If you’re in North America and want a vacation getaway that’s not too far from home, then you don’t have to look any further! Tourists flock to Miami, Florida for the hot weather, white sand beaches, and the infamous partying. But what is there to really do in this part of the Sunshine State than the typical things you’ve heard about? Here is everything you need to know about the best things to do in Miami – and these are recommendations by a local, my husband (who’s born and raised in Miami and works in the hospitality industry), and me with the dozens of times I’ve visited, so we will steer you in the right direction to have the best time on your vacation in South Florida.
1 – Explore The Culinary Scene
If you’re a food lover, Miami is one of the best places to be. With many award-winning restaurants, you can definitely satisfy your taste buds in Miami. Here are The Best Restaurants to Visit in Miami which are also highly recommended by Miami locals – and I’ve also tried every restaurant on this list! These 29 restaurants plus 4 dessert locations lets you have the best taste of Miami as well as avoid high tourist prices!
2 – Shop ‘Til You Drop
I find that every time I go to Miami, I end up doing a lot of shopping. Although the exchange rate for the Canadian dollar is not great, everything I want to purchase is still cheaper in the US even after the conversion. That’s also why I send a majority of my beauty purchases to our address in Miami. I end up saving so much on taxes and shipping fees compared to purchasing them and shipping it to Canada. Plus, sometimes items don’t even ship to Canada! FYI: taxes in Florida is 7%.
Designer/High End Malls
Aventura Mall
Location – 19501 Biscayne Blvd in Aventura
Why You Should Visit – Aventura Mall is the largest mall in Miami and has 3 stories with luxury designer shops as well as more than 300 of the world’s most popular retailers. There is also over 50 restaurants and eateries you can stop for a bite to get more energy for shopping. Not only that, they also have a variety of artwork installations in a range of mediums that are perfect for photos and sometimes even double as entertainment.
Bal Harbour Shops
Location – 9700 Collins Ave in Bal Harbour
Why You Should Visit – Just north of Miami Beach, Bal Harbour is a beautiful open-air designer mall. It is actually one of the highest grossing shopping centers in the world. There is about 100 different designer stores and they are aiming to be global luxury retail icon as they continue to expand. There are also 7 dining experiences available at this mall. I would consider this as tourist’s favorite destination and one of the best things to do in Miami, especially if you have the money to spend.
Location – 701 S Miami Ave in Miami
Why You Should Visit – Not only is Brickell City Centre a luxurious residential area, it is a 3 story designer mall including contemporary shops with a theater and lots of dining options in the mall on the 3rd and 4th floors and surrounding the mall in the area. Mixing innovation and art, Brickell City Centre is transforming the heart of Downtown Miami.
Location – 140 NE 39th St in Miami (it’s basically different blocks allocated to high-end luxury goods – if you’ve been to Toronto, it’s like shopping on Bloor St and the Yorkville area)
Why You Should Visit – As described in its name, Miami Design District is all about design and designers. They have some of the best designer shopping here with really large and extravagant spaces. You can obviously do a lot of shopping, but you can also enjoy a lot of art and outdoor architecture here. Of course, don’t forget good restaurants too! An amazing food hall I’ve listed in my Best Restaurants To Visit In Miami blog post is in this area too.
Outdoor Malls
Location – 401 Biscayne Blvd in Miami
Why You Should Visit – Bayside is a 2 story open-air shopping center with multiple stores and restaurants. There are also many live events here as well and it’s right by the water so you can even enjoy a boat tour if you’d like and there’s also a Miami Walk Of Fame. This is a great local hangout and it’s also fitting for families as well.
Location – Runs between Washington Ave and Alton Rd on Lincoln Road (around 16th and 17th St) in Miami Beach
Why You Should Visit – Lincoln Road Mall is a walk from South Beach and is a large tourist area. It is better if you walk around here since parking is not convenient. There is shopping (not the best selection in my opinion), but it also more known for their restaurants and entertainment in the area.
Outlet Malls
Dolphin Mall
Location – 11401 NW 12th St in Miami
Why You Should Visit – Dolphin Mall has over 250 stores. Locals visit this mall a lot since they have multiple bars at this mall, a movie theater, a Dave and Buster’s and outdoor live shows on the weekend too.
Sawgrass Mills Outlet Mall
Location – 12801 W Sunrise Blvd in Sunrise
Why You Should Visit – This is actually the outlet mall we visit the most often and it is one of the best things to do while in Miami. The deals are so good and the mall is so big we constantly get lost in it. Sawgrass Mills is the 11th largest mall in the US and the largest single story outlet mall in the US with over 350 stores. Because the mall is so big, it’s divided into 3 sections: Fashion Row, The Oasis, and The Colonnade Outlets (where most of the higher end designers are and it’s outdoors). They also have a Super Target, a cinema, and multiple restaurants.
Must-Visit Store For Beauty Lovers
Ulta Beauty
I’m only mentioning Ulta Beauty because it’s one of the stores I shop at the most since we don’t have this in Canada yet. For you beauty lovers out there, I had to call this one out. I find I get some of the best deals ever here, especially when they have prestige products for up to 50% off! I find that the best Canada does is between 10-25% off and Ulta’s sales blows it out of the water – it’s also where I do a lot of stocking up on my favorite beauty products (see this blog post on How Much Should I Stock Up On Beauty Products to prevent over-purchasing!). They also constantly have sales and coupons being sent out so you end up saving a ton of money here. Plus with their reward system, you can save additional dollars.
Bonus Stores
I actually really like finding gems for super low prices at Ross and TJ Maxx. A lot of tourists actually come to 1 of these 2 stores, purchase luggages, fills them while shopping in Miami, and takes them back home.
3 – Outdoor Activities
In a city with beautiful weather (most of the time), we’d want to spend a majority of our time outdoors. Luckily the locals also embrace this blessing and there are a lot of different outdoor activities that you can do.
Beaches
Obviously, the most popular outdoor activity and hands-down the best thing to do in Miami is to spend your day at the beach. Whether you’re basking in the glory of the sun, having an outdoor BBQ and mini party, or snorkeling and diving the crystal blue waters when it’s not covered in seaweed, everyone loves spending time at the beach. I’ve also seen tourists who really don’t like the sun, is covered from head to toe but still enjoy sitting on the sand and taking in the beautiful scenery. Here are a list of The Best Beaches In Miami That Are NOT South Beach. My husband will also always warn tourists to never ever leave their things unattended! There is a lot of theft on the beach (especially South Beach) so be on high alert. I’ve never had any issue with the beaches I’ve listed in the blog post above, but I always try to keep an eye on my personal belongings anyway even when I’m in the water. Here are also Essentials You Should Pack In Every Beach Bag.
Outdoor Fitness, Parks, And Zoological Park
Ever heard of the South Beach diet? Miami is known for beautiful bodies (albeit majority is fake) and showing it off. So for those who aren’t into surgeries and going the natural route, it’s nice having the option of using outdoor gyms to enjoy the amazing weather while getting a tan. And not only can you enjoy your time at the park working out, you can take a leisurely walk, bike or skateboard down the boardwalk, and even visit the largest zoological park in Florida.
Flamingo Park
Location – 1200 Meridian Ave in Miami Beach
What It Has – This 36 acre park has an aquatic centre with an 8-lane pool, a dog park, basketball courts, handball/racquetball courts, a football stadium and running track, a soccer and softball field, a tennis centre and a playground for kids. This park is free for residents and other visitors have to pay between $6-10 USD for admission.
South Pointe Park
Location – 1 Washington Ave in Miami Beach
What It Has – Right at the tip of Miami Beach, South Pointe offers great views of South Beach, the shoreline and the Miami skyline. There is a lot of space along with walking trails that has direct access to the beach, BBQ areas, and an off-leash dog park. There’s also a mini water park with a jungle gym.
3rd Street Beach Yoga
Location – 3rd St and Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, meet at the lifeguard hut
What It Has – Back in 1998, a yoga teacher started practicing on the beach and slowly but surely, locals started joining in. As it stated growing with students as well as teachers, it has been a consistent activity on the beach all these years. They want to make sure yoga is accessible and affordable for all. Yoga classes on the beach are available 365 days a year. Between April to October, classes start at 7am and 6pm. Between November to March, classes start at 7am and 5pm. You’ll arrive at the perfect time for a sunrise or sunset at the beach. Classes are free or by donation.
South Beach Boardwalk
Location – 15th St and Ocean Drive in Miami Beach
What It Has – 15th St is the start of this 40 block boardwalk going north. You can see the beautiful ocean in this scenic pathway on your right, and lavish condos and exclusive hotels to the left. This also allows you access to get to Lincoln Road Mall. If you’re not one for walking, you can also rent a bike and pick different areas of the beach to tour around.
Zoo Miami
Location – 12400SW 152nd St in Miami
Why You Should Visit – A zoological park and garden, it is the largest zoo in Florida and the 5th largest in the US. Zoo Miami is one of the best things to do in Miami, even for locals. It is the only sub-tropical zoo in the continental US and has animals from Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas. These animals are grouped in geographic territories and their habitat at the zoo closely matches that of their home country so it is very protected. There are over 3,000 animals with over 500 species. Zoo Miami is also an active leader in global wildlife and environmental initiatives.
Venetian Pool
Location – 2701 De Soto Blvd in Coral Gables
Why You Should Visit – The Venetian Pool is a public swimming pool in Coral Gables andwas built in 1924 from a coral rock quarry. It also has 2 historic lookout towers, 2 waterfalls with a scenic backdrop and cave-like grottos. This 820,000 gallon pool is fed with spring water from an underground aquifer and is filled and drained every day during spring and summer.
4 – Museums
Artech House Miami
Location – 736 Collins Ave in Miami Beach
Why You Should Visit – It debuted in 2018 and is not your typical museum. Sessions are every 30 minutes and lasts for about 1 hour. Artech House uses the power of creative technology to take us into an imagine future a century from now where nature is resilient amongst an overdeveloped metropolis. This is a very cool interactive experience for visitors.
Coral Castle
Location – 28655 S Dixie Hwy in Homestead
Why You Should Visit – This castle is made entirely out of coral and how it was built is still a complete mystery and there are only theories on how it was done. At around 5 feet tall and 100 pounds, Edward Leedskalnin moved over a million pounds of coral on his own to create a castle under the guise of the night with homemade tools and with no eyewitnesses. Intended for his fiancée and to eventually create a family to enjoy his castle with, Ed actually ended up alone and his unrequited love never accepted his invitation to visit. The tour is really interesting and very detailed and this work of wonder is truly incredible.
Frost Science Aquarium And Planetarium
Location – 1101 Biscayne Blvd in Miami
Why You Should Visit – In the heart of Downtown Miami is the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science by the water. It has 4 buildings: the Aquarium, the Frost Planetarium, and the North and West Wings. This science center educates you on everything about the Florida sea life as well as The Everglades, and from human cells to outer space. There is a large diversity of scientific topics that the Frost Science Center covers and you can learn so much in one place here. There are a lot of interactive and hands-on activities here and you can spend at least half a day at this facility – for sure one of the best things to do in Miami!
Museum Of Illusions Miami
Location – 536 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach
Why You Should Visit – With about 45 minutes to spare while you’re visiting Lincoln Road Mall, you can take photo of yourselves at this fun and colorful optical illusion photo backdrops. It’s fun to try at least once in your life! Kids will definitely enjoy this, although it was mostly millennials when I visited!
World Erotic Art Museum
Location – 1205 Washington Ave in Miami Beach
Why You Should Visit – Located in the Art Deco district, tourists get a kick out of this X-rated museum. You’ll find literally anything and everything related to sex here, and it’s so Miami. There are over 4,000 pieces of fine erotic art dating from 300 BC until now.
Wynwood Walls
Location – 266 NW 26th St in Miami
Why You Should Visit – Wynwood Walls is an outdoor museum that brings together the world’s greatest artists creating graffiti and street art. The murals are constantly changing and you can really see their artistic capabilities and creative minds at work.
Vizcaya Museum And Gardens
Location – 3251 S Miami Ave in Miami
Why You Should Visit – One of my favorite best things to do in Miami was visiting the Vizcaya Gardens. Formerly the waterfront estate of John Deering, this National Historic Landmark basically transports you to Europe. It has all the European vibes with its Italian Renaissance gardens and the architecture and landscape is influenced by the Mediterranean Revival style. The villa has more than 70 rooms with beautifully decorated interiors with numerous antiques. This extravagant estate also offers the opportunity for weddings and events. This is truly a gem in South Florida!
5 – Best Neighborhoods To Visit In Miami
Coconut Grove
Also known as The Grove, it is home to a mix of restaurants, shops at CocoWalk, and hotels. It is also the 2nd most expensive neighborhood in Miami so you’ll see plenty of luxurious houses here. In the 1870s, a lot of Bahamians came to this area enticed by the almost free land so now there is a good mix of Bahamian and Bohemian vibes here. And of course, it is by the water as well.
Little Havana
You can truly experience the Cuban culture in this vibrant neighborhood with its displays of art, lifestyle, and energetic restaurants. It is the best known Cuban exile neighborhood in the world, so if you can’t get to Cuba – this is a good second option. Its street life, artwork, and music is present everywhere you go, especially with social, cultural, and political activity in the area. Little Havana is on the list of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of 11 Most Endangered Places and it is also declared as a national treasure.
6 – Other Fun Activities To Do In Miami
Concerts
I love going to concerts in Miami since they have all the best reggaetón artists in one place and it’s so great to see them live. There’s always different concerts at the FTX Arena (formerly American Airlines Arena) and there’s usually smaller or random free concerts all around Miami. If you can find an artist that you like, it’s definitely worth going!
Miami Heat Game
If you’re in Miami, the best thing a sports lover can do is attend a Miami Heat Game at the FTX Arena. Locals are diehard Heat fans and you can also see a lot of their license plates with their signature Heat logo.
Other Events
Miami is known for their events – ranging from the club scene and the South Beach Seafood Festival and SOBE Food And Wine Festival to the famous yearly Art Basel where celebrities and the rich from all over the world fly in to splurge on their next art piece. There are also plenty of other unique pop-up events.
Ready to become a local yourself? Here’s a City Guide To Living In Miami And Its Neighborhoods!