An insider’s guide to Miami Beach
Alysia Cameron-Davies walks you through some of the area’s top attractions and dining experiences to make the most of your stay at ITIC Americas in the sunny city of Miami Beach
Explore your surroundings
ITIC Americas will be held at the Royal Palm, located in the vibrant South Beach neighbourhood. This area is famous for its lively atmosphere and iconic Ocean Drive. A stroll down this legendary street is a must, where you can soak up views of the golden coastline and the colourful Art Deco architecture that defines the area.
Within South Beach lies the famous Art Deco District, a hallmark of Miami Beach. Built between the early 1920s and 1940s, this neighbourhood is home to over 800 pastel-coloured, geometric buildings, making it one of the largest collections of Art Deco architecture in the world. For those eager to learn more, a walking tour offers insights into the district’s rich history – such as how it rebounded from the devastation of the 1926 hurricane to become a cultural symbol of Miami. Housed within one of these iconic Art Deco buildings is the popular contemporary art museum, the Bass.
Miami’s stunning beaches can be enjoyed through a leisurely walk along the Miami Beach Boardwalk. This picturesque pathway runs for seven miles – right down to South Pointe Park.
From South Pointe, you can enjoy panoramic views of downtown Miami, Port Miami, and Fisher Island. The park features lush greenery, a sandy beach, a pier that serves as a scenic viewpoint, and a variety of amenities, including restaurants and cafés. Other green spaces worth a visit include Lummus Park, Pride Park and Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Next to Pride Park and the Botanical Garden is the poignant Holocaust memorial statue.
To experience a quick getaway to the Mediterranean without leaving Miami Beach, head to Española Way. This lively street is brimming with restaurants, bars and European vibes.
Culinary highlights
Miami Beach offers a wide variety of dining options. Joe’s Stone Crab, one of the area’s oldest and most iconic restaurants, is famous for its stone crab claws, a seasonal delicacy sourced from the waters off Florida. Alongside this signature dish and other seafood options, the menu features a variety of non-seafood favourites like fried chicken and steak.
For a taste of Spain, Españolita is a great choice, offering delicious tapas, paella, seafood and sangria. Another popular spot for Spanish cuisine is Tropezón, which serves Andalusian-inspired tapas accompanied by an extensive drinks menu including speciality gin, sherry, and wine.
Joe’s Stone Crab, one of the area’s oldest and most iconic restaurants, is famous for its stone crab claws, a seasonal delicacy sourced from the waters off Florida
Meanwhile, Macchialina, which features in the Michelin Guide, is one of the top spots for Italian dining in the area. Casa Isola Osteria, located in Miami Beach’s Sunset Harbour, is another standout, with a cosy ambience and dishes created by award-nominated Chef José Mendín. Another fantastic option for Italian food is Pane e Vino.
If you’re in the mood for Mexican, try Taquiza Tacos, a street food-style taco joint serving tasty margaritas to accompany the rich flavours. Byblos specialises in Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, while Watr at the 1 Rooftop offers both Japanese-inspired dishes and panoramic ocean views.
Highbar rooftop and Monty’s Sunset on the beachfront are two of the best places to enjoy cocktails with a view.
Top attractions across the bay
The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is located just across Biscayne Bay on the mainland of Miami and is a short drive from Miami Beach. Situated on the waterfront, the museum offers spectacular views of Biscayne Bay and is a favourite among contemporary art enthusiasts. It showcases modern and global works with a special focus on the Americas.
Next to the PAMM is the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, which offers an immersive experience through its impressive planetarium, aquarium, and interactive exhibitions.
March in Miami typically brings stable, dry weather with temperatures ranging from the low to mid-20s Celsius
In the nearby Wynwood neighbourhood, you’ll find the Wynwood Walls – an iconic outdoor museum featuring vibrant, large-scale murals created by renowned street artists from around the world.
Finally, to delve deeper into the history and culture of Miami, both the HistoryMiami Museum and the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens are well worth a visit.
Weather and getting around
March in Miami typically brings stable, dry weather with temperatures ranging from the low to mid-20s Celsius (70s Fahrenheit). At night the temperatures usually drop to the mid to high teens in Celsius (low to mid-60s Fahrenheit), making for mild, pleasant evenings.
Using ride-sharing (taxi) apps like Uber and Lyft is the easiest, quickest, and most convenient way to get around Miami and Miami Beach.
March 2025
Issue
In the March issue of ITIJ we examine spring break trends; look at the changing snowbird market; and investigate IPMI policies in North America. Included with this issue is the Air Ambulance Review, which has features on clinical care for ABIs; investing in fleet; the role of brokers in the air ambulance industry and an accreditation update.
Alysia Cameron-Davies
Alysia is a copy writer for Voyageur Publishing.