The Best Neighborhoods to Spot Celebrities in Miami
People-watching can be fun, no matter what type of people you’re on the lookout for and where you might be doing it. But it can be even more entertaining when you know you have the chance of spotting a celebrity.
Miami draws famous people for a variety of reasons—both work and play. The list of television shows and movies filmed here over the years is long, including fan favorites such as “Miami Vice” and “Bad Boys.” So, there’s always the chance of spotting a celebrity in between takes.
But Miami also has its fair share of lush beaches, ritzy hotels, and swanky nightclubs that make it a draw for Hollywood stars, professional athletes, and music icons in their non-working hours. Theoretically, a chance encounter could happen in any corner of the city, but they are most likely to happen in these neighborhoods.
Star Island
As you might expect from its name, Star Island is one of the city’s most exclusive neighborhoods, with multimillion-dollar homes that only the ultra-rich can afford. Located south of the Venetian Islands and east of Palm and Hibiscus, it has been the home of many celebrities over the years, including Shaquille O’Neal, Sean Combs, Gloria Estefan, and Don Johnson.
But unless you’re lucky enough to get invited to one of the island’s legendary mansion parties, you may have difficulty gaining access to it, never mind finding a celebrity. But there are a few ways you can visit: Star Island’s open season runs from mid-June until mid-September when visitors are welcome from 8 a.m. until sunset. You can also get a glimpse of the island on a cruise around the bay.
South Beach
South Beach’s picture-perfect beaches and Art Deco architecture make it a draw for people from all walks of life, including celebrities. While there’s always the chance that you’ll spot one sitting on the beach, your best chance of seeing a celeb is at several high-profile hotels the rich and famous have been known to frequent.
For example, The Setai in South Beach has been known to draw celebrities, such as Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Gisele, U2, and Madonna, among others. And Jay-Z and Beyonce have been spotted at this hotel in between performances at red carpet events.
At the Delano Hotel, you might see Christian Slater who owns a condo in the South Point area of South Beach and is known to frequent the bar at this hotel.
South Beach also hosts several major annual events that draw thousands to the neighborhood from around the globe. On occasion, high-profile guests have been seen mingling among the masses. For example, Art Basel is an annual event held in December that draws artists from around the world. The South Beach Food and Wine Festival, a five-day event featuring wine and spirits producers, chefs, and culinary personalities, can be a star-studded affair.
Miami Beach
Though South Beach gets the lion’s share of attention, all areas in Miami Beach are good spots for celebrity sightings. Again, some well-known hotels offer the best chance for a casual encounter of the famed kind. With its storied past the Fontainebleau (the Rat Pack and Elizabeth Taylor used to party the night away years ago) is still attracting stars. Leonardo DiCaprio has been known to frequent this hotel with his entourage of friends and models at his side.
The Confidante Miami Beach, which used to be called Thompson Miami Beach, is an Art Deco hotel from the 1940s that still attracts celebrities today. This hotel is known to be a favorite spot of Pitbull and film director Lee Daniel, and people have also spotted Oprah here.
If you’re looking to dine at a place that attracts celebrities, then The Forge is the place to go in Miami Beach as this restaurant is known to be a draw for the rich and famous.
Downtown Miami
If going to a club is more your scene, Downtown Miami has several night clubs where celebrities have been known to dance and drink the night away, right alongside all the other club goers. For round-the-clock clubbing, it’s hard to beat E11even, where Paris Hilton, Young Jeezy, and Leonardo DiCaprio have been spotted partying at VIP tables, and rooftop parties are the norm. You may also be able to glimpse a celebrity at an Art Basel after party or an album release party.
After a night out at the club, a day at the spa might be in order. At the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, you might spot celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Jada Pinkett-Smith who have been known to frequent there. You may take a cue from a celeb and partake in the Kundalini Journey, which combines aromatherapy and advanced massage techniques with gemstone therapy to achieve an enhanced level of physical and mental relaxation.
Bal Harbour
Homes can sell for as much as $35 million in this swanky neighborhood known for high-rise condos (like the St. Regis), hotels, and the aforementioned mega-million-dollar homes.
While your bank account may not be as ample as a celebrity’s, you may be able to shop in the same stores at Bal Harbour Shops, which is known for its glamour, fashion, and swanky eateries. Martha Stewart, Cindy Crawford, and Tyra Banks have all been spotted here.