Virtual Vacations

by Jessica Goswami
Blog|

Next month officially marks the beginning of summer and if it weren’t for a global pandemic, many of us would be planning, booking, and anxiously awaiting our summer travel plans right now.

With travel tabled, we’ve created a virtual vacation guide focused on one of world’s hottest vacation destinations, Miami – for those, who like us, are suffering from travel FOMO. So leave your passport at home, grab your phone, laptop or tablet, and find out just why they call Miami the Magic City.

And trust us, once you explore this list (and learn a little Spanglish) you’ll feel like a local as soon as you virtually arrive.

STAY

  • Downtown Miami: For City Seekers

If it’s arts, culture, dining, shopping, and entertainment you’re after, we recommend a virtual stay in the heart of Downtown Miami. The glittering Downtown skyline and glistening waters of the Biscayne Bay give this big city the tropical vibes you’d expect from Miami. Explore virtual hotel tours at EAST, Kimpton Epic Hotel, The Gabriel and InterContinental Miami.

  • Coconut Grove: For Free Spirits & Families

One of Miami’s most picturesque neighborhoods, Coconut Grove’s leafy streets are lined with sidewalk cafes, bohemian bakeries, and charming boutiques. Boasting acres of green space and a shimmering shoreline, the Grove is ideal for families, couples, and friends seeking a lush, laid-back atmosphere. Preview your simulated stay here: Mr. C Hotel, The Mayfair Hotel & Spa, Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove, and The Mutiny.

  • Miami Beach: For True Beach Lovers

If it’s a true beach vacation you’re after, we recommend a stay on Miami Beach. With the beach to the east and nearby attractions like the famed Lincoln Road District to the west, we suggest digitally checking out centrally located hotels including Loews Miami Beach, SLS South Beach, Shelbourne, the National Hotel.

SIGHTSEE

Downtown Miami: With the highest concentration of museums in the southeast, there is plenty to see and do in Downtown Miami. Honorable mentions with fantastic virtual tours include: The Frost Science Museum, Perez Art Museum Miami, Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, Miami Seaquarium.  Located merely 10 minutes from Downtown Miami are the famed Wynwood Walls, for those interested in scrolling through spectacular street art.

SIP & SAVOR

Get a taste of Miami by tuning into live Instagram demonstrations by Miami’s top chefs and bartenders, who teach us how to make their favorite recipes:

  • Downtown Miami restauranteur and celebrity chef Brad Kilgore shows us how to make everything from tacos to banana bread
  • Diego Oka, executive chef of La Mar by Gaston, in Downtown’s Mandarin Oriental hotel, makes his grandma’s favorite Peruvian recipes
  • Executive chef Aaron Dreilinger of Coconut Grove’s Florida Avenue Hospitality makes a fantastic brunch
  • Bar-Lab, the mastermind’s behind Miami’s famed Broken Shaker, share the city’s best cocktail recipes

SHOP

In Miami, we don’t like to sacrifice sunshine for shopping – below we invite you to virtually experience our favorite outdoor shopping destinations in Miami. Picture swaying palm trees, breezy thoroughfares, and an array of retailers ranging from bohemian mom-and-pop shops to experiential retailers and high-end boutiques:

STAY IN SHAPE

As a city focused on our fitness, we’ve shared the best exercises classes to take virtually:

SOUNDTRACK

Whether you love classic concertos, electronic beats, sultry salsa, or all that’s in between, Miami’s soundtrack is as diverse as its residents.

For lovers of house music, reggaeton, and top 40 hits:

  • Follow @downtownmia on Instagram and tune in every Friday at 6pm to livestream a resident DJ
  • Follow @avenue3 on Instagram and tune in every Wednesday at 7pm for Avenue 3’s Jukebox session

For classic concertos:

  • Follow the New World Symphony on Facebook and tune in live Friday nights at 7pm for ‘Live from our Living Room’ musical performance by one of the fellows enrolled at the prestigious institution.

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