The Chic Miami Getaway Guide: What I Wore, Loved, and Would Do Again

Miami is always a party, but during race weekend, the intensity gets turned up to 11. Racing is having a major moment and fashion brands, liquor brands, luxury brands—they all want to be at the center of the action. Across the city, everywhere you turn, there are pop-ups, performances, and, naturally, celebrities (on my recent trip, I spotted Ciara, Paul Anthony Kelly, Jamie Foxx, and Ludacris, to name a few).

Officially, I was in Miami to help execute InStyle’s Pit Stop Party (together with People mag) at the Faena ahead of the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, but all work and no play makes Dani a dull girl, so I had to squeeze in some delicious food, refreshing drinks, and good times. Thankfully, Miami knows no shortage of those, regardless of when you’re in town. While I went to college at the University of Miami, I haven’t been back to the area much in the nearly-20 years since.

So, I took my nostalgia for old favorites and knowledge of the classics and combined that with a lot of research on recent openings and under-the-radar recommendations to put together an itinerary that will serve visitors (whether there for race weekend, spring break, or just a warm weather getaway) looking for that Goldilocks Miami experience: not too ostentatious, not too touristy, just the right amount of trendy, sophisticated, and definitely not boring. 

Read on for my suggestions of where to stay, dine, imbibe—including Michelin-starred restos and hidden-gem dives—and, of course, what to wear for it all. 

Where I Stayed

Clockwise from left: The Andaz Miami Beach, the view from my room, the adults-only pool.

Courtesy of Danielle McNally / Andaz / InStyle

The Miami metro area is sprawling, with fabulous places to stay in Coral Gables (spent night one of my honeymoon at the Biltmore—swoon) or Key Biscayne (the Ritz is my pick for a secluded resort feel), but book yourself on the beach for the true Miami experience. Down on South Beach, boutique hotels dot Ocean Drive in between bars and clubs and the Versace Mansion. I choose to head a little north and stay in Mid Beach, where the accommodations are more resort-like with direct access to the sand. The Andaz Miami Beach was perfection—elevated design; exceptional service, and phenomenal views. My room featured a luxurious king-sized bed, oversized rainfall shower, and balcony from which I could watch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean (if I wanted to wake up that early). 

Every morning I ate breakfast at Aguasal, one of several José Andres Group eateries on the property. (I’m a big fan of Chef José, because not only are his flavors delicious, but his philosophy of using food to uplift people and create community is exactly what our society needs right now.) The hostess greeted me by name upon arrival and the waitstaff was attentive but not overbearing—exactly what you want on vacation. The hotel also features two pools, a sizeable gym, a couple bar options, and, of course, the beach just steps out of the back gate. Bonus: Its location near I-195 actually makes it super easy to quickly get to other parts of town, like Wynwood and the Design District (more on those below).

What I Wore

Clockwise left: At the InStyle x People party, with my husband before hot laps, at the FQ Lounge, Friday night on the town.

Courtesy of Danielle McNally / InStyle

My long weekend was heavily scheduled, with a mix of work obligations, sporting events, and leisure time, so packing was a challenge. I wanted to make sure that I styled out 'fits for my most important moments, while still leaving wiggle room for spontaneity, weather, and my mood while getting dressed. Mostly, I wanted to meet the Miami energy while still feeling like myself. Miami style is a little bit sexier and a lot bolder than my usual working-mom-in-NYC wardrobe of pragmatic neutrals. After a bit of scrolling, shopping, and borrowing, I was thrilled with my mix of whites, brights, block heels, and sandals. 

For an Afternoon of Sightseeing

In Wynwood wearing a soldout.nyc dress, Ancient Greek Sandals shoes, and a Roxanne Assoulin necklace.

As soon as I checked into the Andaz, I dropped my bag and headed to Lummus Park on South Beach for the Formula 1 Fan Fest. I knew I would be heading straight from there to Wynwood to check out the Wynwood Walls and do a little shopping before dinner, so I needed a comfortable look that would last all day in the heat. I went with a breezy maxi from soldout.nyc and a pair of Ancient Greek Sandals (the kansiz style). I added a pop of color via a Roxanne Assoulin happy cord necklace (pink and orange in honor of my son, who loves both shades).

For a Night Out

At Sweet Liberty in an Herve Leger dress and Soludos heels.

Friday night was date night with my husband, who rarely gets to join in on my fun work events. We were going from drinks to dinner to a concert, so I, again, needed an outfit that could go from day to late-nite. I also wanted to look a little sexy yet still polished. I felt amazing in this Hervé Léger rumi gown, which reminded me of a more sophisticated version of the bandage dresses I would wear to go clubbing in the aughts. My trusty block heels from Soludos (I’ve had mine for years; these are similar) gave me a little height sans pinching or blisters.  

For a Day at the Track

Before heading to the track in a Veronica Beard tank, Mavi shorts, and Ford Racing hat.

On Saturday I was lucky enough to visit the track to watch the sprint race and do a hot lap. That’s when a professional driver takes you around the course at top speed (in my case a Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC going more than 160 mph!). It was hot hot hot (and even hotter on the track away from the ocean breeze), so I grabbed something I wouldn’t sweat profusely in. This Veronica Beard tank (I know merino wool sounds warm, but actually the material is moisture-wicking and breathable), plus white Mavi shorts and Reebok sneakers were light, comfortable, and chic. I’d picked up this Ford Racing hat from former driver Daniel Ricciardo’s line, Enchanté, at Fan Fest the day before and it was the perfect cherry on the top of my look.

For InStyle's Pit Stop Party

At the Faena in a Sergio Hudson suit, Left on Friday top, and Ferragamo bag.

InStyle’s Pit Stop Party was *the* place to be on Saturday night. And as a representative of the brand, I knew I had to bring it fashion-wise. At New York Fashion Week in September I saw this Sergio Hudson suit walk the runway and immediately texted our fashion director, “this collection is giving South Beach.” Fast-forward to party planning this spring, and I just had to ask the brand if I could borrow it. I loved it so much—the pattern is vibrant and unique but the suit still says “working professional.” I layered the Left on Friday la plage top in yellow underneath. I genuinely love LOF so much; their bathing suits are my absolute favorites. I felt secure and confident and saved space in my luggage by not needing to bring another swimsuit.   

Where I Ate and Drank

Clockwise from left: Chef Royce at Hiyakawa, Mandolin Aegean Bistro, mocktails at Sunkissed, pistachio pizza.

Courtesy of Danielle McNally / InStyle

The food in Miami was—and I’m not being hyperbolic—phenomenal. And I live in New York City, home to many of the best restaurants in the world. But I was genuinely impressed by everything I ate and drank during my trip. 

I started off with a bang with dinner on night one at Hiyakawa in Wynwood. The contemporary Japanese restaurant is fine dining without the fuss. We sat at the sushi counter and chatted with Chef Royce as he prepared a mix of seasonal (like baby sea bream marinated in the leaves of a cherry blossom tree) and classic sashimi (an out of this world bite of scallop). If you’re looking to be a bit adventurous, I highly recommend the sugata-mori. It starts off as sashimi arranged beautifully along a banana leaf leaning against the fish’s skeleton; when you’re done, the staff retrieves the bones, flash fries them, then returns them for you to nibble on—salty and surprisingly good. Speaking of the staff, the service at Hiyakawa was sensational. We were doted upon, but with a side of fun. 

The sugata-mori at Hiyakawa.

Friday kicked off with happy hour at Sweet Liberty in South Beach, a funky dive-ish spot that was recently named one of the 10 best bars in the country by Food & Wine. The decor is definitely worthy of the ‘gram (a taxidermied buck; a neon-pink “pursue happiness” sign) and so are the beverages. This being beach-adjacent, my husband and I both ordered classics with a coconut twist (me a spicy marg, him a sazerac). I wish we had time to stay longer. But, over the bridge to Brickell we went to try Sunkissed, a newly-opened “clubstaurant” that really brought the vibes—moody lighting, red walls, and a lounge band playing funk-tinged covers of everything from Prince to Sade. It was such a breath of fresh air for us date-night-starved parents-of-a-toddler. Sunkissed served up delicious mocktails (which I appreciated, since this night was a marathon not a sprint), like my husband’s low-proof take on an espresso martini, the Calle Ocho. The menu is small, but yummy and seafood-forward; the beets and endive salad was a favorite.      

Michelin-starred Stubborn Seed, started by Jeremy Ford, Top Chef season 13 winner, was a must-visit for us. (We’re big fans of the show.) It’s typically tasting-menu-only, but we snagged a rare reservation at the bar to enjoy the same delicious cuisine with a little more flexibility. Honestly, we would have ordered the entire menu—there was decadent miso butter for spreading on schiaciatta rolls and charred poblano agnolotti with smoked trout roe—but it’s the crunchy truffle bravas that are still taking up real estate in my brain. Afterward, we decided to wander north on Ocean Drive a bit. Though I was in the area for work earlier in the weekend, my husband hadn’t been yet and the heavy rain that had waterlogged the afternoon had finally let up. We happened upon The Betsy hotel and popped in for a nightcap (well, a mock-nightcap, we went with the coco nojito and matcha melody). Inside there was a jazz band. We settled into one of the cozy couches and played a game of checkers, something I’m not sure we’ve ever done in our dozen years together. It was truly lovely and proof of why you should always leave a little room in your itinerary for surprises. 

The menu (and the miso butter!) at Stubborn Seed.

Finally, on our way out of town, we stopped for lunch in the Design District at Mandolin Aegean Bistro. It was directly on the route from the Andaz to the airport, but I recommend a trip there regardless. The ambience was “relaxing Mediterranean vacation” and the food was healthy, veg-forward, and oh-so-satisfying. My top rec is the pistachio flatbread—the thinnest, crispiest dough topped with crushed pistachios, a drizzle of honey, and just the slightest bit of heat.  

What I Did

Clockwise from left: Shopping in Wynwood, the FQ Lounge, the lounge band at Sunkissed, driving the Ford Racing simulator.

Courtesy of Danielle McNally / InStyle

Besides all the eating and drinking you mean? Well, there was, of course, Fan Fest, where I drove in Ford’s racing simulator, danced a bit near the DJ booth, and snagged the aforementioned merch. In terms of sightseeing, Wynwood (as hyped as it’s gotten) is worth a visit. I’m not exaggerating when I say that literally every wall is covered in gorgeous graffiti. The murals are more than just a nice background for your IG post, though—they’re funky and creative and art. (Even the exterior of the Sweetgreen was impressive.) Plus there are indie stores and pop-up shops throughout.

I stumbled across a shop called Classic Football Shirts and picked up a vintage Thierry Henry Arsenal jersey for my husband’s forthcoming birthday (#WifeOfTheYear). I also love bopping around South Beach. Yes, there’s the sand and the surf itself, but I’m talking about the surrounding streets: a coffee and a croqueta from Las Olas’ pickup window; brunch at News Cafe before a stroll past the Versace mansion, etc.

I also partook in plenty of car-related activities considering that was the whole reason for my trip, including my hot lap and Sunday’s main event. As a long-time fan of Formula 1, I found the race to be exhilarating—two hours of non-stop action. We sat between two turns and I was on the edge of my grandstand seat the whole time, anxious that someone would crash. If you love “fast cars” (as my son calls them), do yourself a favor and gift yourself tickets to next year’s race.

Being a capital-F Feminist, I also had to visit the Female Quotient Lounge, celebrating women in motorsport. (I love the bright coral Argent dress I wore!) While there, I heard People Inc’s Leah Wyar interview Susie Wolff, F1Academy’s managing director and one of the most successful women in racing, period. The gorgeous venue overlooked Biscayne Bay and the whole morning set the tone for an uplifting, energetic weekend ahead. 

With my husband at the InStyle x People Pit Stop Party.

Finally, it wouldn’t be Miami without a little partying. Friday night, we were on the list for the Ludacris concert at Amex x Carbone Beach. Carbone Beach is quite the hot ticket, and it felt a little like college to be back in a sweaty crowd dancing to early-aughts hip-hop classics. The concert was rife with special guest performances, including DJ Khalid (shout out to my favorite ‘All I Do Is Win’ lyric: We’re like the U in the ‘80s), Wyclef Jean, Fat Joe, and Jamie Foxx.

Saturday was InStyle’s very own celebration at the Faena, and I have to congratulate my colleagues on a job well-done. The room itself was chic and so were the people in it—JFK Jr. himself (i.e. Paul Anthony Kelly), Ciara, Anna Cathcart, Stassi Schroeder, and more. The drinks and beats were flowing and all the beautiful people were having a hell of a time. Still, it was just one element of an incredible Miami weekend. Happy Travels!