4 days in miami that have nothing to do with south beach
2012…that’s the one and only time I’ve went to Miami and let me tell you, it was NOT fun - especially considering I was BROKE BROKE at the time. My sister was graduating and her graduation was set in Miami. Being the best sister I am, I told her I would go with here. Context: I had graduated August 2010, got my first job that September, and was working part time at a retail store to pay off the massive credit card debts I had gotten myself into while in college. It had taken a while but I was starting to see that light at the end of the tunnel, so why I would choose to incure more debt on a weekend in Miami, only God knows. We went and in a nut shell (pre my socal media days and THANK GOD for that) I never wanted to go back!
Everything in Miami was so expensive- the hotels, the drinks, the food, even the entry to clubs and lounges. Where was the dollar midnight sushi I had grown accustomed to while in college? 2 for $20 drinks? Free before 11pm? Words people in Miami Dade County had no idea what they meant. I decided then that Miami was one of those one and done vacations.
Fast forward 10+ years and I’m back - with my better half and a little bit more money in my bank accounts. I was determined to experience Miami away from Ocean drive and it turns out - Miami is SO MUCH more than just 1 street. Here’s how our trip went.
Hotel: The Gates Hotel - Collins Ave
We got quite a few recommendations from friends and family and most of them were ‘don’t say in South Beach, try to stay on Collins Ave’. Collins Ave is the street directly behind Ocean Drive and runs the length of the beach. We went with The Gates simply based off our Hilton points. The hotel wasn’t quite central to the other neighborhoods that we wanted to visit but I had a TON of Uber codes so I didn’t mind the extra trek.
Day 1
Check in
Lunch: Ceviches by Divino - Collins Avenue
What I ordered:
Ceviche de Salmon en Canasta de Toston - 4/10 (something about the sauce I didn’t like)
Arroz con Mariscos - 8/10 (so much flavor)
Lomo Saltado - 8.5/10
Dinner: Papi Steak
this was such a great date night spot. the tables were EXTREMELY close together (William made friends with the lady sitting next to him) but the service was attentive, drinks made to perfection, and the food was 10/10
DAY 2
lunch at Oh Mexico (fyi: Were new parents that wake up at 6-6:30 every single day so getting up early on vacation for breakfast, yeah, that wasn’t happening)
Walk along Ocean Drive & Collins Ave
Quick Dessert at Kith Treats
Dinner at Sofia Restaurant
the vibes were 100% better than the food. My fish was dry (the best thing were the capers) and the Bolognese looked and tasked more like vodka sauce. However, the drinks were Stellar!
After dinner drinks at Swizzle Rum Bar and Distillery (this was the CUTEST speakeasy)
dAY 3
lunch at Smith & Wollensky
exploring Brickell City Center
Cigar Stop at Empire Social Lounge
Dinner at Deloris but you can call me Lolita
This trip was a true 180 degree difference from the one I took back in 2012. I don’t know if it was the fact that I got older so the clubs and nightlife don’t appeal to me anymore. It could also be that with the extra coins in my pocket, I okay spending $24 for a single glass of Cava. I’m going to assume it’s a combination of the two.
