Why do you need a guide to Miami neighborhoods? From dive bars to absolute opulence, the neighborhoods of Miami, Florida are a multifaceted jewel, with something for everyone.
That is to say, every single neighborhood in Miami is unique, and a guide is necessary to experience the best of each ‘hood.
This city has shopping districts with handbags listed at the same prices as a moderate house; shaved ice stands by the beach, manned by the same family for generations, and blocks you wouldn’t walk alone.
Miami has a place for you, whether you’re having a family vacation, girls’ getaway, solo exploring, or just using it as a day trip base.
This is your guide to Miami neighborhoods-
South Beach
No neighborhood guide for Miami would be complete without THE hot spot for wealth and affluence.
South Beach is the southern tip of Miami Beach, extending from South Pointe Park to Dade Boulevard. This area is synonymous with opulence, vibrant nightlife, and, of course, Miami Vice.
Defined by its pastel-colored Art Deco buildings and luxury lifestyle on Ocean Drive, South Beach is the place to see and be seen. You don’t have to worry about running into swamps full of alligators in South Beach!
What to do in South Beach
- Ocean Drive gives you iconic Miami- bronzed bodies flexing along the oceanfront, white sand beaches, colorful cocktails, Latin music, and art deco buildings.
- To get the best experience on Ocean Drive, take the official walking tour hosted by the Miami Design Preservation League.
- World Erotic Art Museum in one of the wealthiest Miami neighborhoods, you can explore thousands of years of sex through art, artifacts, and an impressive collection of sex toys.
Where to Stay in South Beach
Luxury: The Betsy has beach access, a courtyard, a rooftop pool, and beautiful Art Deco furniture.
Budget: Consider Posh South Beach Hostel, a super cute and clean hostel in the heart of everything.
Coral Gables
Coral Gables is known for its lush greenery, tropical plants, and general Whimsical Garden X Millionaire Mansion aesthetic.
Here, old Spanish architecture mixes with modern luxury, reflected in the parks, plazas, fountains, and mansions.
What to do in Coral Gables
- The famously elegant Biltmore Hotel and its sprawling gardens will inspire any creative.
- The Venetian Pool is a lagoon carved out of coral rock, with caves, stone bridges, and waterfalls.
Where to Stay in Coral Gables
Budget: Aloft Coral Gables
Downtown Miami
Glistening skyscrapers and streets full of busy people may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear ‘Miami.’ Usually, the white sand beaches and palm-tree-lined streets are the city’s claim to fame, but downtown is just as juicy.
What to do in Downtown Miami
- Bayside Marketplace is a beautiful open-air mall with an observation wheel, Sky Views.
- The Historic Virginia Key Beach is a turning point for racial equality in Miami and is well worth a visit.
Where to Stay in Downtown Miami
Luxury: Hyatt Regency Miami
Budget: Miami Sun Hotel
Miami’s Upper Eastside
Also known as the MiMo District, this place is photo heaven: Brightly colored buildings, restored hotels, and condos with playful, extravagant designs.
The shops, galleries, and showrooms that make up the Upper Eastside are a break from the Spanish and Mediterranean architecture and give an authentic look into Miami’s Art Deco past from the 1920s.
What to do in The Upper Eastside
- Jimmy’s Eastside Diner was one of the filming locations of the movie Moonlight and also makes excellent hash browns!
- The restored Vagabond Motel looks like something out of a 70s movie.
Where to Stay in The Upper Eastside
The Vagabond Motel or one of the many hotels near Brickell.
Coconut Grove
Did you know you can catch a (tropical!) small-town vibe just minutes from Downtown Miami? Basically, when you’re ready for a break from the madness of Miami, this is where you go.
Miami’s oldest neighborhood is known as “The Grove,” you’ll find a laid-back, welcoming vibe here, with a Bohemian flair from the city’s past as a hippie commune in the 60s.
Coconut Grove is famous for its quaint, walkable downtown area with views of beautiful Biscayne Bay. The colorful streets are lined with locally owned boutiques, sidewalk coffee bars, and postcard-worthy views.
What to do in Coconut Grove
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is 34 rooms of opulence + 10 acres of formal gardens not to be missed.
- Cocowalk is a breezy outdoor mall with ocean views.
- Peacock Park is incredible! Surround yourself with warm sands, water, palm trees, and beautiful Indian Peacocks.
Where to stay in Coconut Grove
Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton or Mr. C Miami
Budget: Hotel Arya BW Premier
Little Havana
This is the center of Cuban culture in Miami.
In the 1960s, Cuban citizens fled Castro’s regime and landed in different Miami neighborhoods. By 1970, one specific area was demographically over 85% Cuban, and Little Havana was born.
Today, the residents, business owners, and artists of Little Havana are still predominantly Cuban, making Little Havana one of the largest pockets of Cuban culture in the US.
The center of Little Havana is Calle Ocho (8th Street), a vibrant area lined with Latin restaurants, fruit stands, cigar shops, and art galleries.
What to do in Little Havana
- Máximo Gómez Park (known as Domino Park) is the famous beachfront park where locals gather over heated games of dominoes.
- The Walk of Fame is stylized the same as Hollywood’s but dedicated to Latin artists. This is also an excellent area for photos!
- Take a Cuban Food Tour of Little Havana.
- Try a cafe con leche at Versailles, one of the area’s top Cuban restaurants.
- If you’re really interested in Cuban culture and local secrets, consider the best-rated guided tour of Little Havana.
Where to stay in Little Havana
Budget: Selina Miami River
Wynwood
This is the hip, trendy, and artistic area of Miami. The cool kid of Miami neighborhoods.
You’ll find eclectic galleries, street art, murals, graffiti love notes on the sidewalks, and people from every walk of life. This is an excellent place for photos, authentic local food, and Wynwood’s most unique gift shop, Frangipani.
What to do in Wynwood
- The Wynwood Walls is a massive complex of indoor and outdoor galleries not to be missed.
- Museum of Graffiti is a celebration of graffiti in its grungey goodness.
- Margulies Collection at the Warehouse is a visually stunning warehouse turned art gallery featuring seasonal work from local artists.
- On the second Saturday of every month, the Wynwood Arts District transforms into a street party/arts festival, complete with pop-up art galleries, food trucks, and live music.
Where to stay in Wynwood
Luxury: Sentral Wynwood
Budget: Art Hostel Wynwood
Miami’s Design District
The Design District is 18 blocks of sleek, modern architecture, high-end interior design shops, and luxury jewelry boutiques. If dropping severe cash on handbags and diamonds isn’t your thing (I feel you!), you can focus on the public art throughout the district (Fly’s Eye Dome is my favorite).
What to do in Miami’s Design District
- The Haitian Heritage Museum is great for learning about Haitian arts, culture, and history.
Where to stay in Miami’s Design District
Budget: Hyde Suites Midtown Miami
Luxury: Loews Miami Beach Hotel
Little Haiti
Little Haiti is the soul of Miami’s Haitian community. Colorful Creole architecture houses local Haitian-owned restaurants, bars, and businesses, and the spirit of the Caribbean is alive and well.
What to do in Little Haiti
- The Caribbean Marketplace was designed to replicate Port Au Prince’s Iron Market. On Saturdays, the famous Caribbean Market Day gives you the chance to purchase authentic Haitian art and experience the culture via food and music.
- Libreri Mapou is a bookstore devoted to Haitian literature.
- Sweat Records boasts Miami’s widest selection of new and old vinyls, LPs, turntables, accessories, and local merch.
Where to stay in Little Haiti
See recommendations for Wynwood!
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Miami neighborhoods list?
I love lists, too. Here is a list of the most relevant Miami neighborhoods:
- South Beach
- Coral Gables
- Downtown Miami
- Miami’s Upper Eastside
- Coconut Grove
- Little Havana
- Wynwood
- Miami’s Design District
- Little Haiti
What part of Miami is the most popular?
South Beach is the most popular part of Miami for tourists and first-timers, especially the Ocean Drive area. Other popular parts of Miami are Little Havana, The Design District, Wynwood, and Downtown.
What part of Miami has the best nightlife?
Honestly, there is so much to do in Miami at night, you really can’t be bored in any neighborhood. Generally, the parts of Miami with the best nightlife are South Beach, Downtown, and Coconut Grove.
South Beach usually has Miami’s most trendy clubs. These are South Beaches’s primary party streets:
- Ocean Drive.
- Lincoln Road.
- Washington Avenue.
Tip: Coconut Grove has a younger, less flashy vibe than Ocean Drive.
What are the Miami Neighborhoods with murals?
The most famous mural-heavy neighborhood in Miami is Wynwood. If someone says they want ‘that mural place in Miami,’ they most likely mean Wynwood. However, many neighborhoods, like the Design District, Little Havana, and Little Haiti, also have tons of cool street art.
Moving to Miami? Read This
Ok, we’ve all thought about running away to paradise at one time or another.
But if you’re serious about moving to Miami, this guide will arm you with everything you need to know before relocating. Learn about Miami’s schools, cost of living, crime rates, and home prices before you move.
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