A Hip & Healthy 24-Hours in Miami

There are endless ways to spend to 24 hours in Miami depending on your travel style. From sunny South Beach to artsy Wynwood, this city truly has something for everyone. But like many cities with so many hotspots, chic hotels, top-rated restaurants, and things to see – planning your day can be overwhelming. So rather do what a guidebook or Yelp! recommends, I always think about my priorities and plan my day around my interests. On a day trip to Miami, Florida, I wanted to skip the party scene and have a chill, healthy, artsy day. So if you’re the kind of person who prefers succulents to flowers, loves all thing indie, and drools over the thought of sea-kelp noodles, then I have the perfect itinerary for you!

Before You Go

You only have 24 hours in Miami, so treat yo’self to a beach-front view! While you can rent a car, there’s no shortage of fantastic hotels in Miami. From the famous Fountainbleu to the hip, new take on a hostel called Freehand, there’s something for every style and budget. This trip, I went pretty bananas for the The Confidante Miami Beach. With it’s retro decor, pastel-stripped cabanas, and prime, beach-front location, there’s nothing to not love about this place!

One of my favorite tips for hotels, especially if your trip is last minute, is to check out the app Hotel Tonight. It shows you last-minute hotel rooms available in most major cities.

The prices are truly steals, way better than any other “last minute” site I’ve come across. You can book same-day or search a few days out. This is continually a life-saver for me! Use our HotelTonight Promo code and save 20% on your first stay.

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Your morning in Miami

Just a little inland from the beach is the perfect place for breakfast. If you’re a runner like me, lace up those APLs and take a morning jog to Purdy Avenue, where you’ll find one seriously yummy cup of joe at Panther coffee. They specialize in small-batch roasting in their pre-World War II coffee roaster throughout the day (swoon)! Just the smell of the place is enough to get you buzzed. Grab a latte here, but save your appetite for the food next door. Walk one street over to Bay Road where you’ll find Paradigm Kitchen, a cute spot featuring a creative menu of colorful, healthy dishes. The sunny yellow decor, inspiring neon “always choose love” sign, and crystal-infused tap water are everything you need for a perfect morning. You can’t go wrong with your order here, and they have a lot of options for every diet; whether you’re paleo, vegan, or gluten-free – there is something healthy, delicious, and oh-so beautiful. I filled up on a very photogenic “purdy halloumi” bowl and a tumeric fizz. After breakfast, take a long stroll back via the famous Lincoln Road if you want to hit the shops, or if your anxious to start soaking up the sunshine, an uberpool direct to your hotel on the beach will only cost you about $2-5.

Your afternoon in Miami

Back at the hotel, change into your bikini, lather on that SPF and hit the beach! If you’ve never been, you’ll soon realize that South Beach has such a fun vibe. Get that R&R you need, but make sure to leave your lounge chair at some point to walk along the shore and check out the amazing, multi-colored lifeguard stands. South Beach is full of food trucks selling everything from fresh coconuts to tacos – so when it comes time for a snack or lunch you won’t even have to put on shoes.

Your evening in Miami

Once you’ve washed all the sand away, put on your cutest walking shoes and grab a ride over (this is where a rental car in Miami comes in handy) to the Wynwood Arts District. This electric neighborhood has more street art than anywhere in the world and oozes creativity. Wynwood was formerly an enclave for Caribbean Immigrants and a manufacturing hub for the garment district. When the exodus of factories led to vacant warehouses and buildings, street art took over and sparked Wynwood’s renaissance. Now, this area is a hot spot for fashion, art, design, and all things hip – from one-of-a-kind shops, to funky bars, to independent cinemas. [irp posts=”2819″ name=”Palm Beach Travel Guide: A Complete Island Guide”]

Start your exploring at the Wynwood Walls just before sunset to see amazing works from leading street artists in the world in the most beautiful light of the day. Be sure to bring your camera with you, because you’re going to get snap happy exploring this place; it is heaven for wanderers!

It covers fifty city blocks, so from the walls just let yourself get a little lost. Walk up and down 2nd Avenue, and head down each side street – there are things hidden in every corner of this community. Definitely check out Frangipani – a unique shop full a mix of well-curated, cool, items in shades of sparkle and rose gold, and Plant The Future, where you’ll find succulents galore and terrariums nestled inside porcelain Stormtroopers.

When it’s time for dinner, head to Plant Food + Wine to nourish your body and soul with incredible, plant-based cuisine by chef Matthew Kenney that is almost too pretty to eat. This healthy gem is tucked away off 24th Street, and feels like a secret, little oasis with it’s open doors, big outdoor patio, and private pool.

Unlike a lot of the restaurants in Miami that are total party-scene, the atmosphere here is very chill. Try to snag a candlelit table outside for the best vibes! The inventive menu is mostly raw and offers takes on classic dishes like lasagna, tamales, and dumplings. They also have a selection of no-guilt desserts that are to die for! I highly recommend the raw vegan chocolate tasting, which my husband and I devoured in minutes.

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Late-Night in Miami

Wrap up your night with a late-night movie at O Cinema, an independent, non-profit cinema that shows cutting-edge art, foreign, and family films. There is one a short walk from Plant Food + Wine in Wynwood on 29th Street.

This hip little theatre will make you never want to go near a Cinemark again! (There are two other locations if you want to make a move back to the South Beach.)

After the movie, if you’re really a night owl, head to Gramps on 24th Street after the movie for a night-cap and some live music. This laid-back bar has a lush, tropical outdoor area perfect for your dancing shoes and cocktails made with fresh-pressed juices. Check out what’s happening ahead of time, because this spot does some cool things – like Vinyl-only DJs, Nerd Nite lectures, and even stand-up comedy.

Hit the Hay

Back at your hotel, crack the window open before you crawl into bed so you can drift off to the sound of the ocean, and have sweet dreams of your hip and healthy day in Miami. You’re sure to wake up feeling fabulous!

About the Author

Anna Kloots is a girl in love with seeing the world. She lives in NYC but spends most of weeks of the year traveling with her hubby, a world-renowned magician. As a travel blogger and magician’s assistant, she has experiences all over the world that are a bit outside-the-box. She strives to seek out the unusual wherever she goes, dig deep into culture, and look stylish doing it. She loves healthy food, anything that involves glitter, and feels strongly that everything is better with sprinkles. Keep up with her greatest escapes at @traveloutsidethebox