Heading to Miami for work? Here’s hoping you’ll have some downtime on your schedule, because with unlimited sun and sand, you simply have to give yourself a chance to unwind. Here’s how to make the most of your hours off the clock in the Magic City.
Kick back at the beach.
Soak up the sunshine and watch the waves at Miami’s most famous attraction: the beach. The whole coast is a delight, but if you’re stumped on where to start, visit South Beach at 13th and Ocean, and stroll through nearby Lummus Park Beach while you’re there.
Hit a rooftop pool.
There’s no better place to sit with a drink and do a whole lot of glorious nothing than a chic Miami rooftop pool - and there’s a perfect pool for every personality. The Betsy Hotel on South Beach offers great views and comfy chairs, and the Oasis at Sense Beach House offers a serene escape from the bustling city below. If you’re looking for a little more high-class kitsch in your lounge routine, visit Highbar at the Dream Hotel South Beach for a ‘70s-inspired lounge with gold chain decor and diamond wall cutouts that will keep the party going.
Get your salsa on.
Miami’s salsa scene is like nowhere else in the US, so see it for yourself by hightailing it over to Little Havana. At CubaOcho, which doubles as an art gallery and research center, you can explore antique art by day and sip on rum with locals to the sounds of live music by night. If you’re looking for a space that’s more exclusively focused on the dance floor, hit up Ball & Chain, a historic establishment you won’t want to miss. Sit back with a drink and soak in the live music, or try out your dance moves - the venue even teaches Latin moves for free every week. You can also check out Yuca, a fantastic fine-dining restaurant that offers weekly salsa meetups and classes.
Explore some local art.
Miami is home to Art Basel, the international art fair that arrives each December, so it’s safe to say that the city knows a thing or two about great art. Start exploring the art scene with a visit to the modern work at the Pérez Art Museum, or by checking out the historic art deco space and contemporary collections at The Bass.
See the Wynwood Walls.
You’ve almost surely seen the Wynwood Walls on social media, but they’re even more colorful in person. This collection of murals in the Wynwood district were launched in 2009 during Art Basel. Today, the collection is a permanent outdoor street art space, with more than 40 murals by talents like Kenny Scharf, Shepard Fairey, Faile, and many others. Bring your camera for some great selfies, and afterward, take a stroll among the area’s nearby galleries, bars, and restaurants.