Boston Traveler: Our Travel Guide to Miami, Florida
With a sizzling art scene and some of the world’s best chefs, Miami brings the heat. Oh, and the beaches aren’t bad either.
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The Setai on Miami Beach is a tranquil escape from the busy club scenes at venues like the Clevelander. / Courtesy photo
GETTING THERE
There are plenty of direct flights from Logan—but if you want to take the scenic route, consider flying JetBlue to Fort Lauderdale, where you can rent a convertible for the 30-mile drive down coastal A1A into the heart of Miami.
STAYING THERE
It’s beachfront or bust when it comes to lodging; fortunately, the options are plentiful. For serenity and luxury, check in at the Setai (rooms starting at $878 in-season) on Miami Beach, which offers an onsite spa, three pools set to different temperatures, and a stunning private beach with drink and food service.
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The Setai on Miami Beach / Courtesy photo
A.M.
Miami’s abundance of beach bods is reason enough to start the day with a healthy green smoothie and an organic breakfast wrap from Juice and Java. Take advantage of the milder morning temps by staking out some prime real estate on the sand for a few hours of sunbathing and swimming, then head into mainland Miami to tour Wynwood Walls, a year-round outdoor art exhibit in one of the city’s hippest ’hoods. Cool off with something cold and caffeinated at nearby Panther Coffee or treat yourself to a hearty lunch at Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink before returning to Miami Beach for an hourlong Balinese-style massage at the Spa at the Setai. After all that, don’t be afraid to indulge in a siesta. You’ll need it to survive Miami’s nightlife.
P.M.
Forget blue laws and 2 a.m. last calls; Miami moves at a different pace, and the clubs don’t get going until at least midnight. That means there’s plenty of time to explore the city’s flourishing culinary scene, where local chefs have racked up a constellation of Michelin stars in recent years. None, however, shines as bright as chef Kevin Cory and his Japanese restaurant Naoe, which serves eight guests during each of its two nightly seatings. After dinner, break out your dancing shoes and head for the Clevelander to beat up the beat and slurp cocktails next to A-listers and professional athletes late into the night. If you want to keep the party going until 6 a.m., turn to E11even, where scantily clad dancers twirl from the ceiling and stars such as Drake are known to make surprise appearances.