Planning A Trip To South Beach | The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

Planning Your Trip

Miami has beautiful weather year-round, which means you’ll spend a lot of time outdoors. Prepare for days in the sun and on your feet as well as evenings out at restaurants and clubs.

The Ritz-Carlton South Beach

What to Pack

Miami is a photogenic city, from the serene ocean and colorful street art to Art Deco buildings and Little Havana. Bring along your camera, or phone, to make sure you capture every moment.

Exploring the City

From Little Havana and Wynwood to the Art Deco and Design Districts, Miami is filled with restaurants, shops, historical attractions, museums and sights.
A sturdy pair of sandals can offer ventilation on hot and humid days.
Although it’s almost always warm outside, air-conditioning cools things off significantly so bring a shawl or light jacket to wear indoors.
A tote bag is ideal for carrying water along with the day’s purchases.

Beach Vacation

A relaxing day on the shores of South Beach is the perfect way to recover after a day of sightseeing.
Bathing suit
Hat and sunglasses
Good walking sandals that can also be worn to a nice dinner

Day Trips

South Beach offers more than enough to keep any curious traveler busy, but try venturing farther afield to discover another side of South Florida.
Take a boat to discover beautiful secluded islands around Biscayne Bay. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a guidebook that explains the history of each place.
The historic mansion of Vizcaya features incredible gardens that require comfortable shoes to explore.
A boat trip in the Everglades is a quintessential excursion and especially thrilling for kids. Don’t forget hats and sunscreen.

The Ritz-Carlton South Beach

What to Reserve

Miami’s distinct, walkable neighborhoods guarantee discoveries along the way, but there are some experiences worth reserving.

Curated In-Room Amenities

For those celebrating special milestones or simply looking to elevate their welcome even further, our Food and Beverage team is delighted to assist in planning special in-room amenities throughout your stay. Explore our offerings or connect with our Ladies and Gentlemen directly.

Dining Reservations

Miami’s diversity lends itself to an incredible culinary scene with some of the world’s best restaurants. The cozy Stubborn Seed in the high-end South of Fifth neighborhood is the debut of “Top Chef” winner Jeremy Ford. And at the riverfront Seaspice, brasserie-style cuisine is paired with a beautiful view.

Children’s Activities

Miami is filled with kid-friendly offerings. Zoo Miami is the largest tropical zoo in the continental United States with 2,000 animals, camel rides and a giraffe-feeding station. Admission to Sawgrass Recreation Park includes a 30-minute airboat tour through the Everglades as well as access to exhibits with turtles, iguanas and alligators.

Outdoor Excursions

Reserve a day out on the water for deep-sea fishing, jet skiing or a private boat ride around the small islands of Biscayne Bay. On land, borrow a beach cruiser from the hotel and explore south along the coast to South Pointe Park or north along Miami Beach all the way to Bal Harbour.

The Ritz-Carlton South Beach

Itineraries

Miami has a lot to offer visitors, which makes it difficult to decide what to do. These curated itineraries, designed by the hotel’s experts, offer guidance for making the most of your stay.

Itinerary

South Beach Experience

Multifaceted and multicultural, Miami requires a few days to truly explore. Four days provides an opportunity for more than beach time and poolside cocktails (though there is time for that, too). Explore the city’s historic and up-and-coming neighborhoods, see art in museums and on the street and sample the work of some of the country’s best chefs.

Day 1

Morning

Take a Stroll. Set out with coffee in hand and head to the Miami Art Deco District to explore more than 900 preserved buildings.

Join a Tour. Get your bearings with a stop at the Art Deco Welcome Center, which offers walking tours focused on Miami history and architecture. Be sure to get a photo of Casa Casuarina, the former home of fashion designer Gianni Versace.

Afternoon

Grab a Bite. Stop for lunch and people-watching on Lincoln Road, one of the country’s first pedestrian malls. It was designed by Morris Lapidus, the architect responsible for the DiLido Hotel, which is now The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach.

Pick Up a Gift. Lincoln Road’s Books & Books is the city’s favorite independent bookstore and is just a few blocks from the palm tree-lined Española Way, a one-time artists’ colony that’s now home to galleries, bars and restaurants.

Evening

Travel Back in Time. Continue along Collins Avenue, where you’ll pass historic hotels including Eden Roc and Fontainbleu, both designed by Lapidus. Return to the hotel for a pre-dinner drink at the Prohibition era-inspired Lobby Bar.

Excite Your Palate: Zaytinya, our all-day, mezze-style restaurant, features an innovative menu inspired by Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisines. Enjoy indoor & outdoor dining under the direction of Michelin-starred chef José Andrés.

Day 2

Morning

Photo Op. After breakfast, head to Wynwood, home to an impressive, ever-changing collection of Instagram-worthy street art.

Afternoon

The High Life. Down the road, the Design District offers high-end shopping from the likes of Hermès and Prada. The neighborhood, once a pineapple farm, is now home to museums, galleries and renowned restaurants.

No Passport Needed. Cuban culture is an integral part of Miami, and one can transport to Havana on Calle Ocho. Grab something sweet from Azucar Ice Cream Company before heading to Maximo Gomez Park to watch locals play dominoes.

Evening

Miami Vices. Before leaving Calle Ocho, stop into Little Havana Cigar Factory to see artisans at work and pick up a gift for yourself. Then, enjoy live music and a classic mojito at the Ball & Chain, open since 1935.

Street Fare. Head to Coyo Taco for dinner. Don’t miss the hidden bar in the back.

Day 3

Morning

Unplug & Indulge. Wake up with a relaxing facial or massage at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, South Beach followed by pool time with a private cabana.

Afternoon

Sea To See. For lunch, stop into the hotel’s DiLido Beach Club for fresh seafood and a refreshing cocktail. Then, walk along South Beach where colorful lifeguard stands offer the perfect photo opp.

Evening

Travel With Taste. Head to Lincoln Road for dinner at Juvia, a rooftop restaurant known for its eclectic mix of Peruvian-, Japanese- and French-inspired dishes. The space is modern yet relaxed.

Day 4

Morning

Above Water. Head out via boat to Stiltsville, in the middle of Key Biscayne National Park, where stilted homes hold stories of old Miami. Take the narrated tour of Island Queen for interesting stories about the area’s history.

Afternoon

Culture Vulture. The building and view are as fascinating as the works inside the Perez Art Museum Miami. Next door, the Philip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science houses a 16 million-color planetarium.

Build Up an Appetite. The museums are set within the 30-acre Museum Park, which makes for a great stroll before lunch with a bay view at Verde restaurant.

Evening

End on a High Note. Mark the end of your visit with dinner at one of Miami’s renowned restaurants: Seaspice along the Miami River or Vista Restaurant in Upper Buena Vista, a new area with boutiques and an 80-year-old sprawling oak tree.

Itinerary

Family Vacation

Miami is more than glitz and glamour; the waterfront city is an appealing destination for families, too. With four days, families can enjoy outdoor adventure, interactive museums, sweet treats, pool time and more.

Day 1

Morning

Nature Calls. Start the day on a high note with an airboat ride at Everglades National Park where you’ll have an opportunity to get up close and personal with alligators, the “kings” of the Everglades.

Afternoon

Rest & Relaxation. Head back to the hotel for some pool or beach time. Be sure to check out the colorful lifeguard stands that stretch along South Beach.

Evening

Family Meal. Head to the picturesque Upper Buena Vista neighborhood for dinner at Mandolin, where Mediterranean fare is served in a vintage cottage.

Day 2

Morning

Easy Does It. Begin the day with breakfast on the ocean-view terrace of Fuego y Mar and a little time at the pool.

Afternoon

Get Out & Play. Surrounded by water on three sides, South Pointe Park offers vast lawns ideal for games, a playground, mini waterpark and observation deck.

Take the Scenic Route. Head back to the hotel via Ocean Drive, Miami’s most famous street, to take in the colorful buildings of the Art Deco Historic District.

Evening

Take the Scenic Route. Joe’s Stone Crab has been serving fresh crab to the famous, including Amelia Earhart, since it opened in 1913. If you’re visiting between October and May, head here for an early dinner. Off season, you can pick something up to go from Joe’s Takeaway.

Day 3

Morning

Learning Is Fun. Kids love the Patricia and Philip Frost Museum of Science, home to a three-level aquarium and one of the country’s best planetariums. Don’t miss the laser light show on Fridays.

Afternoon

Fuel for the Road. Head to Brickell, one of the city’s newer neighborhoods, for lunch and a little window shopping. Families love Tacology, a vibrant, Mexican-style market, and American Harvest serving healthy and vegetarian meals.

Evening

Playing House. Take a short drive to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, a waterfront, Renaissance-style villa from the early 1900s. The garden’s labyrinth is a great place for kids to burn off some energy, and the limestone breakwater is perfect for a family photo.

Day 4

Morning

A Little Me Time. Treat yourself to a luxurious massage at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, South Beach.

Afternoon

Spark Their Creativity. Wynwood Walls, a large-scale, open-air street art museum, captivates visitors of all ages with its larger-than-life pieces.

Sweet Treat. Stop at the Salty Donut for an afternoon pick-me-up where flavors include maple and bacon and white chocolate tres leches.

Call of the Wild. If the kids have energy to burn, head to Miami’s Jungle Island, an eco-adventure park with animal shows, ziplining and more.

Evening

Cultural Immersion. Cuban culture is an integral part of the Miami experience, and the city’s Little Havana is an opportunity to introduce kids to Cuba’s charms. Head to Calle Ocho for something sweet at Azucar Ice Cream Company and live music at Ball & Chain.

Itinerary

A Weekend in Miami

A long weekend offers plenty of time to experience the best of Miami including contemporary and street art, beaches, luxury shopping and meals that make the city a culinary destination.

Day 1

Morning

Loosen Up. Start the day with a massage at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, South Beach. Then, head to South Pointe Park with its jogging path, kid’s playground, fishing pier and amazing view of the ocean, Fisher Island and Miami skyline.
Bright & Early. Stick around at the beach to feel the sand between your toes and get a few photos of the colorful lifeguard stands, which were designed by architect William Lane after many were destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

Afternoon

Luxury Living. Stroll over to South of Fifth, a high-end neighborhood with water on three sides, shopping and dining worthy of any gourmand’s praise.
Shopper’s Paradise. The city’s newest shopping destination, Upper Buena Vista is filled with massive trees, boutiques and globally inspired lounges borrowing from Colombia, Turkey, Zanzibar, Italy and other destinations.

Evening

Leisurely Meal. Cap the day with dinner at Vista restaurant. Standouts from the all-day menu include calamari fritti with sesame salt, pickles and yuzu sabayon; maltagliati brisket and poblano pesto gnocchi with poblano peppers.

Day 2

Morning

Morning Jolt. Head to Wynwood for a traditional Cuban cafecito at Miam Café, The Salty Donut or Suite Havana Café.
Art Al Fresco. Since 2009, Wynwood Walls has been an homage to street art showcasing some of the world’s best graffiti artists. While you can stroll around on your own, a guided tour offers an inside perspective.

Afternoon

Built by Design. Find luxury shopping, modern architecture and imaginative interiors stores in Miami’s Design District. Near Wynwood, the former pineapple farm is now the city’s go-to shopping destination and home to several museums and celebrity chef restaurants.

Evening

Night for Nostalgia. Little Havana’s Ball & Chain has been showcasing the likes of Billie Holiday, Count Basie and Chet Baker since it opened in 1935. Today, they continue to showcase great live music and make some of Miami’s best mojitos.
Sweet Ending. Walk a few doors down to Azucar Ice Cream company where options reflect classic Cuban flavors.

Day 3

Morning

Breakfast by the Beach. Take a refreshing morning dip in the ocean followed by breakfast on the beach-view terrace at Fuego y Mar.

Afternoon

The Art of Exploration. Begin your tour of the city’s cultural venues at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). The collection of modern and contemporary art is housed in a stunning building designed by Herzog & de Meuron.

All Access. The Rubbell Family Collection (RFC) is one of the world’s largest privately owned contemporary art collections with works from well-known artists including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Cady Noland, Yayoi Kusama, Cindy Sherman and Kara Walker.

Evening

Set Sail. Wind down the day with a sunset boat ride in Biscayne Bay, whether a romantic sail with champagne in hand or an adventurous tour of the islands.

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