10 Things To Do In Miami: Explore Beaches, Culture, And Nightlife

Miami Beach with a small shoreline, residential buildings and multiple boats on the sea.

Things to do in Miami, Florida, are aplenty where sun-kissed beaches lie next to unique districts and glittering nights seamlessly cede to cultural richness. Visit the vibrant art scene or take a casual stroll in the scent of Cuban coffee. Nature lovers can find the subtropical location to be much more fulfilling than mere sandy shores. As dusk falls, this city pulses to life with live jazz at a rooftop bar or dancing the night away at one of the famous nightclubs. Whether you are an adventure-seeker, a foodie, or someone seeking relaxation, Miami has an unforgettable mosaic of moments.

10 Best Things To Do In Miami

Following is the list of things to do in Miami and places to visit for a worthy experience and unforgettable memories.

1. Explore South Beach

South beach of Miami with a distant crowd of people on the beach and a tall building.

Photo: M McBey / Wikimedia Commons

South Beach is an unmissable highlight of Miami, offering a vibrant mix of relaxation, culture, and entertainment. Famous for Art Deco architecture, South Beach features its pastel-coloured buildings from the 1930s and 1940s, best explored along the famous Ocean Drive. Its historic street is full of trendy restaurants, boutique shops, and some of the best nightlife in Miami​. Enjoy sunbathing, swimming, or strolling along the shores. Anyone interested in a deeper dive can take guided walking tours of the Art Deco Historic District.

Location: Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
Top Experiences: Beach lounging, nightlife, Art Deco exploration
Timings: 24*7

2. Visit Wynwood Walls

Entrance gate of Wynwood walls with the signage of Wynwood walls and paintings on wall.

Photo: Phillip Pessar / Wikimedia Commons

Visiting Wynwood Walls is one of the most popular things to see in Miami, with an extraordinary presentation of street art by international talent artists. The outside museum, which Tony Goldman founded in 2009, transforms a warehouse area into an energetic artistic space. You can view more than 35 massive murals painted by world-renowned artists, including Shepard Fairey, Kenny Scharf, and Os Gêmeos, covering every inch of this colourful exuberance of creativity and culture. Art galleries, fashionable cafes, boutique stores, and craft breweries are very attractive in this place.

Location: Wynwood Arts District, Miami
Top Experiences: Street art, photography, food and drinks
Timings: 11 AM – 7 PM

3. Wander Little Havana

Little Havana painted on a wall with cars parked on the side of the street and street lamps.

Photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin / Wikimedia Commons

From street scenes of a vibrant street to heritage sites cultured in Cuba, Little Havana is full of Cuban culture. Walk Calle Ocho, Miami’s main street, is colourful with murals, little shops, and restaurants. Experience Cuban life by watching locals playing dominoes at Domino Park or catch live music spilling from venues like the historic Ball & Chain, a nightclub with roots dating back to the 1930s. The entire neighbourhood booms in colourful street art, and you can find galleries ranging from the Calle Ocho Mosaic to exhibitions at the Futurama Art Building.

Location: SW 8th Street, Miami
Top Experiences: Cuban food, cultural experiences, live music
Timings: 24*7

4. Tour The Vizcaya Museum And Gardens

Vizcaya museum and gardens with a white building of the museum and a small water body.

Photo: Leslie Platt / Wikimedia Commons

The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is one of Miami’s most visited sites, not only in Florida but worldwide. Built-in the early 20th century as James Deering’s winter estate, it is an Italian Renaissance-style installation that combines history and nature. The rooms in the main villa contain European antiques and artwork from the 15th to the 19th century, reflecting Deering’s taste and the luxury of the time. The gardens around it are a beautiful spectacle inspired by Italian and French formal designs, including sculptures and fountains.

Location: 3251 S Miami Ave, Miami
Top Experiences: Historical exploration, garden strolls, photography
Timings: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Closed Tuesdays)

5. Enjoy Miami Seaquarium

Inside Miami Seaquarium with a dolphin jumping and professionals in the background.

Photo: Leonardo Dasilva / Wikimedia Commons

Miami Seaquarium is an experience for the family that is fun and educational through numerous animal encounters. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking dolphin, sea lion, and killer whale shows. One special attraction at this aquarium is the Dolphin Odyssey swim, where interaction with the smart dolphins and frolicking animals becomes possible. Enjoy the Sea Lion Show, with Salty the Sea Lion entertaining with a side-splitting performance that amuses both children and adults. Its amazing exhibits of sea creatures also include the Tropical Reef, an up-close experience of its colourful marine life, and the Manatee.

Location: 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami
Top Experiences: Animal encounters, live shows, educational exhibits
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM

6. Day Trip To Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park with people in a boat - one of the things to do in Miami, Florida.

Photo: Jonathan Palombo / Wikimedia Commons

Everglades National Park trip is one of the must in Miami and is only a short drive from the city to have an exciting adventure into one of the world’s most unique ecosystems. Enjoy the Everglades on an airboat ride, sliding at high speeds through the watery wilderness and scanning the horizon for the iconic wildlife. During your guided tour, you can see alligators basking in the sun and can glimpse other animals, such as manatees, wild boars, and hundreds of different bird species.

Location: 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead
Top Experiences: Airboat tours, wildlife viewing, hiking
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM

7. Shop And Dine At Bayside Marketplace

Bayside marketplace with multiple cruise yachts parked - one of the things to do in Miami.

Photo: Oliver Echeverría / Wikimedia Commons

Bayside Marketplace is one of the largest open-air shopping centres in Downtown Miami’s heart. It offers a strong contrast to shops, dining, and entertainment activities. It has more than 70 shops and 30 restaurants where shoppers can find a great number of stores that feature brands like Victoria’s Secret and Foot Locker and unique boutiques like Pasha Silver and Stitch by Stitch​. Have a quick bite at the food court or sit-down experiences at famous places like Hard Rock Cafe and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Location: 401 Biscayne Blvd, Miami
Top Experiences: Shopping, waterfront dining, boat tours
Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM

8. Adventure At Jungle Island

Two different macaws inside of the jungle island - one of the things to do in Miami, Florida.

Photo: Keith Allison / Wikimedia Commons

Jungle Island is one of the finest family-friendly attractions in Miami, blending wildlife experiences and outdoor adventures right in the heart of the city. Between Downtown Miami and South Beach lies this eco-adventure park, featuring many of the world’s most exotic animals, including rare birds, primates, and reptiles. Besides the interesting exhibits, you can also interact with the animals in the petting zoos and up-close lemurs, kangaroos, and capybaras. Thrill lovers can enjoy ziplining through the air via jungle-clad tropical canopies or climbing up one of the great challenges.

Location: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami
Top Experiences: Wildlife encounters, zip-lining, eco-adventures
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM

9. Relax At Crandon Park Beach

Crandon Beach Park with an ocean and sandy shoreline - one of the things to do in Miami.

Photo: Paulkondratuk3194 / Wikimedia Commons

Crandon Park Beach is a quiet, family-orientated beach located near Key Biscayne, offering a peaceful alternative to the crowds at Miami beaches. The shallow water makes it ideal for playing in the surf with smaller children, and there are convenient amenities such as restrooms, shaded picnic areas, and rentable chairs and umbrellas. You can also engage in volleyball games or cabana rental for a private instance. Crandon Park is also featured near the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Centre. .

Location: 6747 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne
Top Experiences: Beach day, water sports, picnics
Timings: Sunrise to sunset

10. Visit The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)

Perez Art Museum Miami with unique-built structures - one of the things to do in Miami.

Photo: Phillip Pessar / Wikimedia Commons

For a person who loves contemporary arts, visiting PAMM is one of the things to do in Miami. Sitting on Biscayne Bay, the museum can be considered a perfect balance of modern architectural views and an impressive portfolio of artworks. The building presents a visual wonder, with expansive views of the bay, luscious hanging gardens, and sleek lines, making it a landmark in the city’s cultural landscape. PAMM focuses its collection on Western art from the 20th and 21st centuries by artists such as Diego Rivera, Wifredo Lam, and José Bedia Baldés​.

Location: 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami
Top Experiences: Contemporary art exhibits, waterfront views, architecture
Timings: 11 AM – 6 PM (Closed Mondays)

Miami is the place of a thousand possibilities, whether it is adventure at every corner or if it is the soothing beauty of life. From savouring a fresh roll of a cigar with live Cuban music to admiring the street art, even on a stroll through the lush gardens, things to do in Miami are a city of tantalising experiences. Plan a trip with TripXL and enjoy a fulfilling vacation.

Cover Photo: Ryan Parker / Unsplash

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to visit Miami is between November and May, when it is warm and less humid and provides proper climatic conditions for outdoor activities.
Miami also offers alternative modes of transportation apart from driving. Some are car rentals, ride-sharing, public buses, and the downtown Metromover.
Miami has many family-friendly attractions, including Jungle Island, the Miami Seaquarium, and Crandon Park Beach.
Miami’s cuisine reflects its multicultural heritage. During your visit, try Cuban sandwiches, fresh seafood, and Key Lime Pie.
Although the Spanish language dominates Miami, especially in areas like Little Havana, it is primarily spoken by most bilingual people in Miami.

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