Miami travel destination
United States · North America

Miami

Art Deco glamour and Cuban flavors

Best: Winter, Spring$75$380/day3 planning tools available

Writing Inspiration

Miami Journal Prompts

Thoughtful questions to capture the essence of your Miami experience.

Location-Specific

  • What was your impression of South Beach—the Art Deco buildings, the beach, the scene?

  • Write about the Latin influence in Miami—the Spanish, the music, the food, the energy.

  • Describe the nightlife scene—or the morning after. What energy did you find?

  • What was your experience in Little Havana? The dominoes, the cafecito, the cigar shops?

Sensory Details

  • Describe your first step into Miami's heat and humidity. How did your body react?

  • How did the water define your experience? The turquoise Atlantic, the intercoastal, the Everglades?

  • Write about the Art Deco architecture. What made it feel different from anywhere else?

Memory Triggers

  • If you could bottle one Miami sensation—a taste, a sound, a feeling—what would it be?

  • What taste of Miami will stay with you? Cuban coffee? Stone crab? A waterfront cocktail?

  • Describe your most "only in Miami" moment.

  • What would you tell someone who only knows Miami from movies and music videos?

Reflection

  • How did Miami challenge or confirm your expectations?

  • What did Miami teach you about the meeting of cultures?

  • If you lived here, what would your daily life look like?

  • What part of Miami will you carry with you forever?

Photography Guide

Miami Photo Checklist

Essential shots to capture, with tips from photographers who know the city.

Art Deco hotels on Ocean Drive

Golden hour for the pastel buildings glowing; dusk for neon

South Beach with the iconic lifeguard stands

The colorful stands are uniquely Miami—each one is different

Miami skyline from the MacArthur Causeway

The view of downtown from the bridge is postcard-perfect

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

The Italian Renaissance villa and waterfront gardens

Wynwood Walls street art

The murals change, so document what you find

Little Havana's Calle Ocho

The roosters, the domino players, the murals

Cuban coffee window (ventanita)

The ritual of cafecito through a walk-up window

Domino players at Domino Park

The elderly Cuban men who've played here for decades

Supercars on Collins Avenue

Lamborghinis and Ferraris are regular traffic here

Yacht-lined marina

The boats get bigger the further north you go

Street vendor selling tropical fruit

Mango, papaya, coconut—the colors are incredible

Everglades airboat or alligator

If you venture into the swamps, document the wildlife

Places to Remember

Your Miami Memory Map

Pin these locations in TripMemo and use the prompts to capture meaningful moments.

South Beach Experience

landmark

Sand, sea, and scene

What time did you hit the beach? What was the vibe like?

Art Deco Walk

experience

Exploring the pastel buildings

Which buildings stood out? Did you go inside any?

Little Havana Exploration

experience

Cuban culture on Calle Ocho

What did you eat? Did you watch the domino games?

Your Cuban Coffee Moment

food

First cafecito or colada experience

Did the caffeine hit you like it hits everyone? Where did you get it?

Wynwood Art Discovery

experience

Street art and galleries

Which mural stuck with you? What was the neighborhood like?

Beach Sunset

personal

Watching the sun drop over Miami

Where were you? Who was with you? What colors did you see?

Nightlife Experience

experience

Miami after dark

Where did you go? What was the energy like?

Best Meal Spot

food

Where you ate the meal of the trip

What did you eat? What made it special?

Everglades Adventure

experience

If you ventured into the swamps

Did you see gators? How was the airboat ride?

Your "Only in Miami" Moment

personal

When the city showed its true colors

What happened that captured Miami's unique energy?

Inspiration

Sample Journal Entries

See how other travelers captured their Miami experiences.

Cafecito Culture

Little Havana, Miami

Found a ventanita—a walk-up window—on Calle Ocho. Asked for a cafecito. Got a thimble-sized cup of liquid energy. Three sips and I understood why this city moves fast. The elderly man next to me ordered a colada and poured shots for everyone waiting. Strangers sharing coffee through a window in the wall. The dominoes clacked in the park across the street. Roosters wandered past. A salsa song played from someone's car. This isn't America. This isn't Cuba. This is Miami, and it's something else entirely.

Photo Captions

  • The ventanita: Miami's original drive-through.
  • A cafecito this small. A punch this strong.
  • Sharing a colada with strangers. Miami manners.

Art Deco After Dark

Ocean Drive, South Beach

By day, Ocean Drive is pastels and tourists. By night, it's something else. The neon comes alive—pink and turquoise and gold outlining every curve of every building. The hotels glow like art installations. Music spills from every doorway. Lamborghinis cruise at walking speed, engines growling for attention. Beautiful people in impractical clothes heading somewhere more beautiful. I sat at a sidewalk cafe, ordered something overpriced, and just watched. Miami at night is performance art. Everyone's both the audience and the show.

Photo Captions

  • When the neon takes over Ocean Drive.
  • Art Deco buildings become light installations.
  • The cars are part of the show.

Ready to write your own Miami story?

Start Journaling with TripMemo

Document Your Journey

What to Journal in Miami

Miami offers countless moments worth capturing. Here are the experiences that make the best travel journal entries.

Beach culture

Art Deco architecture

Latin culture

Nightlife

TripMemo for Miami

The perfect travel journal companion

  • Works offline throughout your trip
  • Auto-organize thousands of photos
  • See your Miami journey on a map
  • Collaborate with travel companions
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Travel Style

Miami is Perfect for

beachculturephotographycouples travel

Miami Travel FAQ

Common Questions About Miami

What's the best time to visit Miami?

The best months to visit Miami are Apr, Oct, Nov when you'll find ideal weather and manageable crowds. Peak season is Jan, Feb, Mar, while May offers a good balance of weather and fewer tourists. Climate data sourced from historical weather records.

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How much does it cost to visit Miami per day?

Daily costs in Miami range from $75 for budget travelers (hostels, street food) to $380 for comfortable travel (4-star hotels, nice restaurants). Budget estimates based on crowdsourced cost data. Use our budget calculator for a detailed breakdown.

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What should I journal about in Miami?

Miami offers rich journaling opportunities. Focus on Beach culture, Art Deco architecture, Latin culture. TripMemo helps you organize photos by location and create beautiful day-by-day entries of your journey.

How do I document a Miami trip with TripMemo?

TripMemo is perfect for Miami. Create a TripBook, add photos and notes daily, and watch your journey unfold on an interactive map. The app works offline—essential for areas with spotty WiFi—and organizes thousands of photos automatically by date and location.

Ready to Explore Miami?

Document your Miami journey with TripMemo. Create beautiful TripBooks, collaborate with travel companions, and relive your adventure for years to come.