The Top 10 Things To Do In Miami, FL
Miami has beaches, weather, diversity, and vibrancy. Visit Little Havana and check out the Urban Graffiti Museum to gain a feel for its cultural roots. Go to a sports game, Vizcaya’s Gardens, and of course, we have to mention twice, the sizzling beaches!
Enjoying the view from the top deck of the bus tour.
#10 - Hop on Hop off Bus Tour
Bring your sunscreen and hop on for a tour of exciting Miami! We always enjoy taking these tours on the first day to learn more about the city and get the lay of the land. See the gorgeous beaches and experience the Cuban culture as you move through the streets of this famous city. Spot the street art and celebrity Read Morehouses as you pass by.
#9 - Miami Beach
Endless stretches of sparkling sand, sun, and warm water? Yes, please! Unlike the cold Pacific, Miami has the refreshing Atlantic Ocean. No need for a wetsuit here, just jump right in and splash away. Tan, surf, water ski, whatever your beach pleasure, partake here on the famous Miami beaches. There are a ton of Read Moreshopping and dining options along the nearby Collins Street. We grabbed lunch at Naked Taco, which offered a unique atmosphere and delicious Mexican food. Food, shopping, and wonderfully warm ocean water, it doesn’t get much better than that.
#8 - Marlins Baseball Game at loanDepot Park
Have we mentioned baseball? We are always up for catching a game, and this stadium, with its retractable roof, allows for a refreshing time out of the Florida sun and humidity. It is located in Little Havana, slightly outside of downtown, but offers sweeping views of the city skyline. Its construction, finished in 2012, was Read Moredesigned with a modern approach in mind, as well as a fun atmosphere to reflect that of its home city. This is why you can find a pool and entertainment area, two fish aquariums, and a Taste of Miami Foodcourt. Not to mention its colorful 75-foot structure that now rests outside the stadium. That structure used to sit beyond the left-center field fence and would come to life with moving waves, marlins, and other marine life when the team hit a home run. Be sure to visit their bobblehead museum in centerfield, which features over 500 collectibles all bobbling thanks to the vibrating shelves. We particularly enjoyed the smaller stadium feel and friendly customer service at this ballpark.
#7 - Bayside Marketplace
Conveniently located between the FTX Arena and Bayfront Park is the premier shopping and dining destination in Miami, the Bayside Marketplace. The locale features some of the usual touristy dining options, like Bubba Gump Shrimp Company and the Hard Rock Cafe. They also have a ton of dessert Read Moreoptions like ice cream, gelato, churros, and bubble tea. It’s also a great place to do some shopping if you're looking for new clothes, shoes, souvenirs, electronics, and more. Stop in for dinner before taking in a nearby event or come for some shopping and grab an afternoon pick-me-up.
Image provided by the Miami Seaquarium.
#6 - Miami Seaquarium
While in Miami, try out this 38-acre world-class marine-life theme park! Home to dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, penguins, and more, this attraction is sure to amaze! Catch spectacular shows or get up close and personal with one of their many animal encounter experiences. Located near Downtown Miami, this park is Read Moreone of fun and education! Learn about wildlife rescue and marine animal care, while enjoying special events and dining. Enjoy observing the killer whale or manatee exhibits or trekking through a living reef. This is especially a great place for kids!
A huge boat docked just outside of our Miami hotel.
#5 - Water Activities
Whatever your fancy, Miami is a full beach experience! Enjoy the warm Atlantic waters in any way you’d like. Choose from the many rental options for snorkeling, boating, jet skiing, paddle boarding, and tubing. Experience excitement while parasailing, flyboarding, or windsurfing at any one of Miami’s Read Moreinfamous beaches. We recommend looking at the endless options ahead of time to get the best deal.
Some beautiful graffiti art in Miami.
#4 - Wynwood Walls & Urban Graffiti Art Museum
Fascinate yourself while exploring the many masterful exhibits this urban art museum has to offer. Peruse the walls of over 80,000 square feet of sensational graffiti and street artists’ works. Best of all...it’s free! Located in the Wynwood district of Miami, the murals displayed here feature innovative street artists’ Read Moremasterpieces with more than 40 amazing murals that draw inspiration from around the world! Art buff or not, this is a fun place to visit that draws you into the art itself. When taking the Red Bus Tour, you will see just how important street art is to the Miami culture. It is featured all around the city! The Wynwood Walls Art Museum succeeds at capturing this piece of culture and tradition.
Some gorgeous flowers.
#3 - Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
A National Historic Landmark and museum, this immense villa was built around 1916 and was the estate of James Deering, a prominent businessman and agriculturist. The museum contains much of the original furniture and artwork designed for the Italian Renaissance era. It features 10 acres of lush gardens, Read Morenative woodlands, and a historic village. This is a nice place to visit if you appreciate history, architecture, or nature. From downtown, you can easily reach this destination by the Vizcaya Station of the Miami Metrorail.
An outside view of FTX Arena.
#2 - Heat Basketball Game at FTX Arena
Home of the Miami Heat, FTX Arena hosts 40+ Heat basketball games a year as well as many other concerts and shows. The venue opened on New Year’s Eve in 1999 with a concert by Gloria Estefan, who grew up in the area. Two days later, the arena hosted its first Heat game, where the Heat defeated the Orlando Read MoreMagic. In conjunction with its previous naming rights sponsorship, American Airlines had an aircraft bearing its logo painted on the roof. It was so large that it was visible to planes taking off or landing at the nearby Miami International Airport! American Airlines didn’t renew its sponsorship, so the stadium is now known as the FTX Arena. We recommend taking advantage of the Metrorail or the free-to-ride Metromover to get to the arena, as parking is limited to 939 spaces. All in all, a great, modern place to catch a game or a concert that’s in the city and close to many other attractions (very close to the Bayside Marketplace).
Some Little Havana street art to welcome visitors to the area.
#1 - Little Havana
A vibrant stop along the Red Tour Bus route, Little Havana captures the essence of Miami’s Cuban culture and history. Bustling with restaurants, music, bars, a theater, street life, and many cultural events, this is a must-stop on your trip. Peruse the art galleries and boutiques, sample the Cuban coffee, and take in one Read Moreof its many famous festivals or parades. You can stroll along the Calle Ocho or Walk of Fame to learn more about the rich Cuban history, arts, and culture of the city. Be sure to grab a scoop and a pic for ‘gram at Azucar Ice Cream Company. Loved by locals and a testament to the American dream, you will find incredible hidden treasures in this can’t-miss neighborhood.
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Miami Travel Tips Frequently Asked Questions
What you need to know before going to Miami? If visiting during the summer months, definitely be prepared for the heat, with the added bonus of high humidity. But, the water at the beach is warm and super refreshing. Unlike beaches on the West Coast of the country, a good amount of people will spend their beach day mostly in the water. Dress appropriately, and if you’re going to experience the nightlife, Read Moredress to impress and expect to be up late as the parties don’t really get going until late into the evening.
How do tourists get around in Miami? Public transportation can be a bit spotty in Miami, so we’d recommend taking advantage of ride-share services. It takes longer than you think to travel from the downtown area and Miami Beach, and vice-versa, so you will definitely need quick, reliable rides.
How many days are enough to explore Miami? We recommend at least three full days in Miami. There’s so much to do in this city when you consider that tours, sporting events, shopping, and more are all readily available. On top of all the great attractions, you’ll want to spend some relaxing in or around the ocean!
Should I bring cash to Miami? We always recommend bringing some cash on a trip for tipping or for those rare occasions when a small business doesn’t take cards. Miami falls in line with that strategy, and for the most part credit and debit cards are widely accepted.
How much money do you need for 3 days in Miami? Not including hotel or flight expenses, you should definitely allot some of your resources to food, shopping, and tickets. $100-$200 a day should cover it, depending on what is on your itinerary. Some lower-cost activities include checking out street art or spending the day laying on the sand at the beach.