Miami is a vibrant and exciting city that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a beach lover, a foodie, or a culture enthusiast, there’s no shortage of things to do and see in the greater Miami area. From the iconic South Beach to the heart of the downtown business district, Miami is a melting pot of cultures and experiences.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best things to do in Miami, from exploring the city’s rich history and art scene to soaking up the sun on its beautiful beaches. So, if you’re planning a trip to Miami, read on for some inspiration and ideas on how to make the most of your visit.
12 Amazing Things to do in Miami
- Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
- Bayside Marketplace
- Perez Art Museum Miami
- Miami Seaquarium
- Everglades National Park
- South Beach / Art Deco District
- Wynwood Walls
- Cape Florida Lighthouse
- Miami Heat Basketball
- The Venetian Pool
- Frost Science Museum
- Jungle Island
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is an amazing museum and gardens that is located in the Coconut Grove section of Miami, Florida that is a absolute must to see when visiting the South Florida area.
Originally known as Villa Vizcaya, this amazing estate was built by businessman James Deering of the Deering McCormick-International Harvester company. The villa itself was built between 1914 and 1922 at a cost of around $15 million and consists of a 45,225 square foot Mediterranean Revival style main house features 54 individual rooms (34 rooms are decorated and open to the public).
Initially situated on 180 acres of forest land, the current site includes 10 acres featuring the main house and formal gardens with another 40 acres of heavily forested land.
Bayside Marketplace
Bayside Marketplace is a popular outdoor shopping and entertainment complex that is located in downtown Miami. The marketplace features over 150 shops, restaurants, and bars, making it a great destination for both out-of-town visitors and locals alike.
Some of the popular stores at Bayside Marketplace include national retailers like Gap, Bath & Body Works, and Victoria’s Secret, as well as local boutiques selling clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs. There is also a number of restaurants and eateries, ranging from casual fast food to upscale dining.
In addition to shopping and dining, Bayside hosts a variety of live music, entertainment events and the Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel. The Wheel features 42 fully air-conditioned Gondolas that takes guests on a 15 minute ride to almost 200 feet above Bayside Marketplace.
Bayside is also a popular departure point for boat tours of Biscayne Bay and the surrounding area. Visitors can take a sightseeing cruise, a sunset sail, or even a party boat from the marina at Bayside Marketplace.
Perez Art Museum Miami
The Perez Art Museum Miami is a contemporary art museum located in downtown Miami, Florida. The museum was designed by the architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron and opened in 2013.
This attraction features a wide range of modern and contemporary art from around the world, with a particular focus on Latin American and Caribbean art. The museum’s permanent collection includes works by artists such as Kehinde Wiley, Wifredo Lam, and Yayoi Kusama.
In addition to its permanent collection, the museum hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions and special events throughout the year. It is also offers educational programs and workshops for visitors of all ages.
Located in Museum Park which is also home to the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, visitors will can enjoy spectacular views of Biscayne Bay and the surrounding downtown Miami skyline.
Miami Seaquarium
The Miami Seaquarium is a popular tourist attraction located on the island of Virginia Key in Miami, Florida. The Seaquarium is home to a variety of marine animals, including dolphins, sea lions, and killer whales.
Visitors to the Miami Seaquarium can enjoy a range of interactive experiences and shows. The park’s signature show is the “Flipper Dolphin Show,” which features bottlenose dolphins performing a variety of tricks and stunts. Other popular shows include the “Killer Whale and Dolphin Show” and the “Seal and Sea Lion Show.”
In addition to its shows, the Miami Seaquarium also offers a variety of animal encounters and experiences. Visitors can swim with dolphins, feed sea turtles, and even get up close and personal with a killer whale.
The Seaquarium also partners with local and international conservation organizations to support marine conservation efforts around the world.
Everglades National Park
At more than 1.5 million acres in size, Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. Located at the southernmost tip of the Florida mainland, the park encompasses parts of Miami-Dade, Monroe and Collier counties.
It is the largest wilderness of any kind east of the Mississippi River and the third-largest national park in the United States. The park is home to numerous rare and endangered species, including the manatee, American crocodile, and Florida panther.
Visitors can explore the park’s many habitats, including sawgrass prairies, mangrove swamps and cypress forests. The park is also home to a range of recreational activities, including hiking, camping and wildlife viewing. Visitors can take guided tours, go on boat rides or explore the park on their own.
South Beach / Art Deco District
South Beach is a neighborhood in Miami Beach known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and iconic Art Deco architecture. The area is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and entertainment.
The Art Deco District is a neighborhood in South Beach that is famous for its architecture. The district features more than 800 buildings that were built in the 1920s and 1930s, and many of these buildings have been preserved and restored to their original Art Deco style. Walking tours of the Art Deco District are a popular way to explore the area and learn about its history and architecture.
South Beach is also known for its beautiful beaches, which are popular for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. The beaches are lined with palm trees and are famous for their white sand and turquoise waters.
In addition to its beaches and architecture, South Beach is also home to a variety of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. The area is known for its vibrant nightlife, with many of its bars and clubs staying open until the early hours of the morning.
Wynwood Walls
Originally opened in 2009, Wynwood Walls is one of Miami’s most unique art exhibitions which include approximately 35 hand-sprayed wall murals and two outdoor street-art galleries.
Over 100 artists from 21 countries are represented which used more than 75,000 gallons of paint in 100,000 spray cans. The two acre complex features is more than 35,000 square feet of wall art, covered gallery space and a gift shop / Welcome Center.
Wynwood Walls is located in the Wynwood Art District which is just minutes from downtown Miami and the Miami Design District. The main entrance is located is the heart of the distract at the corner of Northwest 2nd Avenue and Northwest 26th Street. Within the past several years, the immediate area has experienced substantial growth and redevelopment with a number of new hotels, shops, restaurants and residences.
Cape Florida Lighthouse
The Cape Florida Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located on the southern tip of Key Biscayne, a barrier island off the coast of Miami. The lighthouse was built in 1825 and is one of the oldest structures in Miami-Dade County.
Visitors to the Cape Florida Lighthouse can climb the 109 steps to the top of the lighthouse for panoramic views of the surrounding area. The lighthouse also features a museum that showcases the history of the area and the lighthouse itself.
In addition to the lighthouse, the Cape Florida Lighthouse Park offers a range of outdoor activities and amenities. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and fishing on the park’s beaches, or explore the park’s nature trails and picnic areas.
Miami Heat Basketball
One of the most exciting things to do in Miami is watch the Miami Heat play basketball. The team was originally founded in 1988 and has since become one of the most successful franchises in the NBA.
The Heat play their home games at the American Airlines Arena, which is located in downtown Miami. The arena has a seating capacity of over 19,000 and features state-of-the-art amenities and technology.
Overall, the Miami Heat are a beloved and successful sports franchise that has become an integral part of Miami’s culture and community. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just enjoy watching a good game of basketball, a Miami Heat game is a must-see experience for anyone visiting Miami.
The Venetian Pool
The Venetian Pool is a historic public swimming pool located in Coral Gables, a suburb of Miami. The pool was built in 1924 out of a coral rock quarry and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Venetian Pool features a range of unique and beautiful features, including waterfalls, caves, and a sandy beach area. The pool is filled with spring water from an underground aquifer and is surrounded by lush landscaping and palm trees.
In addition to swimming, visitors to the Venetian Pool can also enjoy lounging on the pool deck, sunbathing on the sandy beach area, and exploring the pool’s many water features. The pool also offers a variety of amenities, including locker rooms, showers, and a snack bar.
The pool is a popular destination for families, tourists, and locals alike, offering a unique and refreshing way to beat the Miami heat.
Frost Science Museum
The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a hi-tech science museum that is located in downtown Miami, Florida. The museum features a range of interactive exhibits and displays that explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
The museum’s exhibits are organized into four main galleries: The Aquarium, The Frost Planetarium, The North Wing, and The Innovation Center. The Aquarium features a 500,000-gallon Gulf Stream aquarium that showcases marine life from South Florida and the Caribbean, while The Frost Planetarium is a 250-seat planetarium that offers a variety of immersive shows and educational programs.
The North Wing features a range of hands-on exhibits that explore topics like physics, engineering, and biology while The Innovation Center is a space dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge technology and innovation.
In addition to its permanent exhibits, the museum also hosts a variety of temporary exhibits and special events throughout the year. Visitors can also participate in educational programs and workshops, including summer camps, after-school programs, and adult classes.
Jungle Island
Jungle Island is a zoological park located on Watson Island in Miami, Florida. The park features a variety of exotic animals from around the world, including parrots, lemurs, kangaroos, and tigers.
The park offers a range of interactive experiences and shows for visitors of all ages. Guests can watch animal shows featuring trained birds, reptiles and other animals or participate in hands-on animal encounters such as feeding the park’s resident kangaroos.
Jungle Island also features a number of outdoor exhibits and attractions, including a zip-line course, rock climbing wall and a ropes course. Visitors can also take guided tours of the park to learn more about the animals and their habitats.
Jungle Island is committed to conservation and education, and the park offers a variety of educational programs and workshops for school groups and other organizations. The park also partners with local and international conservation organizations to support wildlife conservation efforts around the world.
