A Weekend in America’s Favorite Vacation Spot: Miami, Florida

Home of design, culture, and nightlife, Miami, Florida is the perfect destination for a weekend vacation or a week-long tropical vacation. Known as the “305,” Miami is diverse in all aspects of the word. Miami is a melting pot, housing people from all over the world. Its diversity is what adds to the flavor of the city, from Latin eateries to Mediterranean architecture. There is no shortage of activities to keep you busy while visiting the most exciting city in America, from shopping, to eating, to museum-going. Miami is an international tourism hub – and loves every part of it! This hip and trendy city was made to entertain.   

The hundreds of exciting festivals and special events serve as a perfect time to visit Miami. Art Basel, which happens at the beginning of December, displays the unique works of some of the best artists in the world, while simultaneously providing event-goers with lively music and food to add to the experience.

Miami Music Week, which happens at the end of March, attracts world-renowned DJs and music-lovers from all over. The week is jam-packed with performances by artists like David Guetta, Martin Garrix, and Tiesto at every one of Miami’s famous clubs and day-time pool parties. The ambience in Miami during any of these events is one-of-a-kind, and is the reason why people come back year after year!

When it comes to neighborhoods, Miami has enough for you to get lost exploring for a few days. The heart of the city, South Beach, also known as “SoBe,” gets the most attention from tourists. Visiting South Beach is a staple for any trip to Miami. Streets are clad with boutique hotels, classic South Beach neon lights, and are bustling with loud music and people.  Brickell houses some of the city’s biggest high-rises and most beautiful river-side restaurants. Better known as “Miami’s best kept secret,” Brickell is on the rise as the city’s most up-and-coming neighborhood. The newly-cultivated Wynwood, is the art hub of the city. Wynwood features painted murals on just about every wall, quirky shops, and of course, spectacular restaurants. Food in Miami is hard to get wrong! No matter where you go, you won’t go hungry.

Take a look at your exclusive Pointster itinerary to enjoying the indulgences Miami, Florida has to offer in Weekend Vacation: 

Friday

Time to check into our hotel! Getting there should be easy – every transportation hub in South Florida (Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, etc.) is an easy access point for taxis, Ubers, Lyfts and more. Miami hotels provide comfort, entertainment, and hospitality in one location. To say the least, Miami certainly knows how to host. Here are our top three hotel choices for your Weekend vacation:

The W South Beach – The W is a newcomer amongst the veteran hotels stationed in Miami Beach. Since its opening in 2009, the W has become one of the hottest hotels in Miami. Located conveniently on Collins Avenue, the hotel is walking distance to anywhere you would want to go in South Beach, from nightlife to restaurants to shops. Rooms are known for their Art Deco vibe, featuring “cozy” furniture, wooden floors and modern art that makes the hotel what it is. Taking advantage of the sun is easy sitting beachside or poolside at the hotel ‘s notable WET Pool Deck. If you are feeling up to it, check out the hotel’s signature restaurant Mr. Chow or signature nightclub WALL (WALL is known for their Fridays)!

1 Hotel South Beach – Known for its eco-friendly ambience, the 1 Hotel is one of the biggest hotels in Miami Beach. Reclaimed wood covers the floor of each of the rooms. The hotel is 18 stories high, with a pool on the rooftop! What a great view! There is a total of four pools at the hotel. The hotel features farm-fresh food at its signature restaurant, Habitat, as well at all of its bars and restaurants. Sit back and relax while everything is taken care of for you by the 5-star staff. The 1 is truly a “1”-of-a-kind-way to experience the city of sunshine and entertainment.

The Setai South Beach – The Asian-inspired Setai offers a unique Miami experience, with two different room accommodations. The Art Deco Suites blend modern, minimalist influences with Asian artwork and artifacts. These suites are situated in the Art Deco Building which was originally opened in 1937 under a different name. The Ocean Suites each offer an ocean view with an ambience of tranquility, keeping the Asian influences in each suite. The hotel features several infinity pools, a beautiful pool deck and the Ocean Grill. Guests love The Setai because of the personal and secluded feel in the midst of South Beach – the perfect spot for a true getaway.

With so much to do in Miami, you will want to check in as quick as possible. It’s easy to become tired after a long day of traveling in the sunshine, so let’s pick a place nearby for a delicious meal before a long day tomorrow. Top picks in Miami include a common theme: sushi. Katsuya, Nobu, Makoto and Pubbelly Sushi offer some of the best seafood on the East Coast. And if you’re looking for a quick dessert before heading back to the hotel, Kith is the perfect ice cream stop. 

 

Saturday

With a full day ahead of you in Miami, you will want to be up and ready as early as possible to enjoy your weekend vacation! There is nothing like a Miami sunrise, if you can wake up for it. Miamians will be running, walking and biking along the beach as soon as the sun comes up. Saturday is the perfect day for boating, so let’s grab some breakfast and get out on the water.

Most Miami hotels offer a variation of breakfast or brunch. If you choose to venture off, there are some great places to grab a bite to eat before starting the day. Malibu Farm located at the Eden Roc Hotel is a great breakfast or brunch location. It has a beachy, Pacific-Coast vibe, and offers some great dishes including a breakfast burrito, fried-egg sandwich, and continental breakfast, if you’re really hungry! Planta is another great pick, with an especially unique cuisine. It offers classics like avocado toast and banana pancakes, but also includes special dishes like coconut ceviche and spring rolls.

Boat days are the best days in Miami! It is almost always sunny and beautiful, and even when it rains, it usually only lasts a few minutes. A boat day in Miami usually begins mid-day and ends around 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. Planning a boat day in advance may be something you want to do with friends or family who are accompanying you. Prime Luxury Rentals is a reliable booking company to rent a yacht or party boat. Boat days usually consist of music, food and drink, and great company. Be sure to bring all of the essentials you may want when on the boat: sunscreen, your favorite drink, or a book to read in the sun. Most of all, be sure to take pictures! The view of the Miami skyline from the water is truly spectacular and one you will never want to forget.

Being in the sun all day is pretty draining, so post-boat you may want to enjoy some indulgences you have not had the time for yet.  Maybe you want to take a nap or walk around before the sun has set. If you are up for it, Miami has many rooftop bars that are known for their happy hours. Area 31, Sugar, the Broken Shaker and Juvia are a few to name.

Dinner time! The possibilities are endless in Miami. If you are going for a scenic experience, Seaspice is the perfect place. Located right on the Miami River, Seaspice is a chic spot with some of the best food in Miami. Signature dishes like their short rib truffle pappardelle encourage locals to come back time and time again. The atmosphere is fun and the food is delicious. Mandolin Aegin Bistro transports customers to the Greek isles, with its small plates of Mediterranean food and Aegean blue color scheme. Guests say they do not feel like they are in Miami anymore after dining here.

Coming by good food in Miami is not hard. Deciding what you want is the hard part! Going for Asian food? 1-800-Lucky or Kyu are two of the best Asian spots in Wynwood. In the mood for Italian? Il Gabbiano or Prime Italian will surely fill your stomach. 

Tired? Let’s hope not! It’s a Saturday night and in Miami, the busiest night of the week. Clubs and bars will be hopping until the early hours of the morning, so why not take advantage while you are in town for the weekend. There will be something to do no matter what neighborhood you are in… so just follow the music!

 

Sunday

Sundays seem to be a day of relaxation in Miami, although almost every day is a day of relaxation in Miami! Feel free to sleep in and enjoy the late morning sun. Today is the last day of your trip, but there is still so much to do.

A great spot for Sunday brunch is Wynwood Kitchen and Bar. It sits right at the entrance to the Wynwood Walls–the perfect people-watching spot. It features Latin-infused dishes like guacamole and tacos. Walking around Wynwood is exciting because of the infusion of different cultures, art galleries and food markets. It is a perfect Sunday activity because the area is still new, so it won’t be as packed as Miami Beach. The Miami Design District is also a great place to walk around on Sundays. While not everything will be open on Sunday, it is still fun to window shop and check out the architecture.

To end the day and to celebrate the end of a great weekend vacation, Kiki on the River is the place to be. Known for their Sunday nights, Kiki on the River sits alongside Seaspice on the Miami River. Their menu features signature Greek dishes like Mediterranean sea bass and fried saganaki cheese. On Sundays, Kiki turns from a restaurant to a party, with a live DJ and dancing. And if you’re really looking to go out with a bang, LIV Nightclub at the Fontainebleau is also known for their Sunday nights. What a great conclusion to your trip!

Now that you’re done with your itinerary for a typical weekend vacation in Miami, here are a few additions that will definitely add to your trip:

• Take a walk down Lincoln Road: While it may be the tourist capital of the city, Lincoln Road is home to some great shopping and outdoor eateries. Sit outside and people watch!
• Experience Miami nightlife:  No matter where you go, you will be sure to have a good time. LIV, Rockwell, WALL and E11even are just a few clubs to name that are open until the sun rises, or sometimes even later than that!
• Stroll The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens: The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is home to some of the most beautiful architecture, artwork, and grounds in Miami. The Museum itself brings you back the Renaissance-era, with its old European style.
• Explore the Ocean: There is something so special about the beautiful, blue Miami ocean. There are countless water sports offered on the beach at both hotels and the public beaches. You can do everything from jet-skiing to banana boating.