A first-timer’s guide to Miami
How to make sure you see all that’s iconic in the city
Even if you’ve never been to Miami, you’ve sort of already been to Miami. This South Florida city has starred countless times on the silver screen and television and is always popping up in popular music, too. All of this has painted such a vibrant picture of the city, you likely have years of stored-up visions of what it be like when you finally get there.
Considering all of this, when you visit for the first time, there’s a bit of pressure to find the Miami you have always envisioned. I recently visited the city for the first time, and the following is an account of how I tried to capture the essence of the city that I had dreamed of while also trying to see a couple of surprises along the way.
Sunrise start
Yes, it’s vacation, but you have to wake up before dawn and take in a sunrise, preferably on your first morning. Darkness gives way to soft light as the sun slowly rises above the Atlantic Ocean, streaking the sky in hues of pink, gold and blue, casting a soft glow over the water and the sand below.
News break
Famed for its prime role in revitalizing South Beach during the heady hedonistic days of the ‘90s, News Cafe is open 24/7 and at the heart of South Beach. You’re probably going to pass it anyway so you might as well pull up a chair outside and chill for a bit.
Back in the day, this café was frequented by the glamorous, the fabulous and everyone in between as it served up one of the first slices of European café culture on South Beach.
Enjoy a Cuban Club and a Paper Boy (their take on the Bloody Mary) as I did, or a frosty, citrusy Frozzie Rossie cocktail as the sidewalk in front of you becomes a runway full of locals on bicycles or rollerblades, wide-eyed tourists, wannabe influencers and drivers showing off their shiny cars.
Art Deco up close
If you’re anything like me, you may know that Art Deco is synonymous with South Beach, but do you know the stories behind the style and the facades? That’s where the Miami Design Preservation League’s expert guides come in as they take travellers on daily jaunts through the Art Deco District each morning at 10:30 a.m. The guides tell the stories behind each building, endearing you to their efforts to preserve these special buildings.
Eat old school …
For more than a century, Joe’s Stone Crab has been drawing in crowds from far and wide for its famed crustaceans. Located in the vibrant heart of South Beach, Joe’s is famed for its succulent stone crab claws plucked from nearby waters, alongside an array of other mouthwatering dishes.
… and new
Sushi may not be the first thing that pops into your head when thinking of Miami, but why wouldn’t it be great here? Enter Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, which is an oasis of Japanese cuisine situated within the historic Plymouth Hotel South Beach. The menu is overseen by sushi master Toshi Ueki and chefs Bruce and Eric Bromberg and boasts a tantalizing selection of traditional sushi and sashimi, expertly crafted to perfection. Oh, and there’s also a much-loved version of fried chicken.
Say adios to South Beach
Wynwood. Little Havana. Downtown. Little Haiti. Key Biscayne. Coconut Grove. Coral Gables. It doesn’t matter where you go, but get outside of South Beach during your time in Miami because it’s only a small part of this spectacular city.
Get out on the water
If you’re wondering when this piece is going to leave dry land, the time is, well, now. I hooked up with Watersports Paradise for an unforgettable adventure through Miami’s waterways.
We saw opulent Millionaire’s Row and plied the waters across Biscayne Bay to marvel at the splendour of Star, Palm, Hibiscus and Venetian Islands with the occasional burst of speed to get the heart racing. The stories of fun times on Monument Island had me dreaming about the weekends I would spend there if I lived in Miami. And OK, I’ll admit it: I set the highlights of this excursion to the “Miami Vice” theme song when I posted it on social media.
Where to stay in Miami on a first trip
Before you even touch down in Miami, there’s the little decision of where to lay your head. And as one of my previous points makes clear: Miami isn’t all beaches. South Beach is just one section of Miami (Miami Beach to be precise) and the city is home to a dizzying array of diverse neighbourhoods, all perfect for getting a true feel of the city and almost all could make a great base.
On your first trip, you almost certainly have to stay in South Beach. This neighbourhood has captured the world’s imagination and so since you’re going to want to see what all the buzz is about, you might as well stay there.