Welcome to the beating heart of Florida’s paradise – Downtown Miami! Get ready for a weekend that’s bursting with great energy. If you’re craving a getaway jam-packed with excitement, culture, and just a hint of that tropical magic, you’re in the right place.
Downtown Miami has changed tremendously in the past 3 years. I have been traveling from Venezuela to the states with my parents for the last 8 years and we have oftentimes stayed in downtown Miami, but it has changed so much, and it is so different than what it used to be 3 years ago. Locals and travelers who haven’t visited downtown in a long time still think it’s not safe or nice.
Some urban development projects that the city has and is currently implementing include the Baywalk & Riverwalk Activation Initiative, Baywalk & Riverwalk Lighting Initiative, Flagler Street Beautification Project, Outdoor Dining – Restaurant Recovery Program, and Riverwalk Coordination & Cleanup.
I can say that in my 10 months living in downtown Miami, I have felt very safe and lucky to have a beautiful view of the bay, a park with a lot of greenery, and lots of great restaurants, bars, and cool places to explore.
So, let’s dive into the ultimate guide to exploring downtown Miami with recommendations on hotels, activities, and bars. I’ve also conveniently saved all of these places on a google list for you to access with this link.
Hotel Recommendations in Downtown Miami
Affordable option: Yotel Hotel
Moderate options: Epic Hotel, and Elser Hotel
Favorite Bars in Downtown Miami
Favorite Restaurants in Miami
Sushi: Novikov
Classic Italian: II Gabianno
Casual with variety: Julia & Henry’s
Date spot: Over Under Miami
Upscale Asian cuisine: Zuma
Upscale seafood: La Mar by Gastón Acurio
Upscale seafood: Komodo
Best omakase: Mr. Omakase
Sightseeing Itinerary in Downtown Miami
Day 1
Morning:
- Start your day with breakfast at Cafe Bastille.
- Enjoy a morning walk by the Art museum with this beautiful park called Dogs and Cats Walkway and Sculpture Gardens.
- Visit the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science to learn about science and technology through interactive exhibits.
Afternoon:
- Take a scenic boat tour of Biscayne Bay to see the city skyline and nearby islands.
- Have lunch at Julia & Henry’s food court.
- Then check out the Van Gog Museum or go for some shopping.
Evening:
- Finish your day at Bayside Marketplace, offering various dining and shopping options overlooking the marina.
- Enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in the area, such as Komodo or La Mar by Gastón Acurio.
Day 2
Morning:
- Start with breakfast at Sagrado cafe, an amazing spot with the best Brazilian sweet classic “brigadeiros” and my favorite Brazilian snack “Pao de Queijo”.
- Then take a picture at the Torch of Friendship.
- Start your day with a visit to the historic Freedom Tower, now a museum and cultural center.
Afternoon:
- Visit a locally owned and independent brewery, Biscayne Bay Brewing, for a very unique craft beer tour experience.
Evening:
- Get dinner at Novikov for the best sushi and peking duck. Experience the nightlife of downtown Miami by checking out the bars and clubs along Miami Avenue or in the nearby Brickell neighborhood.
- End your evening with a drink at the trendiest bar in Downtown called sound bar, which also has a cool record player.
