Miami has always held a special place in my modeling career.

After spending years traveling there for work, I've gotten to experience the city a little differently than I would on a typical vacation. There have been castings and photoshoots, early mornings and long days on set, but also plenty of dinners, workouts, beach days, and afternoons exploring in between.

And somewhere along the way, I developed a list of places I genuinely look forward to going back to. So whether you're heading to Miami for work, planning a girls' weekend, escaping somewhere warm, or just looking for a few new places to save, these are some of my favorites.

Consider this my little black book for Miami.

Where To Stay

Esme Hotel

Esmé Miami Beach is one of those hotels where the design immediately pulls you in. Located along Española Way in South Beach, it has this beautiful Spanish-Mediterranean feel that gives it so much more character than your typical beach hotel. I love the rich colors, patterned details, courtyards, and little corners throughout the property.

The rooftop is one of my favorite parts. There's a pool and lounge area that makes it easy to spend some downtime at the hotel without feeling like you're missing Miami outside of it. I also had dinner on the rooftop during my stay, and my order was exactly what vacation called for: steak frites followed by key lime pie.

My tip: Esmé is a great option if you care about design and want to be in the middle of South Beach. It's also just a short walk to the beach, so you don't necessarily need a beachfront resort to have an easy beach day.

Where To Eat

Mila

If you're looking for the quintessential Miami night out, MILA belongs on your list. It's a rooftop restaurant in Miami Beach with Mediterranean and Japanese influences, but the atmosphere is just as much a part of the experience as dinner.

This isn't necessarily where I'd go for a quiet, casual meal. It's where I'd go when I want to get dressed up and make dinner the event for the evening. The space is beautiful, the energy is very Miami, and it's one of those places where dinner can easily turn into your entire night.

My tip: Make a reservation, dress for the occasion, and don't schedule somewhere else immediately afterward. Let yourself enjoy the experience rather than rushing through dinner.

Makoto Bal Harbour

Makoto is one of my favorite stops when I'm spending time around Bal Harbour. Located inside Bal Harbour Shops, it's an easy place to build into an afternoon of shopping, and I love it for either lunch or dinner.

The menu is modern Japanese, with sushi, sashimi, robata-grilled dishes, and plenty of things that are easy to share. The spicy tuna crispy rice is exactly the kind of thing I'm ordering for the table. The atmosphere feels polished without making lunch feel like an entire production.

My tip: Make an afternoon out of it. Walk Bal Harbour Shops, stop for lunch at Makoto, and give yourself some time to browse rather than treating the mall like a quick shopping stop.

Where To Go

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

When I need a break from the busier parts of Miami, Virginia Key is such a nice change of pace. It's a completely different feeling from the energy of South Beach. You have the water and palms, but everything feels a little quieter and more natural.

It's perfect for a walk, a slower beach day, or simply getting outside after spending too much time in hotels, cars, studios, and restaurants.

My tip: If you're in Miami for several days, give yourself at least one part of a day that isn't scheduled around reservations or places you feel like you have to see. This is the kind of place I love for that.

Vizcaya Museum & Garden

If you love fashion, interiors, architecture, photography, or just beautiful places, go to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. This is easily one of the most inspiring places in Miami to me.

Between the historic villa, European-influenced architecture, gardens, stonework, water views, and all of the little details, there is something beautiful everywhere you look.

Maybe it's the model in me, but I immediately notice locations through the lens of a photoshoot, and Vizcaya genuinely feels like you could create an entire editorial without leaving the property. Even if you have absolutely no intention of taking photos, though, it's worth experiencing.

My tip: Don't rush through the gardens. Give yourself time to wander and actually take in the details.

Spend the Day at a Hotel Pool or Spa

One of my favorite Miami tips, especially if you're in town for work or staying somewhere without a great pool, is booking a day at one of the city's hotels through ResortPass. You don't necessarily have to be staying at a five-star resort to enjoy a few hours by the pool or book a spa day there.

For a true South Beach day, I love the idea of The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, where you can book access to the pool and beach and essentially give yourself a mini vacation within your trip.

If you're already heading toward Bal Harbour, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort is my pick for more of a wellness day. Book a spa treatment, take some time to relax, then walk over to Bal Harbour Shops and have lunch or dinner at Makoto.

My tip: This is also such a good option if you're in Miami for a modeling or work trip and suddenly end up with a free afternoon. Instead of changing hotels or trying to plan an entire day, book a pool or spa pass, grab your swimsuit, and actually enjoy being in Miami for a few hours.

Where To Workout

One of the habits modeling taught me early on was how helpful it is to maintain some version of my normal routine when I'm traveling. That doesn't mean I need to have a perfect workout schedule on vacation. Sometimes it's a full class, sometimes it's a walk, and sometimes rest wins.

But if you're like me and genuinely enjoy finding a good workout studio when you travel, these are two worth knowing.

Reforming Pilates Miami Beach

I'm a Pilates girl, so finding a studio while I'm traveling always makes me feel a little more at home. Reforming Pilates has a Miami Beach location and offers reformer classes, making it an easy option if you're staying around South Beach and want to fit a class into your trip.

I especially love Pilates when I'm traveling because I can get in a good workout without feeling like I've completely exhausted myself before the rest of the day.

My tip: Book ahead. I like scheduling a morning class when I'm traveling so I can get it done, grab coffee or breakfast afterward, and still have the entire day ahead of me.

Mimi Yoga

If you want something that feels like both movement and a reset, Mimi Yoga & Pilates is another Miami favorite. The studios currently have locations in Wynwood, Coconut Grove, and Aventura, so this is one I'd choose based on where you're staying or what neighborhood you're exploring that day.

Their offerings include yoga and Pilates-based classes, and I love the idea of pairing a class with exploring the neighborhood afterward.

My tip: Don't spend your entire trip crossing Miami for a workout. Choose the location that naturally fits into your plans that day. Your vacation workout should make the day better, not become the day's biggest logistical challenge.

A Few Things Modeling Taught Me About Miami

After enough work trips, you start learning how to make traveling feel a lot easier.

Don't underestimate the traffic. Give yourself more time than you think you'll need, especially if you're moving between Miami Beach and the mainland.
Bring options. Miami can take you from workout clothes and a swimsuit during the day to a very dressed-up dinner at night. I always appreciate having a few easy outfits that can transition without overpacking.
Make reservations. If there's somewhere you really want to eat, particularly for dinner, don't assume you'll figure it out when you get there.
Pack for the humidity. Your hair and makeup may have different plans than you do. I've learned to embrace it rather than fight it all day.
Leave some room in your schedule. Some of my favorite moments in Miami have happened between whatever I originally traveled there to do.

What I've learned from traveling for modeling is that the best work trips aren't necessarily the ones where you squeeze the most into them. They're the ones where you figure out how to experience a little bit of the city while you're there.

That's how I've come to know Miami. Have a Miami favorite I need to know about? Leave it in the comments. I'm always adding to my list.

A Model’s Guide To Miami