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With its subtropical climate, year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, an abundance of attractions, and delicious culinary delights, Miami is a city that should appeal to virtually everybody.
However, because Miami has so much to offer, it is incredibly popular with tourists. That means it can be challenging to find places that are not packed with vacationers taking selfies.
If you want to visit Miami but get off the tourist trail, check out the following ways of how to experience the city like a local.
Stay in a Neighborhood Where the Locals Hang Out
While many visitors to Miami stay around South Beach or in Little Havana or downtown, if you want to stay in a place with a more local flavor, consider Wynwood or Coconut Grove.
Wynwood used to be a place to stay away from, but since the early 2000s, the neighborhood has been transformed. It has now become synonymous with Miami’s underground art scene.
Spray-painted murals cover the walls for fifty blocks, and there are many art galleries that used to be empty warehouses. There are various accommodation options in Wynwood, including some charming boutique hotels.
You can also get a great local vibe by staying in Coconut Grove, which is more under-the-radar as a vacationing spot. Coconut Grove village was founded in 1873 before Miami even existed.
There are numerous vacation rentals along the tree-lined streets. And the whole area has a wonderful bohemian feel.
Head to a Quieter Beach
Spending a day at South Beach is one of the best things to do in Miami. But South Beach is incredibly popular, which means it is always crammed with tourists and can be pretty noisy.
Most Miamians avoid South Beach during peak times for those very reasons. Instead, they head to Miami’s smaller beaches.
One of the most popular spots for locals is Key Biscayne Beach, which is on an island accessible by a bridge. You will have to pay a toll fee of $1.50, but you can then enjoy Miami beach the same way as the locals do.
Other quiet beaches in Miami include North Shore Beach, Surfside, and Sunny Isles Beach.
Eat at Places That Are Locals’ Favorites
With so many tourists in Miami all year round, the local Miamians have to be creative in where they go out to eat.
The dining is fabulous throughout Miami. You will find multiple cuisines, including lots of Cuban restaurants. But if you want to eat at a place that is the favorite of locals, head to the Miami River area.
Sea Salt and Pepper, Garcia’s Seafood Grille & Fish Market, and Zuma Restaurant are just some of the fantastic restaurants along the Miami River.
Locals also love to eat the street food of Miami. In fact, some of the tastiest foods in the city can be found from street vendors.
To See Miami at Its Finest, Head Out onto the Water
While lounging on the beach or at a restaurant by the shore is a fantastic way to soak up Miami’s sunshine and beach life and see an incredible view of the Atlantic Ocean, if you want to experience the city and its surrounding waters like the locals, you need to head out onto the water.
Miamians love boating, whether it is the super-rich sailing in their mega-yachts or the locals splashing about in a dinghy.
The view of Miami’s skyline from the water is simply breathtaking. Furthermore, the Bahamas is only a forty-five-minute boat ride away.
Whether you want to sail or hire a speedboat for the day, if you want to experience Miami like a local, you need a boat.
