Relax on the beach, enjoy the sun, get a massage, shop - and, if you like, party in South Beach!
Miami is a beautiful city, with great weather all year round. If you're lucky enough to live nearby,
you can do a Miami weekend getaway any time you'd like - for the rest of us, it's a winter getaway destination!
You can drive into town if you live in Florida; otherwise it's best to fly in. The airport isn't far from downtown and your Miami hotel.
Where to Stay
Hotels in Miami are available in virtually any price range. There are many to choose from in the downtown area, near the cruise ship ports.
it's right on the harbor and within walking distance of American Airlines Arena and Bayside Marketplace. Most of the photos on this page were taken in the immediate area around the Intercontinental; I've stayed there and it's a lovely Miami hotel.
For a more affordable hotel in the area, try the Holiday Inn Port of Miami Downtown. It's in the same vicinity, on the other side of the AA Arena.
The photo above was taken from the Intercontinental; the white building in the back is the AA Arena. You can see that it's within walking distance; the area just before the arena is Bayside Marketplace. In between the Intercontinental and Bayside Marketplace is a lovely park along the harbor, with a fountain in the center.
The most important thing that should be on your agenda during a Miami weekend getaway is to RELAX!
Laze on a beach in Miami, get some sun, and try to do nothing for awhile.
While you're doing nothing, how about a massage?
Miami has lots of spas - they even have a "Spa Week" in spring and fall!
There are day spas, and resort spas. The Mayfair Hotel & Spa is a nice little boutique hotel in the Coconut Grove area, with a full-service spa.
The hotel is charming - although not in downtown Miami, it's also worth checking out.
Once you're well-rested, head out for some shopping. Bayside Marketplace, mentioned above, has hundreds of shops and restaurants, many of them operated by local vendors. The Design District, just north of downtown Miami, has boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. Brickell, south of downtown, was originally a financial district but now houses trendy shops and cafes.
If you enjoy nightlife, head to South Beach. You can also just wander - during the day - and enjoy the Art Deco architecture and colorful buildings. You'll get a good view of South Beach and the mansions along Biscayne Bay on a boat tour - there are lots of vendors along the harbor for you to choose from.
Spend another day exploring the neighborhoods - Little Havana, of course, and Little Haiti. Enjoy some of the flavors of the culture with lunch in the neighborhood.
If you have another day, take a trip to the Everglades. There are plenty of tours available, and they are very careful to disturb the area as little as possible - but you get a closeup view of gators and egrets, and it's a wonderful experience!
What Are Your Favorite Things to Do On a Weekend Getaway?
Where do you like to spend a weekend getaway? What do you like to do, where do you stay, what are your favorite restaurants?
I'd love to hear from you - and you can help your fellow readers plan their next visit!