Top Attractions in Miami: A Sunshine-Fueled Adventure
Miami’s glittering waters and skyline captivate the imagination and the soul. People treasure South Florida for its sandy beaches and colorful cultural attractions. Life never cools down, and it’s not just the tropical heat. Nonstop entertainment awaits. The hardest part is knowing where to begin exploring. Dive into our hand-picked listicle of must-visit spots to spice up your Miami days!
South Beach
The quintessential Miami hotspot, when people think “Miami,” they’re really picturing South Beach: the roaring Atlantic washing ashore on the beaches, the brightly painted art deco buildings, the palm-tree-lined streets, the itsy-bitsy bikinis on tanned models.
A stop at South Beach is a must to get to know Miami. The experience is more than the beaches, brightly painted lifeguard stands, and resorts. Miami Beach is a nine-mile barrier island, and the South Beach area runs from South Pointe Park to 23rd Street. The main drag is the iconic Ocean Drive, where the resorts’ geometric designs and bright-colored art deco architecture pop. The style has made South Beach an icon on movie and television screens.
Some of Miami’s finest contemporary eateries and lively nightlife line Ocean Drive. Dine at the streetside cafes and indulge in some people-watching. Or, shop till you drop at the mile-long Lincoln Road Mall. It’s a collection of brand-name and independent boutiques.
Art is part of Miami’s lifeblood, and South Beach glitters with free expression and creativity. The Art Deco architecture is part of it, but so are the world-class museums, like The Bass Museum and the Woldfonian-FIU Museum. Marvel at the “Art Outside” exhibition in Collins Park or public installations at the prized South Pointe Park. Catch street performers at Lincoln Road, Ocean Drive, or Espanola Way.
For a serene end to your day exploring South Beach, visit South Pointe Park. A local favorite, South Pointe’s waterfront walkway has a full Miami skyline view. And it’s fun to watch the luxurious yachts and cruise ships using the Port of Miami.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Step back in time at the opulent Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Coconut Grove. Once a winter retreat for an affluent businessman, this Italian Renaissance-style villa is now a National Historic Landmark. The venue is now a stunning public art museum adorned with European antiques and surrounded by exquisite gardens. Hands down, it is listed time and again as one of Miami’s top attractions.
The house and grounds are stunning, but the galleries and gardens are highly curated and top-quality. Collections include artifacts from Pompeii up through the Prohibition period of American history. The elaborate gardens follow a style from the 17th and 18th centuries, where each area was envisioned as a “room.” The grounds include a Theater, Maze, Fountain, and Secret garden. Across South Miami Avenue awaits Vizcaya Village, once part of the original estate with buildings supporting the massive estate’s operations. Explore staff quarters, garages, workshops, and greenhouses.
Vizcaya sits on the bayfront and has incredible views of the water and sunsets. Come once for a reception, and it’s abundantly clear why locals love the landmark.
Wynwood Walls
Miami’s Wynwood district already has a worldwide reputation as a creative haven, as it’s part of Art Basel Miami. Inside this hip district, the Wynwood Walls are a canvas of urban masterpieces. Their creation helped catapult the district’s urban revitalization work and cemented its place as a creative oasis.
Think of it as a street art museum. Wander an outdoor gallery spanning 35,000 square feet showcasing large-scale works by some of the world’s best street artists. Today, the walls are a colorful homage to Miami’s creative spirit. This former warehouse district draws three million visitors annually to admire works by artists from 21 countries.
Miami Design District
The Miami Design District is a one-of-a-kind cultural nexus that pushes the envelope of everything creative. It’s a neighborhood devoted to fashion, architecture, art, design, and fashion.
A visit here is a choose-your-own-adventure. Do you love high fashion and luxury brands? You’ll have quite the day exploring the name brands and high fashion stores, which include Alexandar McQueen, Chanel, Dior, and Hermes–to name a few. The collections span home decor design showrooms, luxury automobiles, specialty items, and jewelry.
However, the Miami Design District is more than just a luxury shopping center. Art awaits around every corner—from the modern building designs to the stunning public “Fly Eye Dome.” Everything here is about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Don’t miss ICA Miami for contemporary art or the comprehensive De La Cruz Collection Museum. The district has ten art galleries, not counting the extensive public art installations.
The innovation extends from fashion and art to what’s on the plate. Book a table at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Miami’s 2-star Michelin restaurant, or one of the District’s other Michelin Award recipients: Cote or Le Jadinier. Eight other restaurants and a food hall complement these and elevate Miami’s global flavors, often with seasonal and market-driven ingredients.
Biscayne National Park
Don’t just live beside the water; dive into it at one of Florida’s National Parks. Biscayne National Park is worth the drive or the boat ride from central Miami to explore coral reefs, mangrove forests, and Florida’s marine life. Over 95% of this park lies under the water. What’s hiding there promises to leave you awestruck–four centuries of shipwrecks and some of the continental US’s only coral reef and lobstering grounds.
Inside the park is the Maritime Heritage Trail, a collection of six shipwrecks curated by the park service to encourage visits and educate about the park’s history. The shipwrecks have dedicated moorings to prevent site damage, in-water interpretive plaques, and unparalleled opportunities to see colorful tropical marine life for yourself. Three sites are ideal for certified Scuba diving, while the other three are accessible for snorkeling.
If you don’t have a boat, eco-adventure operators run tours and experiences in the park. Some locations offer canoe and kayak rentals to explore the park’s mangrove habitat.
Coral Castle Museum
Add a visit to the Taj Mahal of South Florida to your Miami things to do. Coral Castle Museum features an enigmatic sculpture garden carved from over 1,100 tons of coral rock.
This marvel of ingenuity and heartbreak is shrouded in mystery and allure. Ed Leedskalnin constructed the Coral Castle as a monument to a lost love. What makes it so mysterious is no one knows how the man built the park. With no machinery or outside help, Ed carved, sculpted, and moved the coral blocks for over 28 years. He even shifted the creation from his original home to Homestead. How he did it solo and without any witnesses remains unknown.
Frost Museum of Science
Perfect for inquisitive minds of all ages, the Frost Museum of Science is a collection of interactive exhibits, a state-of-the-art planetarium, and an awe-inspiring three-level aquarium. A day spent here is one of discovery at its most dynamic. Find the complex on the downtown Miami waterfront: a planetarium, aquarium, and two wings. The main building is a work of art and engineering with innovative storm resiliency and energy efficiency features.
Wander three levels of its aquarium. The habitat takes you through the South Florida mangrove ecosystems into the deep Gulf waters. Touch a stingray or watch sharks glide overhead.
The hands-on learning is extended in the galleries, where cutting-edge research from the University of Miami is displayed. Find labs on the human body and an adventure that takes you from feathered dinosaurs to space flight. For those with kids, a visit to the Frost is a must.
Rickenbacker Trail
Active travelers, grab your bikes and revel in the exquisite views along the Rickenbacker Trail. This waterfront path stretches across prime Miami waterfront. As you cycle across the Causeway, the jewel-toned waters of Biscayne Bay accent the majestic Miami skyline views. The trail has access points to destinations like Virginia Key, the Miami Seaquarium, Crandon Park Beach and Golf Course, and Key Biscayne. Bike from downtown to the Baggs Cape Florida State Park and visit its stunning lighthouse. It’s worth an easy cycle to check out all the sights on a cool winter day.
Venetian Pool
Experience the unique charm of the Venetian Pool. Opened in 1924 as part of a casino, the Mediterrean-styled Venetian Pool has two waterfalls and grottos that await exploration. With its Italian-inspired architecture and cool spring-fed waters, this historic public pool in Coral Gables is a refreshing retreat unlike any other in the world. The Florida aquifer replenishes the water each day, amounting to an impressive 820,000 gallons. It’s the only swimming pool on the National Register of Historic Places.
Things to Do in Miami
It’s like living in a playground in a place as dynamic as Miami. Adventure awaits at every corner, inviting you to dive into tropical waters or to connect with your artistic side. The top attractions in Miami showcase the city’s diversity of things to do. Best of all, most are open all year, thanks to the tropical weather. So get out there and explore the best of Miami.
