An Insider’s Guide to Your Best Summer Yet: Miami Edition

Sip tropical cocktails, tune into the local music scene, and tour the city’s cultural institutions — inspired by Compass agents’ own recommendations.

Editor: Hannah McWilliams
Illustrations: Ping Zhu

Take the grand tour

“When visitors arrive, the first thing I do is drive them around the city and beaches. We’ll start with the Art Deco Historic District, Lincoln Road, and South Beach, winding our way from the charming neighborhoods of Belle Isle and Sunset Harbor to the oceanfront condos of Millionaires’ Row and the mega mansions of North Bay Road.

Across the causeway, we’ll explore palm tree-covered Morningside — first founded in the ’20s — followed by the Design District. Making our way along the mural-lined streets of Wynwood, we continue through the sleek highrises of downtown and Brickell.

Next, we’ll take scenic South Miami Avenue into the oldest American neighborhood, Coconut Grove. Lovely cafés and gracious homes abound, canopied by towering oaks in Miami’s lushest tropical section! Finally, we end on the manicured streets of Coral Gables, the “City Beautiful,” with its golf courses, Venetian Pool, and grand Biltmore Hotel.” — Compass Miami agent Madeleine Romanello

Tune in to the city’s soundtrack

“Miami Beach is well-known for its fancy bars and clubs, but the smaller, more intimate music venues often provide a more authentic experience,” says agent Charles Celesia. Here’s where he takes visiting friends and family.

Radio Bar
At this South Beach hangout the music is always great — I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a little old-school hip-hop? — but the volume is low enough that you can still hold a conversation. Complimentary popcorn at the bar is just an added bonus!

Miami Flea
Check out the local talent at this monthly bazaar, located in the Arts & Entertainment District. The city’s most in-demand live bands — including Keith Johns, Ella Herrera, Rose Max, and Sofy & Andres — serenade shoppers as they stroll between tents.

Lagniappe
Leave the highrises of Edgewater behind when you enter this rustic, pendant-lit New Orleans-style wine bar. Serving up global vintages by the glass or bottle, the shabby-chic venue hosts jazz groups in its massive courtyard, decked with string lights.

Sip South Florida’s top cocktails

Parched from the Miami heat? Agent Levi Meyer provides a rundown of the local watering holes:

Crazy About You
Nothing makes you feel more like a local than joining the post-work crowd at a buzzing happy hour. This Brickell lounge holds a great one, so order a pitcher of sangria and enjoy the water views of Biscayne Bay from its open-air terrace.

Sugar
From its vantage atop the 40th floor of Brickell’s East Hotel, this Asian-inspired rooftop bar channels zen vibes. A lantern-lit garden and 360-degree vistas create the perfect environment from which to sip a jackfruit-spiked “Night in Hong Kong” or tamarind-tinged “Getaway.”

Broken Shaker
Set in Miami Beach’s Freehand Hotel, this small, Art Deco bar opens into a quirky backyard equipped with a pool, Ping-Pong table, and mismatched furniture. But the cocktails here are taken seriously; every night bartenders expertly mix drinks like lime gimlets flavored with handmade syrups and the citrus-and-red-pepper-infused “Out for Blood.”

Start your day strong

“Born into a family of coffee growers, I’ve become a bit of a snob. If you’re looking for the good stuff, stop by Panther Coffee in Wynwood, Miami Beach, or Brickell. Order custom, globally-sourced blends — like the chocolatey Espresso 1985 and the creamy Fazenda Santa Inês — through their website and have it shipped to your door.” — Compass Miami agent Andres Larin

Immerse your family in culture

The Magic City offers much in the way of all-ages recreation. Hit up these educational destinations with your whole crew, says agent Dorottya Barna.

The Perez Art Museum of Miami, stunningly designed by Herzog & de Meuron within Downtown’s Museum Park, specializes in thought-provoking exhibitions. Go on the second Saturday of every month, when free hands-on activities are offered for kids and adults alike.

The long-awaited Frost Science Museum, also located in Museum Park, just opened this spring. Featuring a 250-seat planetarium and a triple-tier aquarium, it’s slated to be one of the most sophisticated science centers in the world.

Finally, take a bike tour of Wynwood’s brightly-hued street art. The largest collection of outdoor murals in the country, they transform every December during Art Basel, as artists from around the world congregate to showcase their skills on every imaginable surface of the neighborhood.

Rock the summer restaurant scene

“Don’t miss the chance to dine for a discount at Miami’s top eateries in the months of August and September. Last year, more than 200 restaurants participated in Miami Spice’s annual Restaurant Week; this year’s lineup will be released in July. Offering custom prix fixe menus, a three-course lunch or dinner will run you $29 or $39, respectively — just be sure to make a reservation far in advance through OpenTable. One of our perennial favorites, raw bar and seafood spot Mignonette, made the list last year along with Asian bistro Kyu in Wynwood, Argentinean grill Los Fuegos of Miami Beach, Coconut Grove’s New American mecca Ariete, and oceanside Italian eatery Scarpetta inside the Fontainebleau Hotel.” — Compass Miami agents George Schechter and Scot Drucker