Miami Solo Travel Guide
Miami is an energetic city filled with warm weather, cool neighborhoods, and thriving nightlife. Along with the connecting island city of Miami Beach, you’ll also find spectacular beaches, entertainment, and eateries.
There’s plenty of excitement and attractions for solo travelers to explore. Whether you’re looking to soak in the sun, hit the bars, or see the sights, Miami offers a bit of it all!
If you’re planning your next vacation to this vibrant city, keep reading below for our guide to solo travel in Miami.
Things to Do on a Solo Trip to Miami
While a retreat to Miami will often involve spending time on the beach, or relaxing with an ice cold beverage, there are a variety of other interesting attractions to enjoy on a solo getaway.
South Beach
This bustling neighborhood in Southern Miami Beach is home to all the action. The long stretch of pristine sand and clear waters is a fantastic spot for taking a dip and soaking in the sun. Take a walk along the scenic boardwalk and admire the various creatively-decorated lifeguard towers placed along the beach.
Ocean Drive
This popular street is home to Miami’s vibrant nightlife and restaurants, and is also located in South Beach. During the day, a stroll along the sidewalk reveals spectacular beach views and impressive Art-Deco architecture. In the evening, the nightlife scene comes alive with dance clubs, live music, and open-air bars.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
This historic waterfront landmark is an extravagant villa constructed in 1916 with an emphasis on European design. The magnificent grounds are a wonderful spot to explore, showcasing the elegant furnishings and lush gardens.
Wynwood Walls
Situated outdoors, this bright and creative museum showcases colorful street murals from artists around the world. Throughout the distinct streets, there are countless walls with expressive canvases and vivid art pieces to uncover.
Bayside Marketplace
Situated on the waterfront in downtown Miami is the Bayside Marketplace, an open-air shopping center where you’ll discover plenty of boutiques and eateries. Go shopping, grab lunch at one of the many restaurants, or enjoy scenic views of the marina and city skyline.
Little Havana
This district is bursting with cultural flare and Latin-American influences. Stroll through Calle Ocho, a lively thoroughfare situated on SW 8th Street, lined with restaurants, cafes, and shops. As you wander through the neighborhood, admire the colorful murals or pop into a cafe for Cuban coffee. Join a food tour for a guided stroll featuring the local flavors of this historic district.
Where to Stay in Miami
Depending on your interests and plans while visiting the city, Miami has many great neighborhoods for solo travelers to base their stay out of.
Downtown Miami offers an urban atmosphere with exciting entertainment and shops, whereas the district of Miami Beach offers more of your typical beach scene. From mainland Miami, you can reach Miami Beach by traveling across the connecting bridge.
South Beach (Miami Beach)
This lively neighborhood is packed with restaurants and nightlife. You’ll find a wide selection of ocean-front hotels lined along the beach strip. Quite a few hostels are available as well, for single travelers looking for a social environment combined with a budget-friendly accommodation. Solo female travelers looking to get easy access to the beach and soak in the sun will enjoy being close to the action.
Downtown Miami
This commercial district is filled with shops and entertainment. Here, you’ll find high-rise skyscrapers, museums, and eateries. Solo travelers that are interested in sightseeing, culture, and museums might prefer to stay downtown.
Brickell
Situated next to downtown Miami, this financial district is jam-packed with restaurants, cafes, and bars. Women traveling alone will find plenty of elegant shops and eateries at the Mary Brickell Village, and a lovely waterfront views at the Brickell Key Park. Brickell is a great option for solo women looking for a walkable neighborhood in the city center, all while being surrounded by spectacular views and shops.
Wynwood
This hip neighborhood offers a trendy and artsy flare, and is popular amongst young adults. Solo travelers staying in this area will be close to the magnificent murals at Wynwood Walls, and enjoy their share of craft breweries and restaurants to choose from.
Solo Dining in Miami
Miami offers an abundance of late-night eateries, upscale restaurants, and chic cafes. You’ll find various types of cuisines to choose from, as well as an abundance of outdoor patios so you can catch the breeze as you dine.
Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop
A visit to Miami should include a taste of the Cubano, otherwise known as the Cuban sandwich. Stop by Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop, a laid-back eatery serving Cuban fare, and also a top spot to grab a hearty Cuban sandwich.
Coyo Taco
This trendy casual eatery is a great spot for those traveling alone to grab a quick serving of tacos! Taste fresh flavors and well-crafted creations through tacos, tortas, burrito bowls, and quesadillas. This energetic chain features two locations in Miami, and is open late until 3am.
El Rey De Las Fritas
Another top spot for Cuban fare is El Rey De Las Fritas. This popular casual counter-serve joint is recognized for their Cuban hamburgers topped with shoestring potatoes (known as frites).
Casa Tua Cucina
This bright food hall showcases Italian cuisine through various dishes, including pasta, pizza, salad, and desserts. It’s an excellent option for solo travelers looking to taste a wide variety of items. Sample items such as handcrafted Margherita pizza, creamy truffle pasta and chocolate mousse.
Mandolin Aegean Bistro
Situated in the Design District, this eclectic restaurant offers a mix of Greek and Turkish cuisine. With a casual patio, single travelers can sit back and taste the flavors of the Mediterranean through dishes such as chicken kebab, grilled sea bass, and fried calamari.
How to Get Around Miami as a Solo Traveler
If you’re traveling by yourself within the downtown area, the Metromover transit system is an excellent option for navigating around the city center.
Throughout Miami, solo travelers can hop on the free Miami trolley, which conveniently provides various routes through areas such as Little Havana, Wynwood, Biscayne, and Brickell.
On the island of Miami Beach, the South Beach Trolley offers two routes by South Beach, offering convenient stops at key locations along the way.
Another fantastic way to explore Miami on a solo trip is to get around by foot. A leisurely walk along the beach reveals the wonderful scenery and vibrant atmosphere. Miami Beach is relatively pedestrian-friendly, as well as the downtown core of Miami.
. . . . .
Miami is a high-energy and lively destination that combines beaches with nightlife + entertainment. If you prefer a quieter solo vacation by the beach, there are other destinations in South Florida to consider. Try Fort Lauderdale, a more laid-back spot which is about a 40-minute drive north of Miami. For a fun road trip, rent a car and drive down to Florida’s southernmost point in the city of Key West.
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