The best things to do in
Miami

Maurice A. Ferré Park

Formerly known as Museum Park, Maurice A. Ferré Park is a marvelous park in downtown Miami. In addition to the well-manicured green lawns by the waterfront, the park hosts two museums: The Perez Art Museum, a contemporary art museum, and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. The science museum is particularly interesting. It includes a planetarium and a multi-level aquarium which houses a variety of sea creatures, including mahi-mahi, devil rays, and hammerhead sharks. The planetarium seats 250 people and features a 67-foot wide dome screen, 8K projectors, and surround sound to facilitate a 3D immersive experience the museum refers to as “visual joyrides” that educate and thrill.

Away from the museums, the park is separated from the Kaseya Center, host to the Miami Heat games by the Museum Park Marina. The Baywalk at the border offers excellent views of Biscayne Bay and is a great place to take selfies. Two blocks down the road, you’ll find the Freedown Tower, another famous Downtown Miami landmark currently housing a contemporary art museum.

South Beach

South Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the United States. The shallow waters at the beach offer visitors the chance to swim and play in the warm Florida waters with relative safety.

Famous for featuring in many movies, Ocean Drive is one of Miami’s top attractions. The popular street is known for its proximity to the beach, the seemingly endless row of palm trees, and the numerous sightings of exotic cars that complement the tropical environment. South Beach isn’t just about the shoreline and sand. It has an intriguing collection of historic Art Deco buildings visitors won’t find anywhere else in the United States. Fans of the Scarface movie may consider parts of Ocean Drive as familiar as they featured prominently in the movie.

Casa Casuarina is one of the most popular attractions on Ocean Drive. It is also known as the Versace Mansion because Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace lived there for five years until he passed away in 1997. It is currently a luxury boutique hotel called The Villa Casa Casuarina.

Coconut Grove

If you like peacocks, you should stop by Coconut Grove during your trip to Miami. Located along Biscayne Bay, the neighborhood is known for its waterfront café and restaurants, the beautiful Dinner Key Marina, and what some have described as an infestation of peacocks. While there’s certainly no shortage of peacocks in Coconut Grove, using the word infestation is a little harsh. Particularly when you’re talking about birds as beautiful as peacocks.

Beyond the beautiful birds, the marina is always alive with boating activity yachting and sailing enthusiasts will find appealing. It’s a great place to rent a vessel to get great views of Biscayne Bay. Coconut Grove has lively, family-friendly parks for people who want to stretch their legs and engage in calorie-burning activities. The neighborhood is also the home of The Barnacle, Miami’s oldest house (in its original location).

Not to dwell on the peacocks, but you should stop by Peacock Park and check out the views of the bay from the boardwalk by the waterfront before you leave.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Originally known as the Vizcaya Villa, the building which was constructed as a vacation home for businessman James Deering in 1922, is now a museum owned by Miami-Dade County. Built as an Italian-style villa, complete with Mediterranean Revival architecture, the building still has its well-manicured exterior and courtyard gardens. The museum has a Lake Como villa look, given its styling and location by the waterfront. Visitors get to learn about the history of the building while enjoying the art on the walls of the 34 rooms. It offers a unique story about the history of Miami. The museum, which has been featured in multiple movies, including Bad Boys II and Iron Man 3, is open to the public every day except Tuesdays. It is also available for hosting private events and is a popular wedding venue.

Shopping at the Design District

What’s a vacation without a good half day of wallet-bleeding shopping? Often referred to as the Rodeo Drive of Miami and considered the cultural epicenter of the city, the Miami Design District is a great place to shop. However, the first thing that’ll strike any visitor is the unique and diverse buildings that house the retailers and other attractions in the district. The most notable ones include the colorful ant colony-inspired Museum Garage, an award-winning architectural project that’s hard to miss. Visitors who appreciate creative architecture may want to visit the district just to get a close look at the buildings.

Practically all well-known global fashion, jewelry, and fine timepiece brands are represented here, with each trying to outdo the competition with beautiful storefronts designed to catch the attention of shoppers.

In addition to an excellent opportunity to shop for items from your favorite brands, the district is known for housing world-class dining establishments, including a handful of Michelin Star restaurants with celebrity chefs and art galleries. This district is also known for hosting various social events.

In between the creative storefronts, you’ll also find tastefully designed street art in the pathways. This aligns with the goal of dedicating the neighborhood to innovative design, art, and architecture.

Coral Castle Museum

Coral Castle hosts a collection of intriguing megalithic stone sculptures carved by Edward Leedskalnin between 1923 and 1951. The outdoor museum is open to visitors who appreciate art and others interested in investigating conspiracy theories. The size of the stones has left many wondering if this is really the work of one individual.

It is said that while Ed was alive, he would charge people a few cents to see his creations. Today, tourists can wander around the grounds and marvel at the creativity of the enigmatic artist.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a 1.5 million acre wilderness of shallow waters and protected species including the Florida panther and the American crocodile.

Visitors who love the great outdoors will find plenty of activities in the Park. The highlight of your visit to the Everglades is likely to be an airboat ride through the swampy waters, so be sure to book one before you arrive. Other activities to indulge in include hiking through the expansive trails that run through the parklands, birdwatching to see if you can catch a glimpse of some of the rare birds native to the Everglades, and camping. The campgrounds allow enthusiasts to get closer to nature and seek out some of the endangered species here.

If you want to have a Crocodile Dundee moment, you can stop by one of the airboat providers, Coopertown Airboat Company, where you may be lucky enough to hold a baby alligator (with its mouth taped to keep its teeth away from you). If that doesn't appeal to you, you could just watch Mayor Jesse Kennon wrestle a full-size alligator from a safe distance.

Explore the Beaches of Key Biscayne

Key Biscayne is an island in Miami-Dade County. Just a short drive from downtown Miami via the Rickenbacker Causeway, the island is home to numerous clear sand beaches and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. If the crowds of tourists in South Beach bother you, you’ll be happy to know that some of the beaches on the island are relatively secluded, and, depending on the time of your visit, you may end up having the beach all to yourself. (We filmed one of our commercials at one of the quiet beaches of Key Biscayne to avoid a need for crowd control).

While you’re on the island, be sure to visit the now-decommissioned Cape Florida lighthouse, which sits on one of the beaches. Located on the south end of Key Biscayne, the lighthouse was constructed in 1825 to help guide mariners off the Florida Reef. Considered an iconic Miami landmark, the lighthouse has been featured in popular media, including many episodes of the Miami Vice and Burn Notice TV series. The lighthouse was also featured in films like The Mean Season and the 1945 They Were Expendable.

Other activities you can indulge in while you’re in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park include canoeing, fishing, and kayaking.

Miami Children’s Museum

Located on Watson Island along MacArthur Causeway, Miami Children's Museum is the perfect destination for youngsters. The museum is filled with educational and entertaining exhibits made to pique children's curiosity and creativity. It's a great way to make learning fun for the kids. There are also four outdoor exhibits that offer the little ones the chance to run around and have fun. As a bonus for yacht lovers, the museum is close to the super yacht dock on the island, so if you like large yachts, be sure to look to the right as you cross the ICW bridge from downtown. You may just be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of some marvelous superyachts and mega-yachts.

Miami Circle Park

Sandwiched between the W towers and the Miami River, the Miami Circle Park may appear like just another well-manicured public park with great views. However, the park has a much more interesting backstory. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as it was the site of a remarkable archaeological discovery in 1998. At the time, the site was intended for the development of new high-rise buildings when archaeologist Dr Robert S Carr conducted an excavation that revealed intact blade-midden deposits. Further excavation in the area unearthed the circle where numerous artifacts were discovered. These included Tequesta artifacts of stone, shell pottery, and bone.

The discoveries prompted the state of Florida to purchase the land from the developers for $ 26 million for preservation purposes. Today, the circle itself is barely noticeable. The beauty of the park overshows the historical significance of the circle. On one side, you have the W Towers, and across the river, you have the imposing new Aston Martin building. Further south, you have the beautifully constructed Brickey Key Island.

The park is a great place to burn calories while you enjoy the views. Just remember to stop by the actual circle and learn more about the archaeological discoveries.

Exploring Brickell Key Island

Brickell Key is a triangular man-made island just off the coast of the Brickell part of downtown Miami. Filled with high-rise buildings housing condominiums, the island is also home to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Brickell Key Park. This part of Miami is a great place to stretch your legs while you’re exploring the downtown area. Walking over the simple yet tasteful bridge connecting Brickell Key to the mainland offers excellent views of the island and the surrounding waters.

If you’ve indulged in fine dining at one of many wonderful restaurants in the city, a stroll through the park and around Brickell Key will help you keep those calories in check while enjoying some of the best views Miami offers. You can also take a break from your walk and simply sit back and relax as you observe yachts of various sizes go by.

On the north side of the island, you can stroll along the nicely constructed walkways along the waterfront while you take in Miami’s skyline, including the Kimpton EPIC hotel on the other side of the Miami River. You’re likely to fall in love with Brickell Key’s beauty and serenity while you’re here, and you may feel a need to talk to a realtor to see if you can score one of those beautiful condos.

Yacht Cruise

The Miami River, Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic arguably contribute to the beauty of Miami more than anything else. A great way to enjoy these is to go on a cruise. But you don’t want just any cruise. The best way to enjoy Miami is to charter a yacht to see some of the best views of downtown and South Beach. Chartering a yacht allows you the flexibility to decide where you want to visit and how long the cruise should last. You’ll find time periods ranging from half a day to a full week.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even go all the way to the Bahamas on your cruise. Unlike what you’ll find in Europe, where you have to look out for the hidden fees not shown on the charter prices, many yacht charters in Miami have all-inclusive pricing, so you know exactly what you’re paying from the quote. The best views are around Brickell Key and Fisher Island, so be sure to keep that in mind when planning your Itinerary.

Spanish Monastery

The Spanish Monastery is one of the more unique historical venues available to see on a trip to Miami. It is claimed to be one of the oldest buildings in North America and dates back to the 12th century.

Located in North Miami Beach, the monastery was originally built in Sacramenia, Spain. In 1926, William Randolph Hearst purchased the monastery, had it dismantled and shipped to the US. Due to Hearst’s ensuing financial issues, the crates that held the bricks remained in storage for decades before being sold at auction.

Once called 'the biggest jigsaw puzzle in history' by Time Magazine, the monastery's bricks were purchased in the mid-1960s and reassembled. Today, travelers can take guided tours of the Spanish Monastery. It is also a popular wedding venue.

Homestead Miami Speedway

One of the iconic motorsport ovals in America, Homestead's 1.5-mile course has been home to IndyCar, IMSA, and FIA GT Racing. It's still home to several NASCAR events, and the track is alive and bustling on a race day with a 46,000-person capacity. There's plenty to see and do on non-race days, too, with ride-along passenger laps and car experiences.

Hard Rock Stadium

Home to the Miami Dolphins and the Miami college football team, the Hard Rock Stadium is a hub for sporting activities in the city. Make an experience of a gameday by joining in with the famous tailgate parties. The stadium continues expanding its sporting importance to the Magic City, with Formula One’s recent debut as an addition to its annual events.

No doubt helped by the allure of the Magic City, the Miami Grand Prix is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after F1 races of the season, and tickets become hard to come by soon after they go on sale. It’s best to shop early if you want to score one of the premium hospitality seats.