Best Things to Do in Miami (Florida)

Here is our list of the 25 Best Things to do in Miami:

1. Visit the iconic Miami Beach

When you think of Miami chances are you think of a sandy beach with the sun shining.

Miami Beach is the best area in Miami for soaking up some rays on a sandy beach and it is something of a legend in the city.

The beach itself technically outside of the Miami municipality as it is located on an island. Aside from the beaches, the area is also known for its Art Deco district and the odd but beautiful buildings within.

2. Explore Jungle Island

Jungle Island is one of the most popular attractions in the city of Miami.

It is located on Watson Island and was formerly known as Parrot Jungle and even had Winston Churchill visit in 1946.

The Jungle is only minutes away from South Beach and Downtown Miami.

Through interactive experiences, Jungle Island enthralls park visitors with a sense of adventure and discovery. Why not catch one of the exciting shows which are a daily occurrence.

3. Wander the Art Deco District

With a hint of 1930’s nostalgia, the beautifully restored buildings within the Art Deco District have a lot to offer on a relaxed day in the Miami beach area.

Looking out to see, (a lot of them located front Ocean Drive) the pastel painted buildings pose a great place to stop for lunch of an evening meal.

With its neon signs and canopy covered dining areas, the Art Deco District truly comes in its own after dark.

4.  Bayside Marketplace

Hosting over 150 specialty and tourist shops, cafes and restaurants, Bayside Market place has it all.

As well as well known chain stores visitors will find an array of charming boutiques in this outdoor style mall.

Located along Miami’s waterfront, as the name suggests, many locals come here to soak up the lively atmosphere and admire the bay, with its daily live music and fun vibe the Bayside Market does not fail to entertain.

5.  Stroll through The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Recognized as one of Miami’s greatest treasures, The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens with its stunning architecture, grounds and artwork are certainly worth a visit.

Featuring 34 rooms arranged around a breath taking courtyard, the Renaissance-style villa is filled with the most exquisite European furniture and arts reaching from the 15th to the 19th century.

Over 1,100 craftsmen were bought over from Europe for true authenticity in design, to complete this 28-acre estate.

6. View over 2.000 wild animals at Zoo Miami

Providing animals with habitats close to their natural setting, Zoo Miami visitors get the sensation of exploring a real safari.

With open-air exhibits and a cage free environment, zoo visitors have a chance to enjoy endangered wildlife up close.

With lots of interaction with the animals, Zoo Miami while not the biggest is fantastic for families especially for the younger ones with a children’s zoo featuring a range of different attractions including camel rides!

7. Soak up the Cuban Flavor at Little Havana

Well recognized for its cultural flavor, Little Havana offers a great deal of entertainment from open air social areas to its many restaurants and specialty food shops.

With non stop lively Latin music drifting through the air and street art depicting important Cuban figures you will feel completely immersed in the distinctive cultural atmosphere.

While Calle Ocho is know as the heart of little Havana and setting for most of the activity  , the district has slowly spread into the surrounding streets and avenues.

8. Explore salt marshes and Indian burial grounds

Encompassing mangrove forests, salt marshes, a coastal dune island, coastal tropical hardwood rockland hammocks and endangered pine habitats, this 440 acre Deering Estate at Cutler property has it all.

Also home to the Richard cottages c1900 which served as a hotel, the Deering Estate hosts other historical buildings of importance  dating from 1896 to 1922 and an Indian burial ground circa 1500.

Visitors are welcome to stroll through the stunning grounds, explore the houses or simply relax and soak up the surroundings.

9. Get hands on at The Miami Science Museum

With its many interactive exhibits and a large number of hands-on displays the Miami Science museum offers a truly immersive experience encompassing a wide range of scientific fields including physics, biology and chemistry.

Established in 1950, the museum has grown significantly and has expanded its space considerably throughout the years.

The Museum exhibits regularly change offering fresh themes and displays to a 2nd 3rd or 4th visit is never too much.

10. Explore Croc ridden swamplands at the Everglades National Park

Just a short drive from Miami, The Everglades National Park covers 1.5 million acres of swamp lands home to alligators, snakes, crocodiles and a whole host of birds.

As well as walking trails and boardwalks to for wildlife viewing, one of the most exciting way to see the everglades is aboard a high speed airboat! T

Taking visitors deep into the marshes and streams, the airboat tour is guaranteed to entertain and is the best way to see alligators.

11. Admire Freedom Tower

Built in 1925 with a the important role of an immigration-processing center for the many hundreds of thousands of Cuban refugees that were arriving, today freedom tower stands as a tribute to Cuban immigration and proudly stands out as one of the most striking and oldest skyscrapers in southern eastern United states.

Freedom Tower also served as the head office of the Miami Daily New for many years.

12. Meet Flipper at The Miami Sea Aquarium

Actively rehabilitating and rescuing Florida’s endangered manatees, the Miami Sea Aquarium has forever been a firm family favorite attracting visitors from far and wide.

With daily shows displaying dolphins, killer whales and other ocean mammals, the aquarium will delight any visitor.

If that’s not enough, check out the large observation tanks containing a wide range of tropical fish, sharks and even alligators.

Still not satisfied? Why not get involved in the “swim with dolphins” program that educates about the behavior and natural history of dolphins.

13. Catch a live event

Standing out prominently on the waterfront in a fresh and developing area of town, The American Airlines Arena is the main venue for large concerts and many other events including top name singers and of course the home of NBA’s Miami Heat.

With a Capacity of 19,000 people, the building opened in 1999 and had proudly been awarded the Leed Green Building Certification for being a super energy efficient building.

14. Visit Bayfront Park

Located on the east side of Biscayne Boulevard, Bayfront park was refurbished and given a fresh new look in the 1980s.

Highlights include an electronically controlled Pepper Fountain, a huge amphitheater used for a range of musical events and performances, a tower for laser illuminations and features three very important monuments; the challenger memorial commemoration to the crew of the challenger aircraft that exploded in 1986, the touch of friendship; a symbol of Miami’s relationship with central and south America and the World War II Memorial.

15. Take a slow cruise down Ocean Drive

Running along the Oceanfront of Miami Beach and passing by the iconic sands of south beach, Ocean Drive is a popular tourist destination night and day and offers a great opportunity for those with a special interest in the unique skyline and scenes Miami has to offer.

The Beacon being some of the most exciting and notable structures in the area but also don’t forget to look out for those beautiful pastel colored art deco buildings.