THINGS TO DO IN MIAMI, FLORIDA
South Beach
South Beach is Miami’s most famous stretch of sand, where turquoise water, soft white sand, and lively crowds create a classic beach-day vibe. Spend the day swimming, sunbathing, or people-watching, then stay for sunset and the neon glow of nearby Ocean Drive.
Art Deco Historic District
Wander the Art Deco Historic District to see pastel-colored hotels with porthole windows, neon signs, and geometric motifs straight out of the 1930s. A guided or self-guided walk reveals how these preserved facades and terrazzo sidewalks give South Beach in Miami its signature retro charm.
Ocean Drive
Ocean Drive is a lively beachfront strip lined with cafés, bars, and iconic neon-lit hotels facing Lummus Park. Come for a slow stroll, rent a bike, or grab an outdoor table to soak up the people-watching and constant buzz.
Wynwood Walls
Wynwood Walls is an outdoor museum of massive street murals painted by renowned graffiti and urban artists from around the world. It’s a colorful place to stroll, take photos, and dive into Miami’s contemporary art scene.
Phone: (305) 576-3334
Wynwood Arts District
The broader Wynwood Arts District surrounds Wynwood Walls with galleries, indie boutiques, breweries, and ever-changing street art. Spend a few hours wandering its blocks for mural-spotting, coffee stops, and nightlife in repurposed warehouse spaces.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a lavish Italian-inspired villa overlooking Biscayne Bay, surrounded by sculpted gardens, fountains, and ornate architecture. Inside, rooms filled with antiques and art transport you to Gilded Age Miami.
Phone: (305) 250-9133
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
PAMM is Miami’s flagship contemporary art museum, housed in a striking waterfront building with hanging gardens and shaded terraces. Inside, rotating exhibitions highlight global modern art with a strong focus on the Americas and the Caribbean.
Phone: (305) 375-3000
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
The Frost Museum of Science combines an aquarium, planetarium, and hands-on science exhibits in one sleek bayfront complex. Watch rays glide overhead in the Gulf Stream aquarium, then sit back for an immersive planetarium show.
Phone: (305) 434-9600
Zoo Miami
Zoo Miami spreads animals out across a sprawling, open-air landscape that you can explore by walking paths, tram, or rented bikes. Expect close-up views of giraffes, big cats, and tropical birds in habitats that match their native climates.
Phone: (305) 251-0400
Jungle Island
Jungle Island is a lush adventure park on Watson Island with animal encounters, ropes courses, and interactive exhibits. It’s a fun spot for families looking to mix light thrills with up-close views of parrots, lemurs, and other wildlife.
Phone: (305) 400-7000
Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park offers green lawns, fountains, and a wide baywalk in the heart of downtown with views of cruise ships and the Miami skyline. It’s a relaxing place for a picnic, a jog along the water, or outdoor concerts and festivals.
Phone: (305) 358-7550
Bayside Marketplace
Bayside Marketplace is a waterfront complex with shops, restaurants, live music, and sightseeing cruises departing from its docks. Come to browse souvenirs, grab a drink with harbor views, or hop on a boat tour of Biscayne Bay.
Phone: (305) 577-3344
Little Havana & Calle Ocho
Little Havana centers on Calle Ocho, where Latin music spills out of cafés, cigar rollers work in storefronts, and locals play dominoes in the park. Taste Cuban coffee, sample pastelitos, and enjoy the vibrant street life and murals.
Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College
The Mediterranean Revival–style Freedom Tower once processed Cuban refugees and now houses exhibitions and events. Its ornate façade and tower make it one of downtown Miami’s most recognizable historic landmarks.
Miami Design District
The Miami Design District is a polished neighborhood of high-end boutiques, galleries, and eye-catching public art. Come to window-shop, admire cutting-edge architecture, and linger over meals at stylish restaurants.
Brickell City Centre
Brickell City Centre is a sleek, multi-level shopping and dining complex with an airy climate ribbon roof and views of the surrounding financial district. It’s a great place to shop, grab cocktails, or catch a movie after exploring downtown.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden showcases rare palms, flowering trees, and rainforest plants across beautifully landscaped grounds. Meandering paths, lakes, and themed gardens make it a peaceful escape for plant lovers and photographers.
Phone: (305) 667-1651
Deering Estate
Deering Estate is a historic waterfront property combining preserved mansions, hardwood hammocks, and coastal wetlands. Visitors can tour the grand house, walk nature trails, and enjoy guided kayak or boat excursions on Biscayne Bay.
Phone: (305) 235-1668
Venetian Pool
Carved from a coral rock quarry, Venetian Pool in Coral Gables is a historic swimming lagoon fed by spring water, with waterfalls, loggias, and palm trees. It’s a unique place to cool off in a setting that feels like a Mediterranean fantasy.
Phone: (305) 460-5306
Crandon Park
Crandon Park on Key Biscayne offers wide sandy beaches, calm waters, and picnic areas shaded by palms. Visitors can rent kayaks, explore nature trails, or just relax with a quieter, family-friendly alternative to South Beach.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park & Lighthouse
At the southern tip of Key Biscayne, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park features a historic lighthouse, quiet beaches, and scenic bike paths. Climb the lighthouse on tour days for sweeping views over the Atlantic and Biscayne Bay.
Lummus Park
Lummus Park runs between Ocean Drive and the sand, with palm-lined lawns, walking paths, and outdoor gyms facing South Beach. It’s ideal for a morning jog, rollerblading, or just lounging under the palms watching the beach scene.
Miami Beach Boardwalk
The Miami Beach Boardwalk runs along the ocean with separate paths for walkers, runners, and cyclists. Sea breezes, ocean views, and easy access to beach entrances make it a relaxing way to explore the shoreline.
Lincoln Road Mall
Lincoln Road Mall is a pedestrian-only promenade filled with outdoor cafés, shops, galleries, and street performers. Come for alfresco dining, casual shopping, and prime people-watching in the heart of Miami Beach.
Espanola Way
Espanola Way is a short, charming street with Mediterranean-style buildings, string lights, and sidewalk restaurants. It feels like a tucked-away village where you can linger over tapas or gelato away from the main strip.
Oleta River State Park
Oleta River State Park in North Miami is Florida’s largest urban park, with mangrove-lined waterways perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding. Mountain bike trails and a small beach give outdoor lovers plenty of ways to explore.
Haulover Beach Park
Haulover Beach Park offers wide, open beachfront with kite-flying areas, picnic spots, and views of boats passing through the inlet. It’s a popular spot for beach days, especially if you’re looking for fewer high-rises in the background.
Everglades National Park – Shark Valley Visitor Center
From the Shark Valley Visitor Center, you can bike or ride a tram along a 15-mile loop through Everglades sawgrass, spotting alligators and birds along the way. The observation tower at the far end offers sweeping views over this unique subtropical wilderness.
Phone: (305) 221-8776
Maurice A. Ferré Park (Museum Park)
Maurice A. Ferré Park is a waterfront green space fronting PAMM and Frost Science, with palm-lined paths and views of Biscayne Bay. It’s ideal for a walk between museums or a quiet break on the lawn watching boats go by.
Miami Children’s Museum
On Watson Island, the Miami Children’s Museum offers interactive exhibits where kids can climb, build, role-play, and get hands-on with art and science. It’s a colorful, air-conditioned break that still keeps little ones active and engaged.
Phone: (305) 373-5437
HistoryMiami Museum
HistoryMiami Museum tells the story of South Florida from indigenous cultures and pioneers to modern-day Miami through artifacts, photos, and immersive exhibits. It’s a great way to understand the city’s rapid growth and diverse communities.
Phone: (305) 375-1492
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
The Adrienne Arsht Center hosts Broadway tours, concerts, ballet, and local productions in a striking modern complex. Dress up for a night out and enjoy top-notch performances just steps from downtown and the Biscayne waterfront.
Phone: (305) 949-6722
loanDepot Park
loanDepot Park is the retractable-roof home of the Miami Marlins, offering climate-controlled baseball games and behind-the-scenes stadium tours. Even non-fans can enjoy the game-day atmosphere, food options, and views of Little Havana outside.
Phone: (305) 480-1300
Kaseya Center
Kaseya Center on Biscayne Bay hosts Miami Heat basketball games, major concerts, and special events with skyline and harbor views just outside. Arrive early to enjoy the waterfront promenade or grab a meal nearby before heading inside.
Phone: (786) 777-1000
Miami Riverwalk & Brickell Riverfront
Follow the Miami Riverwalk through Brickell to watch yachts, riverboats, and working tugs move between downtown and the bay. Riverside bars and restaurants give you front-row seats to the constant motion on the water.
Coral Gables Miracle Mile
Miracle Mile in Coral Gables is a leafy boulevard of boutiques, bridal shops, and restaurants framed by Mediterranean-style buildings. It’s a pleasant place for an evening stroll, window-shopping, and dining on outdoor terraces.
Coconut Grove & CocoWalk
Coconut Grove is a bohemian bayside neighborhood with shady streets, marinas, and the open-air CocoWalk complex full of shops and eateries. Grab coffee, browse boutiques, then walk to the waterfront parks for sailboat-filled views.
Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Miami Beach Botanical Garden is a compact urban oasis with palms, orchids, and a tranquil Japanese garden right near the convention center. It’s a peaceful stop for a shaded stroll between beach time and shopping on Lincoln Road.
Phone: (305) 673-7256
