USA · Florida
The trip
We end up in Miami often — it's an incredible, sun-soaked, endlessly colourful city, and it's also where a lot of our cruises have set sail from, so it's become a familiar home base for us in South Florida. There's so much packed into the area: the wild beauty of the Everglades, the street art of the Wynwood art district, downtown's glossy skyline, and of course world-famous Miami Beach. Just up the coast, Fort Lauderdale adds gorgeous, more laid-back beaches, the dazzling Guitar Hotel, and a Florida Panthers game for good measure. Here's how we split our time between the two.
Area one
Bold, tropical and buzzing — Miami mixes Art Deco glamour, Latin energy and serious beach time. From the murals of Wynwood to the skyline of Brickell and the sawgrass of the Everglades on its doorstep, it never runs short of things to do.
📍 Wynwood, Miami
Wynwood is Miami at its most creative — a whole neighbourhood of warehouses turned into a riot of murals, giant street art and quirky sculptures, anchored by the famous Wynwood Walls. It's endlessly photogenic and made for wandering, with craft breweries, galleries, coffee shops and some of the best people-watching in the city between the paintings.
Murals everywherePhoto heaven
📍 Downtown Miami & Biscayne Bay
Miami's downtown and Brickell district is all gleaming towers, waterfront parks and buzzing rooftop bars along Biscayne Bay. Stroll Bayfront Park, ride up for a skyline view, and get out on the water — a Biscayne Bay cruise past the millionaires' island mansions is a classic Miami afternoon, and a guided city tour is a great way to tie the neighbourhoods together on a first visit.
Glossy skylineGet out on the water
📍 South Beach & Miami Beach
You can't come to Miami and skip the beach. Miami Beach delivers the postcard — warm turquoise water, wide golden sand and those candy-coloured Art Deco lifeguard towers that are basically the city's mascots. Pair a swim with a wander down Ocean Drive's pastel facades and a stroll along the boardwalk. It's touristy, sure, but it earns the hype.
Iconic lifeguard towersArt Deco glamour
📍 Everglades, ~45 min west of Miami
One of our favourite things to do here — and something totally different from the beach — is the Everglades. This vast river of grass right on Miami's doorstep is teeming with wildlife, and skimming across it on an airboat, spotting alligators sunning themselves metres away, is genuinely thrilling. A half-day tour with transport from the city makes it an easy, unforgettable add to any Miami trip.
Airboat & alligatorsEasy from Miami
📍 Little Havana, Calle Ocho (SW 8th St)
For a completely different flavour of Miami, head to Little Havana. The heart of the city's Cuban community, Calle Ocho is all Latin music spilling from doorways, cigar rollers, domino players, cafés serving strong cafecito, and colourful murals — including the beloved Azúcar tribute to Celia Cruz. It's lively, warm and full of soul, and a walking food tour is a great way to eat and dance your way down the street.
Cuban culture & musicCafecito & muralsArea two
Just up the coast from Miami, Fort Lauderdale is a little calmer and, we think, its beaches are even more beautiful — wide, clean and blissfully less crowded. It's also home to the jaw-dropping Guitar Hotel and an easy night out at a Florida Panthers game.
📍 Fort Lauderdale Beach
If Miami Beach is the party, Fort Lauderdale Beach is the exhale. The sand is soft and wide, the water's just as warm, and it feels noticeably more private and relaxed — perfect for a slow morning swim or a golden-hour walk along the promenade. It's our pick when we want the beach day without the crowds.
Beautiful & less crowdedGolden-hour walks
📍 Seminole Hard Rock, Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale
You can't miss it — the Guitar Hotel at the Seminole Hard Rock is a 450-foot building shaped like a giant guitar that lights up the night sky with a glowing show. Even if you're not gambling or staying over, it's worth a visit for the sheer spectacle: the light displays, the buzzing casino floor, restaurants and live music. Pure over-the-top Florida fun.
Guitar-shaped towerNightlife & shows
📍 Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
As a Montreal boy, I can't skip a hockey game — and catching the Florida Panthers (recent Stanley Cup champions) is a blast. The arena in Sunrise brings a loud, fun, sun-belt take on hockey, and it's a great-value night out compared to the big beach clubs. Even Melody, not a lifelong fan, has a great time.
Stanley Cup champsFun night out
📍 Sunrise / Davie, Fort Lauderdale area
For a break from the sand, the area inland has a couple of easy wins. Sawgrass Mills is one of the largest outlet malls in the country — a serious shopping destination if you're after a deal. And for something gentler, Flamingo Gardens is a lovely wildlife sanctuary and botanical garden full of flamingos, alligators and native Florida creatures — a hit with families.
Outlet shoppingWildlife & gardensSave these
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