Cadillac<\/a>\u2019s Chief Brand Advisor, Cassidy Towriss. For her, the 305 is special \u2013 the Miami Grand Prix is one of Cadillac’s home races, so it was a real treat to see the city through the team\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\nI enjoyed so much from my brief time in Florida \u2013 from Miami\u2019s sprawling nature and wonderful diversity to its vibrant neighbourhoods and iconic oceanfront promenade. It quickly became clear how much the city and surrounding areas had to offer beyond the well-known tourist spots \u2013 you will not want to miss out by not venturing further afield.<\/p>\n
This year, I’ll be returning for the 2026 race, armed with all the tips and tricks from my last visit \u2013 so, if you’re coming for the racing, the beaches, or the unique atmosphere, here are a few ideas to make the most of your time in the Sunshine State!<\/p>\n
What to do in Miami<\/p>\n
Aside from the Grand Prix, Miami offers a plethora of riches when it comes to things to see and do.<\/p>\n
During my trip, I was lucky enough to catch a powerboat race on the seafront. It\u2019s a day that I’ll genuinely never forget \u2013 oysters on ice, ros\u00e9 wine seemingly on tap, and Miami’s own Will Smith in attendance. A true, only-in-Miami experience. If a motorsport or live event is happening during your visit, go \u2013 the energy there is electric.<\/p>\n
Miami is known for its iconic beaches, and most visitors default to the beautiful Miami Beach \u2013 but if you want somewhere with a little more breathing room away from the crowds, consider heading to Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. The beach and gardens are lined with palm trees, and it\u2019s a beautiful spot with space to wander that\u2019s quieter than the main strip, plus the views back towards the city are lovely.<\/p>\n
For a livelier activity, the Wynwood Walls are completely unmissable. It’s an open-air gallery and museum in the heart of the Wynwood Arts District and showcases large-scale murals featuring artists from all over the world.<\/p>\n
Go in the morning before it hits peak time, wander the surrounding streets, and take your time appreciating the unique artwork. It\u2019s a great way to see Miami\u2019s colourful aesthetic away from the track.<\/p>\n
When I return for the Grand Prix, one of my first stops will be the ICA Miami. If there’s one thing I love as much as Formula 1, it’s art and fashion \u2013 and Miami sits at an interesting intersection of the three. The city has a bold, expressive relationship with style that engulfs the surrounding area. From the Art Deco buildings on Ocean Drive to the way people dress up for an evening out in Brickell, there is no denying the Magic City\u2019s unique arts culture.<\/p>\n
If you want a day trip that takes you entirely outside of the city, the Everglades are an hour to the west and are unlike anywhere else on earth. There are exciting airboat tours across the swampy wetlands to spot some alligators in their natural habitat and fascinating birds like the roseate spoonbill \u2013 it’s an adventure you will only have in the Sunshine State of Florida.<\/p>\n
What to eat<\/p>\n
Miami is home to one of the United States’ most thriving food economies \u2013 from Cuban-inspired classics to Latin fusion, the city takes you on a culinary journey like no other. It\u2019s hard to pick a bad spot for food across Miami, but here are a few sites that really stood out to me.<\/p>\n
If you want authentic Miami, why not try Little Havana? The area, especially Southwest 8th Street (known locally as Calle Ocho), is a hive of activity with huge family-run restaurants that are full of friendly staff.<\/p>\n
The fried plantain and rice blew me away \u2013 simple but perfectly executed and deeply satisfying. Calle Ocho also hosts a range of bakeries and cafes \u2013 locals will happily be sitting outside enjoying freshly baked pastries and coffees deep into a warm evening, so don\u2019t miss the buzz of the area.<\/p>\n
If you are a taco lover, the 305 offers plenty of reasonably priced options, and as a vegetarian, I was pleasantly surprised by the breadth of plant-based dishes, including corn esquites that I haven’t stopped thinking about since!<\/p>\n
If you’re looking for something more refined, there are 14 Michelin-starred restaurants on offer in Miami. Many of them are quintessential mid-century glamour \u2013 warm wood panelling and gorgeous proportions, with menus providing elevated dishes inspired by the rich culture of the local area. It’s ideal for a special occasion, particularly if you want to treat yourself to the best that the city has to offer.<\/p>\n
The Sunshine State also excels at seafood. Keep an eye out for stone crab, grilled snapper, and oysters on ice \u2013 best eaten dockside with a view of the skyline. And if you see Key lime pie on any menu, order it \u2013 it\u2019s tangy, creamy, and perfectly Floridian.<\/p>\n
Where to stay<\/p>\n
If you’re after a luxury seaside experience \u2013 a common wish for Miami visitors \u2013 then South Beach is your spot. There are well-known upmarket chains and cult classics, but boutique hotels here are wonderful alternatives \u2013 these have a beautifully intimate feel compared to the bigger properties.<\/p>\n
However, I ended up away from the barrier island of Miami Beach, opting for something slightly more off the beaten path. The neighbourhood of Overtown was an ideal place to stay, as it was close to downtown Miami, it felt authentic, and it wasn\u2019t far from the airport.<\/p>\n
My team and I were in a fantastic apartment building with plenty of amenities for time between shoots \u2013 as a Briton, I cannot overstate the joy of sitting by an outdoor pool in the warm sunshine while it remains a dreary November day back at home in the UK.<\/p>\n
Overtown is a little far from the Miami International Autodrome, so I’ll be based in the Upper East Side near the Design District and Brickell, the main hubs for F1 activations, during race week. The neighbourhood is famously the home of Miami Modern (MiMo) architecture, while it features plenty of cute indie cafes and artsy stores.<\/p>\n
The location also puts you nicely between the circuit and the city’s best neighbourhoods, making it the perfect spot for any racegoers.<\/p>\n
Getting around Miami<\/p>\n
Miami is a big city, which can sometimes feel overwhelming to navigate, particularly during race week. Here are a few things that will make your life easier.<\/p>\n
The Brightline high-speed train is an excellent option for getting to the circuit. It runs to Aventura Station and avoids the extremely busy race week traffic completely.<\/p>\n
Ridesharing is widely used, and there are designated drop-off points near the circuit. That said, wait times can be long, so definitely build extra time into your journey on race day. If your app says a journey takes 15 minutes, aim to double it \u2013 Miami traffic is no joke.<\/p>\n
For exploring the city itself, I would recommend a combination of walking, cycling and ridesharing. Within areas like Wynwood, South Beach and Little Havana, you’ll cover a lot of ground on foot and enjoy every step of it.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re heading to the Miami Grand Prix or you simply fancy some winter sun, Miami has a lot more to offer than initially meets the eye \u2013 and you don\u2019t have to be a party animal to enjoy your time in the 305. Plan your trip with room to explore \u2013 you never know where you might end up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ever since Miami joined the calendar in 2022, F1 fans have had the opportunity to enjoy a city…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":251848,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[123,125,124],"class_list":["post-251847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-miami","tag-miami","tag-miami-headlines","tag-miami-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=251847"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251847\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/251848"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=251847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=251847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=251847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}