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

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

Miami is vibrant metropolis recognized for its seaside tradition, celebration scene, Cuban affect. It’s undoubtedly thought-about one of many extra excessive power, enjoyable cities in America. Miami attracts thousands and 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 loads of enjoyable available right here. From seashores to partying to Cuban tradition to the close by Everglades, you are able to do loads. (And for those who’re trying to splash out, there are tons of luxurious motels, upscale procuring districts, and high-end eating to be discovered right here.)

Listed here are a few of my high 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 likely one of the most original and largest public parks in the USA. Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage web site, it’s residence 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 stay on this distinctive atmosphere.

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

Airboat excursions value round $37 USD. If you need a extra lively boating expertise, kayak excursions are additionally widespread (anticipate 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 virtually in a single day. Within the mid-Nineteen Sixties, an estimated 300,000 refugees fled Cuba, with most touchdown and settling in Miami. Right this moment, over 1.2 million Cuban Individuals stay in Miami, with Little Havana centering round “Calle Ocho” (SW eighth Avenue). That is one in all my favourite components of the town and the meals right here is unimaginable. Eat in one of many little eating places and bakeries, stroll the colourful streets, get pleasure from 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.

Meals excursions round Little Havana value round $69 USD and are one of the best ways to be taught in regards to the space from an skilled native information.

3. Admire the Artwork Deco of South Seashore

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

You can even take an Artwork Deco bike tour of the world to achieve much more insights into the structure and historical past.

4. See the Artwork in Wynwood

Wynwood is a former industrial neighborhood that has advanced right into a cultural hub/stylish hotspot for graffiti and road artwork, in addition to hip retailers, cool eating places, chill cafes and low roasteries, artisan breweries, and artwork galleries. The most well-liked attraction right here is the Wynwood Partitions, a group of 40 murals from among the world’s finest road artists. The spectacular 35,000 sq. ft of outside house, constructed round current warehouses, options artists from 21 international locations.

The murals are always 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 resembling environmental conservation, immigration, racial justice, and human rights. The Museum of Graffiti, the primary museum on the planet devoted to this artwork type, can 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 (contains 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 the town by boat permits you to 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 Seashore nicknamed such for its luxurious waterfront mansions) and Fisher Island (an prosperous barrier island recognized for its upscale residential neighborhood).

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

6. Be taught to Salsa

Famend for its scorching nightlife and wealthy Latin tradition, Miami’s salsa scene is one thing that should be skilled. From the long-lasting Calle Ocho in Little Havana to modern South Seashore, salsa aficionados can discover a wide range of venues catering to completely different kinds and ability ranges.

In Little Havana, Ball & Chain has free salsa courses each Thursday beginning at 9pm. Should you’re searching for extra of a nightclub expertise, Mango’s Tropical Café is the very best place to go. They provide a Sip, Savor, & Salsa expertise on daily basis 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 presents many alternative quirky immersive artwork experiences, with interactive installations, cutting-edge know-how, and multi-sensory environments. Listed here are among the hottest:

• Superblue Miami – Superblue is a large (50,000 sq. ft) experiential artwork house that showcases large-scale, immersive artworks created by modern artists. The reveals usually contain interactive components and cutting-edge know-how. Tickets are $38.50 USD.
• ARTECHOUSE Immersive Artwork Expertise – Artechouse is an area in South Seashore that mixes artwork, science, and know-how to create immersive digital artwork installations. The reveals usually use projections, lights, and sound to create visually beautiful and interactive environments. Admission is $30 USD.
• Museum of Illusions – Located in Miami Seashore, this museum presents mind-bending optical illusions and immersive reveals 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 children. 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 a couple of museums within the metropolis value testing. Most museums listed here are art-focused (Miami is a giant artwork metropolis for those who haven’t picked that up but), although there are additionally a couple of science and historical past museums. A number of the museums value testing embody:

• The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science – Situated in Downtown Miami, this museum presents interactive reveals on science and know-how, a planetarium, and an aquarium. It’s an amazing vacation spot for households and science fans. Tickets are $29.95 USD.
• Pérez Artwork Museum Miami (PAMM) – PAMM is a recent artwork museum positioned in downtown Miami, that includes a surprising waterfront setting and an out of doors hanging sculpture backyard. It showcases worldwide fashionable 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 reveals, artifacts, and academic applications that discover the area’s cultural heritage. Admission is $15 USD.
• Bass Museum of Artwork – Situated in Miami Seashore, the Bass Museum of Artwork focuses on modern artwork and includes a numerous 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 machine known as a flyboard and combines components of wakeboarding, snowboarding, and acrobatics.

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

10. Go to the Vizcaya Property

No go to to Miami is full with out a cease at this historic 50-acre property. This European-style mansion presents a glimpse at life in turn-of-the-century South Florida. It was constructed by industrialist James Deering as a solution to exhibit his wealth to all his pals and is crammed to the brim with Renaissance furnishings, paintings, 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 one in all 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 Fort

Coral Fort 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 transferring the heavy coral carvings to Homestead (the place Coral Fort is now). It’s a little bit of a visit from downtown, however properly 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 Historical Spanish Monastery

In-built Segovia, Spain in 1141, this monastery was meant 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 “citadel”). Nonetheless, after delivery the constructing to the US, there was an outbreak of illness. The US authorities was apprehensive 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 at last 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 final word escape for enjoyable within the solar. Individuals come right here to let unfastened, 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. The town presents a dynamic fusion of artwork, music, and nice meals, and I encourage you to get on the market and discover it!