Miami Weekend — Presidents Day 2024
A quick South Beach escape with four friends: easy flights, Uber everywhere, and just enough plans to feel spontaneous.
We went down for Presidents Day weekend — the best kind of “mini” trip. Miami has a wide range of flight times, so you can leave Thursday night after class or Friday morning and still make the most of the day.
Good to know: I stayed at my place in South Beach, which made Ubering around super simple. No rental car needed for this plan.
Day 1 — Arrival + Dinner
- NYC → Miami — choose a late-evening flight to land and drop bags, or a morning flight to have a full beach day.
- Boardwalk walk — stretch your legs on the South Beach boardwalk and watch the light turn pastel.
- Dinner: Carbone (Italian, $$$$)
Old-school glam, dim lighting, and spicy rigatoni that lives up to the hype. Service is polished, crowd is beautiful, and it definitely feels like a “first-night” place.
Day 2 — Beach, Bal Harbour, Design District, Night Out
- Beach morning — sun, a swim, and a slow coffee.
- Lunch: Makoto, Bal Harbour (Japanese, $$$$)
Sleek and bright; sushi, robata, and crispy rice that always hits. Good energy, not too loud — perfect reset before the afternoon. - Design District stroll — stores, galleries, and a pastry stop at a chic café (pick by mood; there are many). Window-shop, people-watch.
- Dinner: Cipriani (Italian, $$$$)
White tablecloths, clubby feel, and a dressed-up crowd. Classic dishes, polished service — very “Miami night”. - Drinks: Socialista (upstairs) (Cocktail bar)
Dim, warm, and a little theatrical — great for a post-dinner round with friends. - Miami Music Week — Factory Town
We went for Black Coffee; huge industrial vibe, multiple stages, and a mixed house/techno lineup. Plan your Uber both ways and bring comfy shoes.
Day 3 — Bikes + Brunch, Pack + Fly
- City bike loop — rent a bike in the morning and ride the path along the beach.
- Brunch: Pura Vida (Healthy, $$)
Smoothies, bowls, and fresh things that feel good after a late night. - Alternate lunch: Call Me Gaby (Italian, $$–$$$)
Casual-pretty, great pizza/pasta, perfect after a ride when you want something cozy. - Pack + head back — easy flight home and you’re in class on Monday morning.
