Weekend in Miami Beach

Visitors | Getting Here | Weekend | 7 Days | Kids | Facts

So, you've finally arrived in Miami Beach, but you only have one weekend. Now what do you do? This is a two-day breakdown of where to shack up, what beaches to hit and things you won't want to miss.

Day 1: Beach Day

Here we go! Time to shed any excess clothing (the heat hits you like a truck), hop into a cab and head to South of Fifth. The quaint, quiet southern triangle of Miami Beach delivers access, entertainment and activities without the chaos.

All vacations should start with sugar-drenched, griddled goodness. Honor tradition at the Big Pink with a gluttonous French toast platter. Polish off the last of the brioche (we dare you) then head to the beach for some quality lazing about.

For most, a day of basking in the sun along the beaches of Ocean Drive will be in order, but if you're feeling really inspired, book a surfing lesson with local legend and teacher extraordinaire Girard Middleton. The low-key local knows everyone on the beach and everything about riding the waves. Beginners start with a 20-minute demo on land then dive into the water.

Two hours later you’ll be bruised, a bit battered and ready for lunch. Toast your new tan with mimosas and salads at the Front Porch Café. Linger over lunch with a café con leche and a few more minutes of Ocean Drive ogling.

By now it’s become eminently clear that South Beach likes its guests sleek, chic and minimally dressed. Head east to Collins Avenue where boutiques like Intermix and Leo Miami offer up the closet you wish you’d packed. Stroll the five blocks home, pick up a chilled bottle of sauvignon blanc and regroup with an hour on the couch in the living area of your suite.

Clean up in your rain shower, shimmy into your new duds and head downstairs for steaks and the ultimate scene at Prime 112. The cocktails are big, the steaks are bigger and the crowd is larger than life. Stick around for drinks and dessert and you’re almost guaranteed to spot a celeb.

Day 2: Culture Day

Begin day two on the Beach with a cup of coffee, a fresh baked croissant and a copy of the Post from Taste Bakery Café. Fuel up on gossip and carbs then head east to the Miami Design Preservation League for an Ocean Drive walking tour. Yes, it sounds like a tourist nightmare, but the 90-minute tour helps burn off breakfast, offers a good overview of Art Deco and MiMo (Miami Modern) styles and is chock full of interesting tidbits to impress your friends with.

Take your newfound knowledge tableside for a sandwich and some of the best people watching in town at the News Café. Nibble on your Reuben as models, tourists and locals stroll, skate and board by.

Properly fed, head west to Lincoln Road for a bit of consumerism culture. Wander into the ArtCenter/South Florida, visit the artists-in-residence and bring home a piece of local art or make obligatory stops at the chain stores (Gap, Anthropologie) or local boutiques (En Avance and Rosa Chá).

Retreat back to your hotel for the second half of the sauvignon blanc and a quality hour (or two) on the couch. Come nightfall, wander over to Shoji Sushi for sake and sushi under the stars. Hop in a cab and continue the starlight theme at the Raleigh for cocktails.

Come morning, it's back to the airport - so sad! The good news? You can take your tan with you. The better news? The Beach is standing by for your return. Off-season is a distant memory around these parts - there's something happening every week of the year. Check our calendar for tips on planning a trip back!