the playful building designs, but taking a walking tour will allow you to dive deeper into the city’s history and hidden architectural gems.

an Art Deco-styled building in Miami
Miami is a wonderland of Art Deco architecture. (Image: Clark Van Der Beken)

Miami Design Preservation League leads a great tour, as well as Art Deco Tours (they have one that involves signature cocktails!)

a close-up shot of the top of an Art Deco-inspired building in Miami
Go on an Art Deco tour. (Image: Jason Briscoe)

Add on time in Palm Beach or Disney World

The Brightline train makes it easy to add local adventures to your Miami itinerary. This high-speed line provides a pretty luxe experience with their sleek, modern lounges, and clean, punctual trains.

It’s about a two-hour ride to Palm Beach and a three-and-a-half-hour ride to Orlando at the end of the line, the home of Walt Disney World.

the Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World, Miami
Live out your fairytale fantasies at Walt Disney World in Orlando. (Image: Matt Stroshane)

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12 grand journeys throughout North America

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    Discover North America’s epic adventures — from Route 66 and Alaska cruises to Hawai‘i road trips, NYC culture, Mexico trails and more.

    1. Route 66, the Main Street of America

    Travelling with: Ricky French

    Sunset on Route 66 in the California Mojave Desert.
    Hit the open road and trace America’s legendary highway. (Image: Getty/Der_Thomasa)

    Dubbed the Main Street of America, Route 66 radiates serious main character energy, cemented into popular culture through everything from John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath to the Disney Pixar film Cars. Spanning nearly 4000 kilometres from Chicago to Los Angeles, the historic highway celebrates its centenary next year, a timely invitation to take the mother of all road trips along the Mother Road. Allow two to three weeks to tackle the full length, or bite off a smaller chunk at either end, cruising the dramatic deserts of California or the more pastoral landscapes of Illinois, lined with neon-lit diners, retro gas stations and quirky roadside attractions.

    2. Mexico’s Día de los Muertos

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    emblematic catrina of mexico with flowers and necklace with sempasuchil flowers
    Celebrate life and honour loved ones in vibrant style. (Image: Getty/Fabian Pacheco)

    You might know Oaxaca as the birthplace of mole and mezcal. But the state in southern Mexico is also where the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) began. Time your visit to coincide with the colourful holiday, on 1–2 November, which honours and celebrates loved ones who have passed away. Oaxaca is also Mexico’s Michelin-starred culinary capital, with 18 restaurants and a humble taco stand listed in the 2025 guide.

    3. Museum-hop in New York City

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    The Guggenheim Museum’s iconic spiralling exterior, a highlight of North America Epic Adventures.
    Step inside and marvel at bold, world-class art. (Image: Damiano Fiore)

    Your map app will look like it’s been scattered with confetti after you’ve dropped pins on all the museums you want to visit in New York City. Must-sees are the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art aka the Met, and the Museum of Modern Art. The American Museum of Natural History is also a draw. It’s also worth venturing into the boroughs to browse institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum, which has a huge permanent collection categorised by culture.

    4. The USA’s music scene

    Travelling with: Elizabeth Whitehead

    The Seattle skyline at night, aglow with city lights on North America Epic Adventures.
    Soak up skyline views and dive into the city’s coffee culture. (Image: Abigail Boone)

    If you’re a muso, chances are you’ve wanted to make a pilgrimage to the United States, the epicentre of so many beloved genres. Whether you’re head-banging your way around the Grunge Circuit in Seattle, chasing the twang of the pedal steel through Tennessee or bouncing between blues bars in the Mississippi Delta, the USA’s rich music culture has something that’ll strike a chord.

    5. Road-tripping Hawai‘i

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    A woman surfing in Hawaii, gliding across turquoise waves on North America Epic Adventures.
    Catch the waves and ride Hawaii’s iconic swells. (Image: Ben Ono)

    Hawai‘i is one of the most diverse US states to road trip around. Of the six major islands to visit, the Island of Hawai‘i packs in everything from the snowy summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa to black-sand beaches and lava fields frozen in the act of flowing forward. Change down a few gears on the island of O‘ahu, too, where you can find your own patch of sand on Waimanalo Beach. Visit poi and pineapple plantations. And hang ten on beginner-friendly waves on the North Shore.

    6. Cruising Alaska

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Explora Journeys ship cruising in Alaska.
    Sail past glaciers and spot whales in pristine waters.

    Seeing Alaska from the sea allows you to cover a lot of distance quickly. This immersive frontier now beckons more than ever before with Explora Journeys adding the American state to its global destination portfolio. Best of all are the pre-and post-journey immersions that connect the luxury of a cruise onboard Explora III with the rugged grandeur of the Alaskan interior. UnCruise Adventures also weaves in access to remote national parks, legendary wildlife corridors and authentic cultural experiences on its Alaskan itineraries.

    7. The Wixárika Route in Mexico

    Travelling with: Elizabeth Whitehead

    People journeying through the Wixarika Route.
    Journey deep into sacred Huichol traditions and art.

    For generations, the Indigenous Wixárika People of Mexico have walked a sacred path known as Tatehuarí Huajuyé, or ‘The Path of Our Grandfather Fire’. The annual pilgrimage route spans 500 kilometres, taking in significant sites in Wixárika spirituality and cosmology. The route passes through the deserts, mountains and forests of northern Mexico before reaching Wirikuta, believed to be the place the sun first emerged. The route is a living cultural landscape of Indigenous culture pre-Columbian influence and, in July this year, was formally inscribed into UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

    8. Drive the Iceberg Coast in Canada

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Iceberg off the east coast of Canada
    Chase icebergs along Expedition 51 on Canada’s east coast. (Image: Canadian Tourism Commission/ Chris Hendrickson)

    Download the icebergfinder.com map to better plan your road trip along Canada’s Iceberg Coast. The new highway, which has been nearly 25 years and CAD$1.1 billion in the making, threads through the country’s pleated coastlines around Quebec, Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick before looping in the French islands of St Pierre and Miquelon. As well as chasing icebergs along Expedition 51, travellers will have the opportunity to engage with cultures that have thrived in the pristine provinces for thousands of years.

    9. A foodie tour of Nova Scotia

    Travelling with: Katie Carlin

    Lunenberg Nova Scotia
    Try lobster rolls in Lunenburg on the east coast of Canada in Nova Scotia. (Image: Natalia Kvitovska/ Unsplash)

    World-famous for its lobster, Nova Scotia is a Canadian province best savoured through its culinary clout shaped by sea and terroir. Bite into lobster rolls at historic Lunenburg’s Salt Shaker Deli & Inn and sip maple rum at Ironworks Distillery. Winery-hop around Wolfville’s rising vineyards (don’t miss Lightfoot & Wolfville). Take a maple syrup tour at Sugar Moon Farm near Earltown. And pull up a seat at waterfront Bar Sofia in Halifax, where Nova Scotia oysters aguachile arrive bright with cucumber, lime and pickled onion.

    10. Soak up the sun in the Caribbean

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Overwater bungalows off a beach in the Caribbean
    Experience the white-sand beaches and cerulean seas of the Caribbean on board a cruise.

    The Caribbean is on the radar for seasoned cruisers. And it’s easy to see why, with white-sand beaches, cerulean seas and swaying palms so picture-perfect they look AI-generated. Cruise with Windstar, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity on its inaugural Xcel season to the Caribbean to enjoy action-packed excursions such as snorkelling coral reefs and shopping for local trinkets. And those sea days? Spectacular.

    11. Red Chair Hikes of Canada

    Travelling with: Kassia Byrnes

    Red Adirondack chairs overlooking Lake Minnewanka in Canada
    Take a seat at Lake Minnewanka, one of more than 400 red Adirondack chairs scattered across Canada’s hiking routes. (Image: Getty Images/ Autumn Sky Photography)

    No one appreciates the great outdoors more than Canadians, emerging from snow-covered winters to tread glacial rivers and snowshoe through forests, or to hike mighty mountains and wildflower-strewn valleys come spring. Along popular hikes around the country, more than 400 red Adirondack chairs have been placed in peaceful, breathtaking locations. What started as a social media contest now sees hikers soaking in classic Canadian lake and mountain vistas, overlooking historic sites or gazing down on the mountainous path they just travelled.

    12. Ride the Rocky Mountaineer from Denver to Moab, USA

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Sweeping views from the Rocky Mountaineer.
    The Rocky Mountaineer will continue as the Canyon Spirit in 2026, seen here carving through Ruby Canyon.

    Sighting wild animals is one of many incredible thrills along the two-day luxury Rockies to the Red Rocks route onboard the Rocky Mountaineer across America’s Southwest between mid-April and mid-October. In addition to the lone bear, we spot bighorn sheep, elk, beavers, pronghorn antelope, bald eagles and ospreys. Riding the rails onboard the luxury train, which was founded in Canada in 1990 and has been awarded the prestigious World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train several times, has never been about just getting from A to B. Ride the train from Denver to Moab and you will see the scenery change from snow-capped peaks to meadows, red-rock canyons and soaring cliffs that resemble ornate Gaudí-esque cathedrals. But it’s not until you get off the train that you can produce the ultimate Venn diagram, with nature and adventure in the intersecting spheres.