What to Do in Miami: Beaches, Art, Everglades and Food

Why go to Miami

Miami gives you warm turquoise water and soft sand on one side, and a serious arts and food scene on the other. You can spend a morning on the beach, an afternoon in a museum and an evening eating your way through Little Havana.^{⁠[2],[3],[5]}

It suits almost any style of traveler: family-friendly attractions, museums, outdoor adventures and spas are all on the menu. The region also has year-round sunshine and championship-winning teams, so sports fans have plenty to watch.^⁠[2]

The history runs deep, from the native Seminole, Miccosukee and Tequesta tribes to the early homesteaders who settled in South Dade at the turn of the 20th century. You will see that mix in the neighborhoods, the food and the music.^⁠[2]

The sights you'll want to plan around

These are the places worth building a day around. Miami has an exciting year-round lineup of events and festivals, so check dates and book tickets or tours ahead where you can.^⁠[2]

• Wynwood Walls: a world-famous collection of mural-covered streets where you can take selfies. Official tours of the Walls are available, and Miami's Best Graffiti Guide runs Wynwood mural tours led by local artists.^⁠[3],[4]
• The Bass, PAMM, Museum of Miami and Wynwood Walls are among the best things to see in Miami. PAMM pairs contemporary art with hanging gardens and bay breezes.^⁠[2],[3]
• Vizcaya Museum & Gardens: grand rooms and lush gardens spilling down to Biscayne Bay.^⁠[3]
• The Venetian Pool: a spring-fed swimming hole carved from an old coral rock quarry, with waterfalls and grottoes.^⁠[3]
• Skyviews Miami: an observation wheel at Bayside Marketplace with views of the bay and skyline.^⁠[3]
• Superblue: an immersive experience of light and mirrors.^⁠[3]
• The Museum of Ice Cream: home of the famous sprinkle pool you can jump into.^⁠[3]

For a classic Miami walk, join the Miami Design Preservation League's Art Deco Walking Tour in South Beach. Tours depart from the Art Deco Welcome Center at 10th Street and Ocean Drive.^⁠[4]

Neighborhoods worth wandering

Miami is a city of distinct neighborhoods, and neighborhood and heritage walking tours share the stories, flavors and cultures of Miami's heritage neighborhoods from Little Havana to Little Haiti.^⁠[4]

• Little Havana: go for salsa dancing and a lively evening. Mambo Mondays at Ball & Chain run from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. with free admission, and the Latin dance nights there are also free.^⁠[2],[8]
• Coconut Grove: Miami's oldest neighborhood, with a laid-back, tropical vibe and bohemian charm.^⁠[1]
• Coral Gables: Miracle Mile's boutiques, the Venetian Pool and the Biltmore Hotel.^⁠[1]
• Miami Design District: luxury shopping with iconic designer boutiques, acclaimed restaurants and striking public art. It works like an open-air museum, and strolling it is like visiting a free outdoor art museum.^⁠[5],[10]
• Allapattah: an art scene with MICHELIN restaurants plus diverse dining and nightlife.^⁠[1]
• Bal Harbour Village: home to Bal Harbour Shops, luxury resorts and white sand beaches.^⁠[1]
• Aventura: shopping and dining plus nature adventures at Oleta State Park.^⁠[1]
• Bay Harbor Islands: a small, quaint community with plenty of great shopping and fine dining.^⁠[1]

If you want a guided introduction, neighborhood and heritage walking tours share the stories, flavors and cultures of Miami's heritage neighborhoods from Little Havana to Little Haiti. HistoryMiami also runs Little Havana Cultural Tours, often hosted by local historian Dr. Paul George.^⁠[4]

Beyond the famous sights: parks, gardens and the Everglades

Miami-Dade County has over 280 parks, and they range from lush green spaces and beaches to marinas and golf courses. A few are worth a special trip.^⁠[2],[11]

• Everglades National Park: about an hour's drive from Downtown Miami. You can hike, paddle, or take a boat or tram tour, and you are nearly guaranteed to spot alligators basking at the water's edge. The park is home to more than 360 bird species. The dry season runs from November through March.^⁠[7],[12]
• Shark Valley: the first entry point from Miami into the Everglades, a straight 40-mile drive from Calle Ocho along the Tamiami Trail. A looping 15-mile road reveals waterways, tall grasses and mangrove islets; you can take a guided tram tour or rent a bike onsite.^⁠[12]
• Biscayne National Park: 95% underwater, with turquoise water and coral reefs to explore. Snorkeling is one of the best ways to see it.^{⁠[2],[3],[7]}
• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: stroll amid rare palms, aromatic fruits and flowering trees.^⁠[2]
• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park: a 15-minute drive from Downtown Miami, with over a mile of beach open for swimming and the 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse. Lighthouse tours run at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Thursday through Monday, and you climb 109 spiral steps to the balcony. There are no lifeguards on duty.^⁠[6]
• Oleta River State Park: a protected river estuary with tangled, tidal mangroves where you can paddle.^⁠[11]

Food and drink worth seeking out

Miami's food scene runs from Cuban counters to MICHELIN-starred dining. The Design District alone has restaurants like L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, COTE Miami and Le Jardinier, plus names like Milan's Le Specialità and Mother Wolf.^⁠[10]

• COTE Miami is the Miami outpost of COTE NYC, a Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-nominated Korean steakhouse. It has been serving Korean cuisine in the Design District since February 2021.^⁠[5]
• Michael's Genuine Food & Drink: James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz's flagship neighborhood bistro, built on fresh seasonal ingredients and warm hospitality.^⁠[5]
• Miami Culinary Tours: walking food tours in Little Havana, South Beach, Wynwood and the Miami Design District, where you sample signature dishes from restaurants locals favor.^⁠[4]
• Schnebly Redland's Winery & Brewery: adults can spend an afternoon sipping wine and beer made with local tropical fruits.^⁠[2]
• Miami Spice: specially-priced three-course meals at top eateries for lunch or brunch and dinner, running now through October 31.^⁠[1],[2]
• NMB Bites 2026: North Miami Beach Restaurant Month, running daily through October 30, with prix-fixe menus across restaurants, cafés, bakeries and lounges.^⁠[1]

For a night out, you can go salsa dancing in Little Havana or relax in an artsy cocktail bar.^⁠[2]

What's on when you visit

Miami has an exciting year-round lineup of events and festivals, so it is worth checking dates before you book.^⁠[2]

• Miami Spice: through October 31, with specially-priced three-course meals at top eateries.^⁠[1],[2]
• The Black Lagoon Pop Up: daily through October 31, 2026 at The Sylvester.^⁠[1]
• NMB Bites 2026: North Miami Beach Restaurant Month, daily through October 30, 2026.^⁠[1]
• NASCAR Championship Weekend: November 6–8, 2026, when the NASCAR Cup Series comes to Miami.^⁠[1],[2]
• Doja Cat: performs on November 11.^⁠[2]
• Miami Beach Polo World Cup: November 12–15.^⁠[2]
• Art Basel Miami Beach: December 4–6, 2026, alongside Miami Art Week satellite fairs. The public art and exhibitions in the Design District change during Miami Art Week every December.^⁠[1],[10]

Getting around Miami

The Airport Area suits travelers on business, on a layover, or exploring the city.^⁠[1]

For getting between areas, Miami has a dedicated transportation guide that covers your options. If you are heading to the Everglades, it takes only about an hour to drive from Downtown Miami to the park.^⁠[1],[12]

If you are cruising, you can plan a few extra days before or after your cruise from Miami to explore the destination. Miami also has a dedicated guide for cruising from Miami.^⁠[1],[2]

Saving money: passes, free days and free things

Miami offers free activities regardless of budget.^⁠[2]

• Go City Miami Pass: a single digital mobile pass giving admission to over 25 top attractions. There are two options: the All-Inclusive pass, which saves up to 50% off retail prices and lets you do as much as you want each day, and the Explorer pass, which saves up to 50% on admission to 2, 3, 4 or 5 attractions of your choice and lets you take up to 60 days to use it.^⁠[9]
• Miami attraction deals: special discounts such as admission savings and BOGO deals on various experiences.^⁠[2],[3]

Several free options are worth building into your plan:^⁠[2]

• Miami Beach Botanical Garden: a three-acre landscape of native vegetation, open every day except Monday, with free admission and a self-guided audio tour. Well-mannered, leashed dogs are welcome and Wi-Fi is available.^⁠[8]
• The Underline: a linear park below the Metrorail tracks converted into a biking and walking path with spaces for outdoor workouts. It is always free, and Family Day takes place on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon with online registration required.^⁠[8]
• Free museum admission: the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami in the Design District offers free admission, and general admission to the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami in Coral Gables is free. A number of museums throughout Miami offer free admission on select days.^⁠[8]
• Free self-guided tours: use the Experience Miami Beach tour app for Apple and Android to take free self-guided arts and culture tours, including the Art Deco Architecture Tour along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue, and the Wynwood Art District Walk.^⁠[8]
• Free outdoor concerts and art: Jazz at MOCA is a free outdoor concert series on the last Friday of every month at the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami. The Fountainhead Arts Residency Open House in Morningside is held every month and is free.^⁠[8]
• Public art: Miami's Art in Public Places program provides access to more than 650 public art pieces in parks and buildings.^⁠[8]
• Free yoga: classes are offered throughout Miami for all skill levels. Bring your own mat, water and towel; classes are free but participants customarily make donations, and you must be 18 or older.^⁠[8]
• Parks: South Pointe Park offers views of Fisher Island, ships sailing from PortMiami and the Downtown Miami skyline, plus a water playground for kids. Peacock Park in Coconut Grove has nine acres of green space and unobstructed views of Biscayne Bay. Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah has 515 acres including five lakes, a petting zoo and a farm village, with free admission to the petting zoo and farm village on weekdays.^⁠[8]

Plan the trip your way

Miami has dedicated guides for accessible travel, pet-friendly travel, LGBTQ travel, family-friendly travel, international travel, transportation, cruising, spa and wellness, outdoor experiences, music and nightlife, and arts and culture. Use the one that fits your trip.^⁠[1]

Visitors of all abilities will find many accessible attractions in Miami. At Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, beach wheelchairs and a swimming wheelchair are available free on a first come, first served basis at the bicycle rental area.^⁠[3],[6]

You can sign up for a newsletter and view a vacation planning guide, and visitor centers are available for trip planning.^⁠[1]

Questions people ask