Once school’s out, staying in Miami can feel like the dog days with almost-unbearable humidity. Once all the college kids go home, staying in Miami can feel like a drag; however, it doesn’t have to be! There is no better time  to try trekking outdoors, dancing at clubs and festivals, eating at amazing restaurants or just anything new with all that spare time. Whoever said New York was “the city that never sleeps” hasn’t spent a summer in Miami.

While Miami is known year-round for its constant hubbub of festivals, outdoor activities and ongoing attractions, this is especially true during the summer. 

Although it gets to a near boiling temperature, the fun can not be stopped. Summer is a great chance to refresh when the college crowd gets a bit tiring and overwhelming. 

Emilia Morales, a junior at the University of Miami, said she agrees.  “It’s a different feeling not having the regular college crowd but there’s still a lot of college aged people around and I think summer can be a lot more relaxing and less stressful,” said Morales. 

Don’t know where to start on your first summer in Miami? Here’s a list to get you going.

Restaurants & Bars

As if you didn’t know, Miami is packed with restaurants, cafes and bars — there are so many gems waiting to be discovered. 

Even if you tried a new restaurant each day of the summer, you would likely never run out of options. 

Catherine Hoynack, a junior finance major, grew up in Miami and gave her insider scoop on where the best places to grab a bite are. 

“Madruga Bakery is obviously the best. The grove has really good restaurants as well, like Sapore Di Mare. If you want Indian Bombay, Darbar is amazing,” said Hoynack.“If you go to Brickell for happy hour, Rosa Sky is really nice.” 

Concerts Galore

The beloved Hard Rock Stadium isn’t just home to the `Canes football team or the Miami Dolphins. Its stacked lineup of  star-studded events has earned  a reputation for putting on incredible shows. 

“There’s usually a lot of concerts going on. This upcoming summer I’m going to Morgan Wallen which is exciting. Whatever concerts are going on are always my favorite things,” said Hoynack.

The lineup of music sensations coming this summer should not be missed. Shakira, the four-time Grammy-winning Colombian artist, is set to perform at Hard Rock Stadium June 6 for her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” world tour. 

Post Malone will also venture to Miami to play June 8 for his “Big Ass Stadium Tour” and The Weeknd will play for his “After Hours Tour” Aug. 15. Visit the Hard Rock Stadium website to see if your favorite artist is stopping by the 305 this summer. 

Fun in the Sun

Worried about what another season in Miami will do to your bank account? No worries. Fun activities don’t always cost money, especially in the beautiful outdoors of summer. Some people’s perfect summer day involves just themselves and nature. 

“I like to walk and run around Pinecrest and Coco Plum and sometimes Snapper Creek. I enjoy being around nice neighborhoods,” said Hoynack. 

If rotting on the beach isn’t stimulating enough for you, there are plenty of activities to do on any beach in Miami, like  jet skiing, windsurfing, parasailing or wakeboarding. If you miss the UM Scuba Club during the summer, feel free to check out the dozens of dive shops around South Miami, like Diver’s Paradise in Key Biscayne. 

Just like in the deep sea, there are endless hidden treasures that this amazing city has to offer, especially under the summer sun.

Miami is known for its festivals of all kinds. It isn’t just Ultra that attracts music-lovers. Whether it’s art, music or food, you can bet that Miami will have a festival, market or event dedicated to it. Whether it’s art, music or food, you can bet that Miami will have a festival, market or event dedicated to it.

Some memorable markets that people recommend include, “the farmers market on Sundays in Pinecrest. Wayside marketplace in Pinecrest as well has great smoothies and fresh fruits,” said Hoynack. 

Are you a fellow thrifter looking for some unique Miami finds? There happens to be a year-round pop-up called the Magic City Flea Market that hosts many different local companies and small businesses. It is essentially a thrifters’ playground.  

The beach might sound like an obvious choice for summer in Miami, but it is a classic. Sometimes all you need is a good book, a spike ball game and a little trip to the sand. The ocean water in Miami gets up to 85 degrees so you  can play in it all day and still stay cool. 

“It gets really hot so sometimes being outside isn’t the best, but going to the beach is always fun,” said Morales. 

South Beach and Miami Beach are all-the-rage for tourist-filled spaces with lots of people watching. If you are looking for a more secluded area, try out Matheson Hammock Park or Key Biscayne. 

Putting In The Work

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not always about partying in Miami. Often, rather than searching for work in their respective hometowns, UM students grab any job or internship they can during the summer.

Hoynack says that she is spending the summer in Miami working at Ernst & Young, a Big Four accounting firm. Alternately, Morales says she will spend her summer working as a lifeguard at a local country club.

“I do work in Miami at Ernst & Young during the summer. It is a big four accounting firm,” said Hoynack. On the other hand, Morales said, “I work as a lifeguard at a country club.”

Random Events

Later in May comes the Hyundai Air and Sea Show and Music Explosion. This is a free event that is open to the public to celebrate all branches of the military and first responders. There are demonstrations of military air shows, special operations exercises, parachute teams and much more. 

Another favorite is Miami Swim Week, which takes place from May 28 through June 1. This Miami Beach event has over 100 runway shows featuring the season’s new bathing suits on some world-famous models. 

words_lucy carlson-pietraszeck. photo_valentina gomez. design_sal puma.

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