Miami is a party hub, an art lover's paradise, and a premier vacation destination all rolled into one. This stylish southeast Florida metropolis has it all, from the powdery white sand and turquoise waters of South Beach to the exhilarating water activities and award-winning seafood restaurants along the Biscayne Bay. Art deco architecture and Cuban culture permeate its colorful streets making your travel to Miami a truly unique experience.
Located in the Coconut Grove district just a mile southwest of Downtown Miami, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a lavish, early 20th-century estate that was once the winter retreat of socialite James Deering. As an avid antiquities collector, Deering had Vizcaya made to mirror the Italian Renaissance villas and gardens. The villa became a popular shooting location for various Hollywood films and music videos. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and can be reached by public transport from the Vizcaya Metrorail station.
Bayside Marketplace is an open-air shopping mall set on a gorgeous waterfront property overlooking the picturesque Biscayne Bay. Aside from brand name stores, restaurants, and bars, Bayside is also an entertainment complex featuring live bands playing daily and lots of space for dancing. Popular US TV series Miami Vice shot on location at this shopping center numerous times. You can take the Metrorail at the Government Center, connect to the Downtown Metro-Mover (Inner Loop) and get off at the college/Bayside stop.
Long before the popular theme parks in Florida were built, the Miami Seaquarium was and still is on the list of top Miami attractions. This 38-acre oceanarium was founded in 1955 on the Virginia Key island in Biscayne Bay. Miami Seaquarium features interactive exhibits as well as animal encounters as a way to promote awareness and conservation of these magnificent marine creatures.
If you are looking for things to do in Miami that speak to your love of nature, head over to Jungle Island on Watson Island in Biscayne Bay. This eco-park offers not just an authentic tropical rain forest experience and engaging animal shows, there are zip lines and treetop adventures, waterslides, an outdoor wind tunnel, and even a Nerf battle stadium.
Bayfront Park is an urban recreational area located on the coast of Biscayne Bay in Downtown Miami. The park regularly holds events like concerts, festivals, and holiday celebrations since it was inaugurated in March 1925. Aside from the Bayfront Park Amphitheater and the Tina Hills Pavilion, another notable fixture in the park is the bronze statue of Christopher Columbus created by Count Vittorio di Colbertaldo, an Italian sculptor from Verona.
The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) showcases nearly 2,000 works of modern and contemporary artists from the Americas, Western Europe, and Africa. The exhibitions highlight Miami’s diversity and uniqueness while providing a space for meaningful conversations centered on creativity. Visitors not only get to enjoy excellent works of art but also soak in gorgeous views of the Biscayne Bay while dining at the museum’s waterfront restaurant. PAMM is open from Thursdays to Sundays, accessible via rapid transit at Museum Park Metromover station.
Opened in 1923, the Venetian Pool is the largest freshwater pool in the US with a one-of-a-kind natural filtering system that keeps the water clean everyday. The public pool, which is connected to several grotto caves that’s accessible to swimmers, was built on the ruins of an abandoned coral rock quarry. It has been drained numerous times in the past to take advantage of the splendid acoustics of the quarry to hold symphony concerts. The Venetian Pool is located in Coral Gables, a Mediterranean-inspired city southwest of Downtown Miami.
South Pointe Park sits at the southern tip of South Beach and covers 17 acres of manicured dune grass, perfect for lounging while overlooking Downtown Miami, Biscayne Bay, and Fisher Island. This county park features child-friendly playgrounds, a dog park, art and light sculptures, and an obstructed view of a 450-foot-long pier jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean. South Pointe Park is the ideal seafront destination for a more laid back day of sightseeing in Miami.
With over a mile of sandy beaches on the cusp of the Atlantic Ocean, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is situated on the southern end of the barrier island of Key Biscayne. Cape Florida Light, which is the oldest standing structure in Greater Miami, figures prominently in the day tours within the state park. Visitors can experience all sorts of water activities such as kayaking and fishing as well as picnicking and camping.
Collins Avenue is the main street in Miami Beach running parallel with Ocean Drive, the other major thoroughfare in the South Beach neighborhood. Apart from the iconic Art Deco hotels and nightclubs, Collins Avenue is also lined with brand name stores and boutiques. Sprawling oceanfront properties along Collins Avenue like the Fontainebleau and the Faena attracts tourists and locals who are looking to indulge in luxury amenities.
Apart from pristine beaches and a bustling nightlife scene, Miami is also known as the street art capital of Florida. Restored hotels in the Streamline Moderne style can be seen everywhere in Miami Beach's Art Deco Historic District. The vibrant multi-ethnic communities of Little Havana and Little Haiti draws visitors from all over the world.
Mid-February to May is the best time to travel to Miami. Spring weather is warm and not too humid, which is perfect for outdoor activities. It’s also near the end of peak season so you can expect lower rates and lesser crowds. If you really want to avoid sharing the beaches with college students on spring break, schedule your trip in late April.
Staying in Miami while on a tight budget is quite a challenge. You can find a number of backpacker hostels in Miami Beach and it’s just a bridge away from the busy Downtown area. If you came to Miami to party, then best to stay in South Beach so you’re closer to all the bars and clubs. Art lovers would find the Wynwood, Little Haiti, and Little Havana districts more suitable because of the nearby galleries, hip boutiques, and murals.