Top Things to Do in Miami Florida
This list of 100 things to do in Miami Beach helps you decide what’s actually worth your vacation time. South Beach gets most of the attention, but there is much more to a Miami trip than lying on the sand. You can wander past pastel Art Deco buildings, photograph colorful lifeguard stands, explore street art in Wynwood, eat Cuban food in Little Havana, paddle through mangroves, and stay out much later than you planned.
You will find the Miami Beach experiences you don’t want to miss along with museums, food, nightlife, shopping, viewpoints, outdoor adventures, and easy day trips around greater Miami. I’ve also included some of the experiences that make this part of Florida so much fun, from biking the Beachwalk and people-watching on Ocean Drive to eating stone crab at Joe’s and spotting alligators in the Everglades.
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Miami Beach at a Glance
Best for: Beaches, Art Deco architecture, food, nightlife, art, and people-watching
How many days: 3 days for Miami Beach and Miami highlights; 4–5 with the Everglades or another day trip
Don’t miss: South Beach, Ocean Drive, Art Deco Historic District, Little Havana, and Wynwood
Best beach: South Beach for the classic first-time experience
Best walk: Ocean Drive and the Miami Beach Beachwalk
Best art: Wynwood Walls and the Miami Design District
Best food experience: Cuban food and coffee in Little Havana
Best sunset: South Pointe Park or Biscayne Bay
Best nightlife: South Beach, Brickell, and Wynwood
Best shopping: Lincoln Road and Miami Design District
Best nature escape: Everglades National Park
Getting around: Walk, bike, rideshare, trolley, and public transportation depending on the neighborhood
Good to know: Miami Beach and the City of Miami are separate cities, so group your sightseeing by neighborhood to avoid wasting time in traffic
100 Unforgettable Things to Do in Miami Beach
Top 10 Things to Do in Miami Beach and Miami
1. Walk Ocean Drive and explore the Art Deco Historic District
2. Spend a few hours on South Beach
3. Walk or bike the Miami Beach Beachwalk
4. Watch the sunset from South Pointe Park
5. Explore the murals at Wynwood Walls
6. Eat Cuban food and drink a cafecito in Little Havana
7. Tour Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
8. Explore the shops, galleries, and architecture of the Miami Design District
9. Take a boat ride on Biscayne Bay
10. Take a day trip into the Everglades
Miami Beach Landmarks
- Stroll down Ocean Drive in South Beach and admire the pastel-colored Art Deco buildings.
- Visit the historic Freedom Tower, known as the “Ellis Island of the South” for its significance in Cuban-American history.
- Photograph the Versace Mansion (Casa Casuarina), once the home of fashion designer Gianni Versace.
- Explore the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a reflection of Miami’s luxurious past.
- Check out the vibrant murals, cigar shops, and cafes in Little Havana’s Calle Ocho.
Must Do Attractions and Activities in Miami Beach
- Photograph the murals at Wynwood Walls.
- Watch the street performers on the Miami Beach Beachwalk.
- BYO wine and blanket to listen to the symphony’s wall cast performance.
- Ride the Miami Mover.
- Take a DIY tour of movie and TV star homes.
- See the Coral Castle constructed of 1100 tons of coral.
- Learn to salsa dance or watch flamenco dancers.
- Watch a domino match in Maximo Gomez Park.
- Watch cigars being rolled at the Little Havana Cigar Factory.
- Hang out with the Java monkeys at Monkey Jungle.
Best Museums in Miami Beach
- Step back into the 1920s to glimpse old Miami at the Deering Estate.
- Browse the modern art at the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM).
- See the design, fashion, and culture at The Bass Museum of Art.
- Learn about Miami’s history at History Miami.
- See the collection of artifacts from 1850 to 1950 at The Wolfsonian.
- Browse the free Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA.
- Learn about the history and evolution of graffiti at the Museum of Graffiti.
- Explore Jewish culture and history in Miami Beach at the Jewish Museum of Florida.
- Tour the historic Deering Estate and learn about Miami’s archaeological, environmental, and architectural heritage.
- Check out the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science interactive exhibits, planetarium, and aquarium.
- Attend Art Basel in December.
Outdoor Activities in Miami Beach
- Take a boat tour of Millionaire Row from Bayside Marketplace.
- Tour the Italian villa and garden of the Vizcaya Museum and have high tea.
- Take a bike ride in Lummus Park or under the banyan trees.
- Work on your tan lines at the nude Haulover Beach.
- Take the tram through the Fairchild Tropical Garden in Coral Gables.
- Swim in one of the most beautiful public pools in the world, Coral Gables Venetian Pool.
- Climb the Cape Florida Lighthouse.
- Jet ski around Hibiscus Island.
- Spot alligators on an airboat tour through the Everglades.
- Ride a bike by alligators at Shark Valley.
- Paddleboard or kayak in Biscayne Bay.
- Scuba the shipwrecks at Biscayne National Park or Neptune Memorial Reef.
- Cruise out to Stiltsville and photograph the ocean homes built on stilts.
- Attend an outdoor concert in the heart of Downtown at Bayfront Park.
- Take in the views of the Miami skyline and Star Island during a Speedboat Tour across Biscayne Bay.
- Have a picnic, take a walk on the pier, or watch cruise ships sail by at South Pointe Park.
- Kayak through mangroves or bike on trails at Oleta River State Park.
- Stroll through the tropical garden at Pinecrest Gardens.
- Grab your morning coffee and take a walk along the Miami Beach Beachwalk.
- Spend a day at the beach at Crandon Park or Virginia Key Beach Park.
- Go for a hike at Greynolds Park on the nature trails.
Where to Eat in Miami Beach
- Drink Cuban coffee at David’s Coffee and eat Arroz con Leche.
- Attend drag queen brunch at the Palace in South Beach.
- Have lunch at the iconic Joe’s Stone Crab.
- Have dinner under twinkle lights on Espanola Way (between 14th and 15th on Washington Ave).
- Eat authentic Cuban cuisine at Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana.
- Dine with a skyline view at the Rusty Pelican.
Miami Beach Nightlife: Pubs, Cocktails and Nightclubs
- Have a drink on the Miami River at the River Yacht Club.
- Enjoy rooftop cocktails at Sugar in the East Hotel or 1 Hotel in SoBe.
- Dance the night away on Ocean Drive.
- Have a bottomless mimosa and watch the sunset at the Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne.
- Dance the night away at LIV located in the Fontainebleau Hotel.
- Sip mojitos and enjoy live Latin music at Ball & Chain in Little Havana.
- Bowl, skate and dance at this multi-level Basement Miami nightclub in Miami Beach.
- Sip craft cocktails and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere at Blackbird Ordinary.
Shopping in Miami Beach
- Wander the boutiques on pedestrian-only Lincoln Road.
- Browse the boutiques in Cauley Square Historic Village.
- Check out the Caribbean Marketplace in Little Haiti.
- Browse the shops in Coconut Grove.
- Window shop luxury brands like Chanel and Gucci at Bal Harbour Shops.
- Grab some souvenirs while listening to live music at the waterfront Bayside Marketplace.
- Shop high-end fashion in the Miami Design District.
Instagrammable Places in Miami Beach: Lookouts, View Points and Selfies
Photograph the murals at Wynwood Walls, Ocean Drive neon lights, the Coppertone Girl at 7300 Biscayne Blvd, the colorful lifeguard stands on South Beach, The Betsy Orb, Miami Beach Marina, the South Beach Art Deco District, and the Holocaust Memorial.
Take in panoramic views at South Pointe Pier, Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel, Haulover Park observation tower, and Key Biscayne Lighthouse.
Photograph the Miami skyline from Brickell Key Park, or Hobie Island Beach Park.
Day Trips from Miami Beach
- Drive down to Key Largo for snorkeling, diving, and ocean views.
- Head to Islamorada for a day of fishing, watersports, and seafood.
- Spend the day exploring the Fort Lauderdale beaches.
- Take a day trip to Key West, the southernmost point in the U.S.
- Visit the luxurious island of Palm Beach for high-end shopping and historic landmarks.
- Check out the Delray Beach arts scene and beautiful beaches.
- Go snorkeling or diving at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to see coral reefs and marine life.
- Spend the day exploring Everglades National Park.
Special Events in Miami
Check the Miami Florida Tourism Board for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Plan Your Trip to Miami Florida
Why Visit Miami
Miami Beach had approximately 26.5 million visitors last year. People are drawn by Miami Beach but is also full of history, museums, fun attractions, and great shopping.
How Many Days in Miami Is Enough
3 days in Miami Beach is enough to experience the city. Add another day if you plan to attend a special event or wish to take a day trip.
Is Miami Safe for Solo Travelers
According to Travel Safe Abroad, the overall risk of travel in Miami Beach is medium. Check their website for more information.
Best Time to Visit Miami
The winter months are the best time to visit Miami when the average temperatures are in the mid-70s. Summer is hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms. There is a risk of hurricanes from June through October.
How to Get to Miami
Several airlines fly nonstop to Miami International Airport (MIA). A nonstop flight from LAX to MIA Beach is 5 hours; nonstop JKF to MIA is 3 hours. Prepare for your flight!
How to Get Around Miami
From Miami International Airport, Metrorail connects the airport area with Downtown Miami. Once downtown, the free Metromover makes it easy to travel around Downtown and Brickell. The shuttle runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and the ride to downtown is 30 minutes. Download the GO Miami-Dade app to get a full list of public transportation options. Taxis and rideshares are also available.
Where to Stay in Miami
What Should I Budget for Miami
According to Budget My Trip, a one-week trip to Miami for two people costs, on average, $2,884. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing. As always, the cost is based on your travel style. Check their website for more information.
What Should I Pack for Miami
Pack lightweight and breathable fabrics, swimwear, beach gear, sunscreen, hat, umbrella, and mosquito spray.
Are There Any Romantic Things to Do in Miami
Couples may enjoy taking a sunset cruise around Biscayne Bay, booking a couples spa treatment, renting a private cabana at a beach club, or having a romantic dinner at a beachfront restaurant.
Things to Do in Miami with Young Children
Young children may enjoy feeding the parrots at the Miami Zoo, exploring the Miami Children’s Museum interactive exhibits, the interactive exhibits at Jungle Island, visiting Miami Seaquarium, the petting zoo at Pinecrest Gardens, seeing the three-level aquarium at Frost Science Museum, and splashing around at Flamingo Park’s water playground.
Things to do in Miami with Teens
Teens may enjoy the ziplines at Jungle Island, the street art and murals at Wynwood Walls, rollerblading on Miami Beach Beachwalk, shopping for souvenirs while listening to live music at Bayside Marketplace, and spending a day in the water at North Beach or Hobie Beach.
Visiting More Florida Cities?
Check out our Florida Travel Guide with links to must-see destinations and itineraries!
Bookmark and Pin 100 Things to Do in Miami Beach, a Bucket List City
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