Vacationing in Miami - Beyond South Beach

If you follow me on Instagram then you know I started Women's History month with a quick trip to Miami, Florida with a close friend of mine. HEY KIM! It was just a quick 2 and a half-day trip but I made every second count. The most interesting thing about this trip is I had so much fun and never made it to where people go to Miami for. The Beach! I documented my adventure through my Instagram stories and I received so many questions that I decided to put everything in one spot for you to read and use to help plan your mini vacation to Miami.

First things first, you absolutely have to keep an open mind about dates when taking a vacation. My job doesn't offer your typical 9 to 5; Monday through Friday schedule. The normal “fly out on Friday then return on Sunday” was not going to work for me. Taking vacation days are not all about the weekend. It could be any day of the week but, it's all in what you make it. I left DC on a Monday morning and returned on Wednesday afternoon. It was the perfect time to travel. Getting through TSA was a breeze and because it was only two days, I didn't see a need to check a bag. This allowed me to book the cheapest flight that American Airlines had to offer. Booking basic economy has been such a coin and time saver.

Flight Fit: Crop Top, Leggings, Sneakers - Target

Where to stay

If you're still reading this then you know where this is about to go. In the title, I hint that South beach was not the final destination. I've been to Miami several times before and I had always stayed on "The Strip" in South Beach. Collins Avenue and Ocean dr. is where the lit action is but, it is not ideal if you value your sleep and a little bit of sanity. I also wouldn't recommend staying in that area if you're planning to travel with your children. We decided on a bit more of an upscale area in Downtown Miami called Brickell. It was a great location because it was 10-15 minutes from everywhere we wanted to go and, about 20 minutes from the airport. We stayed in a condo we found on Airbnb. This corner condo was as beautiful in person as in the pictures. It is on the 45th floor of a 50-floor building that was also connected to The W Hotel. The two-bedroom two-bathroom condo was beautifully decorated and has floor to ceiling windows that gave an amazing view over the city and water.

What to Do

If you are looking for alternatives to just laying out on the beach all day, sun bating and frequenting Wet Willies on the strip, this part of the blog is for you. Miami is so rich and deep in culture that it's almost hard not to find something worthwhile to do. Since Airbnb also offers excursions and tours, my friend and I booked a few things to do through the app and we were not let down.

A walk through the design district will have you so jealous that your own city didn't think of half the stuff first. The Hidden World of Miami Design District tour is very insightful and great for people looking for the perfect place to take memorable pictures for Instagram. Margery is such a doll and very knowledgeable on the architecture, art design and landmarks in that area. If you like high-end shopping this would also be the tour that places you right in the heart of the shopping district. While there, just take note of the type of cars parked and riding down the street. That should tell you more than you need to know about the shops in this district.

Tank, Jeans & Slides from Target/ Photo taken by Kim

As a foodie, this next tour we took went above and beyond my expectations. We traveled to Little Havana to indulge in Cuban culture and cuisine. The Little Havana Cuban Food tour covered 4 blocks of small mom-and-pop shops that served delicious Cuban food and drinks. All food and drinks are included in the price and trust me when I say you get all of your monies worth. None of the taste testing portions were small so make sure you come ready to eat!

Graphic Tee/Sneakers from Target; Demin shorts x Levi’s

Sometimes a tour may not be the vibe you're going for. You may want to do your own exploring and stumble upon some gems on your own. To give you a nudge in the right direction, make your way towards Wynwood. It's literally all you have to type into your destination on your favorite rideshare app and you'll be dropped off at a very artsy and eclectic part of Miami that not a lot of people know about. Wynwood is the perfect place to take photos with colorful murals in the background. Wynwood Walls showcases some pretty dope spray painting artwork through a gated outdoor exhibit for just $10 bucks. You can also find a pretty decent place to sit, catch your breath and eat on just about every corner.

Speaking of eating... Again! Lol, before you leave make time for dinner at Pharrell Wiliams’ restaurant, SWAN. The ambiance and food live up to who he is as an artist. If you love breakfast/brunch food as much as I do, then take a stroll around the block from the Airbnb to B Bistro & Bakery. You’ll thank me later!

The best part of traveling is you're free to have as much fun as in any destination you choose. Don't box yourself into doing the norm. Go out and live life to the fullest because when it’s time to say goodbye and go home, all you’ll be left with is memories. Make sure they are worth remembering.