Are you heading to your first Miami Dolphins game? Have you been to many, but maybe never explored the South Florida area? It is time to help you get a better idea of what to expect in and around Miami, as well as give you some tips to make sure you have a great time.
Where should you stay? What is there to eat or do outside of the game? We take a look at some of the best areas around Miami and the surrounding region to give you an idea of how to turn a Dolphins game into a great weekend – or longer
– in South Florida.
If you are local to the area or have been to several Dolphins games and want to share your ideas, feel free to jump into the comments and help your fellow Dolphins fans get the best information for an epic experience.
Oh, and before we get into anything else about your travel to a Dolphins game, let me give you one major piece of advice. Do not fly into Miami International Airport. Just do not do it. It is a poorly designed airport with way too many people, and it needs upgrades. Use Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport instead. You are north of the stadium, but the distance from Hard Rock Stadium to both airports is almost the same, and avoiding Miami International is worth it. Even if you plan to stay in Miami, using Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood is still the right move.
Places to stay in Miami
The first thing to know about traveling to a Dolphins game is that Hard Rock Stadium is not in Miami. It is in Miami Gardens, northwest of Miami itself. It is about 20 miles from Miami and places like South Beach and Miami Beach. Depending on your travel plans and your goals for the trip will determine where you want to find a hotel.
Miami Gardens and Hard Rock Stadium
If your focus is solely on the game, staying near Miami Gardens can simplify the weekend and help you avoid Miami and the beach area’s congestion. You will trade off some of the culture and food of being down in Miami itself.
The Stadium Hotel, about a mile north of the stadium, is a convenient option. It is listed as a three-star hotel, but it exceeds expectations. You can walk to the stadium from here, which saves on parking, which we will discuss later.
A little further down the road, about 3.5 miles from the stadium, there are a Hampton Inn & Suites and a SpringHill Suites, both listed as Fort Lauderdale/Miramar if you look them up. These are decent, affordable options that get you close to the stadium
Fort Lauderdale
This is my go-to when I travel for a game: stay in Fort Lauderdale and drive down to Miami Gardens. It is a little further away, but I have found it fairly simple. Even going over toward the beachside, it is pretty quick to get down to the stadium. The area has plenty of options for all budgets. Whether you want a smaller, local hotel or a larger brand-name stay, you can find it.
Of course, I have to mention the experience of staying in the area. The Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida, about midway between Fort Lauderdale and Hard Rock Stadium, is an amazing option. It is going to push your budget (a lot), but the Guitar Hotel is iconic and it is an option out there for you.
Aventura and Sunny Isles Beach
North of Miami, east of Miami Gardens, the Aventura and Sunny Isles Beach area mixes a football-focused weekend with a Miami vacation that includes football. You have beaches, shopping, restaurants, and the waterfront, while being about 10 miles from the stadium. Traffic will, of course, pick up ahead of the game, but it is a good compromise for trying to do everything that Miami offers.
Aventura is good for shopping and dining options. Sunny Isles Beach can provide you with oceanfront views and beach experiences. You can also check out condominiums along with standard hotels in the area.
Downtown Miami and Brickell
If you want a Miami weekend, you should probably stay in Miami. You can still get to Hard Rock Stadium, but expect there to be an increased travel time. You are probably around 15 miles south of the stadium now.
You will have more restaurants, cocktail bars, and entertainment options than you can use. This is a great area for a group trip, with something for everyone.
Brickell has upscale dining options and plenty of entertainment.
You can also quickly move around all of the diverse neighborhoods of Miami, as well as head over to the beaches.
Miami Beach
If you have never been to the area and want the “Miami” experience that you have seen on TV and in the movies, you are probably going to want to head over to Miami Beach. This is where you will get the white sand beaches, Art Deco buildings, oceanfront dining, and everything you think of when you think Miami.
You will be right in the middle of the tourist area, close to the beaches, and where all the action is. Especially if you are around South Beach. If you want to stay in the area but find something a little quieter, head north to Mid-Beach.
You are probably out closer to 20 miles from the stadium now, and you will see the travel time tick up.
Things to do in Miami
Miami is unique, with a cultural blend of many different people, and it offers just about anything you want. From the beaches to the nightlife, there is so much to do in Miami and the surrounding area that you could build an entire itinerary for the weekend, and still come up short on seeing everything you wanted to see.
Beaches
The beaches are, of course, a major draw. South Beach will be the starting point for many first-time visitors to the area, but do not be afraid to explore other, probably less crowded, beach options. That said, a walk around the Art Deco District around South Beach is worth visiting.
Little Havana
Moving out to Little Havana brings you into the Cuban heritage that shapes so much of Miami. The food, the music, the art- it could be the highlight of your Miami visit, aside from the Dolphins game, of course.
Get some coffee – but be careful. Cafecito is…strong. Maybe do not drink several of them.
Wynwood and the Design District
Northeast of Little Havana is Wynwood. Have you ever seen pictures or TV shows that highlight the murals on walls in Miami? That is Wynwood. Absolutely a beautiful art exhibition on outdoor murals. Plus, the causal dining in the area is great and you are going to get amazing pictures of your trip.
Continue north to the Design District. Public art continues here, but the architecture adds a little more, so the pictures will be amazing. It is going to feel a little more upscale and polished than Wynwood, plus there is some great shopping in the area.
If you want to get away from the beach, Wynwood and the Design District (and Little Havana) are definitely places to visit.
Biscayne Bay
But if you want the waterfront, Biscayne Bay is an amazing option. You can take boat tours to see the Miami skyline and celebrity homes. You can go snorkeling or scuba diving. You can jet ski. You can head over to Biscayne National Park – essentially an underwater national park. You can just walk around the area.
Nightlife
Clubs, lounges, rooftop bars, dinner, parties on the beach, music, dancing, whatever you want to do, Miami can provide it. Wherever you choose to stay during your trip, there is going to be plenty to do.
Other options
If you are staying in the area for more than just the Dolphins game and you want to explore Florida, here are some other options to consider.
Florida Keys – heading out to the Keys, whether you go to Key Largo (about 90 minutes from Hard Rock Stadium) or all the way to Key West (3.5 hours from HRS), the Keys have bars, beaches, and photo oppotunities.
Orlando – A trip north to Orlando takes about 3 hours, but it offers all the theme park options in central Florida. There are a ton of things to do in and around Orlando – but it is very different than the vibes of Miami.
Kennedy Space Center – Travel north on I95 for about three hours to reach Kennedy Space Center. If you want to learn more about NASA and the space program, including the Rocket Garden, exhibits, movies about the future of space exploration, and more, it’s a great stop. Check the schedule, and you could meet astronauts or, if you are lucky, head up that way to watch a rocket launch.
Everglades National Park – Closer to Miami, about an hour south. Odds are, unless you are traveling to a very late-season game, you’ll still be in the Everglades wet season, which means it will be hot and humid. But it is a great chance to see some of the biodiversity that calls South Florida home.
Best places to eat in Miami
What do you want to try? Yes, Miami can provide that. The Latin and Caribbean influence will dominate, but Miami and South Florida have drawn in so many people from all over the country and the world that fusion is just the standard.
From holes in the wall with some of the best food you will ever find to Michelin-star restaurants, Miami has it all.
Little Havana
Cuban sandwiches, croquetas, ropa vieja, and rice and beans, you’re in for a treat walking around Little Havana. This is a great area for quick bites as you wander and enjoy everything the district offers.
Brickell
If you are in downtown Miami or Brickell, you are going to find some beautiful upscale dining options. Those options include American cooking as well as from all across the Latin world. Elcielo Miami is an outstanding Colombian restaurant, but you need to be planning to check it out any day but gameday – you are going to be there for awhile.
Design District
If you are looking for shopping and foot options, the Design District is your destination. You can plan for brunch or a laid-back dinner option here, and you will really enjoy yourself. Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink is a good option for some seasonal menu options.
Miami Beach
Miami Beach can offer a simple, casual experience or a memorable dinner for a special occasion. Stick to your budget and find casual seafood, an outdoor restaurant, or a Cuban cafe for good food. If you can go upscale and all out, pick somewhere like the Michelin-starred Stubborn Seed or Tambourine Room.
If you want a steak and are willing to pay, Prime 54 at the Fontainebleau is always an option.
Dolphins-related options
Bokamper’s is a sports bar and grill owned by former Dolphins linebacker Kim Bokamper. Sadly, several Bokamper’s locations have closed, leaving just the Fort Lauderdale site still open. You will get typical sports bar food, plus a ton of seafood options. It is a fun atmosphere.
Hard Rock Stadium parking, rideshare, and transit options
Parking
Parking at Hard Rock Stadium is an issue. The addition of the Miami Open tennis tournament and the F1 Grand Prix course around the stadium has reduced on-site parking. All parking on site is prepaid only, and it sells out for every game. Plan ahead and buy your parking pass early to make sure you have a place to park.
There are two off-site parking areas, Lot 70 by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Lot 95 at the Golden Glades Parking Garage. The Dolphins run shuttles to both sites.
ADA – There are ADA spots in Lots 13, 15, 16, 18, and 40, but they are first-come, first-served and tend to fill up. For inner lots, you need to have pre-purchased a parking ticket to access those spots.
Rideshare
Fans using rideshare are encouraged to use Lot 70 or Lot 95, which makes it easier for drivers to reach the site without fighting through outbound traffic to get close to the stadium. If not using Lot 70 or 95, the local rideshare drop off and pick up site is at Lot 44 at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex. That is about a 30 minute walk to the stadium.
Surge pricing is absolutely in effect during Dolphins games, so expect higher prices to get to and from the stadium.
Transit
When Hard Rock Stadium opened in 1987, nothing existed in what is now Miami Gardens. There were no rail lines in the area, and there still aren’t many direct options to the stadium.
There is a shuttle from the Aventura Station to Hard Rock Stadium, where the Brightline rail system connects to Orlando, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. You need to buy these tickets in advance and look forEnd Zone Express tickets.
Shuttles also run from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza Metrorail station and Calder Casino. There are Miami-Dade bus stations around the stadium as well, but you will need to check the transit map and expect the bus to be stuck in the gameday traffic.
Tailgating at Hard Rock Stadium
Tailgating at Hard Rock Stadium is much like the rest of Miami: a blend of cultures, plenty of food, and music. Parking typically opens four hours before kickoff, with tailgating permitted behind parking spots in the orange and yellow parking lots.
You will find plenty of fans throughout the parking lot playing games, throwing a football around, cooking, drinking, and playing music. It is a busy time, with fans welcoming and enjoying the atmosphere. Don’t be afraid to wander around and talk with people – it is a community event.
Gas and charcoal grills are permitted during tailgating, but coals need to be fully extinguished with water before leaving for the game. The parking lots are grass heavy, so do not put your coals – even if you think they are out – under your car or another. Fires do start in the parking lot. The prescribed disposal of coals includes letting them completely cool, then wrapping them fully in foil and placing them in a trashcan.
Highly recommend bringing a canopy tent if you are going to set up your own tailgate. South Florida is warm. That sun can beat down on you. Having a canopy to provide shade is crucial.
The team offers alternative tailgating options, including on-site options. There are ticketed options, season-ticket member locations, and sponsored sites around the stadium that you can explore.
The Hard Rock Stadium Experience
Shade
The first, and maybe most important, thing to know about Hard Rock Stadium is where the shade is. When the stadium added a canopy, the goal was to keep the Dolphins’ side of the field in the shade while the opposing sideline stayed in the sun. When you are looking at tickets, keep that in mind, especially for an early-season, 1 p.m. Eastern kickoff. While the seats directly behind the team’s bench might be outside of the budget, the shade essentially splits the stadium in half so even the south side of either endzone will likely be shaded.
You will be amazed if you get there early and walk from the sun side into the shade to feel the difference the canopy really makes. Do not mess with the sun; get into the shade if you can.
On that same note, wear comfortable clothing, stay hydrated, and check the forecast before leaving your hotel. Rain is also possible, so prepare for changing conditions.
Concessions
The Hard Rock Stadium concessions are just as diverse as Miami itself. They have American, Cuban, Argentinian, Middle Eastern, and Japanese options spread around the concourse. There are vegan options as well.
The Pro Shop has every Dolphins thing you can think of, and many you did not know you needed. From jerseys and clothing to bobbleheads, collectibles, and unique autographed items, the Pro Shop delivers.
Keep in mind that, like many stadiums, Hard Rock Stadium is a cashless venue.
Game experience
Dolphins fans may arrive late to their seats after tailgating and exploring the concourse. That said, there is plenty of on-field pre-game events and entertainment that, if you are in your seat, you will not be bored.
During the game, the crowd is lively and engaged. Miami draws visiting fans just as much as it does Dolphins fans, so there is always trash-talking and the fun that comes with it, just make sure you do not cross the line into making it anything but fun.
The Dolphins have their own fight song – written and performed by Lee Ofman in 1972 – and it is played after every touchdown.
The Dolphins Cheerleaders, mascot T.D., and other in-game entertainment keeps the crowd’s energy high, even during breaks and halftime.
One of the best moments at a Dolphins game comes after a win, when fans walking down the spirals from the upper decks to the exits are loud, cheering, and celebrating. It is such a fun few minutes, with everyone joining in the community feeling.
