Know Before You Go: About Miami
Art Deco architecture, bright lights and pink flamingos— a trip to Miami is a bit larger than life
Escape another dreary winter and step into sun-kissed paradise. Skip summer camp and head south when school's out. Vacation in fall or spring for expansive stretches of sun-kissed beaches. You'll run out of time long before you run out of entertainment and adventures in the Magic City.
Moon, Sun, Wind and Rain Over Miami
If you prefer to avoid snow, Miami is your perfect destination with a full-serving of sun, sand and surf. South Florida has a subtropical climate with dry, pleasant temperatures—averaging mid-to-high 70s—from November through March. Rainy season happens when the heat is on—from April through October, when temperatures can climb into the 90s. Afternoon showers rumble overhead and drift off over the ocean or the Everglades. Get wet, and dry right off; no problem. This translates to long, lazy days on the golf course or the beach, balmy evenings on an outdoor terrace and light packing.
Do the Conga
Prepare to be entertained. Miami has all the zing of the jalapenos in a serving of ceviche. Traditional Cuban food, easy to find in Little Havana, has enough flavors for even picky palates—feed fussy family members medianoche sandwiches and fruit-infused Caribbean ice creams. On South Beach, you can boogie in a nightclub or boogie-board in the surf off Ocean Drive. Serve your speediest ace at Crandon Park Tennis Center on Key Biscayne, or stalk lions, tigers, boas and poison dart frogs at the Miami Zoo. Wander the limestone-walled formal gardens of Vizcaya, a sprawling historic villa-museum on Biscayne Bay or slip into the cool Venetian Pool in Coral Gables. Sunny Miami is a perpetual street festival, art fair, outdoor and water-sports nirvana. Just be sure to pack your sunscreen.
Only in Miami
Miami's tourism industry is a multibillion-dollar annual invitation to come and have a good time. But Miami is a global trade center as well; Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami are the nation's main gateways to Latin America and among the top U.S. ports for goods and freight. If shopping is your sport, you can shop ‘til you drop or wander down to the waterfront to watch a constant parade of cruise and container ships. International banking in Miami also thrives in the city’s downtown. Construction, light manufacturing and year-round agriculture round out Miami's main economic drivers.
Going Back to Miami
Fly, board a bus, drive or take the train to paradise. Miami International Airport is a busy hub for domestic and global flights, serving about 50 airlines. Amtrak's southernmost stop is in Miami suburb of Hialeah, and the Greyhound station is just south of the Design District, in the Allapattah neighborhood. The Greater Miami area has local rail and bus transit systems, but Miami is a car-dependent city. You'll probably need your own wheels or a rental to get around. Interstate 95 and the Florida Turnpike are super highways to get you from the rest of Mainland USA to Miami's balmy shores.
Ready to travel? Find hotels in Miami.
More to Explore
Things To Do in Miami
Ready for a vacation in Miami? Let us help you map out your itinerary.
Eat in Miami for Under $50/Day
You can treat yourself to a culinary tour of Miami on a budget of $50 a day. Here’s how
Best Restaurants in Miami
Famous for its beaches and nightlife, Miami is also known for its culinary scene.