The 12 Greatest Issues to Do in Miami (Up to date 2024)

Posted: 2/20/24 | February twentieth, 2024

Miami is vibrant metropolis identified for its seaside tradition, occasion scene, Cuban affect. It’s positively thought-about one of many extra excessive vitality, enjoyable cities in America. Miami attracts hundreds of thousands of holiday makers per yr.

Personally, Miami isn’t my favourite metropolis within the States (although I do love the seashores), however there’s completely no denying that there’s a number of enjoyable available right here. From seashores to partying to Cuban tradition to the close by Everglades, you are able to do quite a bit. (And for those who’re trying to splash out, there are tons of luxurious resorts, upscale purchasing districts, and high-end eating to be discovered right here.)

Listed below are a few of my prime issues to see and do in Miami:

1. Discover the Everglades

Everglades Nationwide Park has 1.5 million acres of swamps, prairies, and sub-tropical jungles. It is among the most original and largest public parks in america. Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage web site, it’s dwelling to 14 uncommon and endangered species together with the Florida Panther, American Crocodile, and West Indian Manatee, amongst others. Over 350 species of birds, 300 species of fish, 40 species of mammals, and 50 species of reptiles reside on this distinctive setting.

There are many mountain climbing and biking trails to discover the park utilizing your individual two toes, however to traverse the waterways, you’ll have to hop in an airboat. The park is just an hour from town.

Airboat tours cost around $37 USD. In order for you a extra energetic boating expertise, kayak tours are additionally widespread (count on to pay round $100 for a kayak tour that features a kayak rental).

2. Go to Little Havana

Little Havana, Miami’s Cuban neighborhood, was born nearly in a single day. Within the mid-Sixties, an estimated 300,000 refugees fled Cuba, with most touchdown and settling in Miami. At the moment, over 1.2 million Cuban Individuals reside in Miami, with Little Havana centering round “Calle Ocho” (SW eighth Road). That is considered one of my favourite components of town and the meals right here is unimaginable. Eat in one of many little eating places and bakeries, stroll the colourful streets, take pleasure in a Cuba Libre (rum and coke) or Café Cubano (espresso shot sweetened with brown sugar), or get in on some salsa dancing. It’s an arty, quirky neighborhood value exploring.

Food tours around Little Havana value round $69 USD and are one of the simplest ways to study in regards to the space from an professional native information.

3. Admire the Artwork Deco of South Seaside

Positioned in South Seaside, the Artwork Deco Historic District is an space of Miami Seaside famous for its focus of over 800 Artwork Deco buildings all inside one sq. mile. Artwork Deco was a well-liked architectural type from France, widespread between 1910-1939, characterised by its daring geometric shapes, lavish ornamentation, and embracing of contemporary supplies and expertise.

You too can take an Art Deco bike tour of the world to realize much more insights into the structure and historical past.

4. See the Artwork in Wynwood

Wynwood is a former industrial neighborhood that has developed right into a cultural hub/stylish hotspot for graffiti and road artwork, in addition to hip outlets, cool eating places, chill cafes and low roasteries, artisan breweries, and artwork galleries. The preferred attraction right here is the Wynwood Partitions, a set of 40 murals from a number of the world’s greatest road artists. The spectacular 35,000 sq. toes of outside house, constructed round current warehouses, options artists from 21 international locations.

The murals are continually altering, so that you by no means know what you’ll get to see, however many murals handle social and political points, providing commentary on subjects equivalent to environmental conservation, immigration, racial justice, and human rights. The Museum of Graffiti, the primary museum on the planet devoted to this artwork kind, can also be positioned within the Wynwood neighborhood.

Wynwood Partitions: 2520 NW 2nd Ave, (305) 531-4411, thewynwoodwalls.com. Open Mon-Thurs 11am-7pm, Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 10am-8pm, and Solar 10am-7pm. Admission is $12 USD, whereas a guided tour is $20 USD (consists of admission).

Museum of Graffiti: 276 NW twenty sixth St, (786) 580-4678, museumofgraffiti.com. Open Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat-Solar 11am-7pm. Admission is $16 USD.

5. Take a Sightseeing Cruise

Seeing town by boat means that you can get a unique perspective of Miami and its coastal sights which can be in any other case inaccessible by land. You’ll see sights such because the scenic Brickell Key, departing cruise ships from the Port of Miami, and the putting Miami Skyline. You’ll additionally see the opulent residences alongside the unique Millionaire’s Row (a bit of Miami Seaside nicknamed such for its luxurious waterfront mansions) and Fisher Island (an prosperous barrier island identified for its upscale residential neighborhood).

There are a number of cruises to select from however a number of the hottest excursions are Millionaire’s Row Cruises or Speedboat Tours. Sightseeing cruises are usually round $30-45 USD.

6. Study to Salsa

Famend for its scorching nightlife and wealthy Latin tradition, Miami’s salsa scene is one thing that have to be skilled. From the enduring Calle Ocho in Little Havana to fashionable South Seaside, salsa aficionados can discover a wide range of venues catering to completely different types and talent ranges.

In Little Havana, Ball & Chain has free salsa courses each Thursday beginning at 9pm. For those who’re on the lookout for extra of a nightclub expertise, Mango’s Tropical Café is the very best place to go. They provide a Sip, Savor, & Salsa experience day by day from 7:30pm–10pm. Tickets are $89 USD and embody newbie salsa and bachata classes, a mojito, meals, and entrance to go dancing in Mango’s Nightclub afterward (it opens at 10pm).

7. Immerse Your self in Artwork

An artsy, avant-garde metropolis, Miami gives many various quirky immersive artwork experiences, with interactive installations, cutting-edge expertise, and multi-sensory environments. Listed below are a number of the hottest:

• Superblue Miami – Superblue is a big (50,000 sq. toes) experiential artwork house that showcases large-scale, immersive artworks created by modern artists. The displays typically contain interactive parts and cutting-edge expertise. Tickets are $38.50 USD.
• ARTECHOUSE Immersive Artwork Expertise – Artechouse is an area in South Seaside that mixes artwork, science, and expertise to create immersive digital artwork installations. The displays typically use projections, lights, and sound to create visually gorgeous and interactive environments. Admission is $30 USD.
• Museum of Illusions – Located in Miami Seaside, this museum gives mind-bending optical illusions and immersive displays that problem notion. It’s a enjoyable and interactive expertise for guests of all ages. Tickets are $30 USD.
• Paradox Museum – Fittingly located in Wynwood, the Paradox Museum is a unusual and interactive museum of optical illusions. It’s additionally a enjoyable exercise to do with youngsters. Tickets are $30 USD.

8. Go to the Museums

Whereas museums aren’t precisely the very first thing that involves thoughts when most individuals consider Miami, there are literally fairly just a few museums within the metropolis value testing. Most museums listed here are art-focused (Miami is an enormous artwork metropolis for those who haven’t picked that up but), although there are additionally just a few science and historical past museums. Among the museums value testing embody:

• The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science – Positioned in Downtown Miami, this museum gives interactive displays on science and expertise, a planetarium, and an aquarium. It’s an amazing vacation spot for households and science fanatics. Tickets are $29.95 USD.
• Pérez Artwork Museum Miami (PAMM) – PAMM is a recent artwork museum positioned in downtown Miami, that includes a shocking waterfront setting and an out of doors hanging sculpture backyard. It showcases worldwide trendy and modern artwork, with a give attention to artists from the Americas. Admission is $18 USD.
• HistoryMiami Museum – Providing a complete have a look at the historical past of Miami and South Florida, this museum options displays, artifacts, and academic packages that discover the area’s cultural heritage. Admission is $15 USD.
• Bass Museum of Artwork – Positioned in Miami Seaside, the Bass Museum of Artwork focuses on modern artwork and contains a various vary of exhibitions, together with works by rising and established artists. Admission is $15 USD.

9. Do Some Water Sports activities

Whether or not it’s the adrenaline-pumping pleasure of jet snowboarding, the rhythmic expertise of paddleboarding, the exhilaration of windsurfing, the quiet calm of kayaking, there are tons of choices to select from. Yow will discover just about each water sport right here, together with issues like flyboarding, which includes driving a water-propelled system referred to as a flyboard and combines parts of wakeboarding, snowboarding, and acrobatics.

Jet ski tutorials are $139 USD (per group of two), parasailing is $130 USD, and flyboarding is $175 USD. For those who’re on a finances or just wish to simply exit by yourself, kayak or paddle board rentals are $19 USD per hour.

10. Go to the Vizcaya Property

No go to to Miami is full with no cease at this historic 50-acre property. This European-style mansion gives a glimpse at life in turn-of-the-century South Florida. It was constructed by industrialist James Deering as a approach to exhibit his wealth to all his associates and is crammed to the brim with Renaissance furnishings, art work, and tapestries. The ten-acre Formal Gardens have been constructed to resemble France’s Versailles however with palm timber, uncommon orchids, and Cuban limestone. It’s considered one of my favourite issues to within the metropolis. Don’t miss it!

3251 South Miami Avenue, (305) 250-9133, vizcaya.org. Open Wed-Mon 9:30am-4:30pm. Admission is $25 USD (advance tickets required).

11. See Coral Fortress

Coral Fortress was created by Latvian-born Miami resident Ed Leedskalnin as a monument to his lover who cancelled their marriage ceremony the day earlier than they have been meant to get married. Ed channeled his heartbreak into hand-carving 1,1100 tons of coral rock, creating varied monuments and sculptures over the span of 28 years. He initially began constructing in Florida Metropolis, but when a subdivision was deliberate close by, he purchased land additional away, single-handedly shifting the heavy coral carvings to Homestead (the place Coral Fortress is now). It’s a little bit of a visit from downtown, however nicely well worth the time.

28655 South Dixie Freeway, (305) 248-6345, coralcastle.com. Open Thurs-Solar 9am-6pm. Admission is $18 USD.

12. Go to the Historic Spanish Monastery

Inbuilt Segovia, Spain in 1141, this monastery was supposed to be part of businessman and newspaper writer William Randolph Hearst’s property in California (Hearst noticed it in Europe in 1925 and determined he wished it for himself for his private “fort”). Nevertheless, after transport the constructing to the US, there was an outbreak of illness. The US authorities was nervous shipments from overseas would unfold it so he was not allowed to unload his cargo. Then the Nice Melancholy hit and Hearst needed to promote the property. It remained in New York till 1954 when businessmen purchased it and eventually assembled it in Miami.

16711 West Dixie Freeway, (305) 945-1461, spanishmonastery.com. Open Wed-Thu 10am-4pm, Fri-Sat 10am-2pm, and Solar 2pm-5pm. Admission is $10 USD and guided excursions can be found on weekends.

Miami is the last word escape for enjoyable within the solar. Folks come right here to let free, go to nightclubs, lounge on the seaside, and drink the nights away. And whereas that may actually all be a enjoyable time, there’s much more to Miami than simply seashores and golf equipment. Town gives a dynamic fusion of artwork, music, and nice meals, and I encourage you to get on the market and discover it!