Planning a Week-Long Stay in Miami from the UK
Everyone loves visiting beaches and enjoying a nice beverage with a side dish while enjoying the sight of the sea. So if you want to do the same in the USA, then we would recommend visiting Miami by applying for a tourist visa to the USA from the UK.
But why do people want to visit this place today? Let’s explore the reasons below.
What Makes Miami A Sought-After Tourist Destination?
Modern-day Miami has a landscape that consists of gleaming skyscrapers, palm tree-lined avenues, and neon-lit streets at night. The city also has beautifully designed Art Deco buildings that showcase its Spanish influence.
But that’s not all. The reason people from the UK love Miami is because of its weather. Since the UK mostly faces some form of rainy weather throughout the year, Miami’s overall warm and temperate weather makes it an attractive destination for them.
Apart from that, the city has amazing beaches, where people love to relax by the coast and enjoy the vista.
Some other reasons that make this place a sought-after destination are its various bars, nightlife, and clubs, where a lot of celebrities attend parties. For example, a lot of people visit the LIV, which hosts world-class DJs like David Guetta, among others.
People from the UK also love visiting Miami due to its culinary experiences in the form of the Miami Spice Festival, and its celebration of Caribbean culture. Additionally, Miami’s unique population of Cubans, Haitians, and Spanish people lend the city a diverse air.
Furthermore, Miami offers a variety of sporting options for the athletically inclined along with wildlife sightings for nature and wildlife lovers. This is why UK citizens apply for a visa for the USA to visit this place.
When to Visit Miami
Depending on what you wish to experience, Miami has quite a few opportune periods during which you can visit. For instance, you should visit between December and February if you wish to explore the outdoor attractions of Miami.
On the other hand, we would recommend the months of March to May if you wish to witness the various celebrations.
Lastly, you should visit between June and November if you want to travel within a budget.
However, you should be aware of any hurricanes and always ask your hotel concierge for any such updates before leaving your hotel premises. This is because Miami is prone to hurricanes during this period.
Flights from the UK to Miami
You can consider opting for popular airlines like American Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air Europa, etc. Some other airline carriers you can consider are Avianca, Lufthansa, KLM, etc.
Depending on your needs, you can either opt for non-stop or connecting flights. Generally, you will take about 9 hours and 47 minutes on average to travel, though this duration will vary, and depend on your departure time, airplane route traffic, etc.
We would recommend using applications like Skyscanner, Kayak, Expedia, and FareCompare to compare your options and book your flight tickets appropriately.
Where to Stay in Miami
After you land, you can choose to stay in any of the top destinations like Wynwood, Downtown, or South Beach to stay in.
If you decide to stay in South Beach, then you can stay in hotels like the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Mondrian South Beach, Kasa La Flora, and Impala Mani Beach, as well as The Plymouth Sea Beach, JW Marriott Miami, Fortune House Hotel Suites and Bentley Hotel South Beach.
However, if you choose to stay in Downtown Miami, then you can consider staying in places like the Elser Hotel Miami, Yotel Miami, Hotel Indigo Miami Brickell, Hyatt Centric Brickell Miami, etc.
Lastly, you can consider hotels like the Artease5, Unique Miami Art Escape, Moxy Miami Wynwood, Sentral Wynwood, etc.
Must-See Attractions in Miami
You should not miss out on visiting the following places in Miami after applying for your tourist visa to the USA from the UK.
South Beach and Ocean Drive
Miami Beach is a very popular landmark for everyone visiting Miami, as quite a few films and TV show scenes have been shot here, like the popular show Miami Vice, for example.
The beach is divided into three main sections: North Beach, Mid Beach and South Beach. The last neighborhood is the most famous as it features the Art Deco buildings which are its most distinctive feature.
You should visit Lincoln Road here, which consists of various branded stores, along with standalone boutiques to enjoy a quick spot of shopping. If you’re into art, then do visit the Wolfsonian-FIU museum.
After a heady viewing of art, you can walk down to the iconic Ocean Drive, which is where the Art Deco buildings are located.
Little Havana and Cuban Culture
This area of Miami is so named because it houses most of the Cuban residents who settled here. It is mostly concentrated around the Calle Ocho, which is also known as the Southwest Eighth Street.
You can find a variety of cigar stores, restaurants, bakeries, fruit stands, and more here. If you wish to truly experience Cuban culture, you should try visiting the restaurants where you can try dishes like Swiss Cheese, roast pork, etc.
Another thing you can enjoy after applying for your tourist visa to the USA from the UK is the Calle Ocho Music Festival.
It hosts artists like Pitbull, and Maluma, among others. That’s because Cuban culture is centered around fruits, cigars, music, and food, so you should try all of these when you can.
Wynwood Walls and Museums
This place is an artistic zone where you can indulge your love for art and all things aesthetic. It houses a variety of murals and artworks, by famous artists such as French artist Mantra, Jessie and Katy, and Ernesto Maranje.
Each of these artists has their specialty. For instance, Mantra’s work includes realistic depictions of living species like owls, birds, butterflies, and spiders. On the other hand, Jessie and Katy make it include geometric patterns and abstract shapes.
Finally, Ernesto’s artwork comprises bears, birds, and apes, inspired by his love for Mother Nature.
Everglades National Park
Nature lovers should not this place. This national park is located about an hour’s drive away from Downtown Miami and has an area of about 7800 square miles.
It has an abundance of flora and fauna, in the form of mangrove forests, fresh-water prairie grass, the American Crocodile, and the Great Egret, among others.
You can explore this place by hiking through easy routes like the Homestead, or the beautifully adventurous and more difficult Shark Valley Visitor Center.
Some of the things you’ll encounter here are species of birds like the spoonbill, and snapper as well as prairie grass, and waterways. You can also rent a bike if you wish for more adventure.
Dining, Nightlife, and Shopping in Miami
We would recommend trying out places like Tâm Tâm, Macchialina, Boia De, and Zitz Sum. Tâm Tâm is known for its Vietnamese cuisine, while Macchialina is famous for its Italian cuisine when you visit with your tourist visa to the USA from the UK.
On the other Boia De is known for its innovative take on classic dishes, while their Zitz Sum is well-known for its dishes inspired by Asian culture.
We would recommend getting a taste of dishes like Churrasco, Feijoada, Arepas, and Fried Snapper to experience Miami’s cuisine at its finest.
Party animals can visit hotspots like the LIV club at the Fontainebleau Hotel, E11EVEN Miami, and Gramps to let their hair down after a long day of exploring the system.
People who love shopping can visit the Bayside Marketplace, Dolphin Mall, Miracle Mall, and The Falls.
Transportation in Miami
People who wish to travel within Miami affordably can use the Metro Rail, Metro Mover, Bus System, and Trolley system, depending on their needs. You can also opt for the Brightline high-speed train.
Do consider asking the locals or your hotel concierge for the best routes and pathways.
Travel Tips for UK Visitors to Miami
Remember to exchange all your pounds for US Dollars when you land at the Miami International Airport. This will ensure that you have an easier time going around.
Furthermore, do purchase a plug adapter since your UK plug won’t fit into an American socket. However, on the other hand, if you have devices that operate with a voltage range of 110 to 130 volts, then you will have to purchase a converter.
We would also recommend that you brush up on your Spanish speaking skills or learn some basic phrases like ‘Se hable par ingles?’(Do you speak English), Buenas dias (Good morning), Como estas (How are you) and Me gustaría el menú (I would like to see the menu).
These will help you navigate everyday life there as a tourist. Lastly, do remember to read up about the culture there to ensure that you do not disrespect the same.
We would also recommend taking a printout of your tourist visa to the USA from the UK as you’ll have to carry that with you during the trip.
Furthermore, don’t forget to carry other documents like your passport, trip itinerary, etc. That’s all, and have an amazing trip amigo and amigas!