Brickell, Miami: What to See & Do + Where to Eat, Drink & Stay

Home to Miami’s financial district, the Brickell neighborhood in Downtown Miami is full of glittering skyscrapers, amazing restaurants, and top-class shopping areas. If you’re looking for a luxurious stay in Miami, Brickell is the place to be.

Located on Biscayne Bay, Brickell will let you spend your days wandering along the waterfront, enjoying well-maintained green spaces, and shopping until you drop. In the evenings, have your pick of outstanding places to eat and drink before laying down your head at some of Miami’s most luxurious hotels.

Ready to plan your visit? It’ll be a cinch with this complete guide to the best places to eat, visit, and stay in Brickell, Miami. 

Why Treksplorer? Founded in 2011 by Ryan O’Rourke, Treksplorer provides travel recommendations and advice to millions of readers every year. Our content is rooted in our writers’ firsthand experiences, in-depth research, and/or collaborations with other experts and locals. Read more about our editorial policy.

What to see & do in Brickell, Miami

Brickell City Centre

If you need some serious retail therapy you’re in luck. Home to some of the biggest designer brands on the planet, Brickell City Centre is a Miami shopping mall that’s been supercharged. With over 120 stores, including some well-known brands alongside upscale names, Brickell City Centre is a shopaholic’s dream.

Brickell City Centre

From Zara to Zadag & Voltaire to the Apple Store and beyond, if you’re looking for the must-have items of the season, you’re likely to find them all at Brickell City Centre. Once you’ve had your fill of browsing, buying, and grabbing bargains, journey to one of the many food outlets to recharge your batteries.

Not a fan of shopping? Brickell City Centre also has its own entertainment complex to while away the hours if your entire travel group isn’t in the mood to trudge around the shops. At the end of the day, come back together and regroup over a tasty plate of food or a few drinks. 

Simpson Park

Looking for a green space to escape to? With a beautiful tropical hardwood hammock, Simpson Park is an oasis in the heart of Miami. Wander the many trails and learn more about how Simpson Park protects endangered species of plants. 

Covering 7.8 acres in the Brickell neighborhood, Simpson Park is a popular retreat among locals and visitors alike. Opt to go for a walk, sit on a bench, and work, or bring a picnic with you and settle down for lunch in the designated picnic area.

As it’s open 8 am until 3 pm every single day, there’s no better way to start your day in Miami than at Simpson Park. Seeing the sunlight dapple through the hammock leaves is a truly special sight; it’s well worth getting up early and beating the crowds to this popular Miami destination.

The Social Hub Miami

If you know your optimal angles, what a ring light is, and are susceptible to influencer culture, you should definitely check out The Social Hub Miami. Known colloquially as the Selfie Museum, this multi-use media studio & event space is so much more than that.

With a host of themed rooms, props, and lighting options to choose from, The Social Hub Miami is a fun and unique tourist attraction, perfect for birthday parties or bachelorette parties. Laugh, go with the flow, and take advantage of all the professional equipment that you might not normally have access to.

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You get at least an hour with your entry to explore, have your photoshoot, mess around, and have a fun time. At the end of it, you’ll have a ton of amazing, professional-looking Instagram and TikTok content to last you for weeks to come!

Brickell Key Park

With the Brickell neighborhood’s waterfront location, it’s only fitting that it’s home to a waterfront park that takes advantage of all the amazing views. Located near the Mandarin Oriental Miami Hotel, Brickell Key Park is a delightful city park right on the water. 

Brickell Key Park

Surrounded by opulent and modern skyscrapers and stereotypically Floridian palm trees, Brickell Key Park perfectly marries the natural beauty and man-made successes of Miami. Wander a while, sit and reflect on your trip, or come down for a couple of snaps at sunset or sunrise. 

If you want to walk the entire loop of Brickell Key Park, it’s completely doable at just 1.2 miles and pretty flat the entire way. Whether you’re traveling with young kids, friends, or family members with accessibility issues, or you don’t feel like an intense hike, this trail is a good entry-level excursion that rewards you with stunning Biscayne Bay views,

The Underline

Taking New York’s High Line and flipping it on its head is Miami’s own rail-linked park. When it’s completed, The Underline will span 10 miles, traveling underneath Miami’s elevated Metrorail system. Shaded by the rail bridges above, it’s a great spot to escape the sometimes overwhelming Miami sunshine while still spending time out and about in Downtown Miami.

This beautiful, urban, linear park travels through several neighborhoods, beginning its journey in Brickell. The idea is that The Underline will not only serve as a city park but as an urban trail and a public art gallery displaying the best of Miami’s local art scene for everyone to see and experience.

The Underline

If you’re planning on traveling by two wheels, designated cycle lanes run along The Underline to promote a greener way of living and traveling around this beautiful city. Strap on your sneakers and get exploring!

There’s even talk of events like yoga classes being organized in specific parts of The Underline; keep your eyes peeled or ask the reception desk at your hotel for more information.

Miami Circle National Historic Landmark

Looking for a park with a historic twist? Get yourself down to the waterfront and experience the Miami Circle National Historic Landmark. Not only is it a beautiful green space along Biscayne Bay, but it’s also an archeological marvel.

Miami Circle

The circle itself refers to the remnants of a prehistoric Native American structure that’s the main feature of this interesting and culturally-significant park. Take some time to learn more about the prehistoric history of Miami, the significance and culture of Native American living at the time, and just enjoy the view. 

As a bonus, the Miami Circle National Historic Landmark is dog-friendly. If you’re traveling with your furry friend, you can take them on a nice waterfront walk here.

Where to eat & drink

As Brickell is located in the financial district, you can expect that the neighborhood is home to some of the best restaurants and bars in all of Miami.

If you’re looking for super fresh seafood in elegant surroundings, bring your appetite to The River Oyster Bar on SE 7th Street. Peruse the dangerously long wine list, and enjoy their happy hour deals while you wait for those delicious oysters.

Fancying high-end Asian cuisine instead? KOMODO Restaurant is the place to visit with its tasty small plates and stylish vibe. With three stories of eating and drinking space, including indoor and outdoor options, you can kick back and enjoy the chic atmosphere. 

Bar at Brickell City Centre

Located in the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Miami Hotel is La Mar by Gaston Acurio, a gorgeously designed Peruvian restaurant. Benefiting from outstanding waterfront views, it’s the perfect spot to get yourself fresh, tangy, and delicious ceviche. 

If you want somewhere a little more laid back and low-key, carve out some time to visit Better Days, a cocktail bar with a more chill aesthetic and vibe. As the bar is located inside a thrift shop, you can grab yourself a vintage bargain while you wait for your next artisanal cocktail.

Prefer a more pub kind of feel? Wander down to Batch Gastropub: Miami for plenty of local craft beers and delicious cocktails. Focusing on locally-sourced produce, despite its pub vibe, Batch Gastropub: Miami serves some seriously modern food.

No trip to Miami is complete without letting your hair down in one of the many clubs and dance-friendly bars. Unleash your inner dancing queen at Blackbird Ordinary, where you’ll find a whole host of DJs and live bands until late. The specialty cocktails are pretty great, too!

Where to stay

citizenM Brickell

citizenM Miami Brickell

If you want to embrace the colorful vibrancy that makes Miami so iconic, check into the citizenM Miami Brickell. The hotel is a work of art in itself; you can’t help but notice its brightly colored muraled walls. Inside, expect a light and airy feel courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows and plenty of exciting modern design features.

Hampton Inn & Suite by Hilton Downtown Brickell

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Miami Downtown/Brickell

Traveling to Brickell on business? Make a reservation at the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Miami Downtown/Brickell. This spacious hotel allows you the room and flexibility to work remotely in its business center before unwinding at its rooftop pool or in the well-stocked bar. It’s the best of both worlds!

Mandarin Oriental

Mandarin Oriental Miami

Sometimes you just want to blow the travel budget. It doesn’t come more opulent than the five-star Mandarin Oriental Miami. As the 5-star hotel is located right on Biscayne Bay, you can’t get a better location in Downtown Miami or Brickell than this. Unwind in tasteful and elegant rooms, have a drink on a balcony with unobstructed bay views, or take a dip in the rooftop pool. Welcome to paradise!

Treksplorer

Ryan O'Rourke is a seasoned traveler and the founder & editor of Treksplorer, a fiercely independent guide to mid-range luxury travel for busy people. With over 20 years of extensive travel experience, Ryan has journeyed through over 50 countries, uncovering hidden gems and sharing firsthand, unsponsored insights on what to see & do and where to eat, drink & stay. Backed by his travel experience and in-depth research, Ryan’s travel advice and writing has been featured in publications like the Huffington Post and Matador Network. You can connect with Ryan on Twitter/X at @rtorourke.

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