Between miles of pristine beaches and world-class cuisine, ultra-luxe shopping, and over-the-top wellness, there is no better destination for a memorable girls’ trip than the glistening shores of Miami.
Below, an itinerary of the most essential experiences – from brunch to blowouts – to complete your next stay in South Florida:
Stretch to Ocean Views
Wake up to the sound of the Atlantic with a group yoga class for you and the girls. Local expert YOGiiZA offers 75- and 90-minute sessions at Acqualina Resort & Spa in various styles from Iyengar to Naam to Budokon. For a powerful sequence that will both energize and relax your body for the day ahead, opt for the personalized Beachfront Yoga Flow. Breath synchronizes with movement to unify the mind and body while encouraging increased strength and flexibility.
Photo: YOGiiZA
Shop Miami’s Newest Style Enclave
At the height of Miami shopping is the exclusive new Brickell City Centre, which opened to much acclaim in Downtown Miami in late 2016. Shop four levels of high-end boutiques, including more than 10 flagship stores like Italian fragrance and skincare expert Acqua di Parma and minimalist women’s clothing brand Fabiana Filippi, then look up to take in the $30-million wave trellis overhead. Made of striking steel, fabric, and glass, the installation is both beautiful and environmentally friendly, providing natural climate control and collecting rainwater for reuse.
Photo: Mike Kelley, courtesy Brickell City Centre
Brunch with the Girls
It wouldn’t be a girls’ trip without a savory brunch (or two). On Sundays, head to AQ Chop House by Il Mulino, Acqualina’s newest dining concept on the edge of the Atlantic. Bold, modern design meets Italian residential classicism in the bright space with sweeping ocean views, and for brunch you will find savory bites from Il Mulino (including carved meats, omelets, and pastas) along with unlimited mimosas, prosecco, mojitos, and Bloody Marys.
Saturday takes you to the rooftop setting of Juvia. Surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful city vistas, indulge in French, Japanese, and Peruvian cuisine from a trio of talented chefs. From the pink shrimp acevichado to the Japanese hamachi espuma to succulent oysters, order a spread of different flavors to kick off your day in Miami.
Photo: AQ Chop House by Il Mulino
Snap Photos in the Gardens
Considered one of the best botanic gardens in the world, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden provides a tranquil escape for a morning or afternoon in Miami. An international leader in conservation, the lush gardens are home to sweet fragrances and warm breezes throughout. Walk the paths to see the exotic Vine Pergola, the Tropical Flowering Tree Arboretum, Simons Rainforest, and the Tropical Plant Conservatory and Rare Plant House, where Dale Chihuly’s End of Day Tower stands among the brightly colored cichlids. Each enclave provides the perfect backdrop for photos, and you can even take a photography class while you’re there to better capture the orchids, water lilies, or the sunrise.
Photo: Murray Foubister via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY
Sunbathe on a Private Yacht
With a glass of rosé in hand, toast your girls’ getaway from the deck of a private yacht. Miami is the perfect place to spend a day on the water with azure seas and a bounty of marine life just beneath the surface, and as part of the new collection of Acqua Experiences at Acqualina, you can reserve a private three-hour cruise with Captain Matt from The Charter Agency. Lounge on the deck and, after dropping anchor at a popular sandbar, swim, snorkel, and paddleboard while keeping an eye out for resident dolphins and sea turtles.
Photo: The Charter Agency
Indulge at the Spa
Set on the ethereal white sands of Sunny Isles Beach, the 20,000-square-foot Acqualina Spa by ESPA is a tranquil escape for relaxation and rejuvenation. Step inside the Forbes Five Star award-winning spa for a stress-melting massage, facial, body treatment, or full Day Spa Journey. Before or after your treatment, seek out must-try spa rituals like the Himalayan salt wall, Finnish Sauna, Crystalized Steam Room, and spa pool that overlooks the glistening Atlantic.
Make It a Blowout
Before a night out in Miami, head to Drybar in Brickell City Centre to complete your look. The sleek salon is all about blowouts, and with a range of chic blowout styles, you and the girls will be ready for any occasion. Choose from blowouts like the Old Fashioned with Hollywood waves, the signature Straight Up, the sleek and smooth Manhattan, and the Mai Tai for effortlessly messy beach hair.
Photo: Phillip Pessar via Flickr
Sip Cocktails on a Rooftop
The perfect way to end a stay in Miami is with a few libations at a stylish rooftop bar. With sweeping views of Downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay, Sugar feels like a tropical oasis in the city with its verdant greenery and softly glowing lanterns. Authentic Asian flavors grace the menu, while the cocktail selection includes standouts like the Jasmine with tequila, peppercorn-infused Cointreau, agave, jasmine, and raspberries. Say one last toast as you listen to the laidback music of local and international DJs and take in the city skyline.
Photo: Sugar Miami