When it comes to jaw-dropping coastline views, vibrant culture and seemingly endless white sand beaches, there is perhaps no better place in the world than Florida. Miami, in particular, has long been hailed as one of the go-to destinations for anyone visiting the States and wanting their own scoop of paradise.
In 2023, the destination earned the title of North America’s leading beach destination and even one of the world’s leading cities for a trip at the World Travel Awards.With three main beaches lining its shores, North Beach, Mid Beach, and the most famous South Beach, the city overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and might as well be part of the Caribbean. The legendary South Beach attracts the most visitors with its iconic sands stretching almost 10 blocks between 5th and 15th streets. But the city’s popularity comes at a price, with around 28 million visitors heading to Miami Dade county every single year – around 20% of the state’s tourist numbers.
Crystal-clear Atlantic waters, pristine white sand, and that unmistakable historic backdrop of Ocean Drive with its vintage-style hotels, bars and restaurants – perfect for any chasing a party at the beach.
For visitors looking for a slightly more understated trip, heading to North Beach should give you a more relaxing time.
Travel experts at Inspiring Travel added: “When you’re not soaking up the glorious rays by the sea, dive into Miami’s vibrant culture.
“Admire the colourful street art at Wynwood Walls, wander the lush gardens and grand interiors of the Vizcaya Museum, or explore contemporary masterpieces at the Pérez Art Museum.
“Afterwards, treat yourself to the city’s fabulous fusion cuisine or browse designer boutiques in the upscale enclave of Bal Harbour.”
The city’s culture is especially unique with a vibrant blend of Latin American, Caribbean and especially Cuban influences. Spanish is widely spoken alongside English to create something beautifully unique. Visitors can expect great art, fun music and even better food.
Sports fans have also begun flooding into the city, with a new Formula 1 race now taking place on streets around the city, Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami and plenty of American sports teams keeping visitors occupied.
However, with all the acclaim comes popularity. In 2019, Miami Beach welcomed over 7.4 million overnight visitors, with tourism pumping an estimated $22 billion into the economy, according to local government figures.
With the party culture being instilled in the city, locals aren’t always thrilled, with some asking for tighter restrictions on party-goers, introducing curfews and tighter regulations on wild drunken behaviour.
Spring breakers are especially a problem for the city, as tens of thousands of students flock down to the golden beaches for a wild weekend.
The police and local authorities have begun a crackdown on drunken students, barricading off certain areas, imposing restrictions on loudspeakers, and even curfews on certain beaches.
After finding out about the restrictions, Zeke Sabi, a spring breaker from Knoxville, Tennessee, told CBS: “ I mean, I thought we were just gonna come out here and have fun and do whatever we want to just because it’s spring break, but I guess there are a couple of rules.”
