Inspire Me

Florida Fun

The Essential Miami Travel Guide

Miami, home to one of the world’s busiest cruise ports, is a beautiful city with so much to enjoy! From relaxing on the pristine beaches, to enjoying delicious cuisine, adrenaline pumping speedboat rides, historic homes and so much more, it will surprise you, every moment of every day. Team Tour America had the opportunity to fly on the new direct service with Aer Lingus to Miami from Dublin Airport and we got to experience all that this wonderful destination has to offer first hand. And, if you’re planning a Florida holiday or maybe a Caribbean cruise, keep on reading as this is the essential Miami travel guide!

DUBLIN TO MIAMI DIRECT WITH AER LINGUS

We flew direct to Miami with Aer Lingus on their new, three times weekly service and we had a fantastic flight. It was so convenient to pre-clear customs and immigration in Dublin before flying and once we arrived in Miami, we had our bags and were in our South Beach hotel within 45 minutes of getting off the plane which was fantastic!

WHERE TO STAY IN MIAMI

We had the pleasure of staying in two amazing Miami hotels, both of which we absolutely loved!

Royal Palm South Beach: Our first hotel of the trip was the Royal Palm South Beach, which is located in the heart of South Beach. We loved this hotel as soon as we arrived. It’s a really lovely 4* property, with modern rooms, a beautiful pool deck and direct beach access. It’s also just a short 5 minute stroll to Ocean Drive and therefore, the perfect hotel for those who want to stay in the buzz of South Beach.

Grand Beach Miami Hotel: Just a 10 minute drive north of South Beach is Mid Beach Miami, home of the 4* Grand Beach Miami Hotel. This hotel is beautiful. Located directly on the beach with a fabulous pool deck featuring hammocks, Jacuzzi’s and a dedicated kid’s play area, this is a chic resort and perfect for those wanting to be near the busy South Beach district, without being in the heart of it. Grand Beach Miami is also an all-suite resort.

THINGS TO DO IN MIAMI

Our 4 days in Miami were jam-packed with amazing attractions. Check out some of our highlight, must do Miami attractions below.

THRILLER SPEEDBOAT MIAMI

For a really exciting experience, I cannot recommend Thriller Speedboat Miami enough! We had so much fun on board! Thriller Speedboat Miami is an adrenaline boat tour that takes you around key areas in Miami including Star Island, Fisher Island and South Beach! Its high energy, a lot of fun and educational as well. A must do if you are visiting!

VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a National historic landmark in Miami and it’s a beautiful house and gardens to stroll around and explore. The home of James Deering in the early 1900’s, this incredible house has a strong historic past and an interesting design concept. If you’re hoping to experience a taste of history while in Miami, we really recommend a visit to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens!

WYNWOOD WALLS

Located in the up and coming area of Wynwood, the Wynwood Walls are a must see! This trendy district is stunning. Designed with beautiful graffiti art, its Instagrammer’s dream! There is a great vibe throughout the whole area with quaint shops, restaurants and more.

WATCH THE SUNRISE FROM THE BEACH

One of the best things about Miami is its incredible beaches and while there, be sure to get up early and go for an early morning walk to watch the sun come up. While Miami is usually a very lively city, at this hour of the day, the beaches are often peaceful and secluded. Watching the sunrise from the beach will no doubt get your day off to a great start, every day!

EAT, EAT EAT!

Without a doubt, one of our favourite things to do in Miami was eat! We ate in the most incredible restaurants throughout many of the city’s districts. Some of our favourites include:

  • Sergios (Coral Gables): Perfect for experiencing Bruch like a local!
  • Bubba Gumps (Bayside): Perfect for a delicious, fun lunch before/after your Thriller Speedboat Ride!
  • Villa Azur (South Beach): Perfect for a romantic meal or special occasion. Fine dining.

MIAMI HELICOPTER TOURS

On our last day in Miami, we were surprised with the most incredible experience! We got to do a 20 minute helicopter tour over Miami! This was just the most amazing experience and the best way to end our time in this brilliant city. We took in amazing views of the coast, the cruise port, Downtown Miami, Star Island and so much more! I cannot recommend doing a helicopter tour of this city enough, it’s a must!

MIAMI DISTRICTS

Miami is made up of different neighbourhoods, all of which offer a unique vibe.

SOUTH BEACH

South Beach is the heart of the city with a lively nightlife scene, beautiful beach and stunning Art Deco buildings. It’s also home to great shopping, dining options and more and its perfect for those who enjoy a resort feel and the opportunity to explore on foot.

BAYSIDE / BISCAYNE BAY

Biscayne Bay, especially the Bayside area is perfect for anyone doing a one night pre-night stay. It’s a beautiful area with lots of shops and restaurants and it’s perfect to rest your head after a long flight before you cruise. If you’re doing any boat or harbour tours, such as Thriller Miami, they leave from this area of the city.

MID BEACH

Mid Beach is a short 10 minute drive from South Beach and it’s a more laid-back beach area of Miami. It’s perfect for those not wanting to be in the heart of the busier South Beach, but within a short distance. The beach here is also incredible and perfect for relaxing for a day in the sun!

Our 4 days in Miami were a dream and we all fell so in love with the city and its many districts and neighbourhood’s. From the food, to the thrills to the fantastic nightlife, it really is a brilliant holiday destination. Flying direct from Dublin with Aer Lingus, also made the journey so stress free and easy and we were all so sad to have to come home! If you’re visiting Miami for a couple of days, I also really recommend having car hire as it was great to be able to head off on adventures at ease and it made our time so much easier.

If you’d like more information on visiting Miami, or the direct Aer Lingus flights, call our Travel Experts on 01-8173562 or visit our Miami destination page here .

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let us inspire you...

Scenic’s New Documentary: ‘Maritime Masters: Expedition Antarctica’
Get Cruising

Scenic and Warner Bros. Discovery have an exciting new documentary series, premiering on the 4th of June in the UK, called ‘Maritime Masters: Expedition Antarctica,’ which takes viewers on an extraordinary journey aboard Scenic Eclipse, the world’s first discovery yacht. Produced in collaboration with Dundas Media, this original series offers a behind-the-scenes look at life… Continue reading Scenic’s New Documentary: ‘Maritime Masters: Expedition Antarctica’

0 0
share
Karen and Tina’s Experience Onboard Symphony of the Seas
Get Cruising

We were lucky to be invited by Royal Caribbean to attend their Seminar at Sea, to experience and learn about this amazing ship. Symphony of the Seas is the 2nd largest ship at sea – at the moment!  The total number of passengers – 6680 and 2200 crew. This ship is a great option for all travellers,… Continue reading Karen and Tina’s Experience Onboard Symphony of the Seas

0 0
share
Cruising Dubai with MSC Cruises
Blog

Cruising Dubai with MSC Cruises is an unforgettable adventure that combines the luxury and comfort of a modern cruise ship with the awe-inspiring sights and experiences of one of the world’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities. Dubai is a city of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet modern architecture and technology, and MSC Cruises offers an… Continue reading Cruising Dubai with MSC Cruises

0 0
share
  • Create your own Experience

    Create your own
    Experience

    Tour America is Ireland’s leading holiday specialist to the USA, Canada and Mexico, and Worldwide Cruises.

    Over 25 year’s experience of providing dream holidays to USA, Mexico, Canada and Worldwide Cruises.

    Get in touch now for the best prices and best service.

    01 8173535 sales@touramerica.ie
    LIVE CHAT BOOK A VIDEO CALL SEND A MESSAGE
  • What our customers say...

    Our mission statement is very clear, 'to have a raving fan club!', and our team are willing and able to exceed all of your holiday expectations.

    Read all reviews