Exploring Miami Beyond Beaches and Parties

Am I the only one who goes to Florida for something other than beaches and parties?

I mean, don't get me wrong, sunbathing and partying (for some people) are great, but it is not everyone's cup of tea. On my recent trip to Miami, I was all about exploring the city and its unique culture. If you're like me and want to check out Miami without getting stuck on the beach, then you gotta keep reading!"

Miami first impression

Okay, I'll admit it - I never thought I'd be a Florida fan! I mean, from what I'd seen in the media and heard from others, it seemed like the state was either full of retirees or wild party animals. But when I was looking for a winter getaway from Boston that wouldn't break the bank, Florida started to make a lot of sense - I'd never been there, and it wasn't too far away.

So I hopped on a direct flight from Logan Airport to Fort Lauradel Airport, landing at 11 PM. I grabbed my rental car and headed to my Airbnb in Miami, and let me tell you, driving in Florida was a dream! The roads were so organized and smooth, and even the highways had plenty of light. The 50-minute drive was a breeze.

And speaking of first impressions, I couldn't help but feel like I was in Latin America! Florida is just such a beautiful state, and every city I visited was so full of life and energy."

Car Rental- Do you need a car?

I decided to rent a car because I wanted to have the flexibility to explore outside of Miami plus my airport was 50 minutes away from Miami- so it just seemed like the smart move

I rented a car from ACE for 4 days and it costs me ($210). I was very skeptical when I rented the car but the company is legit and has no hidden fees. I also chose to pay for Florida SunPass (toll) which was $15/per day.

Parking in Florida is not free but it is widely available. Prices can vary but it won’t break your budget. I used Spot Hero App to find good prices parking spots

That said, you could probably get by without a car. Just keep in mind that taking an Uber from the airport (like Fort Lauradel, in my case) could run you $45 to $60. And depending on what you're planning to do, you might end up shelling out more for rideshares or taxis.

All in all, my car rental ended up costing me around $315 when you factor in the rental price, toll pass, gas, and parking. But hey, it was worth it for the freedom to explore at my own pace!"

Accommodation - Hotel Vs Airbnb

I was searching for accommodation kind of the last minute. And, on top of that, my trip happened to be during spring break season. Unfortunately, there weren't many hotels available in Florida, especially not ones that weren't located in South Beach.

Honestly, I really didn't want to get trapped in that touristy area, therefore, I decided to go for an Airbnb. I was determined that I didn’t want to stay (or get stuck) in south beach…

I ended up booking a very cute Airbnb in the Coral Gables neighborhood, which was only 10 minutes from downtown Miami. It was awesome to be in a more chill neighborhood, away from all the South Beach madness.

Plus, a bonus - Airbnb had free parking, which was a major win. All in all, it ended up being $667 for the stay, which I thought was pretty reasonable for what I got."

What To do in Miami Besides the Beach

I strolled by the beach but didn’t spend a whole day by the beach getting baked under the sun. I am more of a mountain person than a beach person.

Here is a list of things you can do in Miami Florida that doesn’t include laying on the beach or partying all night:

• Miami Bayfront Park

• Bayside Mark

• Maurica A. Ferre Park and Museum of Science

• Brickell City Center and walk around the Brickell

• Midtown

• Design District

• Wynwood Walls

• Calle Ocho walk for fame

• Ocean Drive - South Beach

• Coconut Gove

• Everglades national park - To see Corocdile and other wildlife

  • Anhinga Trail

  • Gumbo Limbo Trail

  • Flamingo Visitor Center: it is all the way south, don’t waste your time going there

  • Robert Is Here Fruit Stand - for fruits and smoothies. They also have a BBQ

• Key Biscayne Island

  • Cape Flordia Lighthouse

  • Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park (especially for sunset)

  • Crandon Park

  • Key Biscayne Beach

• Day trip to Fort Lauderdale

  • Hollywood Beach Broadwalk

  • E Las Olas Blvd

  • Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

  • Fort Lauderdale Downtown

  • The Wharf Fort Lauderdale

  • Secret Woods Nature Center

Food Recommendation

Food-wise, Florida restaurants are so versatile. Here are what we tried and liked:

• Sagrado Cafe

  • Brazilian cafe ideal for Brunch - everything we tried is delicious

• Spirs Artisan Pizza

• Sweetgreen ( Because weather was warm, we had salads multiple times)

• Versailles Cuban Bakery

• Passion Del Cielo Coffee

• Cortadito Coffee House

• Old Lisbon Restaurant - For Seafood

Please write your recommendations in the comments below, and let me know if there's anything I missed!