A Guide to Miami: The Magic City

1- Go to the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science: featuring a planetarium and an aquarium, this science museum will leave you with an afternoon of lasting memories. They also do overnight adventures on certain dates and host a quarterly event called nightLABs for adults.

2- Visit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens: if you’re looking for a Miami staple, this is it. This 1916 waterfront estate has 10 acres of gardens and is considered a National Historic Landmark.

3-Visit the iconic South Beach: it wouldn’t be a proper Miami trip if you didn’t take a stroll down Ocean Drive. Plan a full beach day or visit one of the beautiful south beach hotel spas!

4- Visit the Freedom Tower: Now serving as a contemporary art museum, the Freedom Tower is designated a U.S. national historic landmark due to its historic role in accommodating Cuban refugees who fled to Florida following the 1959 Cuban Revolution.

5- Dance the night away at Club Space: Renowned for featuring a variety of famous DJs, Club Space Miami is an iconic venue where you can dance literally all night long. Depending on the night, it could be open until 3 P.M. the next day!

6- Do a boat tour of celebrity homes: although it is quite touristy, I’ve always loved this tour and have been going occasionally since I was a kid. I find it fun to take a boat ride and check out all the celebrity homes, especially as new ones seem to pop up from time to time!

7-Walk around the Wynwood Walls: go to Miami’s art district and walk around the Wynwood walls to find cool art pieces and discover new artists.

8- Visit Little Havana: Little Havana is the perfect night out with so many places to eat and drink! It is Miami’s vivacious Cuban heart.

9- Do a private helicopter tour: discover Miami from the air with a private helicopter tour!

10- Explore your adventurous side by planning a trip to the Everglades: if you aren’t (or even if you are) scared of alligators and crocodiles, head over to the Everglades and do an airboat tour!

Day trips

Drive to Key Largo/Key West: Depending on how much time you have, a trip to the keys is worth it. Key Largo is smaller but it is only an hour and a half away. Key West is 3 hrs away, but would be a good 2-3 day trip offering a variety of water activities and local bars.

• Racoon Coffee: having several locations around Miami, this is the perfect breakfast spot for good coffee and a delicious bacon, egg and cheese croissant!
  A.C.’s Icees: a Coconut Grove staple, this food truck serves the perfect Icee for a hot summer day. It’s a favorite among locals, with a friendly owner and a nearby park that is great for a relaxing walk afterwards. It’s cash only so don’t forget to visit an ATM beforehand!

• Knaus Berry Farm: open every November through mid-April, this farm has the best cinnamon rolls!

• Joe's Stone Crab: One of the oldest and best restaurants in the city, prepare yourself for a fancy night out and eat all the stone crab until your heart's content. Don’t forget to order a Key Lime Pie for dessert!

• La Mar: this Peruvian waterfront restaurant is located at the Mandarin Hotel and offers stunning views and delicious bites like Lomo Saltado and Ceviche.

• Casa Tua Cucina: located within Saks Fifth Avenue in Brickell City Center, this food hall style restaurant offers delicious hand-made pasta and a variety of meats.

• Rosa Sky: this lounge offers panoramic views of the Miami skyline, hand-crafted cocktails and tapas. You get direct access to this lounge if you stay at the AC & Element Hotel Miami Downtown

• Doya: this restaurant is a personal favorite of mine. Specializing in modern Aegean cuisine, this establishment serves plates to share (‘meze’) and has everything from artichoke rice to butter shrimp! This place is also very gluten-free and vegan friendly.