Places to Visit & Things to Do in Miami
Known for the best beaches in the United States, exceptional nightlife, Art Deco architecture and a strong culturally Caribbean vibe, Miami has justifiably earned the name Magic City. With stunning street art, delectable food and the alluring ocean never far away, it’s impossible not to be enchanted by this city.
Sights & Attractions in Miami
The Art Deco District paints the quintessential image of Miami, with quirky architecture reminiscent of the decadent 1930s. Drop by the Miami Design Preservation League for a self-guided audio tour of the area with the highest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world: it goes along Ocean Drive before diverting through nearby streets. Be sure to visit again at night when the buildings are lit up with neon.
Lesser known is the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, a must for horticulturalist and anyone else with an interest in flora. Covering 83 acres, find an extensive collection of tropical plants as well as a learning centre, concert hall, learning facility and cultural centre.
Over on Key Biscayne, the island is home to Crandon Park in the north and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in the south. Try not to miss the nature trails and the Cape Florida lighthouse at the island’s most southerly point. Another spot for gorgeous ocean views is South Pointe beach, dotted with colourful lifeguard towers, where you can watch the cruise ships roll in.
Art & Culture in Miami
Miami’s well-developed art scene is heavily influenced by the strong imprint of Caribbean communities, especially Cuban and Haitian. Start with the stunning Pérez Art Museum Miami in Downtown Miami, it focuses on local artists as well as those from Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Next head to al-fresco hub Wynwood Walls, near Midtown, where you’ll find more than 70 galleries dedicated to street art. Located in the old manufacturing district, street and graffiti artists have transformed the walls of former warehouses into canvasses depicting colourful and captivating works of art. Spend some time in Little Havana, discover Calle Ocho which is adorned with colourful murals and is home to the Latin Walk of Fame.
Shopping in Miami
Locally-grown retailers line the storefronts at Miami Beach’s Sunset Harbour Shops. For commercial stores and big box names, meander through Lincoln Road. If you’re looking for high-end retail therapy, head north on Collins Avenue to Bal Harbour Shops, where Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue anchor designer outposts.
Back inland, big spending and luxury labels have invaded the Design District: Cartier, Tom Ford, and Louboutin are among the many fashionable names reinventing the neighbourhood. Do stop into Wynwood Letterpress too, for inspired handmade cards and stationery: think local prints alongside delicate illustrations. Boutiques nearby also muse off the street art’s vibe, and the Wynwood Walls Shop sells books featuring the district’s artists. Further north in MiMo, the area’s mid-century furniture stores and funky thrift shops add an air of discovery to a shopping outing.
Bayside Marketplace in Downtown Miami is a top stop for shopping and entertainment. The two-storey structure is home to a number of restaurants and over 150 shops including boutiques and well-known brands. With free live performances and a picturesque waterfront location it’s a tranquil wind down after a day’s shopping.
Food and Drink in Miami
With a flourishing food and restaurant scene drawing on the multicultural influences flowing through the city there is an ample range to choose from.
Macchialina in South Beach has an award-winning wine list while Pubbelly Sushi in Miami Beach and four other locations is decorated as a local favourite. The Broken Shaker’s kick-back cocktail stylings and hipster leanings continue to lure weekend crowds, while its adjacent 27 Restaurant & Bar pumps out excellent home-style food. Top chefs have also planted sand-side roots: don’t leave without a reservation at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Matador Room.
For locally caught crab and key lime pie, don’t miss Joe’s Stone Crab. Leave room to sample some of Miami’s multicultural eateries; try delicious Peruvian food at Ceviche 105, visit Versailles for hearty Cuban fare, and Chef Créole Seasoned Kitchen serves up sumptuous seafood, Haitian-style. Even plant-based foodies are catered for at places like Full Bloom Vegan.
Membership Rewards® Programme
Cardmembers enrolled in the American Express Membership Rewards® programme will earn one additional bonus Membership Rewards point in addition to their standard earn rate (for a total of 2 points) for every full £1 spent on flights, prepaid hotels, car hire and experiences booked through the American Express Travel website americanexpress.com/en-gb//travel. Specific Card products or limited time promotions may offer additional Membership Rewards points, please see individual Card or promotion Terms and Conditions for more information. Additional Membership Rewards points cannot be earned on products which are not prepaid but are paid directly to the supplier, including cruise bookings and select hotel bookings. These bookings will not earn two Membership Rewards points for every £1 spent but will be earned at the normal rate of one point for every £1 spent. Full Terms and Conditions apply, please visit americanexpress.co.uk/termsandconditions.
To use Pay with Points, you must book your eligible purchase through American Express Travel and charge to a Membership Rewards programme-enrolled American Express® Card. Eligible purchases through American Express Travel exclude non-prepaid car rentals and non-prepaid hotels. Points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account, and credit for corresponding amount will be issued to the American Express® Card Account used. If points redeemed do not cover entire amount, the balance of purchase price will remain on the American Express Card account. When paying with a combination of your American Express Card and Membership Rewards points, only the value applied to the Card is eligible to earn Membership Rewards points.
Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions apply when booking on americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/. Please visit visit americanexpress.com/en-gb/rewards/membership-rewards/terms/ for the Membership Rewards programme information and terms and conditions or call +44 0800 917 8053 to request a copy. For more information on Pay With Points visit americanexpress.com/uk/travel/how-to-pay-with-points. To earn or exchange Membership Rewards points, Cards must be registered to the American Express Membership Rewards programme and be active and current in their payments. Please allow up to ten weeks for Membership Rewards points to be credited to your Account. Bookings are subject to the full American Express Travel Terms and Conditions. To view these, please visit americanexpress.co.uk/termsandconditions.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, the Dedicated Centurion® Team or American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/) with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cards. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 Credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amont will be applied at check-out.
Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay).Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and
amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/), Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge or the Dedicated Centurion® Team, with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Preferred Rewards Gold Cardmembers, Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Cardmembers, Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cardmembers. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
International Airline Program (IAP)
1. Current International Airline Program Partners: Air Europa, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
2. American Express reserves the rights to change these conditions from time to time with 21 days prior notice and/or to discontinue the whole program.
3. Airlines reserve the right to change, cancel or restrict flight operations without notice. IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares may be limited by airlines to certain flights and/or dates (“blackouts”). IAP is subject to the terms and conditions of each participating carrier. American Express does not guarantee that seats or tickets will be available. Cabins of service and discounts vary by airline and route. Discounts are applicable to adult fares however some airlines extend savings to child fares.
4. To qualify for the IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares:
a) Your journey must start and end at the same port as designated by the participating airline and be completed within the period during which your selected carrier participates in the program. You will be advised of any applicable dates at the time of booking;
b) IAP tickets must be purchased through the Platinum Travel Service and must be charged to a valid American Express Platinum Card which is in good standing;
c) The Platinum Cardmember who purchases the ticket(s) must be one of the travellers;
d) IAP tickets are non-transferable and non endorsable.
5. Any travel on non-participating airlines must be ticketed and paid for separately and is not part of the IAP. Certain code share or flights on the worldwide partners of the participating airlines may not apply.
6. Certain IAP airlines or non-participating airlines impose restrictions such as ticketing time limit on advance booking to indicate a timeline for ticketing upon making your reservations. For each individual airline Terms & Conditions, please check with the Platinum Travel Service for details.
7. IAP upgrade offers or specially negotiated fares may not be combined with any other promotion, discount, negotiated or corporate rate.
8. American Express acts only as an agent for travel service providers and does not own or operate any airline or means of transportation. American Express is not liable for service deficiencies on the part of airlines or other service providers, including but not limited to: accidents and injuries; delays; changes in routes or itineraries; loss, theft or damages to possessions. American Express strongly advises travellers to insure themselves against travel risks. Travellers are responsible for ensuring that they have valid documentation and for complying with the health, customs, currency and other laws of any country they enter or attempt to enter.
9. IAP is available to Platinum Cardmembers from a variety of participating airlines each with specifically designated ports of departure and arrival. Please refer to the Platinum Travel Service for details of participating airlines, applicable routing and timetables and fares in force at any particular time.
10. Other International Airline Program Terms & Conditions may apply.
For full Terms and Conditions for Global Lounge Collection®, please visit our Global Lounge page.
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