April 11th, 2023
19 Fun Things to Do in Miami, FL
Are you visiting Miami and looking for fun things to do? We've got you covered! Check out these 19 fun things to do while you're in Miami, FL.
The city of Miami is said to be a coastal metropolis and the seat of Miami-Dade County in South Florida. The city is known for its strong Cuban influence, warm weather, beautiful beaches, and the world-famous basketball team, The Miami Heat. In 2021 alone, Miami had 15.9 million overnight visitors and an additional 8.3 million day visitors. That said, Miami is a fantastic place to live or visit.
If you're a resident of Florida, I'm sure you've run into a tourist or two. Tourism is Miami's number 1 job created, supporting almost 145,000 jobs annually. Miami has the highest tourist-to-local ratio, with 1,641 visitors to every 100 residents. So what about Miami attracts all of these people?
Miami's got everything from arts & culture to fun dining experiences to outdoor adventures. As the state's most popular vacation spot, Miami truly is a great experience for all, regardless of age.
If you have been on the hunt for fun things to do while visiting Miami, this article is for you! Continue reading to learn more about the top 19 things you should do in Miami, FL. We guarantee you'll find something for everyone to enjoy.
South Beach
Visiting South Beach while in Miami is typically on everyone's to-do list. However, there are other beautiful beaches you can visit, and South Beach is just one part of the trio offering a vibrant nightlife, shopping, spas, and a fabulous dining scene. Miami Beach is divided into three distinct neighborhoods along the Atlantic Ocean - South Beach is the most well-known. The beautiful turquoise waters and famous pastel-colored Art Deco buildings bring in countless visitors annually.
If you're not laying on the fine sand soaking up the sun, you can stroll on the pier or visit the greenspace with panoramic views of Fisher Island, PortMiami, and the Miami skyline.
Art Deco Historic District
These Pastel-colored buildings can be found throughout Miami Beach and are easy to spot. The historic district is home to that nation's largest concentration of this sleek and bright architectural style from the 1920s and 1930s. If you plan on visiting, it is located in Miami Beach between 5th Street and 23rd Street, along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, and Washington Avenue.
If you're interested in learning more about the history and the design, you can sign up for one of the daily walking tours offered by the Miami Design Preservation League.
Millionaire's Row Sightseeing Cruise
If you've heard of Miami, then you've heard of Millionaire's Row, and if you haven't ... now you have. When visiting Miami for the first time, seeing where the rich and famous live, the beautiful bay, and all Miami has to offer is exciting.
Take a 90-minute cruise through Miami's Millionaire's Row and see Biscayne Bay, all for roughly $30. Not only with you see the homes of major celebrities, but you will also have some of the best views of Miami.
Party Boat
For those that are 21+ or visiting for spring break, you might be interested in booking one of Miami's nighttime party boats. This "Booze cruise" is 2 hours long and can accommodate 38 of your friends and family.
The boat takes off at sunset and will take you past the historic mansions and villas of Star Island Miami, cruise past the famous art-deco area, and cruise through the heart of downtown past Brickell City Center along the Miami River. It's a BYOB cruise, but they provide sodas, water, cups, and ice.
Miami's party boat is perfect for large friend groups looking for a great time.
Miami Children's Museum
Visiting the Miami Children's Museum is the perfect way to entertain your kids. They have special events for the kids, interactive exhibits, and more. All of the exhibits in the museum were created with an educational goal in mind and have specific objects to accomplish it. The museum also features learning materials related to arts, culture, and the Miami community.
The mission at the museum is to enrich the lives of all children by fostering a love of learning through play and enabling children to realize their highest potential.
Little Havana
If you consider yourself a foodie and enjoy trying new things, you must visit Little Havana! The neighborhood is lined with Latin-inspired restaurants, bakeries, fruit stands, rum bars, art galleries, and music. The arts and culture bring people to the area, but the food makes people stay. The most popular restaurants in the neighborhood are La Carreta, Versailles, and Sanguich De Miami. Travelers and locals also recommend El Pub for its authentic Cuban food and low prices.
Within Little Havana, you can also visit Domino Park, known as Maimo Gomez Park. Here locals and visitors gather to talk politics over games of dominoes.
The Miami Dolphins
If you're visiting during football season, cheering on the Miami Dolphins is a fun and exciting thing to do while in Miami. The team plays at the Hard Rock Stadium, encouraging a community-oriented and welcoming fan base.
Jungle Island
Jungle Island is fun and interactive for all ages. You will experience adventure & nature, live entertainment, thrill rides, and critters! If you enjoy the thrill, be sure to check out Treetop Trekking. You will trek from tree to tree on suspended bridges surrounded by nature, Tarzan swings, swinging logs, cable traverses, and zip lines.
For your little ones, take them by the Discovery courses, where they can test their balance on the aerial courses with wooden bridges, balance logs, net walkways, zip lines, and more. The Discovery Course is for kids 5+ that are 45" tall.
The animal enclosures are a fan-favorite at Jungle Island. The enclosures include lemurs, sloths, flamingos, capybaras, giant tortoises, and kangaroos. In each of these enclosures, you will be able to meet and play with all of the animals.
Flyboard
If you love the water and new adventures, try Flyboarding. Flyboarding is a watersport that uses a jet ski to propel a flyboard into the air. Once you've gotten your footing with the instructor's help, you can "fly" on your own and perform tricks. Here's what you can expect
- Learn how to Flyboard, one of the youngest extreme watersports
- A professional instructor will teach you no matter your skill level
- Learn how to perform flyboard tricks like the dolphin and the spin
- Private transport, helmet, lifejacket, and the flyboard are included
- Be sure to wear a swimsuit and bring a towel
Jetboat
Another exhilarating water activity is riding through Miami on the famous Jetboat. This 45-minute water adventure gives you the ultimate sightseeing experience, "Miami Vice" style. In the Jetboat, you will cruise along the Miami Coastline, padding multi-million dollar mansions on Star Island, Fisher Island, and Miami Beach. You can also see the art deco district we previously talked about. This Jetboat is open 365 days a year from 11:00 AM to sunset.
Key Biscayne
If you feel like venturing out, Key Biscayne is only 15 minutes from Downtown Miami and is absolutely beautiful. This subtropic Island features sandy beaches, nature preserves, bike paths, and yummy beach restaurants. With 4 miles of adventure, Key Biscayne is the heart of the Island, with Crandon Park to the North and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park to the south.
Both of these parks feature various activities for all ages. Crandon Park has an 18-hole golf course along with 27 tennis courts. You can also enjoy water activities such as kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, kiteboarding, and windsurfing.
Bill Braags Cape Forlida Fun Park features the Cape Florida Lighthouse, where you can climb up the 109 spiral steps for a beautiful view. The tour with park entry is free and open from Thursday - Monday from 10 AM to 1 PM except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Key West
Another place you can venture out to is Key West. If you have time, you can take a tour along the Overseas Highway, which stretches 113 miles from Miami to Key West. The Florida Keys are made up of hundreds of keys (islands) and five main islands. Key West Island is the most popular. During the tour, you will take multiple stops to sightsee, visit the beaches, and taste delicious food. You won't spend all of your time sitting. During the first stop in Key Largo, you can snorkel and hike on Bahi Honda State Park Beach.
Wynwood Walls
The Wynwood Walls are fun to visit if you enjoy unique art. The Wynwood Walls is essentially an outdoor art museum spanning 80,000+ square feet of abandoned warehouse walls. They were initially founded in 2009 as a way to revitalize the neighborhood between downtown and the Design District.
The walls feature unique and eclectic Street art and graffiti from over 50 artists from 16 countries.
Zoo Miami
Zoo Miami is fun for all ages, especially kids. The zoo houses more than 3,000 animals of 500 different species. People love visiting this zoo because they don't believe in caging in the animals. Instead, they use strategically placed moats to separate the animals from the visitors. The zoo is relatively large, so if you visit, plan on walking a food amount.
Venetian Pool
Who doesn't love a dip in the pool? The Venetian Pool is a historic public pool with an Italian Village feel. The Venetian pool is the perfect relaxing getaway for those who don't want to deal with overcrowded beaches (especially during spring break). However, It is not free. If you get hungry while swimming, they have a cafe that has an assortment of food.
Miami Design District
Check out the Miami Design District for those willing to spend the money or those just looking to explore the grandeur lifestyle. You will be submersed in luxury brand stores, including Gucci, Flight Club, and Prada. If you're visiting to explore and window shop, they also have an abundance of art and beautiful architecture to view.
Bayside Marketplace
Another place to shop and explore is Bayside Marketplace, known as "a one-stop shop for all Miami souvenirs." They have roughly 100 shops and dining options to keep everyone entertained. It's not as luxurious as the Design District but features well-known stores such as Gap and Victoria's Secret and fun dining such as Bubba Hump Shrimp Company. From here, you can also get on the jetboat tour, as well as take a spin around the Ferris wheel.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
As one of the top museums in Miami, visitors rave about the museum and gardens, saying it was the highlight of their trip. Here you will see a wide variety of art from the 15th to the 19th century, and of course, the gorgeous gardens.
Brickell City Center
In the heart of downtown, you will find Brickell City Center. This open complex gives the area style, beautiful architecture, and entertainment. You will be met with over 100 different retail stores, restaurants, and cinema options for all to enjoy. Even though you're surrounded by tall buildings, essentially creating a tunnel, they have installed a climate ribbon that works to lower the temperature while exploring.
Best Things to Do in Miami, FL - Final Thoughts
Miami, FL, has everything from glamour to beaches to stimulating activities. No matter the time of year, there is always something fun to do, partially due to their gorgeous weather. If you prefer laid-back activities, soak up the sun at the beaches, visit museums and art galleries, or even the multiple gardens. For more adventurous activities, take a tasty tour through Little Havana, enjoy Jungle Island, or spend the day shopping and exploring at Bayside Marketplace. No matter the age, you are sure to find something fun and exciting to do while visiting Miami, FL.
If you're interested in moving to Miami, you're at the right place. We are more than happy to connect you to one of our phenomenal agents and begin the process of finding your dream home! Feel free to contact us or continue exploring our website to learn more about Miami and the surrounding areas.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I am a REALTOR®. My goal is to help you learn more about real estate through our Real Estate Blog! Hopefully, you enjoyed the above blog post and it found a way to provide help or value to you. When you're ready to buy or sell a home of your own let us know here. Please feel free to join the conversation by dropping us a comment below.
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