Let me start off by saying - please if you happen to visit South Beach Miami please don't' plan a full itinerary as if you were going to the Grand Canyon. Do not be like that guy from the Lampoons and completely ruin a perfectly good vacation because you feel that every moment should be spent doing something or checking things off of a list. What I am trying to say is Miami -especially South Beach - is meant to be a place of relaxation. A place where you show off that beach bod no matter what it looks like - I guarantee everyone appreciates different things so you will not stick out like a sore thumb.
Unfortunately I made the mistake of creating a bustling itinerary - one that started off promising only to fall into disarray when I couldn't figure out the public transportation or didn't do the one thing you are meant to do in South Beach - lay out in the sun and enjoy the water.
My first day started off nicely. I checked into my hotel - I preferred to stay at a boutique hotel that was one street behind Ocean Drive. It was minutes walk to the beach - the hotel itself was nice. It offered a really cool bathroom. If in Miami - where you stay is up to you - boutiques tend to offer special perks like in my case fancy bathrooms and upscale technology that knew my name (overall just smaller and more personalized). However, there are many great hotels that have amazing amenities and then of course Air Bnb's are also an option.
I went to a local street (a tourist hotspot) called Espanola Way - where I had a delicious cuban meal with plenty of plantain chips and a strawberry mojito. I ended the day early so that I could wake up bright and early to attend what I thought was a free museum tour.
The next day, we walked to the Art Deco area (I want to say around 11th street) where I thought I would be able to take a free tour of the unique art in South Beach but - claro - nothing is free in Miami - not much really - and so once realizing that there was a hefty $25 fee tour, I decided to rent a bike and give myself a tour. HIGHLY RECOMMEND DOING THIS.
The rest of the afternoon was spent sunbathing at the beach and taking a dip into the ocean - only to be stung by a jellyfish. Please insert a sad/angry/crying face here. I took multiple dips into the ocean because I love the water and the beaches here do not disappoint. However on what would be my final dip - my leg went down and *zip* just like that I felt a sting - like a pinch that burned. I quickly ran as fast as the waves would let me out of the water and straight to the lifeguard on duty. Looking at me quizzically - he sprayed some vinegar on the spot I pointed too and ever so nonchalantly told me if the pain increases to put some Neosporin on it - en serio? - limping away I grabbed my friend and went straight to the store; I was not taking any chances.
Thankfully though, it turns out the sting was nothing serious and I was able to go on and enjoy the night, but honestly that was the beginning of the end. We struggled to find a non-expensive place to eat. Wound up on Lincoln street at a pizza shop - the cheese melted off of my bread before it even made it to my mouth. Missed going to all the amazing clubs - because I didn't enough thorough research - however we did find one cool club that had a ice skating rink and bowling!
Now here is the part that I highly warn people NOT to do. If you are in South Beach for a lovely but short weekend - do not venture off of South Beach- there really is a lot to do as far as eating, people watching, and beach/pool hopping, pool parties, beach parties etc. That is South Beach. What South Beach is not - a place to go for one day and then mov onto Wynwood or Little Havana. I, unfortunately, tried to cram all of this into one day (Wynwood and Little Havana) and that failed horribly. It is too far for just a couple hour visitation. I cannot even properly describe Little Havana because once there I spent about an hour and then had to catch the bus back to town (lots o construction going on that week with bus system).
Long story short - Miami is meant for relaxation. There is so much to do and see and even eat! But you must give yourself time. Time to enjoy each and every moment - from the food to the water to the little pop - up shops and bars found throughout the city. South Beach deserves at least two full days, Wynwood and Little Havana deserve a day each and then a couple of extra days should be added for all the other great areas to explore.
Lesson Learned. This just means I need another trip ;)
Unfortunately I made the mistake of creating a bustling itinerary - one that started off promising only to fall into disarray when I couldn't figure out the public transportation or didn't do the one thing you are meant to do in South Beach - lay out in the sun and enjoy the water.
My first day started off nicely. I checked into my hotel - I preferred to stay at a boutique hotel that was one street behind Ocean Drive. It was minutes walk to the beach - the hotel itself was nice. It offered a really cool bathroom. If in Miami - where you stay is up to you - boutiques tend to offer special perks like in my case fancy bathrooms and upscale technology that knew my name (overall just smaller and more personalized). However, there are many great hotels that have amazing amenities and then of course Air Bnb's are also an option.
I went to a local street (a tourist hotspot) called Espanola Way - where I had a delicious cuban meal with plenty of plantain chips and a strawberry mojito. I ended the day early so that I could wake up bright and early to attend what I thought was a free museum tour.
The next day, we walked to the Art Deco area (I want to say around 11th street) where I thought I would be able to take a free tour of the unique art in South Beach but - claro - nothing is free in Miami - not much really - and so once realizing that there was a hefty $25 fee tour, I decided to rent a bike and give myself a tour. HIGHLY RECOMMEND DOING THIS.
The rest of the afternoon was spent sunbathing at the beach and taking a dip into the ocean - only to be stung by a jellyfish. Please insert a sad/angry/crying face here. I took multiple dips into the ocean because I love the water and the beaches here do not disappoint. However on what would be my final dip - my leg went down and *zip* just like that I felt a sting - like a pinch that burned. I quickly ran as fast as the waves would let me out of the water and straight to the lifeguard on duty. Looking at me quizzically - he sprayed some vinegar on the spot I pointed too and ever so nonchalantly told me if the pain increases to put some Neosporin on it - en serio? - limping away I grabbed my friend and went straight to the store; I was not taking any chances.
Thankfully though, it turns out the sting was nothing serious and I was able to go on and enjoy the night, but honestly that was the beginning of the end. We struggled to find a non-expensive place to eat. Wound up on Lincoln street at a pizza shop - the cheese melted off of my bread before it even made it to my mouth. Missed going to all the amazing clubs - because I didn't enough thorough research - however we did find one cool club that had a ice skating rink and bowling!
Now here is the part that I highly warn people NOT to do. If you are in South Beach for a lovely but short weekend - do not venture off of South Beach- there really is a lot to do as far as eating, people watching, and beach/pool hopping, pool parties, beach parties etc. That is South Beach. What South Beach is not - a place to go for one day and then mov onto Wynwood or Little Havana. I, unfortunately, tried to cram all of this into one day (Wynwood and Little Havana) and that failed horribly. It is too far for just a couple hour visitation. I cannot even properly describe Little Havana because once there I spent about an hour and then had to catch the bus back to town (lots o construction going on that week with bus system).
Long story short - Miami is meant for relaxation. There is so much to do and see and even eat! But you must give yourself time. Time to enjoy each and every moment - from the food to the water to the little pop - up shops and bars found throughout the city. South Beach deserves at least two full days, Wynwood and Little Havana deserve a day each and then a couple of extra days should be added for all the other great areas to explore.
Lesson Learned. This just means I need another trip ;)