With its upbeat Latino vibe, endless daytime sunshine, warm ocean breezes, and glorious sunsets, The Magic City of Miami, and the islands that make up its coastline, are an ideal place for a romantic proposal. Whether you choose a tranquil beach location, a beautiful garden, or a thrilling boat or plane ride, Miami has plenty of options for surprising your soon-to-be fiancée.
Miami Proposal Ideas
Beach proposals in Miami
Miami Beach at sunset. Photo: Jojo Tesini / PexelsMiles and miles of white gold sand along the Atlantic Ocean makes the beach one of the most popular places to propose in Miami. There are plenty of secluded spots to choose, especially in Miami Beach, and some restaurants even have their own private beaches which can make great proposal locations.
Crandon Park is one of the best beaches in the U.S. and is located on the north east side of Key Biscayne. It's ideal if white sand, clear water and palm trees are your idea of romance and you can make a day of it by renting a cabana or cooking on one of the onsite grills. There's a lovely lighthouse at one end which is an ideal backdrop for engagement photos.
The lagoon beach at Matheson Hammock Country Park in Coral Gables is ideal for a sunset stroll and a proposal with a view of the Miami skyline. The beach is fairly secluded, so you shouldn't have too many onlookers for your proposal, but there is also a seafood restaurant where you can celebrate.
For a very private proposal in a picturesque location, consider the Virginia Key Park Beach located on Virginia Key Island in Biscayne Bay and accessible from the mainland via the Rickenbacker Causeway. Enter via the north entrance to the beach which is a lot quieter and more remote than the south entrance.
Garden proposals in Miami
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Photo: Sarah O'Shea / PexelsSouth Pointe Park is a lovely park on Miami Beach which provides beautiful views of both Miami and the ocean. It is a peaceful place to watch boats arrive at the Port of Miami, or to watch the sun set behind downtown Miami.
For a stunning garden proposal close to downtown, Vizcaya, now named the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, is hard to beat. The former villa and estate of businessman James Deering, Vizcaya has ten acres of beautiful formal gardens, and a rockland hammock or native forest, as well as a fantastic view of the ocean.
The Deering Estate at Cutler is another beautiful spot to consider for your proposal location. Located south of Miami on Biscayne Bay, the surroundings are stunning and there are plenty of secluded natural areas for a romantic walk. More adventurous couples might want to hire bikes or kayaks, or take a moonlight canoe tour to Chicken Key for a campfire and s'mores.
Proposing on tour in Miami
The Miami skyline over Biscayne Bay. Photo: John Hank / PexelsIn Miami there are plenty of opportunities for a glitzy glamorous proposal, and taking a sunset flight is one of the most exciting. Check out the Moon Over Miami flight which provides a great view of the sun setting over the Everglades as well as the nightlife of downtown Miami, South Beach, and Star Island.
If you'd rather be on the water than in the air consider booking a sunset cruise out onto Biscayne Bay, or if you're happy to splash out, why not hire yourself a private charter for the day and cruise around Palm Island, Star Island, Hibiscus Island, the Venetian Islands, Monument Island, and everything that the Miami coastline has to offer.
If you'd like a proposal with a little action and adventure, why not book a private airboat tour in the Everglades, and enjoy the unique landscapes and native wildlife of this area. Gator Park is close to Miami and offers charter boats by the hour.
Romantic Restaurants in Miami
There are plenty of excellent restaurants in Miami, and as a cosmopolitan and multicultural city you'll be able to find just about any cuisine that takes your fancy. Location will probably be the main factor in deciding where to eat, with many of the top restaurants located in the South Beach area.
If you're looking for a restaurant in downtown Miami, Area 31 at the Kimpton EPIC Hotel is one of the best. Set on the 16th floor, it serves mostly sustainable seafood, and the view over Biscayne Bay and the Miami River from the floor-to-ceiling windows is sensational. Another great option in downtown Miami is Il Gabbiano, a waterfront Italian restaurant on Biscayne Boulevard. Its terrace overlooks the bay, the cooking is classic Italian, and the portions are famously generous.
You'll be spoilt for choice if you're looking for a great restaurant in South Beach, but there are a handful that are sure to please your new fiancée. Casa Tua is often described as the most romantic restaurant in South Beach as it is designed to appeal to all five senses. The superb North Italian food and wine seems to taste at its best in the lantern lit garden, but if it's too warm to eat outside the cozy library is also a romantic option.
If you're looking for a great steakhouse in South Beach, Prime One Twelve is a superb choice located on Ocean Drive. Another glamorous waterfront location is the Smith and Wollensky steakhouse which is located in South Pointe Park and would be ideal following a proposal in that area.
In Coral Gables you'll find the excellent Northern Italian restaurant Caffe Abbracci, which serves homemade pastas and fresh seafood in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. There's also Pastor at Pascal on Ponce de Leon Boulevard, formerly Pascal's on Ponce, a small cozy dining room serving French food with Spanish and Basque influences.
If you're planning to propose on Key Biscayne the Rusty Pelican restaurant offers fabulous views of the Miami skyline along with modern American cuisine and fantastic seafood. If you're staying further north on Sunny Isles, Timo restaurant is a wonderful choice for Italian Mediterranean cuisine served in a stylish yet cozy dining room.
Romantic Activities in Miami
Once you've planned the main parts of your proposal vacation; where to stay, where to eat, and the actual proposal itself, you'll want to prepare a few other activities to make your trip memorable. Here are some romantic activities in Miami;
- Hang out at the Nikki Beach Club on South Beach for a spot of celeb spotting
- Don those roller blades and glide along Ocean Drive hand in hand
- Visit Decorators Row in the Design District to get interior ideas for your marital home
- Check out the boutiques, sidewalk cafes, and theatres of Lincoln Road
- Take a surfing lesson together and learn how to ride those waves
- Stroll around the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables
- Soak up the Cuban atmosphere and culture of the Little Havana area of Miami
- Take a swim at the Venetian Pool with its Spanish porticoes, fountains and waterfalls
Where to Stay in Miami for Your Proposal Trip
Miami has hotels that cater for all tastes and budgets, from luxury five star resorts to tiny boutique hotels. Miami is particularly famous for the Art Deco buildings that were erected in the 1920s and 1930s so for a real Miami treat look for a restored hotel from this period.
Luxury hotels in Miami
For the ultimate in Miami luxury check out the stunning Biltmore Hotel located in Coral Gables. Dating from 1926, the 150 acre tropical resort has a selection of exquisite rooms and suites to choose from, as well as a superb pool with private cabanas, a spa, and a variety of restaurants. Enjoy a legendary Sunday Champagne brunch in the Fontana courtyard.
For another luxurious option consider the Ritz-Carlton, a magnificent beach resort located on the golden sands of Key Biscayne. Book a room with a balcony overlooking the ocean and enjoy the superb spa, heated outdoor pools, and whirlpool, before choosing one of its six restaurants for dinner.
Ocean Drive hotels
Ocean Drive, a famous road that runs parallel to the waterfront of South Beach on Miami Beach, is the obvious place to stay for many visitors to Miami. The area is often known as the Art Deco district because of the fabulous buildings that were erected during the 1920s and 1930s following a devastating hurricane, and there are plenty of great hotels to choose from.
The 1930s Cardozo Hotel, restored by Gloria and Emilio Estefan, is ideal for a romantic proposal vacation, with spacious suites, whirlpool tubs, and a calm Art Deco interior providing a contrast to the buzz of Miami. The Betsy Hotel, an upscale boutique hotel located close to Lummus Park, is another tranquil location that offers a rooftop spa and wellness garden, and is designed to feel like a luxurious beach club.
The Beacon Hotel is a beautifully restored Art Deco choice at the centre of Ocean Drive; ideal if you'd like to be able to explore the area on foot and are happy to be in the midst of the party scene. Another historically preserved choice would be the Park Central Hotel which was designed by Henry Hohauser and oozes Art Deco glamour with its signature blue color scheme. Book a poolside suite for a little extra luxury.
If you'd like to be at the centre of the South Beach action check out The Congress Hotel, an all-suite hotel which has been renovated with a modern flair and features a superb rooftop pool. Alternatively, the ultra trendy eight storey Hotel Victor is located right next door to the iconic Versace mansion, and the decadent interior works perfectly with the original Art Deco features.
Island hotels in Miami
The Miami coastline makes it ideal for exclusive island accommodation and if you'd like to stay somewhere a little unusual you'll have plenty of choice off the Atlantic coast.
If you'd like to stay on Belle Isle, a beautiful residential island in Biscayne Bay, then the Standard Spa Miami Beach could be the right choice for you. With views of Miami and easy access to the beach, the hotel benefits from sleek Scandinavian design and a full service spa.
Further south on Fisher Island, the Fisher Island Club offers a fantastic range of accommodation from historic 1920s cottages and Mediterranean style courtyard villas, to luxury residential suites with ocean or garden views.
North of Miami on Sunny Isles you'll find the Acqualina Resort and Spa on the Beach. The hotel itself is a beautiful Mediterranean style villa with three ocean front pools and a superb spa. The pristine white sand beaches make it an ideal spot for a relaxing getaway within easy reach of Miami itself.
