Inspirato’s LGBTQ Guide to Miami

At Inspirato, we’re committed to making sure each and every club member has an unforgettable vacation, no matter where they go or who they’re traveling with. For LGBTQ members, experiencing the world with pride and the people you love at your side is easy to do with the club. The Inspirato Collection features many great destinations for having a safe, welcoming, and — most importantly — fun vacation experience.

Among the most popular of those destinations are always-exciting Miami and South Beach, long considered one of America’s LGTBQ capitals, as well as a legendary luxury travel hotspot. LGBTQ travelers of any and all styles can find endless ways to enjoy this sun-soaked vacation mecca, but to get you started, we’ve narrowed it down to some of our favorite things to do, events to check out, and places to stay.

Things to Do

The Beach

No visit to Florida is complete without plenty of beach time. 12th Street Beach is Miami’s biggest gay beach, with white sand, blue waters, and a diverse crowd of people as beautiful as the scenery. In nearby Fort Lauderdale, Sebastian Street Beach is a gay mecca, and it’s only steps from Inspirato’s residences at The Ritz-Carlton.

LGBT Visitor Center

Stop by the LGBT Visitor Center — located off Ocean Drive in the heart of South Beach’s LGBTQ district — for locals’ recommendations on things to do and see. This is a great place to get all your questions answered and gather inspiration for an unforgettable vacation.

Shopping

Miami is a fashion capital with everything from luxury brands to local boutiques and, naturally, every kind of swimwear one can imagine. Lincoln Road is home to popular local shops including BASE, while the iconic Collins Avenue and the Miami Design District are where shoppers will find high-end retailers such as Prada and The Webster. In Wynwood, hip and quirky boutiques peddle unique apparel and vintage finds.

Dining

Drag queens strut and dance among the tables at beloved al fresco brunch spot Palace, where natives and visitors alike flock for bottomless mimosas and top-notch entertainment just steps from the ocean. Don your best attire at other glitzy, LGBTQ-favorite restaurants and cafes such as Wynwood Kitchen & Bar, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, and The Matador Room.

Culture

Beaches and bars may be Miami’s best-known attractions, but the city is also one of the country’s cultural hubs (it is, after all, the North American host to Art Basel, arguably the art world’s biggest event). The hip, colorful Wynwood neighborhood and Miami Design District are decorated with a bevy of galleries, murals, street art, studios, and intriguing international restaurants. Elsewhere, theaters and performing arts centers stage ballet, plays, and other productions nearly every night.

Nightlife

Miami, South Beach, and nearby Fort Lauderdale never truly sleep. Renowned for buzzing nightlife, they’re home to dozens of fabulous bars and clubs. Top international DJs spin tunes at popular dance venues such as Sunday pool party, while bars such as the Cabaret South Beach and Basement feature lounge singers and a bowling alley, respectively.

Festivals and Events


Miami Beach Gay Pride Festival – More than 115,000 locals and visitors come to Miami’s massive Pride festival every April. The three-day event includes a spectacular parade, celebrity appearances, a sprawling beach party with dozens of vendors and music, and more.

Gay8 Festival and Celebrate Orgullo – These energetic festivals celebrate Miami’s mighty Hispanic LGBTQ community. Gay8 (held in January) brings live performances, authentic food, and art demos to the streets of Little Havana, while Celebrate Orgullo kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month (held in October) with a full 15 days of programming.

Winter Party Festival – Dance, mingle, and help raise funds for a variety of LGBTQ-focused organizations during this weeklong extravaganza, happening February 28 to March 6, 2018. Major DJs provide the soundtrack for the energetic parties that make up the Winter Party, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2018.

OUTshine Film Festival – This mega-popular fest has been entertaining audiences since 1998. Today, it comprises two different film festivals: one in Fort Lauderdale (October 6-15, 2017) and one in Miami (April 20-29, 2018). The films and documentaries screened here come from all over the world and tackle a wide range of LGBTQ topics.

Aqua Girl – Billed as the largest women’s charity weekend in United States, Aqua Girl brings together women from all over the country every May for a weekend of special events, parties, and performances. All proceeds benefit Aqua Foundation for Women, a nonprofit devoted to advancing lesbian, bisexual, and transgender wellness and equality.

Where to Stay

Inspirato offers accommodations at four of the best hotels in Miami, each with its own unique vibe and amenities. Even better: they’re all an easy walk or cab ride away from the city’s LGBTQ bars, clubs, and attractions.

SLS South Beach 

A lively hot spot for nightlife in its own right, SLS South Beach is ideal for travelers looking to party. Hyde Beach, the on-site club, pours inventive cocktails, while IGK Salon is a celebrity favorite and a great place to get a fresh look before hitting the town.

Carillon Miami Wellness Resort 

Get away from the bustle and into a state of bliss at this serene retreat. Dine on fresh, healthy cuisine and relax inside the stunning 70,000-square-foot spa. The Carillon is the perfect place to recharge amid Miami’s energetic scene.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach

Fontainebleau has been one of Miami’s entertainment hubs for decades, and recent renovations have made it even better. The hotel’s BleauLive program and LIV nightclub regularly attract A-list stars: past performers have included Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, and Katy Perry.

1 Hotel South Beach 

Need to maintain your fitness routine while vacationing? Look no further than 1 Hotel South Beach, home to the first-ever Spartan Gym, a partnership with the internationally popular Spartan Race obstacle race. Additionally, the hotel is home to a 2,600-square-foot SoulCycle studio.

All travelers are welcome at Inspirato. With dedicated Member Care teams who get to know each member personally and 900+ luxury vacation options, each of our 14,000+ members enjoy safe, customized experiences all over the world. Learn more about how an Inspirato vacation is the best way to travel the globe.