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New Hotels, New Restaurants and Even New Capybaras: Miami and Miami Beach Start 2026 Busy

A familiar South Beach hotel is preparing for its return. A new music venue is drawing crowds in Wynwood. In the Everglades, two baby capybaras are about to join an already popular animal encounter.



As 2026 gets underway, Greater Miami and Miami Beach are rolling out a mix of hotel reopenings, dining debuts, cultural programming and transportation upgrades that reflect how the destination continues to broaden what it offers visitors.

Tourism officials say the focus is less on novelty for its own sake and more on creating experiences that encourage travelers to move beyond traditional tourist corridors.

“What’s unfolding across the destination over the next few months reflects a continued focus on premier hospitality and meaningful traveler experiences,” said David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). “Our goal is to offer visitors not just new reasons to return, but deeper ways to engage with Greater Miami and Miami Beach, whether that’s through dining, music, design, nature or neighborhood discovery.” 

That strategy is visible across the hospitality sector. The oceanfront Loews Miami Beach Hotel recently completed a $55 million renovation that refreshed hundreds of guest rooms and introduced two new restaurants. Nearby, the historic Balfour Miami Beach has entered a new chapter after joining The Registry Collection, preserving its Art Deco character while updating its amenities in the South of Fifth neighborhood.

One of South Beach’s most recognizable properties is also returning to the landscape. The Delano Miami Beach is scheduled to reopen in March following a reimagining that includes redesigned rooms, multiple dining and bar concepts, a wellness studio and the revival of the Rose Bar, long associated with the area’s nightlife scene.

Away from the shoreline, resorts are adding amenities geared toward active travel. At JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Aventura, new pickleball and padel courts have been added alongside lessons and tournaments, reflecting the growing popularity of racquet sports among leisure travelers.

Cultural and entertainment offerings are expanding as well. In Wynwood, Midline Miami has opened inside Arlo Wynwood, adding a two-story indoor live-music venue capable of hosting more than 1,000 guests year-round.

Nature-based attractions are also evolving. Everglades Alligator Farm plans to introduce two baby capybaras later this year, expanding on the popularity of its Capybara Encounter, while Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden recently marked the 15th anniversary of its Splendor in the Garden fundraiser supporting education and conservation programs.

The region’s dining scene continues to grow across multiple formats. In Wynwood, Kitchen + Kocktails, a Black-owned restaurant founded by hospitality entrepreneur Kevin Kelley, recently opened its doors, adding to the neighborhood’s roster of chef-driven concepts.

In Coconut Grove, Ariete is marking 10 years since opening, having earned national recognition for its Cuban-American fine dining approach. Chef Michael Beltran was also recently named a semi-finalist for the James Beard Awards alongside Maria Teresa Gallina and Nicolas Martinez of Recoveco for Best Chef: South.

Several new concepts emphasize casual sharing and experience-driven dining. THRōW Social has transformed the former Oasis Wynwood space into a large indoor-outdoor venue combining approachable food, cocktails, interactive games and live entertainment. Nearby in Coconut Grove, Da Angelino Cucina Italiana expanded with Al Bàcaro, a small Venetian-style tavern offering cicchetti, focaccia sandwiches and Italian wines in an open-air setting.

At Fontainebleau Miami Beach, restaurants are experimenting with more intimate formats. Prime 54 has introduced a chef’s counter experience inside its open kitchen, while Hakkasan has launched a reservation-based wine tasting highlighting the resort’s extensive wine program.

Fast-casual dining is also part of the mix. Kung Fu Chicken is set to open a Miami Beach location this March, expanding beyond its Little Havana and Westchester outposts with Asian-inspired flavors influenced by Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese cuisines.

Miami’s role as a global cruise hub continues to expand. PortMiami recently broke ground on a new cruise terminal designed to accommodate next-generation ships, while Norwegian Cruise Line has opened bookings for a future vessel that will homeport in Miami beginning in 2027.

Getting around the destination is changing as well. Free electric ride services by Freebee continue to operate across neighborhoods including Miami Beach, Wynwood and Brickell, while Miami Beach has introduced a free weekday water taxi linking Sunset Harbour with downtown Miami.

Check out more upcoming events below:

By ML Staff. Greater Miami and Miami Beach.


 
 
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