Greater Miami & Miami Beach has become “the” place for a girls’ weekend getaway, and for good reason. The destination is home to great restaurants, bars, spas, some of the world’s most-exciting nightlife, and, of course, beautiful white-sand beaches. Whether it’s a bachelorette or birthday party or just a weekend away for no reason at all, taking a trip with your best gals is the definition of fun. Our guide to the perfect girls’ weekend in Miami is packed with pampering, retail therapy, good eats, art and memorable moments.

1 Hotel South Beach poolscape — Beachfront bliss and upscale amenities await at 1 Hotel South Beach

The Perfect Hotels for Your Girlfriend Getaway

Stay On the Beach in South Beach

Miami is home to many waterfront and beach hotels, and one of the best for a girls’ weekend is 1 Hotel South Beach, which has one of the largest beachfronts in Miami, spacious rooms and upscale amenities. You’ll enjoy four pools, a lavish fitness center and a spacious spa at this South Beach resort. The unique dining options include the rooftop restaurant Watr and, on the ground floor, AVIV, which serves excellent Israeli cuisine.

At The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, a girlfriend getaway can include lounging poolside at the elevated pool deck overlooking the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. You won’t have to leave the hotel to feel the South Beach party rhythm at Bagatelle, a restaurant on the hotel’s ground floor with French bistro classics, live entertainment and DJs.

Mural on Arlo Wynwood's exterior — Discover rooftop views, live music and artistic flair at Arlo Wynwood

Stylish Stays in Wynwood and Brickell

You won’t find a better location in Wynwood than the splashy Arlo Wynwood hotel. Not only is it right in the heart of all the action; it channels the artsy vibe of the neighborhood into its 217-rooms, with more than 250 works of original art throughout the property. Plus, there’s a fun rooftop pool with birds-eye views of the surrounding area, a cocktail bar and live music.

In Brickell, the chic EAST Miami hotel features a buzzing 40th-floor rooftop bar, Sugar, where views of Downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay provide a backdrop to a buzzing cocktail scene. Rooms are modern with a hint of Asian influences. Many feature full kitchens and apartment-like amenities, but what makes them stand out are those views, especially from the top floors.

Hydrospa and thermal loungers at the Spa at The Carillon — Recharge your mind and body at The Spa at Carillon

Daytime: Seek Out Spas, Shopping & Beautiful Beaches

Relax & Unwind at a Special Miami Beach Spa

Book a session at the spa in the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort in North Beach for cutting-edge treatments, then head over to the traditional European thermal hydrotherapy circuit to relax, restore and end your spa day on a high note.

The Away Spa at the W South Beach hotel focuses on detoxification, with amenities such as complimentary elixirs and charcoal cookies. A bastion of calm and pampering, the spa is a light-filled sanctuary where chlorophyll-infused water greets you upon arrival and the locker room showers are festooned with eucalyptus branches for uber-natural aromatherapy.

If there are yogis in tow, consider booking a private yoga or fitness class or check out a free yoga class.

Women shopping along Lincoln Road — Shop and enjoy the surroundings on Lincoln Road

Enjoy Some Retail Therapy

Shopping at outdoor Lincoln Road is one of the top things to do in South Beach. This pedestrian mall is home to everything from jewelry boutiques to retail outlets, like Anthropologie and J.Crew. Over in Wynwood, there are outposts from indie brands like Aviator Nation, Warby Parker and Pitusa. If you want hyper-local gifts like art and handmade items, visit The Wynwood Shop and the boutique at Wynwood Walls.

Outdoor table setup with white linens and umbrellas at Nikki Beach — Grab a table or lounge and have fun at Nikki Beach

Have A Sunny, Splashy Pool or Beach Day

You’ll definitely want to set aside time for the beach or pool, whether it’s soaking up the sun while relaxing in a lounge chair on the sand (the best spots are on the ocean between 6th and 15th streets) or booking a cabana for one of the pool parties at the SLS South Beach hotel. The beach at South Pointe Park is adjacent to the beachside club and restaurant Nikki Beach, a perfect spot to lounge on daybeds while going back and forth between the ocean and the sand.

Crispy pizza topped with avocado slices — Taste the creativity at Matador Room with Forbes-praised, artfully crafted pizzas

Great Places to Eat

Alfresco Brunch, Buffets and Bottomless Champagne

Matador Room, the glossy restaurant helmed by MICHELIN-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten at The Miami Beach EDITION, does an alfresco weekend brunch that merges Spanish, Caribbean and South American flavors.

If buffets with endless drinks are your thing – and it’s one of the most-fun things to do in Miami – you can’t go wrong with the caviar and champagne brunch at Jaya at The Setai Miami Beach or the sushi, Asian-inspired cuisine and champagne at Zuma inside the Kimpton EPIC hotel in Downtown Miami.

Butcher's feast at COTE — Experience the ultimate butcher's feast at COTE Miami

Scenic Dinner Spots Perfect for a Girls Getaway

Head to COTE Miami a MICHELIN-starred Korean steakhouse in the Miami Design District with stellar cocktails. Its Butcher’s Feast is a must: Waiters grill meats tableside.

Decadence is the name of the game at MICHELIN-recommended MILA, an indoor-outdoor Mediterranean-Asian restaurant in South Beach with a stunning rooftop area and a fashionable crowd.

Pubbelly Sushi Spread — Roll into flavor at Pubbelly Sushi, a local favorite with four locations

Savor A Taste of Asia in Miami

For something a bit more casual, head to MICHELIN-recommended KYU in Wynwood for Asian delights cooked on a wood charcoal grill. The brisket is outstanding, as is the cauliflower with shishito vinaigrette, but it’s the layered coconut cake for dessert that elicits swoons. Or try locally popular Pubbelly Sushi, which has four locations, each serving delectable sushi rolls and Asian tapas.

LIV dj — Spend an unforgettable night at LIV

Experience Miami’s World-Famous Nightlife

Checking out the many bars and lounges that open late and don’t close until the wee hours of the morning is one of the most-popular things to do in Miami.

On Watson Island, just off the mainland, Joia Beach Restaurant & Beach Club is the perfect tropical escape, with two weekly music nights designed for relaxation and connection. Every Thursday night, unwind to soulful sounds and enjoy a curated selection of half-priced bottles of wine. Every Friday night in the Beach Lounge, Joia Beach hosts acoustic performances by a rotating lineup of local talent.

Blending dining and entertainment, Mayami Wynwood is perfect for a fun night out. As the night unfolds, the energy ramps up with performances from aerialists and fire dancers along with top DJs and live music.

Friends at Ball and Chain enjoying mojitos — Grab your friends and hit Ball & Chain for live music

Ball & Chain in Little Havana is a cornerstone of the area’s nightlife scene, renowned for its iconic midnight conga line, lively salsa dancing and a rich history of hosting legendary musicians. Stop by Sunday through Thursday at 9 p.m. for free salsa and bachata dance classes, then step out onto the patio to dance the night away under the stars.

Miami’s exciting nightclubs feature famous DJs, state-of-the-art sound systems and pulsating dance floors, all of which can be found at Club Space, a huge indoor-outdoor dance club with live DJs that stays open until 11 a.m. Friday to Monday. There’s also the Vegas-style megaclub LIV at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel, where you should dress to impress and the chances of a celebrity sighting are high. Medium Cool is the place to go for strong cocktails and a lounge-like vibe that draws inspiration from a 1970s disco.

Miami Mountain Sculpture at The Bass — Take in some outdoor art at The Bass

More Great Ways to Enliven Your Days

Visit A Free Museum for an Art Fix

The Wolfsonian-FIU museum is located in the Art Deco Historic District of South Beach and showcases industrial design with a focus on American and European decorative and fine arts produced between 1885 and 1945. The free Friday night admission from 6-9 p.m. makes it a popular pre-dinner activity and a nice way to usher in the weekend. Further up Collins Ave, The Bass contemporary art museum offers free admission on the third Thursday of every month from 6-9 p.m.

Wallcasts at New World Center — Enjoy an outdoor concert at New World Center

Catch a Moonlight Concert or Movie

If outdoor concerts and picnics are your thing, you’ll love the New World Symphony’s Wallcasts. On select Saturday nights from October through April, free, live orchestra concerts are projected on the facade of the Frank Gehry-designed New World Center in Soundscape Park. You’re encouraged to bring snacks and blankets. Soundscape Park also hosts the Soundscape Cinema Series on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. from February through May, featuring classic and contemporary movies.

Fishing charter boat in the ocean — Experienced captains will guide you to Miami’s top spots

Spend a Day on the Water

Charter a private yacht and enjoy stunning views and the sparkling waters of Biscayne Bay. Take a three-hour tour or go out for the entire day. Some include chef-catered meals and beverages. If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, a wide range of boat tours are available throughout the destination.

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