Undercover Miami
- Your Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - Miami's Urban Core
It's no secret that Miami's culture has been heavily influenced by the large Cuban population that has made Miami a home-away-from-home for more than 50 years. However, it's not as well known that Cubans have a truly-delicious signature breakfast of flaky pastries, savoury empanadas, Cuban toast and, of course, sugary sweet Cuban cafecito (coffee). Get your fix at any number of Little Havana's ventanitas or restaurants. It's a great way to start your Miami adventure and a social ritual that is an integral part of the Miami community.
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Little Havana has some other destinations that are also worth checking out like Cuban novelty stores, local galleries and more, but what we really fell for was the untouched realness of this cultural neighbourhood.
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Nearby, Downtown Miami is a cultural area that's really flourishing right now. There are museums that cover everything from art and science to historical monuments like the Freedom Tower. While you're there take a minute and swing by the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, a state-of-the-art cultural centre and host to many national Broadway tours and concerts.
From there, head over to Brickell, the financial centre of Miami's international business world and a quickly-growing neighbourhood. Hidden between the skyscrapers is a little oasis of what Miami used to look like in Simpson Park, a preserved hammock, an eco-preservation of what you would have found growing naturally hundreds of years ago before the skyscrapers took over.
Day 2 - Biscayne National Park
If you don't get to see Miami by boat, you're not seeing the very best of the city. Of course there are the super-glitzy boats with onboard DJs but for the best of what there is to see you need to venture under the waves. Book a charter and rent some snorkel or diving equipment and spend the day exploring the reefs, wildlife and all of the Atlantic's underwater secrets (your captain will know the most hidden spots and the best diving areas). Or head out to Boca Chita Key or Elliott Key, popular islands in Biscayne National Park, dock the boat and fire up the BBQ.
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Remember that it's summer in Miami pretty much all year round, and you can almost always go for a swim. In December and January you may experience one two chilly days, but even then it's great weather for heading out on the water.
When you're done on the ocean, head back to your hotel, take a little nap or grab a bite and get ready for a night on the town. The perfect music after a day on the boat? Some Caribbean-style reggae – so head out to one of the live music venues around town that host regular reggae nights like Jazid, Purdy Lounge and The Stage.
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Day 3 - Head South
South of the city, the rural face of Miami-Dade County is revealed in an exciting blend of modern suburbs, historical villages and bucolic backcountry. Two spectacular national parks, Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park, offer natural beauty, tranquility and are teeming with wildlife. Fishing, boating, snorkeling and bird watching are just a few of the many nature-based activities for which the area is known.
Attractions in this area have a distinct character – fun, fascinating and unique. Imagine a Coral Castle, the clear origins of which remain unknown, a Fruit and Spice Park where you can roam through winding paths and pick up exotic fruit off the ground, an alligator farm, and the world-renowned Homestead-Miami Speedway, home to the final race of the NASCAR season.
Make a pit stop at the latter and you'll finally be allowed to floor it and see just how fast a high-powered car can go. Trained experts will suit you up, give you the run down and let you take the wheel on a NASCAR race track.
Get back on the road and stop for a bite at Robert is Here in Homestead (gateway to the Florida Keys). Robert Is Here is a fruit stand where they sell the best milkshakes in town made with fruit grown right on site. Try local exotic fruit like the carambola or star fruit, lychees, atemoya, Monstera Deliciousa and their famous mangoes; and be sure to leave room for some homemade key lime pie. Just down the street is the Everglades Alligator Farm, the oldest alligator farm around, right at the entrance to Everglades National Park, with more than 2000 alligators including a 14 foot "grandpa." You can also take an airboat tour, a walking trail or see a snake show. An exhilarating end to an intriguing three days.
Metropolitan by COMO
Miami Beach, Florida
Swanky yet subtle, the Art Deco bones of this reconstructed 30’s hotel are very much intact, with acres of white space that make the most of the plentiful Miami sunlight.
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