Miami
Neon, palms and ocean swagger
Miami runs on sun and rhythm: Art Deco pastels along South Beach, Cuban coffee and Spanish on every corner, and street art exploding across Wynwood's walls. You'll find turquoise water, late-night energy and the wild Everglades all within an hour of downtown.
How long to stay?
One or two days is beach and color: sunbathe along Lummus Park's Art Deco strand, wander the murals of Wynwood Walls, then catch sunset and the skyline from Bayfront Park or Bayside Marketplace.
Three or four days reaches wider: tour the Italianate villa at Vizcaya, ride the Skyviews observation wheel, climb the lighthouse at Bill Baggs Cape Florida, then take a half-day into Everglades National Park to spot alligators.
Glamorous, multicultural and unapologetically loud. Latin beats spill from cafes, fashion is a sport, and nightlife runs till dawn. But there's nature too, from kayak-calm Oleta River to the wild, watery Everglades.
South Beach delivers Art Deco glamour, beach and nightlife. Brickell is sleek and high-rise with rooftop bars; Wynwood and the Design District are arty and walkable, while Coconut Grove offers a leafier, laid-back pace.
Skip a rental car for the beach core; South Beach is walkable and parking is brutal. But to reach the Everglades or Vizcaya, you'll want wheels, as transit thins out beyond downtown.
November to April is the sweet spot: warm, dry and sunny, perfect for beaches. Summer is hot, humid and prone to afternoon storms, with hurricane season peaking from August into October.
Miami International Airport sits about 13km from downtown, with the Metrorail and buses connecting in. Fort Lauderdale's airport is a budget-friendly alternative an hour north; ride-shares and the Brightline train link the region.
English and Spanish are both everywhere; the US dollar is the currency. Tipping (15 to 20 percent) is expected in restaurants. Sun is fierce year-round, so pack sunscreen, and bring bug spray for the Everglades.
