With the Art Basel Show in December, great hotels, wonderful shopping and lots of fun things to do, Miami is a REAL hot spot. Much like all the cities I write about, Miami has that live, work, and play vibe times 10! South Beach, Bal Harbour Village, The Wynwood Walls, Downtown, and Coral Gables close by make this East Coast spot a Magical City.
LIVE
I purchased my place in South Beach because ALL five of my kids were going to school on the East Coast. It was a short plane flight and great fun to have them visit for a long weekend. The building I live in has a volleyball sand pit, pool, tennis courts, multiple grilling and alfresco dining areas, a huge party room, a wellness doctor for acupuncture and massage and a convenience store on the 4th floor (just in case I need wine, chocolate or a doorman!).
There are plenty of condos (and now many apartment homes) that offer all of these amenities and more depending on where you want to live and your price range. South Beach has a very young, hip vibe. Time and time again people are surprised by the choice. For me and the urban lifestyle I keep, this choice was about the great walk score! This is a factor I use in buying all real estate.
While I have a dedicated parking spot, I do NOT own a car there. If I want one, I rent any kind of car I wish. Otherwise it is a walk, bike ride or an Uber for this savvy traveler.
EAT
My favorite restaurants are Casa Tua, Juvia, Bodega Taqueria, and Soho Beach House. I walk to Exhale on Collins Ave. and take my beach wear so that after my yoga class, I hit the beach for a bit (I rent my chair and umbrella for $20). The beaches are free and you can bring your own towels. The water is warm (like bath water) and the breeze is gentle. Healing, relaxing and entertaining all at the same time.
For amazing Italian, try IL Mulino (bring a sweater and a big appetite) this restaurant spoils you with all sorts of tasty palette treats before you even order! For Asian flair try Hakkasan, the dim sum is to die for as well as their pot stickers and Lycee Martini.
EXPLORE
Shopping is fun on Lincoln, Washington and Collins however, lunch and an afternoon at the Shops at Bal Harbour is always a great excursion on my trips. The color, sun and style of Miami is unique. I LOVE the people watching, teeny bikinis, and listening to all the people speaking their various languages. It has a very international vibe.
The Faena District, boat shows and paddle boarding bring a wide variety of ways to experience the city filled in and on many water ways and the ocean.
Little Havana has terrific music and food that can transport you to CUBA! For urban nightlife that is close by, try Rockwell on Washington Avenue.
The Sacred Space, located at 105 NE 24th Street, is a grounded couples delight. Yoga classes, unique speakers, drumming and plant food make for a creative awakening in a very special atmosphere. Their events are easy to attend and easy on the budget. When I visited in October, I stayed for 4 hours and left feeling inspired.
There are so many hotels! Soho Beach House, The Ritz-Carlton, Loews, and The 1 Hotel are all great- just to name a few.
The service teams at restaurants, stores and hotels are always kind and provide excellent service. This is a city that happily caters to tourists!
Once you visit you will want to come back again!
Luckily…it’s easy to get to and you can plan a different vacation in the same city or maybe you’re happy doing your favorite things over and over again!
-Randy