Travel Guide: Weekend in Miami

Since I was a child, Chicago has been my favorite city in the United States, but after visiting Miami last week, I think Miami may have taken first place for favorite cities in my heart. A few months back, we planned a Virgin Voyages cruise out of Miami and decided to come in early to stay a few days before cruising out. Best decision ever! In this post, I am sharing our favorite Miami hotel, restaurants, hang-outs and tours.

EVEN Hotel Miami Airport

EVEN Hotel Miami – Airport is a totally new concept from any other hotel I have ever stayed in. The EVEN Hotels by IHG Hotels & Resorts was designed with health and wellness in mind. Staying healthy while traveling can be a challenge, which is why EVEN Hotels make it easy to maintain your self-care routine or even start a new one.

EVEN Hotels have everything you need to unpack your best self with every stay. You will find an assortment of fruit infused water in the lobby, as well as a juicer for refreshments upon arrival. All of the spaces within this hotel have a serene color palette and lots of greenery! The gym in this hotel is the largest and most equipment diverse than in any other hotel I have ever stayed in.

I love outdoor time and EVEN Hotel Miami – Airport didn’t disappoint here either. The pool area is lush with palm trees and tropical plants, and there is an outdoor activity area where you can play a game of life-sized chess or enjoy a picnic. The hotel backs up to a waterway that is sourced by the ocean, meaning you can catch a glimpse of dolphins and other saltwater wildlife swimming through the channel from time to time!

I have raved about the hotel amenities, but what about the rooms? EVEN Hotels pull out all the stops to provide a room that also promotes health and wellness. The lighting in the rooms is designed to accommodate your mood. You can turn on certain lighting systems within your room to help perk you up, and others (like the picture below) that will help you enter a zen state of mind. I loved how the lighting made the beds look like they were floating!

Notice the colorful device sitting on the nightstand? This is not only an alarm clock, but also a noise maker for helping you to achieve a more restful sleep. Mr. Greg and I listen to thunderstorm sounds every night when going to bed, so this really made us feel like we were at home. The room also had a whiteboard for writing encouraging mantras and affirmations and in-room gym equipment. Yes, I said “in-room gym equipment!” I have never stayed at a hotel that had a mini gym in the room!

In each room, there is a mesh bag in the closet for you to put your gym clothes in. After your in-room workout, you can use the hotel’s free laundry service to wash those sweaty clothes.

As for distance from the hotel to the airport, cruise ports, and downtown Miami, we were able to get everywhere in less than 15 minutes. The location couldn’t be any more convenient! When booking, request a room at the backside of the hotel facing the pool. It is quite a beautiful view. Book your stay here!

Best Miami Restaurants | Miami Eats

River Oyster Bar | Best Oysters in Miami

You all know that I am an oyster lover and The River Oyster Bar were, hands down, the best oysters I had in Miami, not to mention, in our opinion, it was the most romantic seafood restaurant in Miami. Their oysters are flown in from all over the United States which allows them to offer a wide variety of east and west coast oysters.

The River Oyster Bar in Miami works with several purveyors, fishermen, and farmers to source the finest sustainable, local when possible, seafood available. They only purchase whole fresh fish and butcher in-house, which allows them to maintain the highest quality.

We tried one of each variety of oysters on the menu and also enjoyed their King Crab, Parmesan Brussels Sprouts and Ceviche Mixto, which included snapper, octopus, and shrimp, all uniquely full of flavor!

If you are looking for some delicious seafood, check out The River Oyster Bar!

Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina | Best Cuban Food in Little Havana

Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina is located on the famous “Calle Ocho” of Little Havana, also known as the Cuban heartbeat of Miami. From vintage decor and music, Old’s Havana strives to take you back to a pre-revolutionary era when Cuba’s spirit was lighthearted and full of passion.

Their authentic Cuban cuisine is incredible and atmosphere lively. Self-proclaimed as “La Casa del Mojito”, Old’s Havana offers a wide variety of mojito flavors. You can also catch the Cuban rhythm with live music in their indoor dining room or cozy outdoor terrace.

Miami Tours and Hangouts

El Loro Pirate Ship | Miami Celebrity Homes Tour

When planning our stay in Miami the first activity on my list was the celebrity home cruise and what better way to cruise, than on a pirate ship? And just so happens, the El Loro is the only pirate ship you can board in or around Miami! This 80 minute tour is suitable for passengers of all ages. For the first half of the cruise we got to check out all of the amazing celebrity mansions. As the sun set on our tour, the boat turned into a dance party. Needless to say, we got to dance under the stars all the way back to port. There was a bar on board which totally helped usd to get a little loose on the the dance floor!

Photo courtesy of: Project Expedition

The Taurus Comedy Club in Coconut Grove

Hugging the shoreline of Biscayne Bay, Coconut Grove is an upscale, neighborhood with relaxed cafes and local shops. The area’s several green spaces include bay-front Barnacle Historic State Park and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. I fell in love with this quaint neighborhood. Coconut Grove is also where The Taurus Comedy Club is located. If you want to try your hand at a comedy bit, you can get up on stage and spill the jokes, but if you are like me you prefer to be on the receiving end. Either way, we laughed the night away at The Taurus Comedy Club.

Miami Beach

Nestled on the east side of town, Miami Beach so a great place for relaxing and catching some rays. You can rent a lounge chair and umbrella for the day and several local bars will run drinks and food to you while you relax!

Bayside Marketplace

Bayside Marketplace is a two-story open air shopping center situated on the banks of Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami! With nearly 70 shops and 30 restaurants, there is something for everyone at Bayside Marketplace. Also, this is where the El Loro Pirate ship tour docks, as well as many other Miami boat tours.