How to have an amazing first trip to Miami

Scott Hartbeck | TravelPulse (TNS)

Even if you haven’t visited Miami before, you somehow know what it’s like.

This city in South Florida has appeared many times in movies and TV shows, and it's often mentioned in popular music. Many of these works about Miami have become very famous.

Because of this, even if you’ve never actually been to Miami, you already have a lot of ideas about what the city is like.

With all of this in mind, when you go there for the first time, there’s a bit of pressure to find the Miami you’ve always imagined. I recently went to Miami for the first time, and this is how I tried to experience the city that I had always dreamed of, while also trying to discover some unexpected things along the way.

Start the day with a sunrise

I know you're on vacation, but you really need to wake up before dawn and see a sunrise during your trip to Miami, preferably on your first morning. Darkness gives way to gentle light as the sun slowly comes up from the Atlantic Ocean, coloring the sky in shades of pink, gold, and blue, casting a gentle glow over the water and the sand below.

If you're on South Beach like I was, chances are there will be many other people joining you—some who wake up early and some who stayed up all night—and all of them will have their own reasons for visiting Miami, feeling lucky to witness this special sight with their own eyes. On your way back from the beach, make sure to take a photo with one of the famous neon lifeguard towers—it's the perfect time for it.

News break

Known for its important role in bringing new life to South Beach during the exciting days of the '90s, News Cafe is open 24/7 and located in the middle of South Beach (8th & Ocean Avenue). You're likely to pass by it anyway, so you might as well sit down outside and relax for a while.

In the past, this cafe was popular with glamorous and fabulous people, as well as with everyone in between, as it offered a taste of European cafe culture in South Beach. Today, it's still a lively place in the neighborhood.

You can have a Cuban Club and a Paper Boy (their version of the bloody mary) like I did, or a cold, citrusy Frozzie Rossie cocktail while you watch locals on bicycles or rollerblades, excited tourists, aspiring social media influencers, and people driving their fancy cars along the sidewalk in front of you.

Get a close look at the Art Deco style

If you’re similar to me, you might know that Art Deco is connected with South Beach. Do you know the tales behind the style and the facades? That’s where the Miami Design Preservation League’s expert guides come in as they take travelers on daily walks through the Art Deco District every morning at 10:30 AM. The guides tell the stories behind each building (you’ll see Art Deco, Miami Modern and Mediterranean Revival on the tour), making you feel connected to their efforts to protect these special buildings.

Eat traditional style food

For over a century, Joe’s Stone Crab has been attracting crowds from far and wide for its famous crustaceans and no trip to Miami is complete without a stop here. Located in the lively heart of South Beach, Joe’s is famous for its juicy stone crab claws grabbed from nearby waters, alongside a variety of other delicious dishes. Think of it this way: everybody is going to ask you if you went to Joe’s, so you might as well!

… and new

Sushi may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Miami, but why wouldn’t it be great here? Enter Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, which is an oasis of Japanese cuisine located within the historic Plymouth Hotel South Beach (just past the retro-cool lobby and beside the beautiful pool). The menu is overseen by sushi master Toshi Ueki and chefs Bruce and Eric Bromberg and offers a tempting selection of traditional sushi and sashimi, expertly crafted to perfection. Oh, and there’s also a much-loved version of fried chicken. You’ll feel stylish sitting in one of their booths, but not intimidatingly so.

Say goodbye to South Beach

Wynwood. Little Havana. Downtown. Little Haiti. Key Biscayne. Coconut Grove. Coral Gables. It doesn’t matter where you go, but you have to get outside of South Beach during your time in Miami because it’s only a small—albeit shiny—part of this spectacular city.

My time in South Beach was highlighted by visits to Wynwood and Little Havana, where I was able to experience (literally) two entirely different sections of the city and savor (literally) slices of its unique story.

Go out on the water

If you’re wondering when this piece is going to leave dry land, the time is, well, now. I teamed up with Watersports Paradise—known for boat tours, yacht charters and boat rentals in addition to any other active water pursuit you can think of—for an unforgettable adventure through Miami’s waterways.

We saw opulent Millionaire’s Row and navigated the waters across Biscayne Bay to admire the splendor of Star, Palm, Hibiscus and Venetian Islands with the occasional burst of speed to get the heart racing. The stories of fun times on Monument Island had me dreaming about the weekends I would spend there if I lived in Miami. And okay, I’ll admit it: I set the highlights of this excursion to the “Miami Vice” theme song when I posted it on social media.

Where to stay in Miami on a first trip

Before you even touch down in Miami, there’s the little decision of where to lay your head. And as one of my previous points makes clear: Miami isn’t all beaches. South Beach is just one section of Miami (Miami Beach to be precise) and the city is home to a dizzying array of diverse neighborhoods, all perfect for getting a true feel of the city and almost all could make a great base.

During your first visit, you will likely need to stay in South Beach. This area has captured the world's imagination, so since you'll want to see what all the excitement is about, you might as well stay there.

When it's time to consider where and what kind of South Beach hotel you want to stay in on your first trip to Miami, two words stand out above the rest: Art Deco.

You can't come to Miami for the first time and not stay in a historic hotel with Art Deco design. And the hotel definitely needs to have a great pool, right?

I couldn't imagine it any other way, so I'm glad I stayed at The Plymouth Hotel South Beach.

The Plymouth is located very close to the Miami Beach Convention Center and opposite Collins Park and its impressive Bass Museum. The hotel has over 100 rooms with sophisticated touches and is a true representation of Art Deco. It's so much so that Barbara Baer Capitman used a photograph of the corner exterior of The Plymouth on the cover of her 1988 book Deco Delights.

When you step inside, you'll be immediately captivated by the seamless mix of historic Art Deco charm and modern luxury, creating an atmosphere that blends boutique and beach vibes.

Guests have exclusive access to The Plymouth's private stretch of beach, just a block away between The W and The Setai. The lobby is great for relaxing, with lush leaves and a striking mural by Ramon Chatov, and it's a good spot to observe the activity at the bar or the Blue Ribbon Sushi.

The 1940s Art Moderne pool area is one of the most perfectly shaped bodies of water in the city, with distinctive harlequin tiles and inviting peach and brown colors, creating a quintessential Miami backdrop. Like many first-time visitors to Miami, I left knowing this wouldn't be my last visit, and the pool at The Plymouth was a big reason why.

In conclusion, living up to the level of excitement surrounding Miami is almost impossible, but this city makes it seem easy.

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