Miami at golden hour

The city looks different at 7pm. Here are the spots worth being at when the sky turns.

Miami's sunsets are west-facing, which means the bay side of the city catches the full show. The light hits the water around 7:30pm in summer and closer to 5:45pm in winter. These are the six spots locals return to, each one a little different depending on what you want from the evening.

Where to go

Bayside Marketplace
The open waterfront promenade faces directly west across Biscayne Bay. No cover, no reservation. Grab a drink from one of the bars and watch the downtown towers catch the last light.
South Pointe Park
At the southern tip of South Beach, the park juts into the water with unobstructed views of the Government Cut channel and the bay. Bring a blanket. The cruise ships pass at dusk.
Brickell Key Promenade
A quiet loop around the island with the full downtown skyline to the north and open water to the south. Best on a weeknight when the path is nearly empty.
Wynwood Rooftop Bars
Several rooftops along NW 2nd Ave face west over the low-rise neighborhood. The sky goes pink and orange above the murals below. Coqodaq and Lagniappe are the two worth the walk.
Virginia Key Beach
A short drive over the Rickenbacker Causeway, this historic beach faces the bay and the city. The view back toward downtown at sunset is one of the best in Miami, and the park is rarely crowded.
Coconut Grove Waterfront
The marina at Dinner Key sits on the bay's western edge. Sailboats at anchor, pelicans on the pilings, and the sun dropping behind the tree line. Quieter than South Beach by a long way.