Things to do in Miami
A visit to Miami takes you to one of the most spectacular, diverse cities in the world
Get ready to experience an exciting metropolis alive with intriguing entertainment, multicultural neighborhoods and a lifestyle focused on sun and sand. Expect tempting eats, rocking street festivals, layers of history, marquee architecture and innovative arts—everywhere.
1. See and Be Seen in South Beach
South Beach offers the quintessential Miami experience where you’ll find Art Deco architecture, white sand beaches, yachts sailing the seas and nonstop entertainment. Just 15 minutes east of downtown Miami, this neighborhood known as SoBe is nestled on a barrier island between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Prepare to get immersed in a cultural mecca, surrounded by world-renowned shopping, galleries, restaurants and nightclubs where a “see and be seen” mentality prevails. The skyline of Ocean Drive offers what picturesque beach dreams are made of, while a stroll down Lincoln Road offers some of the best people watching in Miami.
2. Cuba’s Legacy in Florida
Little Havana offers a true slice of the Cuban lifestyle in the states. Take a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood, and you’ll experience a backdrop of colorful murals, art galleries, unique storefronts and quaint restaurants—complete with a soundtrack of traditional Cuban and Afro-Cuban music. While sightseeing along Southwest Eighth Street and the heart of Little Havana, you’ll pass the original “holding spot” of Cuba’s political refugees. You can also find fierce domino competitions in Domino Park, authentic Café Cubanos at Versailles Restaurant and traditional cuisine options everywhere like asado de puerco and maduros—fried sweet plantains. Craving something cold and refreshing? Head to Azucar Ice Cream Co., and try homemade Cuban ice cream in flavors like sugarcane and pineapple and Cuban coffee and Oreo.
3. Into the Everglading Swamp
A trip to South Florida is not complete without a visit to the famous “River of Grass” in Everglades National Park. The heart of the park is just 1 hour southwest from Miami and offers an exotically swampy landscape and wetland ecosystem that must be experienced by water. You’ll witness biodiversity galore while traversing the slow-flowing water amongst sawgrass marsh, mangrove forest and hardwood hammock. Get yourself to a gator hole, and witness swamp creatures adapting to wet and dry seasons, plus be on the lookout for rare species like the snail kite and Florida panther. The best way to explore the glades is on an airboat tour. All ages are welcome, but airboats might be too noisy for young kids.
4. Capturing Culture by the Bay
Spend the day at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and you’ll be immersed in a world of luxury. Just 5 minutes south of downtown on Biscayne Bay, this breathtaking mansion on nearly 50 acres is quite like a Miami version of The Great Gatsby estate. Businessman James Deering began construction on Villa Vizcaya in 1910 and continued to add on to its magnificence with art, antiquities and furnishings from around the world—even hosting extravagant parties open to the public during the Roaring Twenties à la Jay Gatsby. Though once a winter getaway for Miami’s elite, today it’s a museum and National Historic Landmark. You can revel in its glory with a tour of the whole compound, including the Main House’s 34 rooms with more than 2,500 art objects and furnishings.
Ready to travel? Find hotels in Miami.
More to Explore
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
About Miami
Explore this city known for its tropical colors and sizzling with places to go.