We Love the 305

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A lot of people think Miami is just South Beach. And probably a lot of those same people think that Miami is just about hot bods and obnoxious club scenes. Yes those things exist in Miami. But there is SO much more to the 305. 

First of all, the City of Miami is a completely different municipality from Miami Beach. And more than just Biscayne Bay separates them - IMHO the City is far cooler than Miami Beach. It’s where a lot of the gorgeous art, delicious food and culture of Miami can be found. We love the City of Miami and spend most of our time on that side of the Bay when we’re down there - but Miami Beach IS just a quick drive away and you gotta at least do a day or so over there soaking up the beach vibes.

We LOVE the 305 so much. Read on for some tips on how to do Miami well with kids (or if you’re a group of adults that don’t want to do any of THIS).

Go to the Beach

You’re in Miami. It would be weird not to hit the beach. But as I said above, I prefer not to stay in Miami Beach. There are tons of exceptions, but I find that it’s generally more cheesy, vapid and inauthentic over here.

South Beach is Miami Beach’s most famous beach. It’s absolutely beautiful and about as “Caribbean” as you’re going to get in the continental US. This is soft sand and blue water - not like what we have back here in the Northeast. It’s also THE area of Miami Beach that gives the entire city its kind of tacky reputation.

Walk along Ocean Drive anywhere from about 15th Street and down to gawk at all the really pretty but totally tourist trap restaurants and hotels. Then walk across the street to the beach. It’s public and gorgeous. 

For families or for those looking to avoid crowds and skimpy bathing suits, I recommend hitting South Pointe Park. This breathtaking park on Miami Beach’s southern tip provides access to a low key, slightly secluded part of the beach, a small playground and splash pad and tons of beautiful beachside pathway for biking, running and walking. You’re also REALLY close to Joe’s Stone Crab over there and I just can’t leave Miami without some stone crab. (Pro tip: skip the restaurant and instead hit the take out section and then bring your food to the beach). 

Another “Don’t Miss” activity in Miami Beach is a stroll down Lincoln Road. It’s a lot of mall stores, but there’s just something so pleasant about cruising this pedestrian walkway in beautiful weather, especially when it’s cold back home. 

For meals in Miami Beach, start your day with insane baked goods at True Loaf to be paired with your perfect coffee from Miami favorite, Panther Coffee.

Brunch at beautiful and delicious newcomer, Abba Telavivian Kitchen is another great option in Miami Beach. The meal and atmosphere are fantastic and it was a great way to soak up some of the 305 vibes.

For dinner, hit up Italian stunner Macchialina or mix your meal with gin at Tropezón, an Andalusian gin and tapas bar on beautiful Española Way.

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Everything else I mention in this post is located in the City of Miami. This side of the Bay has a lot more substance and a more authentic (New York-esque) feel. And don’t worry, you still get plenty of water views and palm trees over here. (Consider Amara at Paradiso for a good meal with superb water views).

Go to the Design District

Oooh boy. The Miami Design District is FUN. This is where high design meets high fashion. In this neighborhood, you will find art galleries, retail and furniture shopping and lots restaurants - all of it VERY luxurious. The storefronts and the visitors here are chic and fashionable. It feels a bit Euro and a bit LA and it’s just all so pretty.  Even if you are not planning to shop at Cartier this trip, do not skip a visit to this area. 

For one, there is beautiful art to see in the MDD. Take a spin through the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, a free contemporary art museum in the area. Park in Museum Garage, which is surely the most breathtaking parking garage in the country.

There is always awesome public art on display in the MDD, often of an interactive sort. Our kids gasped at the ‘Fly’s Eye Dome’, a “geodesic dome” that, much to my children’s glee, forms the entrance to a parking garage. And all kids love playing on Doze Kanu’s ‘Support System’.

The Design District is, in my opinion, a fabulous place to land for dinner followed by post-dinner people watching. Some of Miami’s better (and also most chi chi) restaurants are over here.

Don’t skip, especially if traveling with children, Mandolin Aegean Bistro in the Design District. This Greek and Turkish spot serves delicious food in a mostly outdoor patio setting that will seem wonderfully intimate to you, while still appropriately casual for your kids (at least in the early hours, we saw many tables with children). Win Win.

Another great spot in MDD with kids is Old Greg’s Pizza, a counter service pizza joint that serves up great vibes (and natural wine and craft beer) that are as good as its pies. And Itamae, specializing in one of my absolute favorites, Nikkei cuisine (Peruvian-Japanese), in the heart of the Design District is also incredible.

Go to Wynwood

Wynwood is the antithesis of South Beach and another fun part of Miami.

Known as Miami’s arts district, Wynwood is scrappy and soulful and FILLED with street art. Shops here are “hipster” mom and pop boutiques selling skate wear and downtown looks.

The most famous of Wynwood’s attractions are the Wynwood Walls, a public space where street artists from around the world come to do their thing. The Walls are beautiful and can be seen through a walking tour or by just walking through on your own (currently there is a small fee, likely in effort to minimize crowds). The art on the Walls does change, so do be sure to visit again if you haven’t been in a few years.

In Wynwood, just walking the streets is really a feast for your eyes, as most every nook and cranny of building space is an art canvas. Walk around as much as you can enjoying the art, and when the kids need bribing, read the last paragraph of this section.

While in Wynwood, hit Zak the Baker, an outstanding kosher bakery and and café located in a building that is just as beautiful as the food inside. 

In the evenings, Wynwood’s bar scene really gets going (like all things hip, Wynwood does skew younger) and there aren’t many kids around. The Asian themed Wynwood food hall, 1-800-Lucky, is still clubby but a doable Wynwood dining option with kids at night.


Given how Wynwood becomes one big bar scene at night, I’d suggest coming here with kids during daylight hours. That said, Fun Dimension is an indoor arcade and play space that offers spinning bumper cars, laser tag and an outdoor bungee jump contraption right in Wynwood. Our girls love it.

A Few More Miami Activities 

In Downtown Miami, consider a trip to the Perez Art Museum of Miami, a gorgeous modern and contemporary art museum situated on the waterfront. Right next door is the very kid friendly and interactive Frost Science Museum.

I also recommend a visit to Calle Ocho, the Cuban hub of Miami, as it’s a lot of fun to explore and eat your way through. If you like fried fish, add La Camaronera to your list. This casual Cuban seafood joint is super tasty, friendly and affordable. Sanguich de Miami is a super popular counter service spot for Cuban sandwiches (expect a wait). Versailles is probably the most well known Cuban restaurant in America. And Azucar Ice Cream is also great over here.

Lately it seems like Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, two upscale and more residential areas in southwest Miami, are where a lot of the newest spots are opening for food. We’ve hit Zitz Sum in Coral Gables and Ariete in Coconut Grove so far, both of which are dinner spots that are a tad more on the “adult dining” side. Boia De in Little Haiti is also “adultish” and fabulous.

Moving to the Upper East Side, El Bagel in MiMo, on the other hand, is perfect breakfast visit with kids.

Where to Stay

As mentioned, I prefer staying in the city as the hotels tend to be more mature and luxurious there. We usually aim to stay in Brickell and from there, it’s just a 20 minute ride to Miami Beach and even less to Wynwood and the Design District.

If you do choose to stay in Miami Beach, consider staying at the Loews or Ritz Carlton on Collins Avenue in South Beach for prime access to the excitement of South Beach, including all the restaurants, shops and other hotels on Collins. Both hotels are family friendly enough and you are mere minutes from Lincoln Road over here (but do expect some of the SoBe cheese in these parts). This last trip we visited friends staying at the Palms Hotel and Spa a bit further up on Collins and quite liked it.

If you are staying in Downtown Miami or the Brickell area, expect it to feel more like a true (albeit very tropical) city with commuting workers and skyscraper office buildings. We have enjoyed staying at the Kimpton Epic and the Four Seasons in this area.

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There is so much to do in Miami. This just scratches the surface and focuses on my personal favorite highlights.  It’s such a special city to my family. My hubs lived in Miami for about 5 years before we met and we love going back together with our kids. We dream of a small apartment on Brickell Key one day. Thanks, Miami, for being so great!

**Note this post updates a previous post from April 26, 2021.