While many people come to Miami for its world-renowned hotels, restaurants and nightlife – and, of course, its spectacular beaches – you’ll find that this beautiful destination is home to all of this plus a range of other exciting activities!
Being a resident of Miami for the past few months, I’ve found that these are 12 of the BEST things you can do in this city today!
1. Miami Heat Game
Whether you are a basketball fan or not, going to a Miami Heat game is such a fun experience. The FTX Arena is located in the heart of Downtown Miami where you can also find a lot of awesome restaurants and bars. So make a night of it! There are Miami Heat games once (sometimes even twice) a week.
TIP: You can buy your tickets the day of the game at a discount! (That is if you’re not picky with where you’re sitting.)
2. Wynwood Walls
Known as Miami’s most Instagram-ed place, Wynwood Walls is an outdoor art gallery created by graffiti artists and muralists that spreads across warehouses and shop exteriors. Wynwood Walls is free for the public to explore. Outside the gated walls, the area is home to more than 70 art galleries, shops, restaurants and bars.
3. Superblue
SUPERBLUE MIAMI is an immersive, technology-driven art museum. It is far more than a series of installations for people to stroll through and admire. It’s a place where visitors can affect the art around them, and be as much a part of the show as the works filling the walls!
4. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Located in the Coconut Grove district, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens were originally built as a winter villa for businessman James Deering in the early 1900s. The waterfront home’s many treasures include more than 2,500 antique art objects and furnishings; 10 acres of immaculately landscaped gardens, and 25 acres of endangered forest lands. It’s easy to spend several hours at Vizcaya without getting bored!
5. Zoo Miami
This beautiful zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals, representing more than 500 different species. It’s famous for providing a natural environment for its residents without the use of cages – rather, the zoo employs strategically placed moats to separate the animals from the visitors. It’s truly an experience like no other!
TIP: The zoo is very large, meaning you’ll do a fair amount of walking. Wear a good pair of comfy sneakers!
6. South Point Park & Beach
South Point Park is located at the southernmost tip of South Beach. While it’s technically just a city park, this 17-acre haven offers much more than a couple of benches and pretty palm trees to lounge beneath. There’s beach access, a fishing pier, a playground for kids, and lots more green space for relaxing. Also, the parking here is easy and far less pricey than other places in South Beach.
7. Miami Beach
There’s something for everyone in Miami Beach – and a lot of it. White sand, an extensive dining scene, prime shopping, luxurious spas, and world-class nightlife are all the staples.
And of course, we can’t forget about the quintessential Miami experience – South Beach. South Beach is a gorgeous public beach off of Ocean Drive that is free and open to all.
TIP: The crowds thin down around 4:00pm.
8. Venetian Pool
This beautiful, Italian themed, public pool is a relaxing alternative for those looking for water and sun away from the fast pace of South Beach. Be warned that the pool gets very crowded on hot days, so your best bet is to call ahead. Or, better yet, get there early! If you get hungry, there is also a café available on-site with the usual assortment – pizza, mozzarella sticks, nachos and ice cream, among other concession snacks.
9. Lincoln Road Mall
Running almost the entire width of South Beach, Lincoln Road Mall is a mile-long pedestrian mall and one of Miami’s favorite spots for outdoor activities—besides the beach, which is just a few blocks away. There are more than 100 fashionable shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes. Retail options range from mall mainstays like the Gap and American Eagle to high-end names like All Saints and John Varvatos.
But the mall doesn’t close down when the shops do. The restaurants and bars keep Lincoln Road buzzing into the wee hours!
10. Everglades National Park
About 30 miles west of downtown Miami and a world away from flashy South Beach, the Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wetland in the U.S.. The national park offers a unique look into the diverse ecosystem that filters water as it moves farther south toward the Florida Bay and Key West.
While most of the 1.5 million-acre park is protected for wildlife preservation, the northern area closest to Miami is open for private airboat tours.
11. Day Trip to Key West
Genuinely, I cannot recommend this more.
Key West is the southernmost city in the continental U.S. and a place you need to experience at least once in your life. For a small island, there are so many activities to try and do. Check out The Ultimate Guide to Key West for all the best things Key West has to offer!
There are many ways to get to Key West from Miami: car, ferry, bus, or plane. The trip by car is said to be one of the most beautiful road trips in the U.S., travelling over the Overseas Highway and a whopping 42 bridges!
TIP: Plane is by far the fastest way to get there. For less than $100, you’ll get there in an hour or less and have much more time on the island.
12. Bayside Marketplace
Bayside Marketplace is a hub for tourists who want to shop and dine. It’s a one-stop shop to grab all sorts of Miami souvenirs, and with more than 150 shops and eateries, there’s something for everyone. The marketplace also features live music from local bands every afternoon and evening.
