🥁 🎵 3, 2, 1… Discover what tourists love to do in Miami! We are thrilled to share with you the 10 best activities in the city; your Southeast Florida vacation extravaganza is about to begin. The neon lights of Ocean Drive, the crashing of the waves in South Beach, the gastronomic delights of Little Havana, and more highlights of the city are waiting for you… Read on to learn more!
Your adventure starts from the very moment you land at the airport in the Magic City, the most amazing beach destination in the US. Take notes and start planning your itinerary with this list of things to do in the city.
Things to see and do in Miami These are the best activities
When in Miami, you’ll wish the day had more than 24 hours! This outstanding seaside city has it all. Therefore, you’ll always find a plan to spend the day and have some fun during the night. Take your trip to a whole new level of entertainment with the top best things to see and do in Miami. We promise that with this list of activities (recommended by specialists), you will have the time of your life when visiting Florida. So, get ready to go on an amazing vacation, stay curious, and feed your tourist spirit with these highly suggested activities to do in Miami!
1. Visit Miami’s most famous beaches
Get in sync with the tide of the Atlantic Ocean and the waves will teach you your new favorite dance! Here are the beaches you can’t miss on your trip to Miami:
South Beach
A story, a reel, or a post, what is it going to be? Besides being the most iconic and busiest beach in Miami, South Beach is extremely Instagramable; So if that’s something you’re looking for, visit this tropical destination, with white sand and a festive atmosphere that will be the perfect setting for amazing pictures. On top of that, it is close to the Art Déco District, another place you’ll want to post on all your social media. Say cheeseee!
Lummus Park Beach
Run, Forrest, run! Leave monotony behind and take a walk at this beach. Located along Ocean Drive, Lummus Park Beach is the perfect place to start your morning by exercising your body: jog along the seashore, rent a bike, or do yoga while the sun charges you with Vitamin D.
Haulover Beach
Who said Adam and Eve’s paradise wasn’t a beach? Swimming at a nude beach is the type of freedom you have to experience at least once in your life. At Haulover Beach, you’re free to take off your swimwear and enjoy the sea in your purest state. However, the beach has limited sectors for this, which means that you can visit this destination with your whole family, including children.
2. Tour the Florida Keys
Are you ready for the adventure? choose the passengers of your next road trip through the Florida Keys! The distance between Miami and Key West is an average of 270 kilometers(165 miles); embark on this tropical journey and head to one of the most popular coastal paradises in the South of the United States.
In Key West, you will drive on long roads overlooking the sea with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. When you get there – in addition to enjoying the captivating beaches, snorkeling, and fishing – you can take an architectural tour of the houses on the island, buy souvenirs from local artisans and wait for the sunset in a ceremony held on the docks.
3. Stroll around the Art Déco District
Art, aesthetics, and history on Miami’s most glamorous street! Art, aesthetics, and history on Miami’s most glamorous street! Take a stroll through the Art Deco District, the tourist neighborhood that attracts hundreds of travelers daily with a collection of buildings painted in warm colors and pastel shades. In this area of monuments and iconic avant-garde architecture, you’ll probably fall in love with the neon signs that light up at night and the designs and styles that shaped artistic thinking between the 1920s and 1940s.
4. Check out the street art at Wynwood Walls
Located minutes away from Downtown Miami and known as one of the world’s biggest exponents of street art, Wynwood Walls is a neighborhood turned into an outdoor art gallery, where you can admire hundreds of graffiti with designs that will bring you closer to today’s artistic and urban expressions. Wynwood is a blank canvas for imagination!
5. Go shopping in Miami
You may be on vacation, but your fashion is always on duty. Turn your trip to the Magic city into a runway! Continuing with the best things to do in Miami, going to the amazing shopping malls, outlets, and boutiques is an unmissable plan when visiting this city. Here are our top two recommendations:
Bayside Marketplace
Bayside Marketplace is the most popular shopping center in Miami, it is home to more than 150 stores including stores of reputable brands, restaurants with local and international food, and terraces where you can enjoy lovely views of the harbor.
Dolphin Mall
Want to go on an affordable shopping spree in Miami? Dolphin Mall is the place to go! Walking around there you will find more than 250 stores offering deals during many months of the year.
6. Visit the Vizcaya Museum, one of the best things to do in Miami.
Villa Vizcaya: elegance and antiquity in Italian-French style! Stroll around the Vizcaya Museum and its beautiful Gardens, the architectural masterpiece that consists of 3 floors and 34 rooms where artistic treasures from the 15th to the 19th centuries are exhibited. In this mansion, besides finding breathtaking gardens and sculptures, you can appreciate the creative artistic expressions of the Renaissance and Rococo periods.
7. Gastronomic tour of Little Havana
Roast suckling pig, yucca with mojo, picadillo a la criolla, and more exquisite dishes of Cuban cuisine are waiting for you in Little Havana… Get a little taste of Cuba, and let a part of Latin America into your palate! Experience the aromas and flavors of the appetizing restaurants in this vibrant neighborhood. Discover condiments, tropical fruits, and Caribbean recipes that will give you an ancestral culinary experience.
8. Airboat tour through the Everglades
This UNESCO world heritage site is a must-visit in Florida! Discover the flora and wildlife of the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S., known for being the habitat of hundreds of alligators, crocodiles, and many other species. Taking an airboat tour is the best option to explore these wetlands and have a watery experience enjoying the view of the mangroves and swamp grass.
9. Explore nature at the Miami Botanical Garden
Take a break from the hustle of the city and enjoy Florida’s vegetation! At the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, you’ll find over 300 types of plants and flowers native to the area such as colossal palm trees and delicate orchids. You will also witness a colorful spectacle of butterflies, birds, and turtles that will mesmerize you.
10. Take a short trip to Orlando from Miami
Orlando is close to Miami! 3 hours and 30 minutes and 236 miles away to be more specific. Since the two cities are relatively close to each other, we recommend that you visit both to make the most out of your Florida trip. So, after having fun with all the activities in Miami that we mentioned before, head to the city of theme parks: there the magic of Universal Studios and Walt Disney World will be the cherry on top of your amazing trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular attractions in Miami?
The main tourist attractions in Miami are:
- Wynwood Walls.
- Vizcaya Museum.
- Dolphin Mall.
- South Beach.
- Little Havana.
- Bayfront Park.
- Pérez Art Museum.
- Zoo Miami.
- Miami Seaquarium.
- Nightclubs.
What are the best outdoor activities in Miami?
The most popular outdoor activities in Miami are:
- Visiting the beaches: South Beach, Lummus Park Beach, Haulover Beach, and Crandon Park. See the graffiti in Wynwood Walls.
- Admiring the graffiti art in Wynwood Walls.
- Strolling through the Art Deco District and Ocean Drive.
- Taking an airboat tour of the Everglades Park.
What water sports or marine activities can be practiced in Miami?
The most popular water sports and recreational activities in Miami are:
- Kayaking.
- Self-guided jet ski tours.
- Surfing.
- Diving.
- Taking a cruise, motorboat, or boat ride.
