Miami is a city of sunshine, turquoise waters and non‑stop energy. Located at the southeastern tip of Florida, this subtropical metropolis has long been an iconic destination for beach lovers and partygoers, but the city offers much more than sand and nightlife. Miami’s neighborhoods reflect a mosaic of cultures, its museums and gardens reveal a serious art and design scene, and the nearby Everglades and Biscayne Bay remind visitors that pristine wilderness is only a short drive away.
If you’re planning a visit to the Magic City or live here and want to rediscover your home, this guide offers inspiration for unforgettable experiences. From world‑famous beaches and historic districts to hidden art spots, vibrant Latin neighborhoods and open‑air adventures, here are the best things to do in Miami in 2025 and beyond.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local, exploring these things to do in Miami will ensure you experience the city’s diverse neighborhoods, history, and natural wonders.
For more inspiration on all the amazing things to do in Miami, check out the official Attractions Miami website.
No Miami itinerary is complete without time on the sand. South Beach is the most famous stretch of shoreline, known for its Art Deco backdrop, pastel lifeguard towers and endless ocean views. The main strip, Lummus Park, runs along Ocean Drive from 5th Street to 15th Street and offers wide sandy beaches, volleyball courts, bike paths and plenty of people‑watching. Arrive early for a calm morning swim, rent a bike to cruise the boardwalk, or stay through sunset to see the neon lights of Ocean Drive come alive.
For a more laid‑back vibe, head north. North Beach and Surfside have fewer crowds but the same soft sand and warm Atlantic water. Surfside’s small‑town charm is accentuated by its family‑friendly beach, community center and local bakeries. Bring a picnic or stop by Surfside’s Harding Avenue for lunch at a kosher deli or café.
Key Biscayne is connected to mainland Miami by the scenic Rickenbacker Causeway. Here you’ll find Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, both offering quiet beaches, bike rentals and water sports. The park’s historic Cape Florida Lighthouse dates back to 1825 and offers tours and panoramic views of the island. With gentle waves and grassy picnic areas, Key Biscayne is perfect for families and anyone seeking peace away from South Beach.
Miami’s Art Deco Historic District in South Beach boasts the largest concentration of Art Deco architecture in the world. Pastel‑colored hotels and neon signs line Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue. Join a walking tour with the Miami Design Preservation League to learn about the district’s history and marvel at the geometric shapes, nautical details and tropical motifs.
Coconut Grove is Miami’s oldest continuously inhabited neighborhood, known for its leafy streets, outdoor cafés and bohemian feel. Visit the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a National Historic Landmark built in 1916. This Italian Renaissance‑style estate features 34 decorated rooms, European antiques, lush gardens and a bayfront terrace. Stroll through the formal gardens, admire the stone statuary and imagine life in Miami’s Gilded Age.
Nearby Coral Gables is nicknamed “The City Beautiful” for its Mediterranean‑inspired architecture, tree‑lined boulevards and plazas. The Venetian Pool is the neighborhood’s crown jewel. Carved from a coral rock quarry in 1923, this spring‑fed pool features waterfalls, grottos and Venetian‑style bridges. According to Miami’s tourism board, Venetian Pool and Zoo Miami are among the region’s family‑friendly attractions.
Little Havana captures the sights, sounds and flavors of Miami’s Cuban community. Southwest 8th Street—better known as Calle Ocho—is the heart of the neighborhood. Sip strong Cuban coffee from ventanitas (walk‑up windows), watch locals playing dominoes at Máximo Gómez Park, and visit the Tower Theater, one of Miami’s oldest cultural landmarks. In the evening, hear live salsa at a club or indulge in Cuban cuisine such as ropa vieja and sweet pastelitos.
Time your visit for Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays), a monthly street festival featuring art exhibitions, live music and open galleries. The annual Calle Ocho Festival in March transforms the street into a carnival with live bands, folkloric dance and international food vendors.
Once an industrial warehouse district, Wynwood has evolved into an open‑air museum of street art. Wynwood Walls is the centerpiece: an outdoor gallery of more than 50 murals by renowned artists from around the world. The area is also home to dozens of galleries, craft breweries and eclectic eateries. Explore the alleys to discover hidden murals, shop at local boutiques and check out the monthly Art Walk on the second Saturday night.
Miami’s diversity extends beyond its Cuban heritage. Little Haiti celebrates Haitian culture through markets, Caribbean restaurants and colorful murals. Stop by the Caribbean Marketplace for art, clothing and live music. Nearby Little River, which runs through Little Haiti and El Portal, has become an emerging hub for independent businesses and arts organizations. Coffee shops, artisanal bakeries and vintage stores share space with small residences and historic warehouses.
For luxury shopping and high‑end dining, the Miami Design District offers designer boutiques, concept stores and chic galleries. Public art installations dot the pedestrian‑friendly streets, making the district a living museum. Midtown Miami, just south of the Design District, is a vibrant residential and commercial area with excellent restaurants, bars and open‑air plazas.
Located on Biscayne Bay, Pérez Art Museum Miami houses international modern and contemporary art. Its airy design by architects Herzog & de Meuron includes hanging gardens and stunning views of the bay. Inside, rotating exhibitions showcase works from the Caribbean, Latin America and beyond. Relax on the outdoor terraces or grab a drink at the museum’s waterfront café.
Adjacent to PAMM, the Frost Science Museum features an aquarium, planetarium and interactive exhibits on technology, biology and physics. Visitors can touch stingrays, watch sharks glide overhead, and experience a 250‑seat planetarium with a 16‑million‑color projection system. The museum is one of Miami’s top kid‑friendly attractions.
If you’re curious about the region’s past, head to HistoryMiami Museum in downtown Miami. Exhibits explore the history of South Florida, from Indigenous cultures and Spanish explorers to the city’s growth into a global destination. The museum also hosts walking tours of historic neighborhoods and the Miami Circle, an ancient Tequesta site uncovered during construction.
Miami Beach’s Bass Museum focuses on contemporary art, design and architecture. The museum hosts exhibitions by international artists, as well as public art installations and educational programs. In Wynwood and Little Haiti, you’ll find numerous galleries showcasing the work of local creators. Check out spaces like Locust Projects, ICA Miami, and the Rubell Museum, which houses more than 7,000 works by modern masters.
While Miami buzzes with urban energy, wilderness is only an hour away. Everglades National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is home to sawgrass prairies, mangrove forests and countless wildlife species. The official tourism board recommends exploring the Everglades via hikes, bike rides and guided tours. At Shark Valley, you can cycle along a 15‑mile paved loop to an observation tower or take a ranger‑led tram tour to spot alligators, turtles and wading birds.
Adjacent to the Everglades, Big Cypress National Preserve protects cypress swamps and diverse habitats. Hiking trails, boardwalks and scenic drives bring you close to rare orchids, panthers and manatees. Paddle a canoe through mangrove tunnels, then visit Ochopee Post Office, one of America’s smallest post offices, located on the Tamiami Trail.
Composed of 95% water, Biscayne National Park preserves coral reefs, mangrove forests and islands south of Miami. Take a boat tour to Boca Chita Key with its picturesque lighthouse or snorkel the crystal‑clear waters around the Florida Reef, the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. Many operators offer eco‑friendly boat trips and kayaking tours that depart from the park’s Dante Fascell Visitor Center.
In Coral Gables, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden features more than 83 acres of rare palms, cycads, orchids and rainforest plants. The tourism board recommends strolling amid the garden’s aromatic fruits and vibrant blooms. Don’t miss the Wings of the Tropics butterfly house, where hundreds of colorful butterflies flit around you. Other green spaces include Miami Beach Botanical Garden, Pinecrest Gardens and the Fruit & Spice Park in Homestead.
Surrounded by Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Miami is a sailor’s paradise. Join a sunset cruise from Bayside Marketplace or charter a private sailboat for a romantic evening. For a fun party vibe, opt for a catamaran cruise with live DJs and open bars. On the calmer waters of Biscayne Bay, you can rent kayaks and stand‑up paddleboards and explore mangrove islands or paddle through the Miami Beach canals.
Adrenaline seekers will love jet skiing across Biscayne Bay or parasailing high above South Beach. Rental companies along Collins Avenue and MacArthur Causeway offer hourly rates and guided tours. Keep an eye out for dolphins and manatees that often surface near the city’s waterways.
Beyond the city’s beaches lies an underwater world of coral reefs and shipwrecks. Dive operators in Miami Beach and Key Biscayne offer trips to sites such as Neptune Memorial Reef, an underwater mausoleum and artificial reef, and the Belzona Barge Wreck. Beginners can join snorkeling tours around Fowey Rocks and the Emerald Reef, while advanced divers can explore deeper wrecks like the Ophelia Brian.
Miami’s cuisine is shaped by its multicultural communities. In Little Havana, start your day with cafecito and a Cuban pastelito, then sample ropa vieja (shredded beef stew) or lechón asado (roast pork) with black beans and rice. Don’t miss trying a Cuban sandwich, pressed with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. For dessert, grab a scoop of mango or guava ice cream.
Across the city, you’ll find Peruvian ceviche, Venezuelan arepas, Colombian empanadas and Jamaican jerk chicken. Head to Versailles Restaurant on Calle Ocho for classic Cuban dishes or La Mar by Gastón Acurio in Brickell for upscale Peruvian cuisine.
With the Atlantic Ocean at its doorstep, Miami’s seafood is as fresh as it gets. Try stone crab claws (in season from October to May) at Joe’s Stone Crab, an institution in South Beach since 1913. For a casual feast, visit the Garcia Seafood Grille & Fish Market on the Miami River, or check out the eclectic menus at Klaw and Stiltsville Fish Bar.
Miami’s agricultural heart lies south in the Redland area, where tropical fruits like mangoes, lychees and avocados thrive. Local farms supply the city’s restaurants and farmers markets. Explore food halls like Time Out Market Miami, The Citadel and Lincoln Eatery, where you can sample everything from gourmet burgers and Asian street food to artisanal ice cream under one roof.
Once the sun goes down, Miami’s nightlife kicks in. South Beach’s club scene is legendary, with hotspots like LIV at the Fontainebleau and Story hosting world‑class DJs. For a more laid‑back evening, try cocktail bars such as Sweet Liberty, Broken Shaker and Mac’s Club Deuce—the oldest bar on the Beach.
Latin rhythms pulse through Little Havana at venues like Ball & Chain, a historic bar with live salsa and jazz, and Hoy Como Ayer, where local bands perform Cuban classics. On Calle Ocho, dance to reggaeton at open‑air cafes and join locals for domino games between sets.
Downtown Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts hosts Broadway shows, opera, ballet and concerts. Nearby, the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center dates back to 1926 and offers film screenings and live performances. You can also catch concerts at the Frost School of Music’s Maurice Gusman Concert Hall or indie bands at The Ground and Gramps in Wynwood.
For shopping with a view, head to Bayside Marketplace along Biscayne Bay. This open‑air center features souvenir shops, chain stores, local vendors and waterfront restaurants. It’s also the departure point for many boat tours. In downtown’s Brickell district, Brickell City Centre offers luxury brands, high‑end dining and a cinema under a climate‑controlled roof. The tourism board suggests these malls, along with Aventura Mall and Dadeland Mall, for a day of retail therapy.
North of Miami Beach, Bal Harbour Shops is an upscale shopping destination with designer boutiques and lush gardens. Even if you’re not buying, window shopping here is a treat. In the Design District, browse flagship stores by Prada, Louis Vuitton and Hermès, then stop for a cappuccino at a chic café.
Lincoln Road Mall is a pedestrian street lined with shops, galleries and restaurants. Street performers and outdoor cafés create a lively atmosphere. On Sundays, the Lincoln Road Farmers Market sells fresh produce, flowers and artisanal goods. Check out other local markets like the Coconut Grove Organic Market and the Upper Buena Vista Market for handmade crafts and vintage finds.
Sports fans can catch NBA games at the Kaseya Center, home of the Miami Heat, or NFL games at Hard Rock Stadium, where the Miami Dolphins play. In college sports, the University of Miami Hurricanes draw enthusiastic crowds at Hard Rock Stadium (football) and the Watsco Center (basketball).
Since 2022, the Miami Grand Prix has brought Formula 1 racing to the city each spring. The circuit winds around Hard Rock Stadium, offering high‑speed excitement and star‑studded viewing parties. Runners flock to the Miami Marathon and Half Marathon in January, which takes participants through downtown and along the waterfront.
Miami hosts numerous festivals year‑round. In winter, Art Basel Miami Beach transforms the city into an international art fair, with exhibits, parties and satellite shows across the region. Foodies will love South Beach Wine & Food Festival in February, while music fans can’t miss Ultra Music Festival in March and Jazz in the Gardens in spring. Throughout the year, neighborhood festivals celebrate Latin, Caribbean and Black culture.
From sun‑drenched beaches and glittering skyscrapers to colorful street murals and ancient wilderness, Miami is a destination with endless layers. Explore the Art Deco District, dive into Little Havana’s rhythms, marvel at modern art and venture into the Everglades. Indulge in world‑class cuisine, dance until dawn and relax in lush gardens. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or making Miami your home, these experiences will help you connect with the city’s vibrant spirit and create memories that last a lifetime.
If you’d like more information about planning your Miami adventure or need to check events and attractions, consult the Greater Miami and Miami Beach official tourism website and Time Out Miami’s latest list of things too, which are updated regularly.
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