Things to do in Miami
The beautiful beaches of Miami Beach are the main attraction of the city, providing sand, sun, water fun and when the sun comes down particularly frenzied fun, however you will find entertainment for all tastes and preferences.
Miami is a dream travel destination and immediately conjures up images of soft sand, turquoise beaches, tanned bodies, and rich culture. It is one of the most visited cities in Florida and attracts tens of millions of tourists every year. Miami is the most populous city in the Southeast United States and a very important international business hub, which means people are constantly traveling in and out of Miami.
Because of its unique geographic location and climate, Miami provides many outdoor activities such as hiking, diving and snorkeling. The city is also known for having amazing food, shopping, and a trendy nightlife that draws in people from all over the country. If you're visiting Miami, here are the top ten things to do while you're here.
SoBe, South Beach
The first thing that comes to mind when talking about Miami is undoubtedly South Beach, also called SoBe. This vibrant and colorful area is home to the famed Beach itself with its trademark white sands and clear blue waters. Be sure to walk along the boardwalk which features many unique shops and places to eat from various cultures. This is an ideal place to drink in Miami culture and go people-watching.
Visit Ocean Drive
While in the South Beach area, you should visit Ocean Drive. This street is full of great shopping and dining and allows you to discover over 800 preserved buildings and Art Deco hotels and is the center of Miami's renowned Art Deco district. It is not uncommon to run into a celebrity here and this is considered to be one of the trendiest parts of Miami. Nighttime here is particularly spectacular with many flashing neon lights adorning Ocean Drive. To really make like the locals, be sure to rent a scooter.
Visit the Zoo Miami
When you have done enough people-watching in South Beach and Ocean Drive, you'll want to go observe other species at the popular Zoo Miami. The zoo is huge with over 300 acres of animal exhibits, 2,000 animals and 1,200 plants, and is a sanctuary for many endangered and threatened species. The zoo provides many trees for shade during hot weather, and is the perfect way to spend the day, especially if you have children.
Adventure in the Everglades National Park
Another wonderful outdoor activity to try out is to visit the Everglades National Park. The largest subtropical wetland park in the U.S is legendary for its alligators, dolphins, turtles, manatees, birds and many endangered species which will keep both kids and adults mesmerized. There are many ways to discover the park including nature trails and airboats.
Visit the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
One of the most beautiful and historical mansions in the country is undoubtedly the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. The house itself is well-reserved and magnificently designed in Italian renaissance style, and the surrounding grounds are impeccably manicured. This is a perfect place to discover a little bit of Miami's history.
Visit Little Havana
If you want to really experience some local culture, then a visit to Little Havana is warranted. This colorful and vibrant neighborhood which showcases some of the best Cuban culture Miami has to offer. Here you will find great shops and restaurants that bear a strong resemblance to actual Cuban establishments and offer delicious authentic Cuban and other Latin American fare. If you're visiting Miami in March, be sure to check out the festival on Calle Ocho (S.W 8th Street) which turns the street into one giant block party with a lot of Latin dancing and music.
Discover the renewed Coconut Grove area
While in Miami, be sure to discover one of its oldest neighborhoods, Coconut Grove. This waterfront community was recently renovated and offers a laid back venue and some of the best shopping and dining in Miami. Here you will also find fabulous art galleries and even a movie theater. It's a great alternative to Ocean drive and there's always live music going on especially in the summer.
Explore downtown Miami
Miami is an important financial and business center, and visitors should spend some time in downtown Miami where they will find a lot of museums, art galleries and attractions such as the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, the Freedom Tower and the Miami-Dade Cultural Center.
Take a day cruise to the Bahamas
Miami is a major cruise port, and while visiting Miami you may want to take a day cruise to the Bahamas. Some cruise lines such as Discovery Cruise Ships offer daily cruises that depart early in the morning and come back late at night, allowing you to conveniently experience an exotic Caribbean island for a very reasonable price.
Enjoy the miles upon miles of white sandy beaches
Finally, while in Miami you should really take advantage of its miles upon miles of white sandy beaches. Many of them provide picnic areas so pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it. Go surfing, snorkeling, play volleyball, soccer, or just spend a few hours soaking up some rays.
Miami Attractions
Everglades Safari Park
Attractions include an alligator farm, airboat rides, and a jungle trail. See crocodiles, alligators and other exotic wildlife. Admission includes an Eco-Adventure Airboat ride.
Open Mon – Sun: 9am – 5pm
$23 Adults
$10 Children ages 5-11
Children under 4 are free.
26700 Tamiami Trail – Miami
Phone: 305-226-6923
www.evergladessafaripark.com
Jungle Island
Jungle Island is home to some of the world’s rarest birds, monkeys and other wild animals. Located between South Beach and Downtown Miami, this park features animal shows, incredible landscapes and many more things to enjoy with the family.
Open Mon – Sun: 10am – 6pm
$29.95 Adults
$23.95 Children ages 3-10
Children under 3 are free
1111 Parrot Jungle Trail – Miami
Phone: 305-400-7000
www.jungleisland.com
Zoo Miami
With over 2,000 animals and over 3 miles of walkways, you will get to enjoy open-air exhibits in close proximity. Zoo Miami is the largest zoo in Florida housing over 400 species and over 40 endangered species.
Open Mon – Sun : 9:30am – 5:30pm
15.95 + tax Adults
$11.95 + tax Children 3-12
Children under 3 are free
12400 S.W. 152nd St– Miami
Phone: 305-251-0400
www.miamimetrozoo.com
Miami Seaquarium
Enjoy a fun filled day at The Miami Seaquarium with incredible exhibits, fascinating shows and so many more attractions. At Dolphin Harbor you can swim with the dolphins
Open Mon – Sun: 9:30am – 6pm
$37.95 + tax Adults
$27.95 + tax Children ages 3-9
Children under 3 are free
4400 Rickenbacker Cswy – Key Biscayne
Phone: 305-361-5705
www.miamiseaquarium.com
Monkey Jungle
Monkey Jungle is a protected habitat for endangered primates, where 400 animals roam free on 30 acres. Here you will find the only semi-natural tropical rainforest found in North America.
Open Mon – Sun: 9:30am – 5pm
$29.95 Adults
$23.95 Children ages 3-9
Children under 3 are free
14805 S.W. 216th St – Miami
Phone: 305-235-1611
www.monkeyjungle.com
Miami Museums
Bass Museum of Art
With the only Egyptian Gallery in Florida that has recently opened in April 2010 the Bass Museum of Art is a complete collection of Art works from around the world. The museum offers Baroque and Renaissance sculptures, textiles and paintings, as well as contemporary collections.
Open Wed – Sun: 12m – 5pm / Closed Mon - Tue
$8 adults
$6 seniors & students with I.D..
free for members & children under 6.
2121 Park Ave – Miami Beach, FL
Phone: 305-673-7530
www.bassmuseum.org
Coral Castle
Ed Leedskalnin (100lbs and 5Ft Tall) sculpted and carved over 1100 tons of coral rock with only homemade tools over a period of 28 years. The castle dedicated to his lost love still stands today.
Open Sun – Thur: 8am – 6pm / Fri - Sat: 8am – 8pm
$9.75 Adults
$5.00 Children ages 7-12
$6.50 Seniors(62+)
Children under 6 are free
28655 S. Dixie Hwy – Miami
Phone: 305-248-6345
www.coralcastle.com
Lowe Art Museum, University of Florida
This museum is one of three showpieces of the Miami-Dade Cultural Center.
Open Tue – Fri : 10am – 5pm / Sat - Sun: 12m - 5pm
Closed Monday
$8.00 Adults
$4.00 Seniors
Children under 12 and members are free
Students with valid ID free
1301 Standard Dr – Coral Gables
Phone: 305-284-3535
www.miamiartmuseum.org
Miami Science Museum
The Planetarium has daily multimedia shows featuring wonders of the night sky. The Miami Science Museum is for all ages with interactive, hands on and various other exhibits.
Open Mon – Sun: 10am – 6pm
$14.95 Adults
$10.95 Seniors(62+)
$10.95 Children ages 3-12
$10.95 Students with valid ID
Children under 3 are free
3280 S. Miami Ave – Miami
Phone: 305-646-4200
www.miamisci.org
Viscaya Museum and Gardens
Built in 1916 by agricultural industrialist James Deering, Viscaya is National Historic Landmark. It is open 364 days a year, Viscaya Museum and Garden features ten acres of formal gardens, a rockland hammock (native forest) and a Main House.
Open Mon – Sun: 9:30am – 4:30pm
$15.00 Adults
$10.00 Seniors(62+)
$10.00 Students with valid ID
$6.00 Children ages 3-12
Children under 3 are free
3251 S. Miami Ave – Miami
Phone: 305-250-9133
www.viscayamuseum.org
Miami Parks & Gardens
Everglades National Park
As the third largest national park with 1.5 million-acre park, you can see birds and animals that are endangered species.
Open all days a year
40001 State Highway 9336 – Homestead
Phone: 305-242-7700
www.nps.gov/ever
Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens
With its 83 acres of rare, exotic, tropical plants and flowers The Fairchild Tropical Botanicals Gardens can boast about being one of the world’s preeminent botanical gardens.
Open Mon – Sun: 9:30am – 4:30pm
$20.00 Adults
$15.00 Seniors(65+)
$10.00 Children ages 6-17
Children under 6 are free
Fairchild members free
10901 Old Cutler Rd – Coral Gables
Phone: 305-667-1651
www.fairchildgarden.org/
Ichimura Miami-Japanese Garden
Located on Watson Island, between Downtown Miami and South beach you will find a rare and tranquil place to distract you from all the hustle of Miami. In the 1950's, Mr. Kiyoshi Ichimura became enamored with the City of Miami and began sending dismantled objects and materials from Tokyo along with carpenters, gardeners and a landscape architect to design and construct, what in 1961 would become, the "San-Ai-An Japanese Garden."
Open Tue – Sun : 9am – 50pm
Free Admission
2000 Convention Center Dr – Miami Beach
Phone: 305-673-7256
www.mbgarden.org
Montgomery Botanical Center
Montgomery Botanical Center advances botanical research, conserves rare species, and educates the community through workshops, lectures, publications, and tours of its scientific plant collections
Open Mon – Fri: 7:00am – 3:30pm
11901 Old Cutler Rd – Miami
Phone: 305-667-3800
www.montgomerybotanical.org
The Kampong – National Tropical Botanical Garden
Dr. David Fairchild (who the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is named after) purchased this property in 1916 to be the site of his winter home. The famous horticulturalist filled the garden with plants he acquired on his world travels.
Showcasing an amazing variety of flowering and fruit trees, palms and plants.
Open Mon – Sun: 9:30am – 5pm
4013 South Douglas Rd – Miami
Phone: 305-442-7169
www.ntbg.org
Miami Travel Guide in english 
Guia turística Miami en español 
Miami Guide de Voyage en français 
Guida turistica Miami in italiano
