Miami Awaits: Discover the City That Never Sleeps

From the vibrant beaches to street food and exciting shopping, and even must-visit museums. If you're arriving in Miami and have some time before or after your cruise, here are 6 top recommendations for the city that truly never sleeps:

Miami. Photo: 123rf

1. Free Ride

One of the most interesting and entertaining ways to explore the big cities across the U.S. is using a less common mode of transport - the monorail. These are often short, driverless train routes high above city streets. We've seen them above the streets of Seattle, between the large hotels in Las Vegas, and now in downtown Miami. This system is called "MIAMI MOVER," and it's completely free. You can see various parts of Miami's bustling downtown for free, hop on and off as you wish, and explore the attractions where the monorail stops. Unlike tourists, locals don't consider it a transportation success, and it's likely you won't encounter many passengers, making your ride quite spacious.

2. Street Food

One of the most popular areas in downtown Miami is BAYSIDE, a complex of restaurants and bars where you can watch the port and massive cruise ships in Miami's port, and even ride the Ferris wheel for a delightful 15-minute aerial view of the city and its towers. BAYSIDE was originally intended to bring global flavors to an open-air food market, similar to the world markets or a smaller version of Dubai's "Global Village." However, Central American flavors (gratefully) dominate with all kinds of empanadas, tacos, burritos, and Cuban-Mexican cocktails (although they are not cheap at all). You can easily reach BAYSIDE from anywhere using the free monorail (MIAMI MOVER). It's worth mentioning that downtown Miami is full of restaurants of different prices and levels, from fast food to Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen and many Michelin restaurants. However, the "food market" experience at BAYSIDE, also featuring enjoyable Central American music in the background, offers a recommended local experience.

3. Morning Jog

If you're an early riser, one of the most spectacular sunrises you can witness is at Miami Beach. Walking or jogging along the palm boardwalk between Ocean Drive and the beach provides a stunning experience during sunrise (which varies) throughout the year. Despite Miami's intense heat and unbearable humidity, from six to seven in the morning, you can enjoy reasonable weather and optimal running conditions all year round. Note that this is roughly the only hour that offers this, bringing hordes of runners to the boardwalk. Expect long human traffic jams. Be patient.

Sunny Beach Miami. Photo: Shutterstock

4. Shopping

The case before you is based on a true story. I ended my Miami experiences (mostly a cruise) on the day of my flight, at eight in the morning. But my flight was, alas, at eight in the evening. At a loss for activity and with some spontaneity, I decided to check my giant suitcase into the airport luggage storage and began searching for a nearby shopping center. About 15 km away is Dolphin Mall, one of the biggest in the city. While it's not an official outlet like others in the area, it is definitely one of the largest, offering hours of shopping (and walking) and countless sales. The mall features discounted stores like Ross, Burlington, Five Below, as well as outlet stores for major chains, manufacturer shops of footwear brands like Aldo, massive food courts, and a total of 240 different businesses operating in the vast complex. Don't miss the Latin bars and Central American restaurants outside the main entrance. Plan at least 3 hours before returning to the airport and an additional hour (with a safety margin) for the return trip, in case of traffic jams between the mall and Miami International Airport.

5. Art

It might be a bit hidden from view, overshadowed by attractions and shopping, but art is alive and kicking in the streets and museums of Miami. There are several recommended museums in Miami. The most notable is the Perez Art Museum Miami, featuring stunning rotating exhibits. Miami offers a plethora of museums for all ages: from the Museum of Illusions to the Museum of Sex, the younger sibling to the well-known one in New York, succeeding there for about 20 years.

6. Proud to Celebrate

South Beach is one of the world pride capitals. Alongside the colorful pride parade held in April and the party festival in November, clubs and bars are bustling with colorful pride celebrations all year round. Recommended spots include the legendary "Twist" bar, which raised generations of the gay community, alongside "Nathan's" and the clubs scattered across the island city.

For more cruise destination recommendations around the world, visit PassportCruise