Plan on visiting or moving to one of the Magic City’s most prominent business and banking hubs?

Discover a cosmopolitan neighborhood rivaling international urban centers where you are just one elevator ride from shopping hubs, amazing entertainment, and some of the best restaurants.

What to do in Brickell, Miami, as a tourist or new resident?

From exquisite rooftop bars to stunning waterfront parks and pre-historic archeological sites, the Brickell neighborhood in Miami is one of the top spots for anyone looking to live in an urban and hip environment.

Let’s help you understand this unique financial district with the perfect guide for your trip.

What to Expect?

High-rise towers with resort-level amenities, a vibrant city atmosphere, international banks, stunning bay views, top restaurants, walkable streets, and a unique shopping experience.

What Not to Expect?

Easy beach access, plenty of green space, tranquil ambiance, less population.

Getting There

Finding Brickell in Miami is pretty easy—it’s one of the top hotspots for The Magic City residents.

Whether you’re just visiting or relocating, Brickell, Miami movers can make your transition into this neighborhood much easier and help you get to the heart of the area faster.

Finding your way to this stunning neighborhood from Downtown Miami is possible in four major ways unless you want to add by foot, then that’s five.

Transport Means Cost Average Time
Metrorail (Miami-Dade Transit) $3 2 minutes
Tram $0 6 minutes 
Bus $2-3 9 minutes
Taxi $8-10 2 minutes
Walk 25 minutes

 

Top Areas to Stay Within Brickell

Are you new to the neighborhood and wondering where to stay in Brickell, Miami?

Aside from just picking random hotels or AirBnB across the neighborhoods, some areas within Brickell offer a better experience than others.

Here are the top three areas you might want to stay on your next visit to Brickell, Miami. 

Brickell Central Business District

If you are hoping to stay in a place that offers the best of everything, the Central Business District might be the perfect place for you.

Brickell’s CBD has it all: offices, bars, restaurants, shopping stores, banks, law and tech firms. The area houses several regional headquarters of top corporations, such as Microsoft, Thoma Bravo, JP Morgan, Apollo Capital, KPMG, and many others.

 

There’s a wide range of condos offered within this part of Brickell. You can find spaces in buildings like The Plaza on Brickell, Icon Brickell, and 1060 Brickell.

Brickell Key

Is island living your thing? Well, just through 7th Street, you can access the neighborhood’s exclusive and stunning small island.

In Brickell Key, you will discover spectacular waterfront views from restaurants, residential buildings, grocery stores, and even offices. The benefit of staying on this island is a more laid-back experience than in Brickell CBD—less business-orientedness and noise.

South Brickell

The slightest chance of quiet in this neighborhood would be in South Brickell. Residential areas from North 15th Street to Rickenbacker Causeway offer somewhat a tranquil ambiance.

Most of the condos in this area date back from the ’80s to the early 2000s, with some modern high-rise buildings. Recently, this area has become a top site for residents due to the construction of new homes and luxury apartments.

What is Life in Brickell Like?

Life in Brickell is perfect, and it’s a fact. However, like any neighborhood, there are pros and cons to living in Brickell, Miami. Although the “cons” doesn’t exactly make this neighborhood terrible, it’s just that some people might find it harder to cope.

Let’s take a closer look at what living In Brickell is like.

1. An Expensive Living Taste

While living in Miami is a steal, the Brickell neighborhood within the city is among the list of places with a taste for luxury. It might not be Coral Gables or Star Island, but it has its fair share of being expensive.

The cost of living is above the national average, with rents going up 100% above what a normal American would pay.

  • Average House Rent: $3,043
  • Median Home Listing Price: $799,000
  • Median Household Income: $78,316

2. Diversity and Lifestyle

Brickell has a diverse population, from Latin Americans to Europeans, with about 46,878 residents. If you fancy walking into a bar, restaurant, or public gathering and hearing different languages, then Brickell might be your place in Miami.

There’s a unique charm and urban oasis for residents of all ages in Brickell. You’ll experience different cultural events and outdoor recreation, but what you won’t get? A beach—Miami Beach is the closest option for you.

How far is Brickell from Miami Beach? About 6 – 11 miles, depending on your mode of transport.

3. Convenience and Walkability

You’re more or less in the center of Miami—an easy-access route to the rest of the city. Residents within the neighborhood enjoy the short proximity of every basic amenity within walkable distances from their homes.

With about 10 minutes or less of walking, you can circle all the major shopping centers or find yourself at the Brickell City Center mall or the Mary Brickell Village.

4. Traffic and Getting Around

Brickell is a busy neighborhood with plenty of residents, and there are only so many routes to escape the traffic that can be hectic in the area, especially during rush hours.

It’s even worse for residents or people working in Brickell Key; the one-way in and out of the island can get really congested. But, if you can find a way to move earlier than most, you may beat the traffic. 

5. Entertainment and Nightlife

Glitz, glamor, and trendy people—that’s the memo around Brickell. From rooftop dining to exotic bars, the entertainment scene and nightlife in this neighborhood are one for the books.

With plenty of nightlife, how safe is Brickell, Miami, for tourists and new movers? It’s pretty safe and 60% safer than Florida’s state average. Many people like yourself visit the clubs and lounges at night, so you can comfortably take a nice stroll at late hours.

Best Things to Do in Brickell, Miami

Let’s make the most of your trip to this neighborhood. What to do in Brickell, Miami? Explore the shopping markets, restaurants, cinema, and the beautiful parks.

1. Visit the Brickell City Center

Brickell City Center is an impressive shopping area. It is an architectural masterpiece marketplace housing Brickell’s top shops and offers plenty of delightful food.

Should you visit anywhere first in Brickell, make here your #1 must-visit venue. It has Apple, Levi’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue stores, and you can shop for everything from clothing to jewelry and self-care products.

2. Dine At Sugar

As a neighborhood with Miami’s tallest skyscrapers, it’s only fair that bars and restaurants are high up in the sky. If you have a large budget or want to experience dining at its finest, you might want to visit Sugar.

Located on the 40th floor of East Miami Hotel, Sugar is a lush bar with panoramic views of the city’s skyline. Dining here is a costly undertaking, but it’s certainly worth it. You don’t need to be a guest at the hotel to dine here, but getting a reservation is advisable.

3. Stroll the Underline

It’s totally free and worth the visit! The unique spot is Miami’s Underline, which follows the curved path of its public transportation lines, creating an urban park for residents.

You can walk, skate, and bike through the 10-mile park while the metro line runs above you. On the weekends, there are yoga series for exercise-oriented people. Plus, if you have a dog, the park also has a welcoming environment for them to play in.

4. Check Out the Miami Circle National Historic Landmark

With an estimated age of 1,700 to 2,000, Miami Circle is a landmark for a structure believed to have come from Tequesta Indians, formed in a perfect circle shape. In 1998, carved holes in the natural limestone were a major find alongside excavated artifacts.

The landmark has been known by many names, including Miami Circle, Miami Circle at Brickell Point Site, and Miami River Circle. Since its discovery, Florida’s government has preserved the area and its recovered artifacts.

5. See Simpson Park Hammock

While Brickell has little greenery, a few parks within the neighborhood allow residents to escape and relax.

Spanning 7.8 acres, Simpson Park Hammock offers a lush, quiet, and fantastic relaxing area from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

The park is home to more than 160 plant species, about 15 of which are endangered. Simpson Park is proof of Brickell’s natural scenery before the arrival of high-rise buildings.

6. See A Movie At CMX Cinemas

If you are a fan of the theater and a lover of “CINEMA,” in Martin Scorsese’s voice, then find your way to CMX Cinemas for an amazing time!

With plush leather reclining seats, unique cocktails, modern theater screens, and superb surround sound systems, you can catch your favorite blockbusters anytime in Brickell.

7. Explore Brickell Avenue

Here, you will find the perfect sightseeing spot for a cool snap of the high-rise buildings on both sides of the road. 

Brickell Avenue is the main road running through Brickell’s CBD. You can take a few hours of your day to explore the Avenue’s unique architecture, food, arts, culture, and diverse entertainment scenes.

While you might think of entering every building, sadly, that might take a long time or prove impossible. You can simply use maps to determine what each building is and what type of property you are searching for.

Summing Up Your Trip

Still pondering on what to do in Brickell, Miami?

There’s a lot to see, many things to do, and plenty of luxury imaginations that come to life in Brickell. 

As you plan your trip or relocation to one of Miami’s busiest neighborhoods, you should have a tour guide or use movers to assist you through the area.

You could still do it on your own, but for more ease, it’s advisable to contact someone for extra help.

Enjoy your stay, good luck!

Author

Rethinking The Future (RTF) is a Global Platform for Architecture and Design. RTF through more than 100 countries around the world provides an interactive platform of highest standard acknowledging the projects among creative and influential industry professionals.