From 

 to 

 to Will Smith’s iconic music video, we’ve been hit with various Magic City clichés via the big screen since we were kids. Though some of the stereotypes ring true, Miami also has an incredible art scene, great restaurants and, of course, the best beach parties. 

Read on for a few of our tops spots, and how to take advantage of all the brilliant clichés Miami has to offer.

Welcome to Miami… Part hotel, part fiesta, The Edition is situated in the heart of South Beach. It’s the type of place that as soon as you walk into the lobby, you never want to leave. With a restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, two ocean-facing pools, and even a bowling alley, The Edition 100% lives up to its “stay and play” tagline. 

We love the Freehand, a beautifully designed, super hip hotel on Miami Beach. It’s totally accessible price-wise, with room options ranging from quads to kings, suites and bungalows. Our favorite thing about this hotel is the 

 poolside bar, a welcomed oasis away from the spring-breakers in South Beach.

The Plymouth boutique brings old-world charm in all the best ways. Rooms are beautiful (some with claw foot tubs in the bedroom), and the on-site restaurant, Blue Ribbon Sushi, is excellent.

While you’re probably not coming to Miami for southern food, if the mood takes you, Yardbird in South Beach does it very well. Make sure to get the fried green tomatoes.

Head over to Little Havana to get a taste of some of the best Cuban sandwiches outside of Cuba. This is a no frills restaurant and you are here for one thing: The Famous Cuban. Sit outside and take a stroll down Calle Ocho to experience the influence Cuban culture has had on the city.

When exploring the Design District, stop in at Mandolin Aegean Bistro. It has our favorite patio in Miami, and Greek dishes that are made with ingredients straight from the restaurant’s garden. The sangria is pretty good, too.

We’d be remiss not to include the iconic Joe’s Stone Crab, here. A Miami classic, it comes complete with a century-long family history and generations of devotees. Essentially, it’s the home of great crab and key lime pie for dessert. 

Look no further than Panther Coffee – known for high-quality, small batch brews. Their original Wynwood location is housed in an industrial space, where you’ll find artists and locals ordering cold brew and making themselves at home.

If you’re in Park West, this is the coffee shop to hit up. ALL DAY serves a great cup of coffee, alongside locally sourced bites. For a hangover, definitely order the Baked Double Yoke eggs.

This cocktail bar does chic Miami Beach cocktails and the best nachos we’ve had in a while. It’s the kind of place you could spend the entire night, without getting overwhelmed by the crowds. And the kitchen stays open until 4am.

Located in Little Havana, Ball & Chain is somewhat of a landmark. It’s big on music, and has previously hosted the likes of Count Basie and Chet Baker. It also mixes a mean daiquiri, and has a pineapple-shaped bandshell out back. 

As we said up top, this is one of our favorite places to drink in Miami Beach. Attached to The Freehand Hotel, it’s a poolside bar that feels a little bit more refined than your average. The drinks are great, as is the music.  

Perez Art Museum Miami used to be The Center for Fine Arts, until it was renamed and redesigned in 2013 by Herzog & de Meuron. PAMM now encompasses so much of what we love about the Miami art scene, with exhibitions that we can happily browse for hours. The gift shop is wonderful, too. 

The Bass is another contemporary art museum in Miami Beach. Located in a historic Art Deco space, come here to see the sculpture garden or catch a film. Their rotating exhibits are excellent.

Miami’s Design District is loaded with things to see, so check out the galleries while you’re here. Walk down NW 2nd Ave to get a sense of the art scene; stop at 

 and 

 From there, head over to check out the street art murals at the 

. 

If South Beach is getting a bit too claustrophobic and you want a moment away from the crowds, head to Crandon Park for a laid back beach day. You’ll definitely get the tropical island feel and be reminded that Miami is about more than just the party. 

The Standard Spa is located right off Venetian Way – book a massage, then lounge by the pool and soak up the Vitamin D.

We can’t really call this place a club. It’s more like a 20,000 square foot entertainment center, focused around a dance floor. It’s just a few blocks from Wynwood, open 24 hours a day, there’s a day time buffet – go, experience, maybe stay until the sun comes up.

This Brickell bar plays 90s music that you’ll want to sing along and dance your heart out to. Order a good cocktail and get ready to stay a while.

This high-end men’s and women’s concept shop in the Design District stocks a selection that doubles up as wearable art. Quite out there, but we’re into it.

Also in the Design District, this store is run by a few friends from Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. It’s a full-color experience, and they sell everything from bags to jackets to jewelry. 

Frangipani offers everything from kids toys to homewares, and it’s a great place for gifts.