If you've been looking at international escapes but decided you'd rather keep your passport at home, consider planning a vacation to Miami.
Situated on Florida's southeastern tip, this worldly city exhibits a strong Cuban influence, reflected in the cafes and cigar shops that line Calle Ocho in Little Havana. On barrier islands across the turquoise waters of Biscayne Bay is Miami Beach, home to South Beach — this glitzy neighborhood is famed for its colorful art deco buildings, white sand, surfside hotels and trendsetting nightclubs. Glamour aside, the city has plenty of quality restaurants, bars and attractions to appease any budget traveler.
It’s more doable than you might think. According to travel site Skyscanner, there are loads of flights from Charlotte to Miami in the next few months, and the prices aren't too shabby.
So, if you're looking for a change of scenery, here are some deals to put on your radar. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.)
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Flight deals to Miami
Currently, the cheapest flights between Charlotte and Miami are if you leave on Oct. 1 and return from Florida on Oct. 3. American Airlines currently has roundtrip tickets for $91.
There are also deals to be had in September. If you fly out of Charlotte on Sept. 23 and return from Miami on Sept. 27, American Airlines can get you there and back for $92, roundtrip.
Top Miami hotels
Regarding where to stay, here are some of Miami's top-rated hotels, according to Skyscanner, that we selected based on price, proximity to things to do and customer satisfaction.
The Fontainebleau Miami Beach (4441 Collins Ave.)
If you're looking to treat yourself, consider The Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The hotel has a 4.5-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $399/night.
"Amenities include an ocean view spa, a dreamlike pool oasis, shops, trendy bars and iconic clubs, various restaurants and three beautiful ballrooms," wrote reviewer Josefine.
W South Beach (2201 Collins Ave.)
There's also the 4.6-star rated W South Beach, which has rooms currently set at $359/night.
Situated on 300 feet of pristine oceanfront property, W South Beach is just mere steps from beaches and the hottest nightlife, along with attractions such as John Collins Park.
The Mandarin Oriental, Miami (500 Brickell Key Drive)
A third option is The Mandarin Oriental, Miami. With a 4.9-star rating on Skyscanner, this hotel is one of the most luxurious in the city, and has rooms currently going for $299/night.
Top picks for dining and drinking
Miami has plenty of top-notch dining options. Here are a few of the most popular, according to Skyscanner.
Joe's Stone Crab (11 Washington Ave.)
One of Miami's most popular restaurants is Joe's Stone Crab, which has an average of 4.6 stars out of 87 reviews on Skyscanner.
"Joe's was truly incredible," wrote visitor Shane. "Food and service were first-class. ... The staff [was] delightful. We had jumbo claws, which were delicious, as was the grilled tomato side with cheese. Reasonably priced, given the experience. Highly recommended."
Versailles Cuban Restaurant (3501 S.W. Eighth St.)
Another popular dining destination is Versailles Cuban Restaurant, with 4.4 stars from 93 reviews.
In the heart of Little Havana lies this Cuban restaurant that so many have traveled so far to experience. If you want to enjoy an authentic Cubano, this is the place.
"This is the most famous Cuban restaurant in Miami," wrote reviewer James. "An amazing selection of Cuban cuisine with great service."
Zuma (270 Biscayne Blvd. Way)
Also worth considering is Zuma.
Zuma, located in the heart of downtown Miami, offers modern Japanese dishes in a fun and vibrant environment.
"The service and food [are] consistently outstanding," wrote Kayla. "Everything is delicious, but the standouts of the night were the miso black cod, the hot pot, grouper tempura and the truffled beef tataki."
Featured local attractions
Miami is also full of sites to visit and explore. Here are two popular attractions to round out your trip, again from Skyscanner's listings.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (3251 S. Miami Ave.)
First up is Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, where guests can spend hours exploring the 10 acres this famed villa sits on, taking walks through the gardens and spending time at the waterfalls and fountains, before taking pictures at the reflecting pools. One can also walk between the stone balustrades that hold decorative urns, which are filled with flowers from the region.
"Well worth a half-day visit," wrote visitor Shane. "The gardens are lovely and good fun for kids to run around and get lost. ... Lovely place just to go and spend some time and relax. Great views across to Key Biscayne too."
Wynwood Walls (2520 N.W. Second Ave.)
Lastly, spend some time at Wynwood Walls, a permanent outdoor mural exhibit.
Wynwood Walls features some of the world's most renowned street artists. Additionally, there are hundreds of other street art and graffiti murals around the district, curated yearly by Primary Flight, making it one of the biggest street art destinations in in the world.
"Cool place to wander around," wrote visitor Chris. "Lots of interesting art styles, along with different places to eat and drink."
This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
