The city of Miami, located southwest of the state of Florida in Dale County, offers a great variety of tourist sites suitable for all ages and ideal for visitors and residents.
If you’re looking for adventure, you should start by soaking up the cultural richness of this town, famous for its amazing beaches, its places full of life and color, and its lively nightlife.
The most iconic places to visit in Miami
Miami is so much more than the idyllic beaches of South Beach, there are hundreds of things you can do, such as strolling through iconic destinations like Little Havana, Wynwood Walls, and the Vizcaya Museum, which are among the best attractions in all of South Florida.
Let’s cut it to the chase and start this tour of the most fantastic places to visit during your next trip to the beautiful city of Miami.
1. Zoo Miami
Also known as The Miami-Dade Zoological Park, it holds the title of being the largest zoo in the state of Florida and the only subtropical zoo in the United States.
It has been an active leader in multiple wildlife and environmental conservation initiatives since its founding in 1948, housing more than 3,000 animals and more than 1,000 species of trees on nearly 300 hectares.
The zoo is divided into 4 geographical territories: the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australia, and they are all matched as closely as possible to the native habitats of the animals.
You can find outstanding specimens like the majestic Sumatran tiger, Cuban crocodiles, Asian elephants, lions, antelopes, and African rhinos, among many others.
Get ready to enjoy exclusive events with open-air exhibits and learn about the mysteries of wildlife by getting up close and personal with the animals’ natural habitats.
And since the zoo is quite large, we recommend renting a family bike, so you can start an adventure-filled safari with all the comfort you deserve.
- Location: 12400 SW 152 St. Miami FL, 33177.
2. Wynwood Walls
Wynwood Walls is the most important street art museum in Miami, where more than 40 murals painted by famous local and international artists are exhibited.
You can visit this original museum, named “the first graffiti museum in the world“, to contemplate not only its colorful walls, but also the structures, sculptures, and objects that have been modified in a very creative way.
If you are a design lover, visiting this artsy neighborhood is a must. Think about it, it is visually attractive, aesthetically pleasing, and filled with colorful and unique art., doesn’t it sound like the best spot for pictures?
Keep in mind that you can walk your way around or pay a private tour in a golf cart to explore this unique park, which is open to the public all year long, and the entrance fees cost around USD 12.
- Location: 2520 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33127.
3. South Beach
Miami’s beaches are surely the main target of tourists visiting this city and one of the most attractive spots for celebrities.
Along its vast extension of coastline, South Beach stands out as the most famous area of Miami Beach, thanks to its beautiful beaches with turquoise waters and white sand. The perfect spot to take a relaxing dip or watch a splendid sunset.
Right across the beach is Ocean Drive, one of the most famous streets of Miami Beach, where you can take the best bike rides of your life in its exceptional walking area. This space is also ideal for a variety of sports activities, from jogging or rollerblading to a leisurely walk.
It is also an ideal place to have a cocktail in front of the beach or eat your favorite dish in the nearby restaurants that offer the most varied and rich gastronomy of the area.
- Location: Between 1st and 25th Streets on Miami Beach
4. Coral Castle
At 28655 South Dixie Highway, Homestead, about 45 minutes from Miami is Coral Castle, a mysterious garden sculpted on gigantic coral rocks.
This impressive sculptural work created with rudimentary methods took approximately 28 years to be completed and was born of the obsession of an eccentric sculptor, Edward Leedskalnin, who was going through a breakup with his partner Agnes Scuffs.
Certainly, the Coral Castle is a monument dedicated to love that has survived over time and is an enigmatic open-air museum ideal for you to visit with your partner.
- Location: 28655 South Dixie Highway, Homestead, FL 33033.
5. Art Decó District
Miami’s Art Deco District is located at the southern end of South Beach. This area displays a particular architecture that evokes the artistic movement that emerged in Paris in 1920 and then spread to the rest of Europe. And, of course, is an iconic spot in the city.
There you will find hundreds of buildings with this particular style, most of them date back to 1925 and 1940, and their main feature is the use of figures such as cubes, spheres, and straight lines.
You will probably find it fascinating to see these buildings beautifully decorated in pastel tones, highlighting their neon-colored lights -which have been perfectly preserved after almost a century- standing along the colorful Ocean Drive avenue.
- Location: 1001 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
6. Miami Seaquarium
The Miami Seaquarium is the largest aquarium in the United States. Located in the center of Key Biscayne, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.
It is also famous for being the home of Flipper, the popular dolphin who caught the hearts of millions of television viewers during the 1960s with his cuteness and acrobatics.
You and your family can attend one of the main activities of the aquarium, the “encounters”, where you can interact with seals, dolphins, and penguins.
You can also feed the sea lions, watch the manatee shows, admire the beautiful plumage of the pink flamingos, and touch the spectacular manta rays.
On top of that, you will be able to see a great variety of animals in their natural habitats, such as crocodiles, sharks, orcas, turtles, and many other species.
- Location: 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149.
7. Little Havana
In one of Miami’s most popular neighborhoods, lives a small part of Cuba: Little Havana.
This neighborhood, which has a strong Latino influence, is a lovely area with access to free places that reflect the customs and traditions of thousands of Cubans who emigrated to the U.S. seeking new opportunities after Fidel Castro came to power.
Among its main attractions is La Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street), a street with a very special Mediterranean style, where you can find cigar-making artisans, stores with a particular smell of coffee, and vibrant music with a touch of nostalgia in the air.
But above all, Little Havana stands out for its rich and varied cuisine. During your visit, you’re going to run into many restaurants where you can taste the most authentic and traditional Cuban food.
- Location: Neighborhood located in Miami-Dade County.
8. Jungle Island
If you are a nature lover, you will be impressed with the abundant wildlife at Jungle Island, a charming animal sanctuary that opened its doors to the public in 1936.
In this fascinating park, you can have fun with your little ones among flamingos, macaws, parrots, and other exotic bird species that rest and fly freely through this tropical forest.
You can interact with the playful lemurs from Madagascar or feed the sleepy sloths as they hang from the branches. Also, there are lots of animals that you’ll get to see up close, like baboons, turtles, lizards, orangutans, iguanas, and multicolored fish, as well as 2,000 varieties of exotic plants including orchids, heliconias, and bromeliads.
- Location: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132.
9. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
The Vizcaya House Museum is an iconic villa located in Miami-Dade County, on the shores of Biscayne Bay.
It was opened to the public in 1953 and has more than 70 rooms displaying European, American, and Asian works of art, as well as furniture and tapestries from the prolific Renaissance period.
And it doesn’t stop there, its exterior is bordered by beautiful gardens that take almost three hectares of land, inspired by the majestic floral parks of the Palace of Versailles and decorated with exceptional sculptures of Greco-Roman mythological gods.
- Location: 3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129.
10. Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park, located at the southern tip of Florida, is home to breathtaking scenery resting in a vast swampy area that includes wetlands, mangroves, prairies, and subtropical rainforest.
You can navigate it aboard a hovercraft to contemplate the vegetation and admire the magnificent alligators swimming peacefully in their natural habitat.
Or if you’re looking for something else, you can go on a relaxing train journey along a 24 km stretch to get to the Shark Valley, where you will enjoy the slighting of hundreds of bird species.
You know you can’t miss the adventure of your life with your family in this majestic natural reserve, which was declared a UNESCO National Heritage Site for being home to diverse fauna and showcasing the region’s aquatic life.
- Location: the southeastern tip of Florida.
11. Biscayne Bay
Enjoy Biscayne Bay on a fascinating yacht trip while gazing at the breathtaking celebrity mansions.
From this tropical lagoon 56 km long and 13 km wide, you can witness spectacular views of the FTX Arena, Fisher Island, Star Island, and the Venetian Islands, for you to discover Miami’s hidden gems under a luxurious vibe.
Don’t wait any longer and enjoy a delicious appetizer aboard a relaxing cruise on a guided 75-minute tour, where you can discover the tropical beauty and exciting culture of Miami along the Miami Skyline and Millionaire’s Row.
- Location: the Atlantic coast of South Florida.
Frequently asked questions about the best places to visit in Miami
Here are the most common questions asked by tourists about the best places to visit in Miami.
What are the must-see places in Miami?
There are many interesting places in Miami that are worth visiting. Some of them are:
- Zoo Miami
- Art Deco District.
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
- Biscayne Bay.
- Little Havana.
What is the most beautiful area in Miami?
South Beach is Miami’s most beautiful area because it is a perfect mix of natural beauty, historic architecture, and a prolific cultural scene. Its stunning white sand beaches, iconic Art Deco buildings, and vibrant nightlife make it a magical place and a tourist favorite.
Thank you for joining us on this fascinating tour of this city that has so much to offer. Remember, there is always something new to discover in Miami. See you soon on a new adventure!
