girls weekend in miami
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Miami Girls Weekend Getaway: Complete and Awesome Guide

Miami is easily the most unforgettable party spot in the United States. What better excuse to get your girlfriends together and spend an epic weekend in this magical city. The vibe is really different and you can almost feel as if you’re in another country. Sometimes it’s pretentious, other times laid back, however you cannot argue that this city is a pass. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive guide on things to do there, make sure not to miss my awesome Miami Guide that goes into much detail on spots you shouldn’t miss. On the other hand, in this particular post, you will find the perfect short Miami Girls Weekend itinerary for your getaway.

Let me preface that this is not one of those guides promoting a very expensive per-person weekend that’s not really achievable for most people. I don’t recommend those luxury hotels that you’ll find on the major travel blogs or brunches that include a $600 bottle service. My blog focuses on a more accessible, average, and realistic way to travel. Miami isn’t a place for ladies to drop a ton of $$ so follow my advice and you will have an unforgettable time there.

So let’s get to it.

Looking for another girl’s trip inspo? Check out my Austin guide too 🙂

Note that you may encounter some affiliate links in this post. They will not make anything more expensive for you but rather provide a small commission for me should you choose to book it via the link I provide. 🙂

To-do list before the trip:

  • Decide which area you’d like to stay in – for quick getaways, South Beach is always a safe pick – this will probably be the most expensive part of the trip
  • If you’re booking an Airbnb, do as far ahead as possible, hotels should also be booked far out
  • Make reservations for brunches and dinners in the more popular places
  • Plan your outfits well, remember, in Miami, you dress to impress!

Day 1 of the Perfect Miami Girls Weekend

Friday or Saturday Arrival

Although you should strive to arrive on a Friday night, sometimes that won’t be possible if you’re doing a quick weekend getaway. In fact, flights are usually more expensive on Friday and you will have to add a night to your hotel stay so arriving early on Saturday morning is not a bad option. The downside of arriving Saturday morning is the amount of energy you’ll need for the day. Miami Airport is the closest to fly into, but Ft. Lauderdale flights are also not a bad option. A ride into town will cost you between $40-$70 depending on the surge pricing.

After your flight, head to your hotel to leave your luggage and freshen up for your epic weekend start. Most hotels will let you store your luggage before check-in and use their amenities as you wait for your room. Where you stay depends on your budget. Collins Ave is the prime spot for beachfront hotels but will also cost you the most. Smaller places off of Collins will allow beach access via other hotels but those can be a hit or a miss.

Here is where I have stayed in the past:

  • Redbury – didn’t love it, rooms were nice but the amenities were shit, and the SLS beach access what a total joke because they treated you horribly.
  • Pestana – loved it, super clean and the staff was super nice, not beachfront though.
  • The Franklin – an apartment-like property, good for a group of friends.
  • Generator Hostel is my absolute favorite budget pick for the area. You can easily rent a whole room to yourselves with the ladies.
  • Marseilles – trendy backyard, beachfront but most people using their space aren’t staying at their hotel.

And here are more pics for the area:

Booking.com

Basic bitches brunch

Brunch time is always an important component of a good Miami girls’ weekend and should be done right. Brunch in Miami can be fun but reservations are almost always a must. I hate to give you a mom talk but do not go too hard during this time. You will be tempted to pound down multiple rosés or Aperol Spritz’s but trust me, you will need the energy for the rest of the day 🙂

So now for your options, if you haven’t spent much time in South Beach, you’ll want to experience its atmosphere before you explore other areas. It could get a little ratchet but if done right, it will be an amazing time. Here is a list of fun brunch choices, especially for more novice Miami visitors!

  • Orange Blossom: an Aperol Spritz bottomless brunch? Yassss! This gem of a place won me over just for that. The food is great prices are good (for Miami) and the atmosphere is great. Note that they have an outdoor patio that’s super nice.
  • Nikki Beach: A Miami staple, a beach club but also a restaurant. Surprisingly for such a hyped-up place they do have great food. It also has some serious Tulum vibes and I’ll take those anywhere in this world BUT in Tulum (curious why?). Join them for their awesome Rose Saturdays!
  • Versace Mansion: Want to experience luxury without the insane price tag? Visit Gianni’s at lunch and for a prix-fix menu under $30, you won’t be disappointed.
  • Sweet Liberty: Bottomless rosé, tasty brunch menu, cool atmosphere? Say no more.
  • Palace: Yes I know, touristy and ratchet, but if you enjoy a cheesy drag show then you don’t want to skip the bottomless $45 brunch here right on Ocean Drive 🙂

If South Beach vibes are not your thing, try places like Brickell or Wynwood. See some solid choices for those locations below:

  • El Patio: People either love or hate this place and I love it so if an afternoon of debauchery is on your list, you don’t have to look any further. It’s located in Wynwood and has an outdoor patio hence the name. There used to be an entrance fee but you could use that towards your drinks purchase.
  • Copal A stylish rooftop with bottomless mimosas in Wynwood. Not to mention how pretty its aesthetic is.
  • R House: Another drag bar but perhaps a bit more classy than Ocean Drive. $50 will get you food, bottomless drinks, and a show.
  • Tap 42: Located in Midtown, this place gets pretty lively for brunch. $25 bottomless deal is a steal too.

Beach time or pool time

Miami is synonymous with the beach so after brunch you’ll want to head there to relax and enjoy the vibe. There are a couple of ways to do the beach in Miami. First, your hotel might be offering beachfront chairs but don’t be surprised if they charge you a fee for them. Personally, I think it’s a fun addition to your vacation especially if you’re getting drinks served to you as well. Another way is to simply grab a blanket and do it yourself. Most people drink on the beach although it’s not necessarily allowed.

A lot of Collins Ave hotels offer some pretty sweet backyard pools, lounge chairs, and other beachfront amenities like day clubs. Make sure to spend some time enjoying South Beach for its main highlight. Another way to enjoy the hotels is to join their day parties. Ladies remember that reaching out to a promoter will get you a free cabana.

Ooo, another mom comment. Do not underestimate the strength of the Miami sun. Even with 50 SPF, if you’re an Eastern European like me, that needs to be reapplied a couple of times.

Dinner time in Miami

Ya might need a nap before dinner time after a boozy brunch and a day in the sun. Hopefully, you didn’t die during the day and were able to keep up. Trust me, I know as I made the rookie Miami mistake of pushing day drinking a little far. Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint 🙂

Dinner options in Miami are truly endless. If it’s your first time there, I recommend booking something on Espanola Way. Yes, it is super touristy but it will allow you to truly feel the Miami vibe. Ocean Drive is the furthest thing away from classy so aside from grabbing a drink there, I don’t think I’d have a meal on that street. Brickell and Design District are a little more classy. If you’re looking for a gentrified hipster vibe, do not miss Wynwood. Here are my favorite picks for your girl’s weekend in Miami:

  • Pane e Vino: There is no better place in Miami and I mean it. It’s tiny so you will need reservations way in advance. The pasta is unbelievable and so is this place.
  • Wanna be boujee and see Miami from above? Try Juvia or Sugar for some awesome views!
  • Mandolin: Greece or Miami? Honestly, what a vibe. This is a perfect spot among the chaos of this city.
  • Carbone: Miami glamour meets NYC mob money vibes? I haven’t seen anything like this yet and I’m all for it.
  • Havana 1957 Espanola Way: If you want the touristy vibes of Espanola Way but don’t want to sacrifice quality, this is the place to be. It’s cute, lively and the food is good.

Night out in Miami

What is a visit to Miami without a night out? Is there even a point? 🙂 The good news is that if this is a girl’s weekend, your night out will probably not cost you a dime. Promoters pray on good-looking groups of girls and provide free entry, bottle service, and attention for the whole night. Unfortunately even one guy in your group will prevent you from this happening. Miami has its big clubs and then smaller joints. In my experience, I always liked smaller places but it’s worth hitting one of the famous clubs at least once in your life.

How to find a promoter you ask? Go to Instagram and search #miamipromoter and you shall find a ton of them. Make sure you meet them in a public place, preferably inside the club, do not pay them anything, and don’t be weirded out if they ask you to send Instagram pictures to them prior to the club… Check if they have some real pictures aside from posters too. I get a lot of messages asking for one but it’s been a couple of years since I used one so I’m sure there are a ton more that popped up since!

Day 2 of the Miami Girls Weekend

Breakfast

If you went out, there is a chance you were out all night. I get it, breakfast might not be for you at the moment. An early brunch is a must though because you have another day of rallying ahead. Here are some breakfast choices before your busy day ahead:

  • Necessary Purveyor: A 5-star breakfast place? I didn’t know that was possible but apparently, it is. Don’t let the central Lincoln Road Mall location deceive the quality of this place!
  • Rosetta Bakery: If your sweet tooth is as strong in the morning as fine, check out this bakery for a nice chocolate croissant. If the line is too long, pop into the bakery two doors down. Just as good if not better!
  • Pura Vida: Healthy, aesthetically pleasing, and super tasty. Owned by a super cute family too.
  • The Egg Spot: Located downtown, this is an adorable place with some tasty food.
  • Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop: A hole-in-the-wall with bomb Cubanos and other great filling selections located closer to Wynwood. You won’t find aesthetic views here but there isn’t a hangover that this food can’t cure.

Boat time

What is a Miami Girls Weekend without a time on the boat? Miami is the boating capital of the boating capitals, especially for activities involving alcohol. I did this activity twice, once for a bachelorette party and another for a Miami Girls Weekend getaway, and both times I had a blast. Despite what you might think, this is not a very expensive activity. Although I have one person that I book with (happy to recommend, shoot me a message), go on BoatSetter and you’ll see that it’s totally affordable.

A popular way of doing this is boating around in the bay and then docking at the sandbar. The Haulover sandbar is located near northern Miami and you will be surrounded by a ton of other like-minded people. There are many boats with people playing music, drinking, and just having a good time. The water is shallow and you can easily swim, walk around and socialize with more party people.

Afternoon in Miami

I have faith that you ended up balancing out your day and you still have time to enjoy some outdoor activities. If you have not had the chance to visit Ocean Drive, maybe you should. The awesome art deco buildings, party atmosphere, and simply just a touristy vibe should be experienced at least once in your life. Grab a drink and enjoy soaking it all in.

Right after a stroll on Ocean Drive, catch the most amazing colorful sunset in the neighborhood. Miami just feels different during golden hour and one of the nicest things you can do is experience how nicely the sun sets in this city. After you explored a little of Ocean Drive, make your way near South Pointe Park and walk down to the marina there. The sunset is incredible and the quiet vibe along the beautiful boats is amazing. I recommend renting a Citibike here because it will be a long walk otherwise.

Dinner

If you followed my previous plan, a good idea is to have dinner at the known sunset spot in town Monty’s. Some additional places to consider are Sugarcane, a hip Latin-Asian fusion spot, Yardbird, a nice twist on a Southern menu, or perhaps the boujee Quinto La Huella, an upscale Uruguayan spot for a perfect Miami girl’s weekend ending.

Day 3 – Bonus

Chances are your Miami Girls weekend may be ending but if your flight isn’t leaving for a couple more hours, here are some quick ideas for some last-minute fun!

  • Bayside Marketplace: Located only 15 minutes from Miami airport, this cute shopping place is the perfect last-minute spot. Located on the water, you can shop, eat and get some to-go drinks. They recently opened a huge Ferris wheel too 🙂
  • Wynwood: It’s a whole neighborhood so I don’t think it should be rushed, but if you want to get a preview of the famous murals, this area is also located close to the airport.
  • Little Havana: Last but not least, this Cuban neighborhood is under 10 minutes from Miami Airport. You can walk Calle Ocho and enjoy a fresh mojito before returning to reality.

If you’re staying a little longer, I highly recommend checking out my full Miami guide for a much more detailed explanation of each neighborhood. I go into more detail about the city, list multiple things to do, and give you a ton of recommendations. Additionally, if you’d like to download some ready-to-print itineraries for your stay, you can do so here too.

I’d love to hear about your thoughts on Miami and what your favorite thing to do in this epic city is! Comment below!

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10 Comments

  1. Thank you so much, I’m so glad I found your blog about Miami, we are planning a girls trip and cannot wait to try out so many of your suggestions!!

  2. This is such helpful information!! How were you able to utilize a promoter for a pool cabana?? We have a hotel booked with cabanas available but prices are a stretch!!

    1. Hi Taylor! Yay, I’m happy to hear this was helpful. Email me at perfectdaysomewhere (at) gmail.com and I will send you some recommendations over 🙂

  3. Hello- can you send the person you book with at boat setter. Interested in that! Thank you for your guide, planning mines now for Jan.

  4. Thanks for this great guide! Can you share information on booking a boat through your contact? Thank you!

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