As locals, we’re often asked about the best things to do in Miami Beach, as well as where to stay, eat, shop, and experience culture and nature. Founded in the early 20th century as America’s Riviera, developers transformed a wild, subtropical landscape into a luxury resort with hotels, golf, polo, and “the Fifth Avenue of the South.” Each generation builds upon its blueprint, with today’s city boundaries spanning Government Cut to 87th Terrace (the town of Surfside and village of Bal Harbour also share the nine-mile-long barrier island), and the Atlantic Ocean to Biscayne Bay’s natural and manmade islands, including Star, Hibiscus, Palm, and La Gorce, among others. The population hovers around 80,000 residents, while overnight visitors totaled nearly 5.4 million in 2024. Five causeways and one bridge conveniently provide access to the mainland’s Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood International Airport, I-95, Port Miami, Brightline high-speed passenger train, Miami Design District, and Brickell. Divided into South Beach, Mid Beach, and North Beach, each city section further breaks down into neighborhoods with their own distinct character; some are South of Fifth, Sunset Harbour, the Art Deco District, the Isles of Normandy, and Millionaires’ Row. Revitalization projects are underway in many areas, from North Beach’s new residential towers and green spaces to Lincoln Road pedestrian mall’s redevelopment. Once associated solely with tourism, the city has received newfound interest from the financial sector as a lifestyle-friendly place to conduct business. Class-A office buildings are being constructed for the influx of investment firms and family funds. Growth of medical services (Mount Sinai Medical Center, Baptist Health Miami Beach) and education (private elementary school BaseCamp305) add to its continual renewal and improvement in quality of life.
Hotels
Miami Beach’s booming tourism economy is replete with luxury accommodations that earn accolades from Forbes to Michelin. Part of the Faena District, Faena Hotel’s restored Art Deco property features holistic spa Tierra Santa Healing House; restaurants Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann and Pao by Paul Qui; Faena Theater for cabaret and music acts; The Living Room lounge; Saxony Bar; and more creative experiences from large-scale artworks to a vintage cinema. Inspired by the Far East, The Setai Miami Beach soothes guests with Valmont Spa, elegant dining (Japón, Jaya, Ocean Grill), and reflection and swimming pools. Surrounding The Setai, the South Beach section of Collins Avenue boasts W South Beach, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, and 1 Hotel South Beach with U.K.-based Bamford Wellness Spa and Aviv restaurant by the group behind Philadelphia’s famed Zahav. In 2026, Delano Miami Beach reopens with its signature Rose Bar and billowing white curtains that defined the Nineties boutique hotel era. Farther up Collins, popular stays are The Miami Beach Edition, Soho Beach House, The Fontainebleau, and Nobu Hotel. Away from the tourist district on the bay, The Standard Spa, Miami Beach offers a relaxed setting with tropical gardens, dockside eatery Lido Bayside, and cozy vinyl lounge Monterrey Bar. Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club also feels a world apart with Surfside Spa, chef Thomas Keller’s Surf Club Restaurant, and the historic great room’s Champagne Bar.
Dining
Miami Beach holidays begin far in advance by making reservations at some of the world’s hottest tables. Tourists rub elbows with elites at Joe’s Stone Crab, Carbone, Casa Tua, Mila, Nobu, and Prime 112. Many of these establishments are located South of Fifth, which has become an upscale dining district with Abbalé Telavivian Kitchen, Azubu, Call Me Gaby, Catch, Kissaki, Motek, and soon, Sant Ambroeus. Dubai’s CouCou and Ezio’s Steakhouse, from the owners of Roberta’s in New York, will also debut in 2025 on Lincoln Road and in North Beach, respectively. More imports include Spanish chef José Andrés’s Zaytinya and The Bazaar, Uchiko (Austin, Tex.), Mimi’s Chinese (Toronto), Andrés Carne de Res (Bogotá), and Lucali (New York). Italian-themed Macchialina tops foodies’ lists for independent, chef-driven restaurants here, while healthy, homegrown concepts are plant-forward Under the Mango Tree and all-day café chain Pura Vida. Score a table easily with memberships to the private Harbour Club and The Bath Club. For ice cream cravings, Salt & Straw and Van Leeuwen expanded here. Lines form for croissants to quiches at Bettant Bakery, True Loaf Bakery, and multiple locations for Maman and Rosetta’s. Miami-born Panther Coffee and Sunshine Coffee further fuel days.
Culture & Attractions
Like any great city, Miami Beach is enjoyed simply through walking. Classic thoroughfares Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, Española Way, and Lincoln Road reveal an architectural timeline of Mediterranean-Revival, Art Deco, MiMo, and contemporary buildings, many of which are iconic. Frank Gehry and Herzog & de Meuron are among architects who have contributed to its 21st-century skyline. Museum-goers visit The Bass’s contemporary art exhibits, The Wolfsonian-FIU’s 19th- and 20th-century art and design collections, and The Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU housed in historic synagogues. Famous classical musicians and composers perform with the New World Symphony, whose WALLCAST concerts livestream in the New World Center’s SoundScape Park. Films are also projected here, as well as at O Cinema. The Fillmore Miami Beach, Colony Theatre, and Miami Beach Bandshell present productions, and passersby can glimpse Miami City Ballet’s dancers rehearse through studio windows steps from the surf. The Miami Beach Convention Center hosts annual events (Art Basel Miami Beach, Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show), while others set up on the sand (South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Miami Polo World Cup).
Outdoors & Wellness
From restorative nature to omnipresent fitness, Miami Beach residents and visitors benefit from its healthy lifestyle. Beach days and boating are just the beginning. Bicyclists and pedestrians fill the Beachwalk, which connects to South Pointe Park & Pier. Along Biscayne Bay, yachts dock at Miami Beach Marina and Sunset Harbour Yacht Club, while the Baywalk and Maurice Gibb Memorial Park are popular for walking dogs and watching sunsets. Slated for completion in 2026, the artist-designed Fifth Street Pedestrian Bridge will safely connect the South of Fifth and West Avenue neighborhoods. Stunning multi-use Bayshore Park and Ocean Terrace Park debuted in Fall 2025. Miami Beach Botanical Garden’s exotic and native plants with koi and turtle ponds provide another oasis. Private and public facilities encourage myriad sports and games, from golf and tennis (Indian Creek Golf Club, La Gorce Country Club, Miami Beach Golf Club, Flamingo Park Tennis Center) to Scott Rakow Youth Center & Ice Rink for adults and children. Pickleball and padel are trending through private clubs (Sunset Padel) and city-run courts. Snorkelers can explore the first phase of The ReefLine, a 7-mile underwater sculpture park and artificial reef, in Fall 2025. The fitness scene swells with national and local gyms and studios, Anatomy, Barry’s Bootcamp, Equinox, Ima Yoga, Nofar Method, Reforming Pilates, and SoulCycle. Among ample hotel spas, Carillon Miami Wellness Resort is a crowd favorite for European-inspired wellness traditions and amenities.
Shopping & Beauty Services
From designer shopping sprees to everyday necessities, the island’s store selection is on par with major metropolitan areas. Luxury brands can be found at Bal Harbour Shops and the Miami Design District, while the iconic Lincoln Road pedestrian mall (Apple, Nike, Sephora) in the heart of South Beach is undergoing a glow up by the same landscape and design firm as New York’s High Line. Other retail centers are Collins Avenue (The Webster, Curio at Faena Bazaar, Kith, Big Drop NYC) and Sunset Harbour (Audemars Piguet, Lamborghini, Beach, Eberjey, Gee Beauty). Department and big-box stores (Macy’s, Total Wine, Best Buy, Ace Hardware), along with grocery stores (Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, The Fresh Market, Publix), add to the ease of living here. Hair and nail salons are always close by too (Atma, HK Salon, Danny Jelaca, Tuka’s, Peter Alexander, Sean Donaldson).
