📍 Miami

First stop? Miami 🌴

The Gabriel Hotel

Located in the heart of Downtown Miami on Biscayne Boulevard, this hotel offers amazing views, direct restaurant access, and a rooftop pool.

In search of a modern hotel? This one is for you!

Finding the right place to stay can be stressful, but I’ve learned three helpful things about the process…

(1) Stress gets you nowhere — so don’t do it.

(2) Doing your research ahead of time makes all the difference. Cough, cough… book your stay early!

(3) Think about where you’ll be spending most of your time. Will the hotel you’re considering give you easy access to those places? It’s better to figure that out before you check in.

My boyfriend Emmett and I dove into researching hotels a few months before our trip because we knew traveling on a holiday weekend would make availability scarce. To be honest, most of the hotels in Miami were already booked — but we got lucky with The Gabriel. It was important to us that we had a place where we could truly unwind and slip into relaxation mode.

My favorite parts about this hotel were the dining and the design elements.

Let’s start with the food, shall we?

Emmett and I are early risers, if you will. Breakfast lovers? Also guilty. So naturally… we had to check out the restaurant The Gabriel Miami South Beach had to offer.

As expected, it was a beautiful space — lush greenery paired with warm lighting suspended from the ceiling. Breakfast had never felt so modern.

There’s something nostalgic about the aroma of coffee first thing in the morning — I find comfort in it. Coffee lovers, I think you catch my drift. We were seated right by the windows, and the morning sun flirted with my coffee cup as we waited for our food to arrive.

I ordered the açaí bowl, and Emmett went with waffles. Can you tell we have a sweet tooth? Both were delicious. They say we eat with our eyes first, and let me tell you — this food was plated beautifully. The menu offered a wide variety, appealing to breakfast lovers of all kinds.

Our only complaint was the service. It was a little slow, but we didn’t mind much since our intention was to kick back and relax. However, if we’d been in a hurry that morning, it might not have been ideal.

Overall, we loved having easy access to the restaurant. You can find it on the third floor, and it’s open for lunch and dinner for guests as well. I definitely recommend this option if you don’t want to spend time searching for a place to eat on the busy Miami streets.

Creative charm is what comes to mind when I think about the aesthetics of this hotel.

Walls were lined with vibrant imagery and this eclectic vision filled the spaces.

I had never stayed in such a modern space before, and it was definitely something different — in the best possible way. I especially loved the lounge area pictured above. The shelves were lined with books, artwork, and curated décor, while the couches were layered with plush pillows and the tables topped with fresh greenery.

We didn’t have much free time to truly enjoy the lounge, but if we ever go back, it’s a space I know we would take full advantage of.

One of the best parts is its location — right outside the restaurant on the third floor. It makes the perfect spot to pass time before your meal or unwind for a bit afterward.

THINGS TO DO

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📍 Biscayne National Park

Biscayne tops my list of the most memorable moments from this trip. My boyfriend, Emmett, is passionate about National Parks and spends much of his time crossing new ones off his bucket list. One of the many things I love about him is that it pushes me to dive deeper into my own adventurous side.

With that said, Biscayne was a park he wanted to experience — and I had never been snorkeling before. In fact, I’ve never really swam in the ocean beyond dipping a toe in or letting the water reach mid-stomach. So this was an exciting, heart-racing opportunity for me.

The entire experience cost around $230, and we easily rented two snorkel bundles for the day. It started at 1:30 pm, and we were back on shore around 5:00 pm. The process was straightforward: check in at the gift shop, fill out a waiver, and arrive 30 minutes prior to the activity.

Everyone at the institute was incredibly kind, and the men who accompanied us on the boat were nothing short of informative. Their passion for the work they do was clear. After getting sized for our fins and learning how to inflate our life vests, the boat ride began. It was a bit long — the further out you go, the clearer the water which slightly cut into our swimming time.

Still, the ride was enjoyable. They shared stories about the land and waterways as we made our way to the snorkeling spot, and I loved learning about the life under the surface and the history of the area.

Once I got into the water, any fear of doing something unfamiliar melted away. It was incredible to be one with nature and to glimpse the vibrant world beneath the waves. The vastness of the ocean made me feel small — but in the most magical way.

If you’re looking to catch a sunset or enjoy a quiet walk near the water, the park has a beautiful trail. We were able to snap some photos and soak in the scenery before our adventure came to a close.

Whether you’re a National Park enthusiast like Emmett and I or simply want some water-based activities, I highly recommend exploring Biscayne.

Learn more about Biscayne National Park

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📍 WYNWOOD WALLS & ART DISTRICT

2516 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127

If you only have 24 hours in Miami, I highly suggest checking out Wynwood Walls and the surrounding art district. This is another one that made the top of my list of memorable moments!

There’s something magical about this neighborhood, thriving with colorful murals at every turn. Large-scale works line the streets, and each step feels guided by the creations of well-known artists. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or just want to explore a “happening” area, Wynwood is the perfect destination.

There’s a $10 entrance fee — because, let’s be honest, most things cost money these days - but it’s absolutely worth it. You can wander freely, admire the art, and snap photos of the pieces that speak to you most.

It’s a fantastic way to see Miami’s personality and appreciate the skill behind graffiti and street art at the same time.

And the neighborhood has so much more to offer:

Funky art galleries
Craft breweries
Coffee shops
Boutiques

… and so much more!

Tap into your creative side and dive into the art district. I promise you won’t regret it.

📍 Panther Coffee Shop

Located near Wynwood

2390 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL

Attention all coffee lovers… this one is for you.

I find so much joy in the simple act of grabbing a coffee and sitting down to savor it. Discovering Panther Coffee in the Wynwood district was an absolute delight.

This shop was popular on Reddit — AKA my boyfriend and I’s savior when traveling and hunting down the best places to eat and drink.

Panther Coffee ended up being our favorite café in Florida. As you can see from the photo above, the ambience was incredible: funky lights, exposed wood, and a vibe that perfectly matched the creative energy of Wynwood.

And the coffee? Delicious.

It was extremely hot that day, so we gravitated toward iced drinks. Caramel iced lattes are usually our go-to, but the barista recommended a mix of vanilla and honey when we found out they were out of caramel syrup. We tried it — and it was divine. Not too sweet, and you could actually taste the rich flavor of the coffee.

There’s no indoor seating here, but the outdoor options more than make up for it. The energy was fantastic, and we would definitely go back! The only downside was the price: two iced coffees came to around $18.

When on vacation… I say it’s okay to splurge and treat yourself a little!

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Well, that brings us to the end of this Miami travel diary 🌺

I hope you enjoyed reading and found some helpful tips for planning your own adventures in this vibrant city!

I can’t wait to share my next adventure — stay tuned for more stories!

Travel Diaries