This travel guide to Miami was originally published by IHG.
Miami, with world class beaches, vibrant Latin influences and gorgeous Art Deco architecture is the ultimate destination for a beach vacation. You’ll find relaxation, trendy nightclubs, amazing cuisine, cutting-edge art galleries and plenty of culture, and there are great hotels in Miami near it all.
Things to See
The coastline is of course a major attraction in Miami, and several beach options are available. South Beach, located off the mainland between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, attracts a cosmopolitan mix of beachgoers during the day and is the epicenter of Miami-area nightlife. Be sure to take the free SoBe Art Deco Tour for a peek at the iconic buildings that define the area, and explore Ocean Drive for premium shopping, nightlife, decadent spas, and stunning hotels. Take the family hunting for shells on Bal Harbour Beach, or cross the causeway to Haulover Beach for surfing and surfing. Depending on intended season of travel, sports enthusiasts can enjoy local games played by MLB’s Miami Marlins, the Miami Heat basketball team, or the Dolphins of the NFL. For cultural exposure, visit the Little Havana neighborhood, a welcoming Cuban-American community with great food, historic landmarks like the Walk of Fame, and the annual Calle Ocho Festival in Little Havana, the final culmination of the weeks-long Miami Carnaval. This celebration of Cuban heritage includes a beauty and scholarship competition, food and wine tasting events, live music, a golf classic and more. There are also plenty of aquatic options for those who enjoy fishing, sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, and diving.
Hotels in Miami
Waterfront resorts with private beach access, family friendly extended stay hotels in Miami, and additional choices that suit every preference and budget are easy to find, with a variety of amenities, comfortable rooms and an unparalleled level of service. The most popular times to visit are the winter and spring, and guests can expect to pay a premium for many hotels in Florida between December and May. You can often find lower rates between June and August, and the best rates are usually found from September to November.
Where to Stay
South Beach is the most popular district, and you’ll find a heavy concentration of shopping, world-class restaurants, chic galleries and museums, not to mention Miami Beach’s incessant nightlife and pristine beaches. Coral Gables is ideal for those who wish to stay near University of Miami, while Doral offers a more settled version of comfortable luxury, comfortably separated from the downtown crowd yet not too far from Miami International Airport. Miami Springs also offers close proximity to MIA, while downtown Miami hotels along Biscayne Boulevard are always great choices to take in the scene.
How to Get to Miami
Miami International Airport (MIA) is the closest airport to Miami. Use the SuperShuttle premium van service for convenient transportation to several Miami neighborhoods and suburbs, including Coral Gables, Sunny Isles and Miami Beach. Also consider checking flights into Fort Lauderdale, just 40 miles away. In addition to taxis and The Metrorail system serves 25 miles, has 23 stops that are mostly within one mile of each other, and has connections to transportation in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Metrobus operates year-round with fees under $5 to many areas of Miami-Dade county, while the electrically powered Metromover rail offers a free way to get around downtown within a 4.4-mile radius.
