Miami, worth a visit?

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Going to visit friends in America. Have the option of flying via Miami with a free stop off. So thinking of staying maybe 3 nights. Is there much to do? Another option would be to go via New York but I’ve been there before.

I'd say anywhere you've never been is worth a visit! But I wasn't too fussed on Miami tbh. We heard gunshots on our drive in so maybe that just unnerved me but it felt pretty unsafe walking around South Beach in the evening. But t's a really beautiful beach during the day and there are some really great restaurants! You could also consider doing a 2 or 3 night cruise over to the Bahamas.

I have to say, it didn't really do anything for me at all. I was only there for a day on a layover, but I won't be rushing back anytime soon.

Miami is a shit hole. There are lots of much nicer places to visit in the states. I didn’t feel safe in the slightest and would never go back!

Long time ago but I used to go there a fair bit, short stays only..I used to find it utterly soulless but maybe I just never found the good bits.

I was in Miami this time last year . It was dreadful on the weekend, too many idiots on the streets all day and night but come Monday morning it was lots better. Still a vast amount of homeless people but easier to get around without drunks and Lamborghinis everywhere. We visited the Keys and did the boat trip around the harbour. South Beach was lovely by day but a bit tricky at night . It was very expensive though.

I'm going to go against the grain here - I love Miami, and have been several times, usually for a couple of nights at a time. It can be quite tacky in places, but the beach is lovely, as are the Art Deco buildings in South Beach. I didn't feel unsafe, even in the evenings, as long as you stay to the main tourist areas. There are nice places to visit - we hired bikes and rode along the boardwalks and sea front, as well as across the islands. We went on a speed boat ride, saw the houses and yachts of the rich and famous, and visited the villa owned originally by John Deere. Also worth a visit are the Wynwood Walls, the Venetian Pool, The Biltmore Hotel, and Little Havana. It's also easy to get to the Everglades and down to the Keys.

It's definitely worth a visit.

We are planning a few nights in Miami but reading some of the negative posts put me off. Where should we base ourselves? Also , is it that expensive? Were hoping a couple of nights in Miami? Day trip to everglades, one night Florida Keys.

Would be grateful for advice.

Don't be put off it's a great base for what you want to do . We stayed in South beach to be in the heart of the art deco part . As I said before outside of the weekend it was enjoyable and we we were there because we wanted to get to keys and the Everglades too . We had five nights and the non weekend ones were fine .

It is quite expensive though but as with anywhere if you avoid the hot spots there are cheaper options to be found . The USA is not cheap any longer sadly .

I did stop-offs in Miami when I was travelling to the Caribbean.

I did one night at the Mondrian in South Beach (should have been an AirBNB in Brickell but they cancelled on me and resold it for a higher price as the Miami Open was on grr). Loved the Mondrian location as it was on the quieter side of South Beach (so lovely skyline views west) but easy walking distance to Ocean Drive and the beach / nightlife etc. I fell in love with the quesadillas at the nearby Whole Foods actually.

On the way back, I had 3 nights in South Beach at an AirBNB (1 bed apt with shared pool and parking) and liked it so much that I actually considered buying an apt in the same building. Seriously!

The only thing I didn’t like about Miami was that I found some/most of the other pedestrians incredibly rude. I felt like I was almost invisible being barged into frequently (and I live in central London so I’m no shrinking wallflower myself).

Thank you everyone. Will look for accommodation in South Beach

I love Miami. Revisited this October just gone. It feels like a totally different vibe to the rest of the US. We love art deco, so stay in the South Beach area on Collins. It's so chilled. Lazing on the beach browsing for vintage at the Lincoln Road market. Great shopping. Espanola Eay is fun for dinner. Plus we had an average lunch at the Versace Mansion (great pics but food is not why you go there). For a stopover, Miami is fun.

One night in the Keys isn't enough imho. We've been a couple of times; this October we had 2 nights in Key West followed by a night in Marathon on the way back up to Miami.

We love the Keys, but were very disappointed with KW this time, due to an extremely tacky OAP festival with enough sagging, wrinkled body parts on display to last us a lifetime. That said, the beach at Fort Zachary is stunning.

It's a long drive, mostly on single lane highway.

It felt like we were in Blackpool when we went.

one caviat, Calle Oche (little Havana) it was amazing.

Never been in Blackpool

Maybe we leave the Keys for another time and just spend a few nights in Miami

I think we will enjoy food, shopping, relaxing: as long ad it is safe and not too dodgy areas

Do we need to rent a car?

We dumped our rental when we got to Miami (we started our roadtrip in Fort Myers). Staying in South Beach, you can walk most places around Miami Beach. Otherwise there's Uber.

Personally I think Fort Lauderdale is nicer, isn't too far away from Miami.

Thank you

Will check it out. Thanks a lot

Would you mind sending the airbnb you stayed in South Beach? Thank you

Sorry, I just looked for it but it’s no longer listed. It was on West Ave just south of 15th which is a great, really convenient spot.