Memorial Day in Miami: Where to Celebrate the Start of Summer

Greater Miami and Miami Beach comes alive over Memorial Day weekend (May 22-25), marking the unofficial start of summer with festive flavors, sun-filled escapes, lively rooftop gatherings and more. From front-row views of the Air & Sea Show to rooftop cocktails and buzzy neighborhood hot spots, consider this your insider’s guide to spending the long weekend in Miami.

Credit: Lincoln Road

What to Do

At the center of the weekend is the Hyundai Air & Sea Show, where precision flyovers and military demonstrations unfold along Miami Beach, blending high-energy spectacle with meaningful tributes.

For those looking to stay close to the action, The Betsy – South Beach offers a front-row experience from its rooftop vantage point. Beyond the show, guests can take in the hotel’s cultural programming, from live jazz in The Piano Bar to projection-mapping artwork at “The Betsy Orb” and poetry installations along “The Betsy Poetry Rail.”

Just minutes from the Hyundai Air & Sea Show, Lincoln Road provides a more relaxed way to spend the day. The eight-block open-air promenade is lined with more than 200 shops, restaurants, galleries and public art, making it an easy extension of the weekend’s activities. 

Credit: The Goodtime Hotel

For a livelier scene, The Goodtime Hotel, Miami Beach brings the energy poolside. From May 22-25, non-hotel guests with a valid military ID receive complimentary access to the hotel’s iconic pool parties at The Pool at Strawberry Moon, where scalloped cabanas and a pastel palette capture vintage Miami glamour.

Where to Stay

Whether you’re planning a beachfront escape or a city-centered stay, Miami offers a range of options to match every pace of the weekend.

In South of Fifth, Balfour Miami Beach, a Registry Collection hotel, blends historic 1940s charm with modern comforts across two art deco buildings. Stylish rooms feature Lavazza coffee stations, in-room bar carts and sustainable bath products, plus a rooftop deck, a plunge pool, bike rentals and beachfront access. The hotel also features SoFi Coffee, a hyperlocal café, and Laurel Miami Beach, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant.

Credit: Hotel Continental

Active and retired military, veterans and their families receive exclusive savings at Hotel Continental, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton. The 10-story, 100-room hotel features a 1950s MiMo-inspired pool, curated art and inviting social spaces.

Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection, is a 357-room oceanfront resort, blending 1940s European Riviera glamour with art deco charm, lush greenery, resort-style pools, direct beach access and multiple dining options. The Seaside Savings package includes perks like welcome prosecco and a $50 food credit.

The Gates Hotel South Beach offers a quieter retreat along the Collins Canal, pairing midcentury-modern style with art deco-inspired design and easy access to Lincoln Road, the Bass Museum, and Miami Beach’s vibrant dining and entertainment scene. Guests can unwind by the pool with double-sided cabanas and enjoy K’Alma Spa treatments. With the hotel’s Stay More, Save More offer, guests save up to 15% when they book three nights or more.

Credit: Arlo Wynwood

Military members, veterans and their families receive up to 20% off at Arlo Wynwood, just steps from Wynwood’s world-famous street art, galleries, dining and nightlife. Guests can relax at the rooftop ART Wynwood pool and lounge or enjoy live music and wellness classes. On Sunday, May 24, from 5-11 p.m., STAMPED returns to the hotel’s Higher Ground courtyard with AYA and Friends, who bring #UnapologeticallyAfrican vibes with Amapiano, Afrobeats and vibrant sunset rhythms. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.

Veterans and active military receive 15% off their stay at The Elser Hotel & Residences, a 49-story luxury tower in Downtown Miami, featuring rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies and spacious suites with kitchens. Guests can enjoy views of the Air & Sea Show across the bay from the hotel’s 132-foot rooftop pool and Bayview Rooftop Bar & Kitchen.

Over in Brickell, Novotel Miami Brickell places guests just steps from top dining, shopping and nightlife. Guests can relax at the rooftop pool, sip cocktails at Vista Rooftop Bar & Lounge, and enjoy global cuisine at UVA Restaurant & Bar while taking in sweeping skyline views.

Where to Eat

Miami’s dining scene is just as much a part of the weekend, with options ranging from quick bites to high-energy dinner destinations.

Kung Fu Chicken in Miami Beach serves crispy, 24-hour marinated fried chicken and flavorful Asian street food with a modern twist— perfect for takeout or a quick bite between plans.

Grounded in Old World culinary traditions, Laurel Miami Beach offers a New American menu with Mediterranean influences, complemented by a curated wine and cocktail program and an inviting terrace and courtyard.

Credit: The Alley at The Betsy - South Beach

At The Alley, Chef Laurent Tourondel’s Italian trattoria at The Betsy Hotel, Roman-style pizzas with customizable bases and crispy-chewy crusts are served alongside fresh salads, artisanal charcuterie, house-made gelato and Italian-inspired cocktails, all served in a rustic setting.

Donna Mare Italian Chophouse brings the flavors of Italy to Miami Beach with a modern twist. The menu features handcrafted pasta, wood-fired pizzas with 50-year-old mother yeast, aged steaks and sustainably sourced seafood.

For a toes-in-the-sand setting, Bungalow Beach Bar & Grill transitions from daytime juices and raw bar selections to evening rosé and cocktails, all just steps from the ocean.

Credit: THRōW Social Miami

In Wynwood, THRōW Social® Miami blends games, food and entertainment into one lively indoor-outdoor venue, with everything from LED ping-pong, shuffleboard and oversized board games to DJs and live music.

Wyn Wyn offers a globally inspired menu designed for sharing, blending international flavors with playful twists. Brunch DJs, Lucky Hour cocktails and lively dinners make it perfect for celebratory gatherings.

R House Wynwood combines chef-driven Latin-inspired cuisine with drag performances and themed programming.

Italian tradition meets modern Miami flair at Da Angelino Cucina Italiana, offering house-made pastas, fresh meats and seafood, and a curated selection of wines. Next door, Al Bàcaro serves Venetian-style cicchetti, shareable bites and wines by the glass in a relaxed setting.

Newly opened at The Plaza Coral Gables, Mottai offers a technique-driven approach to Japanese cuisine, featuring raw preparations, grill-focused entrées, and expertly crafted nigiri and maki. 

Vista Rooftop Bar & Lounge blends retro Latin American flair with Miami energy, offering shareable bites and refreshing cocktails by day and city-lit toasts by night.

Finally, Delilah Miami’s Sunday Jazz Night offers live jazz alongside the playful Ménage à Trois Drink Tower of 12 mix-and-match cocktails and standout bites like chicken tenders and caviar, sliders and tartare cones, and wagyu pigs in a blanket.

By ML Staff.