Miami is most known for being a hub of Latin American culture with beautiful beaches and a 24/7 party atmosphere, and that’s not wrong. But as one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country, the city clearly has even more to offer every sort of traveler, whether staying for a day, a long weekend or longer.
So how do you choose where to spend your time and money in Miami? Yes, there are beaches, nightclubs and bars a-plenty. But there are also world-class museums, literary events, all kinds of sports, theater and more Latin cuisine than you ever even knew existed. No matter your interests, these are the best things to do in Miami.
1. Order a cafecito from a ventanita
Cuban coffee is king in Miami, and there’s no better way to enjoy some than by ordering it from a ventanita – that is, a cafe window. Ventanitas serve not only as convenient coffee and snack spots, but also as spaces to have conversations and catch up on news and life. Versailles is a popular spot both for locals and visitors alike, but drive around Miami enough, and you’ll likely encounter several of these on-the-go coffee spots.
Continue your Miami coffee tour at these amazing cafes
Local tip: Learn about the different types of coffee drinks ahead of time. Cafe con leche is akin to a sweet hot latte. A colada is more like several shots of sugary supercharged espresso served in a styrofoam cup, and it’s meant to be shared.
2. Make time for a beach day
You can’t visit Miami without dipping your toes in the warm Atlantic waters at least once. The best family-friendly beaches are Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park – both great for barbecuing, biking and swimming. For more action and prime people-watching, stretch out on South Beach, Miami’s most famous destination. Mid-beach all the way through Bal Harbour tends to have less public access, meaning slightly fewer crowds. If you hate tan lines and don’t blush easily, Haulover Beach (the city’s only nude beach) might pique your interest.
Local tip: If you can’t stand the heat and humidity but still want to check out Miami’s beaches, walk onto the sand anywhere from South to North Beach after dark and spend some quiet beach time under the stars.
Visit more of our favorite beaches in Miami
3. Actually, hop on a boat while you’re at it
There’s no shortage of boats to ride on in Miami, but you’ll want to choose the right experience for you. Many boat tours can be found in and around Bayside Marketplace (a tourist-friendly shopping and dining hotspot in Downtown Miami). These tend to vary from a general 1-2 hour “party boat” experience that takes you into Biscayne Bay with music and drinks, to millionaire mansion sightseeing tours, to sightseeing speedboat tours for those who enjoy a faster pace. There are other options, like private boat tours of Stiltsville and Biscayne National Park (parts of Miami that are only accessible by boat), as well as small sailing experiences out of Coconut Grove.
Local tip: Already have experience driving a boat? You can easily rent one by the hour for a more intimate boating experience.
4. Immerse yourself in the Wynwood art scene
What was once a few blocks of struggling art galleries has become a gentrified mass of high rises, restaurants, bars, and well, a lot more art. You can still visit some of the long-standing cultural institutions and galleries in the area like the Margulies Collection and the Wynwood Walls, as well as the Bakehouse Art Complex. More importantly, you can still find plenty of art by simply walking around the neighborhood – murals and graffiti have long been a staple here. And of course, don’t forget to bring your camera. The photo ops are endless.
Local tip: If you can deal with the crowds and traffic, visit during the first week of December for Art Basel – an international art show with multiple satellite events, many of which take place in and around Wynwood. It’s a great time for seeing new art (and even getting to watch street artists at work).
5. Venture out to any of Miami’s other top-notch art museums
No matter where you are in the 305, you’re bound to find an art museum nearby. North Miami is home to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA NoMi), whose collection includes works by artists like Keith Haring and Anna Gaskell. The Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach is one of the city’s oldest art museums, open since 1964. Both the University of Miami and Florida International University house their own art museums – the Lowe in Coral Gables and the Frost in Sweetwater, respectively (not to be confused with the Frost Museum of Science, which is also worth a look). And if you want to see a truly impressive collection of Latin American art, make time for the Perez Art Museum.
Local tip: Many museums feature free days at least once a month. Check their websites for info and plan accordingly.
6. Explore everything the Everglades has to offer
The largest subtropical wilderness in the country, the Everglades is a magical place home to gators, crocs, turtles, frogs, snakes and dozens upon dozens of species of birds from cranes, ducks and geese, to anhingas, spoonbills and more. There are several entrances to Everglades National Park that feature nature centers, hiking trails and ranger-led experiences. You can also venture to businesses like Everglades Safari Park (not affiliated with the national park), where you can ride in an airboat along the river of grass.
There are several entrances to Everglades National Park that feature nature centers, hiking trails and ranger-led experiences, with the closest entrance to greater Miami being via the Shark Valley Visitor Center.
Local tip: Pack plenty of bug spray and sunscreen for your visit. While beautiful and packed with things to do, the environment of the Everglades can be rough on anyone.
Add these Everglades experiences to your itinerary
7. Cheer on the Heat, Fish, or Fins
The Magic City’s got plenty going on when it comes to sports, though locals generally root hardest for the Miami Heat, our three-time NBA champs. You can catch them live at the Kaseya Center in the heart of Downtown Miami. If baseball is more your speed, tickets to see the Marlins are generally affordable for games at LoanDepot Park in Little Havana (fun fact: it’s one of the few baseball stadiums in the country with a retractable roof). And finally, football fans can root for the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium up in Miami Gardens (and if college football is more to your liking, the University of Miami’s Hurricanes play up there as well).
Local tip: If tickets aren’t available, do as the locals do and head to the closest Flanigan’s to watch any and all games while enjoying beer and wings alongside other fans.
8. Walk (and dance) along Calle Ocho
The most famous street in Miami is undoubtedly Calle Ocho – in fact, it even has a festival named after it. While attending this annual block party is recommended at least once, you can still enjoy plenty of Cuban culture if you walk along the stretch of Calle Ocho that cuts through Little Havana. Pop into Los Pinarenos Fruteria for some guarapo (sugar cane juice), watch the elders playing dominos at Maximo Gomez Park, snap photos of the Cuban Walk of Fame and take in some more culture at the CubaOcho Museum. And of course, don’t forget to stop by Ball and Chain for drinks and dancing (they occasionally host salsa lessons as well)!
Planning tip: First time in the area? Book a tour like this one to get some insider knowledge of the history of the area and get some tasty treats along the way.
9. Get in touch with nature at Miami’s botanical gardens
With its tropical climate, Miami has numerous gardens that provide an escape from the towering high rises and urban bustle. One of the best free things to do in Miami is the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, a 3-acre park with a Japanese garden, colorful blooms and tranquil water features.
There’s also the Kampong National Tropical Botanical Garden and the Fairchild Tropical Garden, which pays homage to David Fairchild, a renowned botanist and plant explorer whose 9-acre homestead brought an unmatched collection of rare tropical plants to southern Florida.
Back on the mainland, visit the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Bring some headphones and queue up one of the estate’s curated Spotify playlists to set the mood as you stroll the formal European-style gardens, native forest and nearby Vizcaya Village.
10. Paddle around Oleta River State Park
Oleta River State Park has exciting outdoor activities about 10 miles north of Miami Beach. Canoe, kayak or paddleboard your way among tangled mangroves along the Oleta River to the calm, clear waters of Biscayne Bay.
Oleta is also a popular destination for mountain biking, with over 10 miles of trails to challenge skilled cyclists, as well as 7 miles of easier paths better suited for beginners.
Detour: South of Miami Beach, Virginia Key Beach Park on Key Biscayne is another excellent destination for watersports and mountain biking.
11. Discover laid-back Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove is one of the best neighborhoods for visitors to spend a day immersed in Old Florida charm. Start at The Barnacle Historic State Park, a shoreside estate with a frontier-era home built by the pioneering Ralph Munroe in 1891. Though small, the property has excellent birding opportunities along with special events such as its Moonlight Concert Series. Then, walk along Main Highway to McFarlane Road, where you’ll find Peacock Park, which has views of the Biscayne Bay at the boardwalk bridge. Finally, finish your day at Dinner Key Marina, where you can enjoy local seafood and live music at Regatta Grove.
Planning tip: Celebrate the area’s Bahamian pioneers in Little Bahama, a dynamic neighborhood known for its art, food and dedication to honoring black heritage. Admire the iconic Nassau Daddy Peacock statue and browse the Little Bahamas Foodie & Farmers Market held Fridays and Sundays at St. Matthew Community Baptist Church.
12. Cool off in the largest freshwater swimming pool in the US
Built in 1923, the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables is a former rock quarry transformed into a public pool with cascading waterfalls and cave-like grottos. The only swimming pool listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s fed by spring water from an aquifer and refills daily. Note that operating hours and admission fees vary by season, and the pool closes every year from December to January. If you’re visiting in the summer, go early since tickets can sell out.
Planning tip: While in Coral Gables, check out the Biltmore Hotel Miami, a National Historic Landmark that has drawn visitors since 1926. Not far from the Biltmore, discover the community’s history at the Merrick House (home of George Merrick, the man behind the design and development of the neighborhood) and Coral Gables Museum.
13. Taste fresh Florida produce in Homestead
Heading west from the Miami metropolis, the high-rises fade into orchards of fruit trees as you make your way to Homestead. One of the state’s major agricultural areas, the town has sprawling farms and plant nurseries, restaurants, outdoor experiences and historic landmarks.
Discover hundreds of varieties of fruits, spices and nuts at the 37-acre Fruit & Spice Park. Enjoy tastings at the Park Store or sample fallen fruit along the trail. For more fresh produce, check out locally grown fruits, milkshakes and smoothies, jams, spreads and unique gifts at the Robert is Here Fruit Stand.
See what talented chefs and winemakers can do with local produce at Schnebly Redland’s Winery & Brewery, the southernmost winery in the US. The winery is known for tropical fruit varieties, and it also has a farm-to-table restaurant.
Detour: Between Homestead and Leisure City, you’ll find Coral Castle, a sculpture garden created over 100 years ago by Edward Leedskalnin. Known as “Florida’s Stonehenge” due to the mystery behind how it was built, the limestone structure is a roadside attraction located a few miles off the Florida Turnpike.
14. Hop a plane to Key West
Want to keep your trip going after visiting Miami? While many choose to drive from Miami to Key West for the scenery, you can also take a direct flight from Miami to Key West.
After landing at Key West International, head to Duval Street to kick off your island adventures. Immerse yourself in the “Floribbean” culture as you sample key lime pie and visit iconic locales from Mallory Square to the Hemingway House.
Detour: Plan a day trip or overnight stay to one of America’s most remote national parks. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, Dry Tortugas National Park is a largely untouched preserve featuring some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world. Be sure to reserve the ferry well in advance as spots are extremely limited.
Keep planning your trip to Miami:
Figure out the best time to visit
Discover tips for spending a perfect day in Miami
Plan a quick getaway with this ultimate weekend itinerary
Uncover Miami’s best neighborhoods
Learn how to get around like a local
This article was first published Jun 2, 2021 and updated Oct 24, 2024.
