Hey friends! Hope you all enjoy this last weekend heading into June! Wow the year is flying by, isn’t it? I’m hoping we get to enjoy summer activities and get outside even more this year. It’s so important to get outside and clear our heads especially during this time we are in. Enjoy these fun inspiring posts from my friends and I, there’s something for everyone!
The post Home Style Saturday 192 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.
We had the best time at Lake Martin with Mark’s sister and brother-in-law, Kim and David. They built this home in The Harbor at Lake Martin 13 years ago and it’s such a nice get away spot for them from their main home in Fayetteville, GA. This was my first time at the lake house and it was so fun to see it in person. I shared Kim’s beach house in Destin with you over a year ago and today I’m sharing the lake house. It was a relaxing couple of days there at the lake, lounging on the porch, eating good food, boating, and floating in the lake and just being together with family. All the things that make summer fun!
There are lots of Alabama people of course who have lake houses at Lake Martin, with a strong contingent of Georgia people as well we heard.
The post Kim’s Lake House: Lake Martin, AL appeared first on Southern Hospitality.
OY! IT IS HOT!
Here is how to make your own (safe) barn misting fan!
*As with any fan, Please make sure your horse cannot get any tail hair anywhere near the fan blades and make absolutely sure that your horse cannot gnaw on any electrical cables. Keep the fan away and out of reach from your horse!
ORIGINALLY POSTED 8/27/13
It is true… I have been a bit busy taking care of Mama Tess and also catching up on all the work I let slip while I was lost in the decision.
But, luckily for MT, Hubby had an idea on how to create a misting fan for her without us spending a huge amount on a Cool Zone fan like she had in her hospital stall.
So, we went to Lowe’s and bought a few ingredients…
A big industrial fan. (You have to use a high powered fan or else the water doesn’t spray around enough and it soaks the stall…)
A few misting nozzles, some couplers, a hose adapter and misting flexible hose all from the inexpensive mister section.
A garden hose.
That was it.
This was the home-use high powered fan we chose from Lowe’s.
Hubby made a misting ring out of the nozzles and bendable hose. He then affixed the ring onto the front cage of the fan with zip ties.
He attached the hose to the hose adapter.
We ran an extension cord and the hose.
And we turned it on…
*NOTE: If you are on well water, we have learned that metal guitar strings will clean out the nozzles nicely.
The misting ring Hubby created and attached to the front of the fan.
In this view, you can see the hose adapter.
Power and water…(She was cool enough to take a long nap.)
It was a beautiful thing! The water shot out in a fine mist and the fan blew it into the air at the perfect ratio of air vs water. Her stall wasn’t soaked and she sat right in its wake.
She was happy. I was happy…
I was able to go to work and not worry about her in this heat.
Peace of mind.
Hubby was my hero once again…
You cannot see the mist, but Tess laid down right in front of the cool airflow.
The Queen was happy, cool and relaxed! Hubby to the rescue once again! (The camera did catch some misting drops in the upper right corner of this pic.)
The post HUBBY MAKES A MISTING FAN FOR HIS GIRL… appeared first on Horse and Man.
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Posted: 5/28/2020 | May 28th, 2020
There’s a big industry on the web that will show you how you can turn your passion into something that pays your bills. I’m sure you’ve seen the Facebook ads:
“Follow your passion! Make money doing what you love!”
In just a few easy steps, you’ll be able to solve all your life’s problems, find your dream job, and make bazillions!
But you don’t find your passion the way you find change underneath your couch pillow.
No. Instead, you stumble around blindly in the dark, stubbing your toe on a bunch of different things, until you find the light switch you’re looking for. One day, you wake up, turn the right light on, and realize that this is what makes you happy — and you can’t imagine doing anything else.
You find the work you are passionate about through trial and error.
I started this website on a whim. I was 27 years old and I just needed a way to fund my travels. Being a travel writer seemed like a way to do that. This website was to be my online résumé where (maybe) editors would hire me for assignments. There were no grand plans to turn my love of travel into a career. No thoughts of the future. I just wanted to do something that would keep me on the road one day longer.
During those first years, to keep the money coming in, I also taught English in Asia, tried to run online marketing websites, and even played semi-professional poker.
Yet, as time passed, I found myself devoting more and more time to this website. I loved learning how to make it better, finding new ways to help people travel, writing content, figuring out social media and SEO algorithms, and meeting people through it. Many of the bloggers I met in those first days are now some of my closest friends.
I still wake up every day loving what I do and the people I meet.
I was asked recently what happens when you turn your passion into a profession? How does that change your relationship with the thing you love so much?
Well, it changes the relationship a lot.
As the years have passed, travel went from something I wanted to do to something I had to do. The content beast had to be fed. I always had to go out and do stuff to make sure the articles were as updated and accurate as possible. I was no longer just casually blogging about my experience but creating detailed guides.
Time moved quickly until, one day, suddenly, there were also five employees to worry about, health care plans to consider, accountants and taxes to pay, meetings and conventions to attend, ad revenue to secure, conference calls to make, and contracts to read.
There was to be very little traveling on a whim and going with the flow anymore.
This had become a business.
Sometimes it fucking sucks.
Sometimes I wake up and just don’t give a shit.
Sometimes I don’t want to go on a trip just because we need content. Sometimes I’m tired of taking pictures of menus, going to grocery stores to look at prices, and collecting brochures for our guides. Sometimes I don’t want to write another goddamn article or could care less about a brand deal coming through.
Sometimes I want to burn the whole thing down.
On those days, I think fondly about simpler times, when every day was Saturday and my biggest worry was tomorrow’s hangover. When I just enjoyed travel without the pressure of bills and salaries and traffic.
But no job is perfect. There are going to be times when the stress makes you want to scream.
If you’re going to do anything for the long term, you have to be willing to deal with those kinds of days.
Because, when you love what you do, you are willing to eat that shit sandwich. Gleefully.
I’ve been open about how, over the last few years, balancing it all has led to a lot of anxiety and stress, which is part of the reason I’ve slowed down and stopped traveling so much.
And it’s why I believe that when your passion becomes your profession, it is important to take some time for yourself.
You need to release the pressure and stress and enjoy your passion just because you like it and it makes you happy.
That’s why I take some trips I don’t write about.
It’s why I try to get offline and use social media less frequently these days.
It’s why I don’t do big projects (e.g., changing our email funnel) when I’m on the road as much anymore.
Life is a battery that needs to be recharged — and doing something for no other reason than that it makes you happy recharges that battery.
I think this is something a lot of people who “turn their passion into a profession” lose sight of in the beginning. They throw themselves right into the work because their passion is the driving force, without realizing or acknowledging the pressures and stress doing something for money creates.
The days and weeks pile up and they go so far into the weeds that they lose some of that spark that drove them in the beginning. They burn out, become depressed, and lose balance. They see the endless work in front of them and go, “When did it become like this?”
I always tell my students that the work never ends. You’ll never be done. There always will be something more to do no matter how many “passive revenue” streams you set up.
You need balance.
Balance is the key to “turning your passion into a profession” without burning out. Most people I know who end up doing something long enough learn this lesson after too many hours of stress and anxiety (though some never do).
It took me my first eight years to learn that lesson.
There’s nothing I’d rather do in the world than work in travel. I still love waking up and working and helping others change how they see the world.
But I’m also a lot better at creating balance in my life than I was in the past, which is why I don’t get burnt out as much (or think about burning it all down as often anymore).
To sustain your passion as a profession, you have to find balance so you can feed the fire inside you that made you leap into this in the first place.
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines, because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com, as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all those I use — and they’ll save you time and money too!
The post What Happens When You Turn Your Hobby Into a Job? appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.
I don’t have a lot of exciting new things fashion for you today, but I did wear that cute green and white gingham shirt that I got from J Crew Factory. They are apparently going out of business, but still are selling some things online, so I’m glad I got these before they were all gone. As I mentioned, we went to Lake Martin over the weekend and it was a casual no-makeup zone. I loved it!
I love the gingham shirt and it will look great with a jacket and of course, white jeans. Everything looks good with white jeans.
The post Fashion over 50: Summer Basics appeared first on Southern Hospitality.
Hey there friends! I hope you all had memorable celebrations over the Memorial Day weekend, remembering those who died for our country. It’s officially the kick off to summer and we sure celebrated in our family. Mark and I spent the weekend at Lake Martin, AL at his sister and brother-in-law’s lake house and did we have a great time. We picked up Mark’s parents and took them down with us and we all had such a nice time That’s the prettiest lake I’ve ever spent time on and we had boat rides for two days, lots of good food and family time. Summer is here! I’ll share that trip hopefully later this week. Kim let me take pics of her lake house an it was just beautiful.
I hope you enjoy these Style Showcase posts today, always something fun to share with my blog friends. They are all a talented bunch!
The post Style Showcase 31 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.
Posted: 5/25/2020 | May 25th, 2020
Enveloped by steep mountains and sitting next to the country’s deepest and longest fjord, Bergen is a small city tucked away on the west coast of Norway.
Though home to only 220,000 people, there’s a surprising amount of things to see and do in this tiny city. You can easily spend days here hiking its natural surroundings, relaxing on a fjord cruise, eating fresh seafood, and learning about its long history. I stayed about three days during my visit and felt I could have stayed a little longer. It’s pretty, historic, and filled with a lot of good food options.
Bergen is a pretty big tourist destination in Norway so you sadly won’t have this city to yourself. To help you make the most of your trip, here are my top 12 things to see and do in Bergen:
The first thing I do whenever I arrive in a new place is to do a free walking tour. They’re the best way to get the lay of the land, see the main sights, and meet a local expert of whom I can ask all my questions.
Nordic Freedom Tours organizes regular tours in English and Spanish. (Just make sure to tip your guide at the end!)
The Bergen Fish Market dates back to the 13th century. For centuries, it’s been the hub for local fishermen to sell their fresh fish and seafood. The indoor section of the market began in 2012 and is open year-round (the outdoor market opens on May 1 for the summer).
If you’re looking to sample some local delicacies, there are also lots of restaurants and food stalls. Just make sure you budget yourself, as prices range from 130 NOK ($14 USD) for an appetizer to around 290 NOK ($30 USD) for a main dish.
Torget 5. Open Monday-Thursday from 10am-10pm, Friday-Saturday from 9am-10pm, and Sundays from 11am-10pm.
Bergen has depended heavily on maritime trade since its inception in the 11th century. You can spend an afternoon at this museum learning about the city’s maritime history. The exhibitions include ships, paintings, films, artifacts, original maps, and some cannons from the 18th century.
The highlight here is the Kvalsund boat, an old Viking longship that dates to the eighth century. It was excavated in 1920. There’s also an original Halsnøy boat that dates back to somewhere between 390 and 535 CE.
Haakon Sheteligs plass 15, +47 55 54 96 00, museumvest.no. Open daily 11am–3pm. Admission is 100 NOK ($10.50 USD). You can take a guided tour of the museum in English during the months of June, July, and August.
Bryggen is the old wharf and is home to over 60 narrow, brightly colored wooden boathouses. From the 14th through the 16th centuries, Bryggen was the main hub for the Hanseatic League, a powerful merchant guild from central and northern Europe. Fun fact: its office is the only original building that’s still standing -the rest have been rebuilt in the same style.
Today, these buildings are used by various restaurants, tourist offices, and hotels. Though fires have ruined a lot of the original buildings, the area is still a beautiful place to wander around. You can take a 90-minute guided walking tour with Bryggen Walking Tour to learn about the history of the wharf. The tour also includes entry to the Bryggen Museum and the Hanseatic Museum.
Bergen’s Botanical Garden was established in 1996 and covers 17 acres. It’s a nice place to grab some fresh air and relax with a book. With over 5,000 species of plants, it’s home to Norway’s largest collection of roses, as well as the largest collection of rhododendrons in Scandinavia. There are also different sections, like the Sunny Meadow (home to summer annuals), a traditional Japanese garden, and the Alpine Garden, with all kinds of alpine plants from around the world.
Mildevegen 240, +47 55 58 72 50, uib.no/arboretet. The garden is open 24 hours and admission is free.
Located just a few kilometers outside the city, Mount Ulriken stands 643 meters (2,100 feet) high and is the tallest of the seven mountains near Bergen. If you’re not feeling up for a hike to the top, you can take the cable car, which takes about eight minutes and costs 285 NOK ($30 USD) round trip. At the top, you’ll get spectacular sweeping views of Bergen and the sea. There are some shorter hikes (2-3 hours long) up there as well.
If you enjoy an adrenaline rush, you can speed down the mountain on Norway’s fastest zipline. It opened in 2016 and is 300 meters long. You need to book tickets in advance though. Tickets cost 450 NOK ($47 USD).
The Gingerbread City, open in November and December, is the world’s biggest annual gingerbread festival. It started in 1991 and now includes over 2,000 volunteers, bakers, businesses, and schools. It is made up of hundreds of gingerbread houses and made to resemble a snowy wintry nighttime in Bergen. If you’re here during the holiday season, don’t miss it!
Teatergaten 30-2, +47 55 55 39 39, pepperkakebyen.org. Open from mid-November until December 31. Admission is 100 NOK ($10.50 USD) for adults and free for children under 12.
The KODE Museum is one of the largest in Scandinavia for music, contemporary art, furniture, videos, historical artifacts, and crafts. It showcases a wide variety of over 40,000 objects that date back to the 1800s. The museum is located in four buildings; visitors can also visit the homes of three famous Norwegian composers (Edvard Grieg, Harald Sæverud, and Ole Bull).
Head over to KODE 1 to see the Silver Treasure, a permanent exhibition of gold and silver objects, dating from 500 years in the past. For temporary exhibitions and Bergen’s largest art bookstore, check out KODE 2. KODE 3, which opened in 1924, is home to works from Edvard Munch, who painted The Scream.
Rasmus Meyers allé 9, +47 53 00 97 04, kodebergen.no. Open Tuesday–Sunday (hours vary per season). Admission is 140 NOK ($14.70 USD) in the winter and 160 NOK ($16.80 USD) in the summer.
Next to the Bergen Harbor is an imposing stone fort called the Bergenhus Fortress. It dates back to the 1260s and is one of the oldest fortresses in Norway. It encompasses Rosenkrantz Tower, a fortified tower that dates to the 16th century, and Haakon’s Hall, a former royal residence from the 13th century.
Unfortunately, a fire destroyed Haakon’s Hall and all of the interior decorations in 1944, so it is now decorated with tapestries and is mainly used for concerts and banquets. The Rosenkrantz Tower was the residence of Eirik Magnusson, the last king to hold court in Bergen. Make sure you climb the narrow stairs to the top of the tower, where you’ll get an impressive view of the surrounding area.
5003 Bergen, +47 55 54 63 87. Admission is free, though guided tours in English are available June–August and cost 100 NOK ($10.50 USD).
Leprosy ran rampant in Europe between 1850 and 1900. With three leprosy hospitals, the city had the greatest concentration on lepers in all of Europe. This eye-opening museum is located inside of St. George’s. Its archives belong to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme. You can take an educational tour to learn about the history, symptoms, and treatment of leprosy, as well as what the conditions were like in the hospitals during the outbreak.
Kong Oscars gate 59, +47 481 62 678. Open May–August. Admission is 100 NOK ($10.50 USD); guided tours in English are 30 NOK ($3 USD) and occur at 11am.
Bergen’s strong focus on local and sustainable food helped it earn its title of UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2015. Bergen Food Tours is a local tour company that organizes tours to some of the tastiest restaurants in the city. The three-hour Bergen Classic tour costs 870 NOK ($91 USD) and will give you a taste of local dishes like fish soup, wild salmon, reindeer sausage, smoked seafood, and brown cheese, as well as local craft beer.
Nesttunkollen 9, +47 960 44 892, bergenfoodtours.com. Open Monday-Saturday from 11am-5pm. Check website for tour times. Tickets are 890 NOK ($80 USD) per person.
This is a spectacular way to view the fjords up close and take a relaxing break from the city. There are several different fjords around Bergen, so you can choose a tour that suits your budget and timing.
The one to Mostraumen run year-round tour and takes you 27 kilometers in the Osterfjord along the Mostraumen strait. You’ll see towering mountains, sparkling waterfalls, and you might even spot seals and eagles!
You can also take a fjord cruise to Nærøyfjord and Sognefjord (Norway’s longest fjord) to get up close to the gorgeous valleys and gigantic peaks.
Expect to pay anywhere from 700 to 2,000 NOK ($73–209 USD) per person.
***
Even though Bergen can be an expensive destination to visit but there are plenty of free and budget-friendly activities here to keep you busy. It’s a popular destination but it lives up to its reputation. I loved my visit to Bergan. I suspect you will too.
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines, because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most comprehensive inventory. If you want to stay somewhere else, use Booking.com, as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. My favorite places to stay in Bergen are:
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all those I use to save money — and I think they will help you too!
Looking for more travel tips for Norway?
Check out my in-depth Norway travel guide for more ways to save money, tips on what to see and do, suggested itineraries, informational reading, packing lists, and much, much more!
Photo credit: 4 – Paul Arps, 5 -Toniu, 6 – Sveter
The post 12 Things to See and Do in Bergen, Norway appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.
Art is such a personal thing to add to our homes and it can really personalize your space so much. So my motto is have fun with art, don’t take it too seriously, and make sure you really love it. I think if you bring home art you love, your house take on your personality and what you love to surround yourself with.
When Mark and I got married almost 3 years ago, our households combined as well as our artwork. We each have personal taste in art. Some of our tastes are similar and some are not. We both love watercolors, so that’s a common ground we share. He favors winter scenes. I favor lake, water scenes, and landscapes. I love botanicals. He loves big graphic posters and has plenty of those in his man cave. I’ll include a few pics of his man cave too. In the main part of the house, we’ve tried to mix both our styles to create a personal gallery of art in our home that is unique to us and both of our tastes. So today I’m sharing our artwork and how we choose art to display in our home. Again, art is very personal and we all have to choose what fits our style and personality best. Mark’s original watercolors are displayed in the family room and the rest of the main floor shows more of my taste in art. Mark’s man cave is filled with his poster art and his love of original watercolors, but I won’t show all of those in this post.
The post Choosing Art: Personalize Your Home with Artwork appeared first on Southern Hospitality.
Posted: 5/23/2020 | May 23rd, 2020
Boasting a robust food scene (don’t miss Chicago-style pizza), fun nightlife, and plenty of green space, Chicago is not only one of my favorite cities in the US — it’s one of my favorite cities in the world! While the winters here are harsh, it’s a beautiful, green city in the summer that offers visitors a plethora of things to see and do.
I’ve been visiting Chicago for a decade and have stayed in a lot of hostels here. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The four most important criteria when picking the best hostel in Chicago are:
To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the hostels in Chicago that I like the most. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: HI Chicago
Best Hostel for Families: HI Chicago
Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: Freehand Chicago
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: Chicago Getaway Hostel
Best Hostel for Partying: Wrigley Hostel
Best Overall Hostel: HI Chicago
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Chicago:
Price Legend (per night)
HI Hostels are some of my favorite hostels to stay at because they know exactly what we budget travelers want. Their accommodations are affordable and they have all the amenities we need to enjoy our stay. They organize a free walking tour (and other weekly activities), the common areas are spacious, they have a fully-equipped kitchen, and they offer free breakfast. It’s my favorite hostel in the city.
HI Chicago at a glance:
Beds from $32 USD a night, rooms from $85.
—> Book your stay at HI Chicago!
This is a lively hostel with a bar on-site, making it a good place to stay for any night owls looking to enjoy the city’s nightlife. They have an outdoor patio with a BBQ so you can grill up burgers when the weather is nice and they organize walking tours and day trips too. Free breakfast is included.
Wrigley Hostel at a glance:
Beds from $36 USD a night, rooms from $141.
—> Book your stay at Wrigley Hostel!
Housed in a historic build from 1927, the hostel is immaculately designed and has tons of character. They have an award-winning cocktail bar on-site as well, which really makes it easy to meet people. Freehand is definitely more of a boutique hostel, but it’s worth the price if you feel like treaing yourself.
Freehand Chicago at a glance:
Beds from $45 USD a night, rooms from $173.
—> Book your stay at Freehand Chicago!
Parthenon has a large common room with a huge TV and lots of books, can help you organize tours, and has free breakfast. The dorms aren’t huge. They have a female-only dorm as well. It’s clean, comfortable, and safe.
Parthenon Hostel at a glance:
Beds from $34 USD a night, rooms from $90.
—> Book your stay at Parthenon Hostel!
While they have lots of modern ammenities (including a karaoke lounge), the vintage decor and huge collection of 70’s boardgames gives the hostel a very retro feel. It’s clean, quiet, and the beds are really comfortable.
Found Chicago at a glance:
Beds from $63 USD a night, rooms from $294.
—> Book your stay at Found Chicago!
While the rooms here are nothing special, the hostel has a big common area and is in a great location. Free breakfast is included and they have a board to let you know what’s happening in the city during your visit. It’s not super social so it’s good choice for travelers looking for something more quiet. It’s also the cheapest hostel in the city!
Chicago Getaway Hostel at a glance:
Dorms from $21 USD, rooms from $79 USD per night.
—> Book your stay at Chicago Getaway Hostel!
***
No matter what kind of budget you have you’ll be able to find a hostel that works for you and your travel style.
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!
Looking for more information on visiting Chicago?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to Chicago with more tips on what to see, do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!
Photo credit: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
The post My Favorite 6 Hostels in Chicago appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.
Posted: 5/23/2020 | May 23rd, 2020
Miami is a party city. There are just no two ways about it. People come here to get wild, visit nightclubs, lounge on the beach, and drink the nights away. While it’s not a city I particularly love, even I’ll admit they know how to have fun here.
I’ve been visiting Miami for years. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel here. The top four when picking the best hostel in Miami are:
To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the hostels in Miami that I like the most. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: SoBe Hostel & Bar
Best Hostel for Families: Generator
Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: Rock Hostel
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: Freehand Miami
Best Hostel for Partying: Miami Beach Hostel or Miami Party Hostel
Best Overall Hostel: Generator
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Miami:
Price Legend (per night)
For a budget-friendly hostel, Freehand Miami really goes above and beyond. They have a pool, yoga classes, shuttles to Little Havana, and tours to Key West and the Everglades (among other places). It’s an upbeat hostel with a bar on-site.
Freehand at a glance:
Beds from $25 USD a night, rooms from $128 USD.
—> Book your stay at Freehand Miami!
Located in the Art Deco district, the Rock is another fun hostel. Breakfast is included and the staff here are super friendly. The also organize tours and day trips (including boating trips) and have a bar and restaurant on-site. They even have a shuttle service if you’re coming from the airport.
Rock Hostel at a glance:
Beds from $17 USD a night.
—> Book your stay at Rock Hostel!
While Generator is a chain (and some of their hostels in other counries aren’t great), this hostel is amazing. They have a pool, restaurant, bar, and are just minutes away from the beach. While it’s the most expensive hostel in the city, the beds are more comforable than the cheap ones you’ll find at the party hostels and the place is kept clean. They offer bike rentals, private rooms (including rooms for families), and have tons of common areas throught the hostel.
Generator at a glance:
Beds from $42 USD a night, rooms from $109 USD.
—> Book your stay at Generator!
If you’re looking to party, look no further. This hostel offer free drinks, all-day happy hours, keg nights, and more. Both breakfast and dinner are included and the hostel is super budget-friendly too (but you’ll make up for that by buying drinks no doubt). The beds are decent and the dorms are basic, but chances are you’ll be too exhausted (read: drunk) to care. Definitely don’t stay here if you’re not looking to party.
Miami Beach International Hostel at a hlance:
Beds from $16 USD a night
—> Book your stay at Miami Beach International Hostel!
The name says it all. Offering wild parties, pub crawls, and a rooftop restaurant and bar (with shisha), this is clearly a place for budget travelers looking to let loose. The beds here are terrible but the showers are decent. The beach is close by and breakfast is included.
Miami Party Hostel at a glance:
Beds from $20 USD a night, rooms from $114 USD.
—> Book your stay at Miami Party Hostel!
This hostel is conveniently located near grocery stores, a liquor store, and fast food restuarants. They have a big communal kitchen if you need to cook your own food and organize tours around the region in case you’re looking to explore beyond the city.
Miami Hostel at a glance:
Beds from $22 USD a night
—> Book your stay at Miami Hostel!
This is the cheapest hostel in the city. Don’t expect much. But, if you just want a cheap place to crash then this will do the trick.
SoBe Hostel & Bar at a glance:
Beds from $12 USD a night
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While there are other hostels in Miami, there are the best choices in my opinion. Whether you’re looking to party or just want a cheap place to spend the night, you’ll be able to find what you need, save money, and have an amazing visit!
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!
Looking for More Information on Visiting Miami?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to Miami with more tips on what to see and do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!
Photo credit: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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