One of the best things about living in Greater Miami & Miami Beach is that, when you feel like getting away, one of the world’s best vacation destinations is close at hand. A staycation in Miami Beach is a fantastic escape, where locals can immerse themselves in a world filled with Art Deco hotels, fantastic restaurants and beautiful beaches. Whether you’re looking to shop and dine or just lounge in your hotel room while wrapped in a plush robe, a Miami Beach staycation will recharge you. Here’s how to plan your perfect stay.

Freehand_courtyard_1440x900.jpg?width=760 — Courtyard at the Freehand Miami

Plan Your Staycation

Miami Beach has hotels to fit nearly every budget. Most of them allow easy access to the beach and are just a short walk or drive from the bustling streets.

One of the best and most affordable places in Miami Beach is the Freehand Miami, a modern hotel on Indian Creek Drive. In addition to its spacious and comfortable rooms, the Freehand Miami is home to the Broken Shaker, one of the most renowned cocktail bars.

For a different kind of boutique hotel experience, head to the Hotel Trouvail Miami Beach, formerly the Palihouse Miami Beach. This laid-back oasis on 31st Street feels completely removed from the action of Miami Beach. Escape to rooms that feel like small apartments in a restored Art Deco building. The onsite restaurant, Greenbrier Swim and Social, will serve you lunch as you lounge by the pool. If you want to spend a morning or afternoon oceanside, the staff can set you up with a lounge chair and umbrella.

Family-walking-onto-miami-beach-stock-1440x900.jpg?width=760 — Spend the day with the family on the sands of Miami Beach

Head Outdoors

Of course, if you’re headed to Miami Beach, you’re likely going to want some serious beach time. While you’d be hard-pressed to find a bad place to lay out, one of the better spots is South of Fifth, which tends to be a little quieter. The locals’ scene can be found around 8th Street, just east of Lummus Park, while the sands in North Beach around 71st Street are an ideal place for families to spread out and play.

For time on the water, be sure to check out the Miami Beach Marina, where you can rent a boat (with or without a captain), or catch a deep-sea fishing charter.

If you’d rather stay on land, grab a bicycle from CitiBike. Bike docking stations are set up throughout Miami Beach, allowing you to rent a bicycle and explore the area.

Stone crab claws and shrimp in the seafood case at Joe's Stone Crab — Seafood case at Joe's Stone Crab

Tantalize your Taste Buds

Miami Beach is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, including landmark spots that have drawn visitors for decades and trendy new places with imaginative dishes. One of the most famous restaurants in Miami Beach is Joe’s Stone Crab, which has been serving delicious stone crab claws and other fresh seafood since 1920.

For something a little meatier, book a table at Los Fuegos By Francis Mallmann at the Faena Hotel Miami Beach. Famed chef Francis Mallmann has created a menu of South American specialties that’s filled with savory steaks boasting a smoky flavor. If you’re looking for lighter fare, enjoy dinner at The Strand at Carillon Miami. Its menu of fresh pasta, salads and veggie-forward flatbreads fits perfectly with its calming, light-wood décor and large windows that fill the dining room with natural light.

The hammam room in Tierra Santa Healing House — The hammam room at Tierra Santa Healing House

Treat Yourself to a Spa Treatment

Miami Beach is famous for fantastic hotel spas, where you can throw on a big, comfy robe and let skilled therapists massage your stress away. The Lapis Spa at the Fontainebleau is among the largest, offering a massive fitness center and oceanfront views. The Bamford Wellness Spa at 1 Hotel South Beach takes a holistic approach, filling its spa with scents of nature and lush tropical plants.

The Tierra Santa Healing House at Faena Hotel Miami Beach is the most opulent of the bunch, extending the hotel’s art-filled hallways into the spa.

Ugo Rondion's Miami Mountain on the lawn of the Bass Museum — Ugo Rondinone's Miami Mountain on the lawn of The Bass museum

Experience Art and Culture in Miami Beach

Miami Beach’s vibrant art and unique culture set it apart from other beachside locales, and staycationers would be remiss if they don’t experience those amazing aspects of the destination.

The first stop should be The Bass, near 21st Street in Collins Park. This small-but-mighty art museum has gained a reputation as a stalwart showcase for intriguing modern art, and it offers a colorful collection of sculptures in the park outside. The New World Symphony performs at the New World Center, with monthly Wallcasts where guests can watch the show on a 7,000-square-foot projection wall while enjoying a picnic on the front lawn.

Women Shopping on Lincoln Road — Shopping on Lincoln Road

Splurge on a Staycation Shopping Spree in Miami Beach

Of course, no staycation would be complete if you didn’t come home with a few full shopping bags, and Miami Beach has plenty of places to find irresistible items. Lincoln Road, one of Miami Beach’s best-known shopping districts, is a wide pedestrian mall where you can shop all day. For another outdoor shopping experience, Ocean Drive can’t be beat. Restaurants and boutiques line Española Way, where you’ll find an Old-World village atmosphere in the heart of Miami Beach.

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