If you really want to see Miami, there’s no better way to get around than by bike. Luckily, KAYAK Miami Beach makes it easy for our guests – with bikes available right at the hotel. The city itself is incredibly bikeable, thanks to dedicated bike lanes and relatively flat roads – letting you avoid the notoriously slow-moving traffic (that’s a near standstill when there are big events like Art BASEL or concerts). To help you navigate, here are our recommendations for ways to explore the city on two wheels, all within biking distance of the hotel.
Find a quiet swath of beach
Considering “beach” is in the name, it almost feels too obvious to say that Miami Beach is best known for one thing. While there is often a crush of people vying for real estate in the sand, there are places to get a bit more space, if you’re willing to take the time to look. Jump on a bike and cruise until you find a spot that suits you (and don’t forget to pack snacks).
Distance from hotel: varies
Miami Beach Botanical Garden
This 2.6-acre urban green space is just around the corner from the hotel, but feels a world away. Check out the nursery, propagation center, and outdoor classroom to learn more about an array of native Florida plants, succulents, and flowering vines. There’s also a stellar boutique.
Distance from hotel: .5 miles, about 3 minutes by bike
Lincoln Road Mall
This pedestrian shopping area often makes the can’t miss lists of Miami Beach. It’ll be busy with people, so you likely can’t ride your bike along its length, unless you go for pre-business window shopping, but at the very least you can park and stroll. Bring a backpack to make bringing your spoils back easier.
Distance from hote: .8 miles, about 5 minutes by bike
Do a photo tour of South Beach
South Beach is known for its iconic, pastel-colored Art Deco buildings, especially along Ocean Drive. Get an early start and cruise around the neighborhood looking for the prettiest pastel colored (and historic!) buildings. Keep an eye out for interesting decor and details, like flora and fauna motifs, and porthole windows, chrome accents, and geometric fountains.
Distance from hotel: 1.3 miles to heart of South beach, about 7 minutes by bike
South Pointe Park
The quiet tip of South Beach is the perfect tonic to the bustling shopping district. The 17-acre urban park has plenty of bike paths, an observatory deck, a field for lounging or playing catch in, a small water park for kiddos, and more. It’s also a good vantage point for watching kayakers, surfers, and jet skiers.
Distance from hotel: 2.8 miles, about 14 minutes by bike
Tootle along the Boardwalk
Stretching for 40 blocks, you’d be surprised how entertaining the Boardwalk is. There are often street performers, ranging from musicians to stand-up comics, and if you get too hot, there are tons of cafes, restaurants, and bars just off the Boardwalk with air conditioning and tasty treats (we like Norman’s Tavern for mojitos and Bungalow by the Sea for their raw bar and woodfire pizzas).
Distance from hotel: the Boardwalk is less than a minute from the hotel. The entire length is roughly 2 miles.
Venetian Causeway
We know it’s a bridge, but hear us out. This supercentenarian pathway has been connecting the mainland to South Beach since 1913 and remains one of the safest ways to cross the bay. Here you’ll see both tourists and locals going for walks, runs, and bike rides. If the view isn’t enough, it’s a quick jaunt from here to downtown.
Distance from hotel: 3.3 miles (to the far side), about 17 minutes by bike
Brewery crawl in Wynwood
If you’re up for an adventure, the Wynwood neighborhood is about six miles one way from the hotel. Check out Wynwood Brewing Company, J Wakefield Brewing, Veza Sur Brewing, Boxelder Craft Beer Market (it doubles as a bottle shop with oodles of international brews), and Cerveceria La Tropical for tasty brews with a local flair. Bonus: those six miles back will fly by after some suds.
Distance from hotel: six-ish miles from the hotel, about 35 minutes by bike
Ancient Spanish Monastery
Officially known as the Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux, this structure was built in 1133… in northern Spain. For roughly 700 years it was inhabited by monks, before changing hands a few times. Eventually, in 1925 it was purchased by William Randolph Hearst (the man who developed the largest newspaper chain in the US), who shipped it in pieces stateside. It wasn’t until 1964 that it was fully rebuilt and reopened as a tourist spot. Today it’s also a church with a stellar garden. It’s a bit of a trek, but you’ll get to see most of Miami Beach along the way.
Distance from hotel: 12 miles, about 1 hour by bike
Tips for biking in Miami:
Be seen: Miami has long been the place to see and be seen. That goes double for biking here. Considering you’re sharing the road with vehicles, it’s a good idea to wear something bright or reflective, so that drivers have an easier time spotting you. Similarly, avoid riding at night, if possible. It’s harder for drivers to see you in the dark.
Lock your steed up: Like in most major metros, theft happens. Locking your bike up in a highly trafficked area and to a designated bike stall goes a long way in keeping your bike safe.
Laws of the land: In Miami, cyclists are legally allowed to ride on sidewalks. However, they must yield right of way to pedestrians. While on roads, bicycles must obey all the same laws as cars (like stopping at red lights). Bicyclists aren’t allowed to bike against traffic.
