Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway in the sun, far from the Kansas winters, or arriving a few days before a cruise vacation, Miami just hits the spot. From the lively South Beach art-deco vibes to the downtown food scene, you’re sure to find a few gems that suit your style. On our second visit to Miami, we knew the places we wanted to hit this time having already explored the Downtown & Bayside areas previously. For this pre-cruise mini vacation, we were going to explore the artsy Wynwood and catch some ocean waves on South Beach.

For our hotel, we chose to stay a little further down South Beach and went with the Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club. This historic art-deco hotel has a certain Miami charm to it and sits right on the beach. You can hop the bus into the heart of South Beach, utilize one of their complimentary bikes to travel down the boardwalk path, or take a quick Uber ride into downtown Miami.

Although the rooms are small (typical for this area) the atmosphere did not disappoint. Our room had an ocean view with a balcony and overlooked the beautiful pool and restaurant below. Cruisers staying here that leave on a Saturday or Sunday will have higher rates, but during the week you can find rooms for as low as $150 per night + Resort Fees (Marriott will soon be including these fees in their rates - Yay no more surprises!).



The Cadillac also has 2 restaurants on-site and a beautiful, sparkling cocktail bar. Steps from the lobby are shops, restaurants, and a bus stop to get around easily and affordably. This area is a more laid-back and quiet part of South Beach so don’t expect to find much nightlife within walking distance.

Upon landing at the Miami airport we hailed a taxi for $35. Once we checked in we made our way across the street to The Tavern for lunch. They had a few local beers on tap from Wynwood and Freedom Tower, Local Fish, Burgers, Pasta, and Sandwiches. My favorite was the Beef Empanadas. I’ve been on an Empanada kick since my last visit to Colorado and was thrilled to see these on the menu. They were warm, crisp, and filling. A great start to our first day of exploring.



Tip About Tipping in Miami: A lot of restaurants in Miami have started adding an automatic 18 to 20% service fee/gratuity to their bills. Some places (Like The Tavern) split this amount with all the staff. We were so grateful to incredible waiter Vincent so we added a bonus tip to our checks just for him!

With our bellies full we headed back across the street and jumped into our bathing suits, ready to dive into Miami Beach. From the hotel, you walk through the back, past the pool, and their outdoor restaurant to the Boardwalk. We made it just in time for the sunset and practically had the beach to ourselves aside from the occasional evening jogger and quick little Sandpipers. As we watched the sunset Miami’s lights came to life.



This particular trip was uniquely special to one of our friends that came along with us as he had never been to the beach, never seen the ocean, and never been on a cruise. It was a memorable moment for us all to experience his first taste of saltwater together. Traveling with friends to new places is a journey that one doesn’t forget - and the opportunity to see familiar places with them, through their own eyes can put into perspective how far you’ve come and the many adventures that lie ahead of you.

Ok, ok - sentimental moment over.

After some deep thinking on the shores of Miami, it was time to head into the heart of South Beach for dinner. Thanks to TimeOut Magazine we were able to find Street Tacos and drinks at Bodega Taqueria Y Tequila. They had live music, outdoor seating, and cheeky decor. Orders are placed inside at the window of a classic Airstream Camper. This trendy spot has been voted as the Best Tacos in Florida so expect to pay a bit more than you would back home.




We finished our tacos and still had time left for a late happy hour. We heard about a funky bar called “Kill Your Idol” - a local hangout that opened in 2012. When we saddled up to the bar we started up a conversation with the bartender and a former employee - who still visits almost every day. Our new acquaintances, Matt (Bartender) and Billy from Philly told us stories about the bar and its friendly neighbor, the Lost Weekend. Billy helped Lost Weekend utilize the kitchen space of their pub and turned it into a cherished spot for you guessed it (or maybe not) Philly Cheesesteaks. As he chatted with us he even ordered one for himself. After a decade of serving up delicious true-to-his-home Phillys, he sold the kitchen back to Lost Weekend and they keep it running to this day. The Happy Hour at Kill Your Idol was by far the best bargain we found during our visit and the company was cheerful and entertaining. Speaking of entertainment, we were able to catch a live show from a local band, a common occurrence during the week.



Alas, it was time to head back to the hotel (via Uber) and dream about the fun to come!

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The next morning we woke up and headed out for breakfast at the 11th Street Diner. Thursday through Sunday this hip spot is open until Midnight so you can grab some greasy burgers, bacon, or a milkshake (Spice it up with a 21+ option) late into the night. We ended up here for breakfast both mornings of our stay so I was able to try their French Toast, Eggs Benedict, and of course, I got one of their Boozy Milkshakes. I opted for The All Nighter, French Vanilla Ice Cream with Kahlua, Baileys, and a shot of espresso. My only regret is not trying something from the Waffle Bar (8 to choose from - including a Combo Option). On Sundays only they offer an exclusive Eggs Benedict Brunch Menu.



Our waiter for both days was an incredible human named Jamie, who comes from Columbia. He had the best suggestions on the menu and helped us find the local spot to grab a couple of Cortaditos. We knew he was right on the money when he told us it was down the street from the police station and thus, that’s where the local officers get theirs! It’s a small window next to a costume shop so be careful not to miss it if you’re strolling by.

Now that we were buzzing from copious amounts of caffeine it was time to burn off some energy with a walk around the shops for souvenirs, new shirts, and a trip to the beach.

We had already decided before the trip that we wanted to spend the day in the neighborhood of Wynwood. So after our quick beach stroll, we hopped in an Uber and headed to the artsy district known for its graffiti murals and craft breweries. This day was about to be the best day ever. Locals to Wichita know that Craft Beer is the best beer and we were in for so many surprises.

Tip: Many tourists head straight to the Wynwood Walls but if you want to avoid crowds, you can find plenty of murals and scenic views throughout the entire area. Put on your walking shoes and grab your camera!

First up was the namesake brewery ‘Wynwood’. Outside it doesn’t look like much but you can find games, a wide variety of beers, and good company in this spot at the end of the road. Our bartender, Deondra (Dee) gave us a history lesson on the growing area of Wynwood and told us about their different beers. They have a selection of “Core Beers” that are offered year-round, like Laces IPA and seasonal beers like the Tamaraino & Flaminguito.

If you like supporting local and giving back while driving, grab a pint or two of the La Rosa. Proceeds go to support a local cancer foundation that helps patients get to their appointments and treatments.

We didn’t know where we were going next but Dee helped us pick out a few spots to try, starting with J Wakefield. This is the only independent brewery left in the area. She had us hooked when she told us they had a “Star Wars” theme. Let’s just say it surpassed any expectations we had! The walk from Wynwood to J Wakefield was colorful and unique - filled with murals from local artists. My favorite, a striking mural of an indigenous man and a Quetzal, is pictured below. The mural was created by Luis Valle, a Nicaraguan artist (Instagram @el_chan_guri). He has many creations throughout Wynwood. Follow our Instagram (@sunflowertravel) for more photos of the area.

When we approached J Wakefield Brewery we could not believe the massive Star Wars murals just outside. This was indeed a Star Wars Holy Grail. Inside they have memorabilia including a table replica of Han Solo in Carbonite. The Beer list had themed beers like a sour “Taste The Rainbow You Must” - brewed with a handful of Skittles and yes, it tasted like the rainbow! Another fun one is the “Life During the Death Star” - A Russian imperial stout with toasted coconut.



My trip wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t find a souvenir enamel pin to add to my jacket (where I keep my entire collection). J Wakefield filled the order with a “The Thirst Is Real” and let us snag a few beer can labels too.

Although we had hoped to make it to four breweries this day, we kept getting distracted by all of the art along the way and only made it to three. Our last brewery stop was at Cerveceria La Tropical. This was the most beautiful one we went to and has historic ties to Cuba. The brewery was founded in 1888 in Cuba and was eventually taken over during the revolution in the 60s. The family fled to the United States and would rise again in Miami, under the care of Manny, a 5th Generation family member as Cerveceria La Tropical. They opened their doors in 2020 with the support of Heineken. I encourage you to read the history of the incredible and powerful family on their website HERE.

The entrance to the brewery starts outside in the 10,000 square foot Tropical Jardines - a tribute to their historic location in Cuba. Their partnership with the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden provides a self-guided tour complete with QR codes that identify the plants throughout. Grab a beer and explore the area knowing your supporting history, family, and mother earth.

Aside from all the incredibly inspiring stories surrounding this unique brewery, one aspect stands out amongst it all the most - their Tank to Glass beers. Four of their beers fill your glass straight from the tank. It’s a fun process to watch them filter out the first pour into buckets to make sure you get the best flavor. I went with the Tropipassion Wheat Ale because I’m a fruity beer kinda gal.



The beers weren’t the only tasty thing we tried here though. They have a full kitchen with delicious appetizers and entrees. We decided it was a good time for a snack before our dinner reservations and tried fresh Ceviche (served with Popcorn), Yucca Fries, and Street Corn. There was a networking event happening and a live band was playing the gardens. You can visit their website (link above) to check for events that may be happening during your time in Miami.



As we wrapped up our day we headed to the hotel for a bit of quiet time before making our way back to the central South Beach area for dinner. We wanted to catch the art deco buildings lit up and had made reservations for outdoor seating at Havana 1957 on Ocean Drive. Although it is a chain restaurant popular in Miami, it still holds onto its Cuban Authenticity. Our waiter that evening informed us that all the employees (at least at Ocean Drive) were Cuban. Their Mojito Bar is known for having over 150 types of rum and they craft different flavors like a Coconut Mojito, complete with chunks of coconut as a garnish (and tasty snack). We decided to splurge on this meal and ordered the Paella - a minimum of 2 customers are required for this dish and when it came out, we thought maybe they should have made it 4 customers. We ate as much as we could and then felt terrible that we couldn’t finish it, especially since it was our last day.

The picture doesn’t do it justice but if you look closely you can see my husband’s hand for reference and the fact that it has an ENTIRE LOBSTER on top.




After dinner, we were absolutely stuffed and decided we needed to walk it off. We wandered up and down Ocean Drive, admiring the lights, and met up with some friends for a drink before heading back to our hotel. It was a long day filled with adventure, incredible people, and inspiring stories. Miami has so much to offer in history, culture, cuisine, and crafts.

Our vacation was only beginning and the next afternoon we would be boarding the Scarlet Lady for her third sailing out of Miami. The memories that we would soon share cruising with Virgin Voyages are tough contenders for the ones made in Miami.

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Agent on Deck/Author - Angie Webb, CTA

awebb@sunflowertravel.com

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