In Miami, there’s plenty to see, do, and experience. It’s a beautiful coastal city with a dynamic downtown. Whether you want to spend the whole day on the beach, visit museums, or take a bike tour, Miami offers it all. We’ve compiled a list of exciting activities for you.
1. Day trip to the Bahamas
If you’re in the area, a visit to the Bahamas is a must. The Bahamas offer stunning exotic beaches and lush nature. You can easily combine a city trip to Miami with a day trip to the Bahamas. The ferry is an option for crossing and takes an average of 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can choose to fly, which takes about an hour. However, the ferry is ultimately the quickest option. You don’t have to travel to/from the airport, check in, or lug your baggage around. Book a boat trip and enjoy.
There are various organizations where you can book the trip. It’s advisable to book a separate ticket, which costs an average of € 85 per person. If you book through an excursion, you’ll pay at least double without getting much extra in return.
If you love animals, don’t miss Major Cay, also known as Pig Beach. This is a beach where you can swim with pigs.
2. Cycling in Miami
When you arrive in Miami, you’ll immediately notice that many people are cycling. Whether it’s along the boulevard or in Downtown Miami, cycling is popular. The weather in Miami is almost always delightful, so what better outdoor activity than cycling with the sun on your shoulders? Renting a bike in Miami is incredibly easy. You have various options.
You can also rent a Citi Bike, which we’ve mentioned on our city trip page. However, it’s highly recommended to first book a guided bike tour. This can be done through Baja Bikes. The bike tour organized by Baja Bikes costs about € 50 and lasts an hour and a half. You’ll explore the city with your enthusiastic guide who knows everything about Miami, in a group of two to fifteen other participants. For every fifteen participants, a guide is provided. If you’re traveling with a group of twenty, you’ll go with two guides.
Why Baja Bikes
Baja Bikes has been around for many years and offers hundreds of guided bike tours worldwide daily. In many destinations, including Miami, it is the number one bike tour in the city. The bike tour is highly ranked by enthusiastic participants for various reasons.
Firstly, you’re always paired with a fantastic guide. A guide who knows the area well and with whom you’ll immediately feel safe. A fun local guide who knows all the ins and outs of the area you’ll be cycling through. You’ll learn more about the culture and history of the city. Additionally, the tour is very child-friendly. There are children’s bikes available for kids from 5 years old, and it’s also possible to book a child seat. Tandems can also be booked in Miami, and helmets are available.
What you’ll visit during the Baja Bikes bike tour
The bike tour takes place in South Beach. You start in the vibrant Art Deco district. This tour does not cross the bridge to Downtown Miami. However, you’ll cycle through various charming neighborhoods like Little Havana. You’ll also ride along the longest street in South Beach, called Ocean Drive. You’ll visit Star Island and the Miami Beach Marina.
Is Miami a safe city for cycling
Miami is definitely a safe city for cycling. The American city of Miami ranks eighth among the safest cycling cities in America. Considering how large America is, you can understand that Miami has a very high ranking. Especially in South Beach, where the bike tour takes place, you’ll find many bike paths along the coast.
3. Little Havana
This is a neighborhood where mainly Spanish-speaking people from the Caribbean live. You can see Caribbean influences throughout the neighborhood, from the delicious restaurants to the murals. If you love nightlife but don’t necessarily want to hit the busy dance clubs, Little Havana is a great choice. You’ll meet many locals and enjoy sultry samba music.
4. Star Island
Star Island is located in Miami Beach and is known for its very expensive villas. The villa prices range from 25 million to 75 million. In the past, many famous American actors and music stars lived here. Nowadays, many non-famous people also reside here. It’s a beautiful neighborhood to walk or cycle through.
5. The Art Deco District
The Art Deco District is located in South Beach Miami. Here, you can admire hundreds of buildings, each with its own style. Many buildings are painted in pastel shades, giving it a very pleasant and serene appearance. It fits perfectly with the surroundings, as the buildings are all very close to the beach.
Most buildings were constructed between 1925 and 1940. Over the years, many artists and fashion designers have lived in the neighborhood. The most famous fashion designer remains Gianni Versace, who was also murdered in this neighborhood, right in front of his house.
6. The Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are great to visit for a day trip. Or perhaps you want to stay overnight. The Keys are an archipelago consisting of various islands, all connected by a total of 42 bridges.
From Miami Beach, it takes about an hour and a half by car to reach the first of the Keys, Key Largo. You can take a bus from both the beach and Miami Downtown to the Keys. This is the cheapest option. You can also rent a car or visit the Keys by car. Key Largo, Islamorada, Lower Keys, and Key West are the most popular Keys and definitely worth visiting.
7. Visit Zoo Miami
The largest wildlife park in Miami, home to hundreds of different animals. If you have a passion for animals, Zoo Miami is definitely worth a visit. Gazelles, elephants, lions, camels, panthers, monkeys, zebras, lemurs, ostriches, and pink flamingos are just a few of the animals residing in this zoo.
An entrance ticket costs an average of € 20,-. They also offer family packages and there are regular promotions and discounts. The most economical option is to purchase your ticket online on the Zoo Miami website.
8. Visit HistoryMiami
If you have a great love for the history of cities and want to learn more about Miami, then HistoryMiami is the place to be. The HistoryMiami museum was established in 1940. The museum features four large galleries where you can learn all about Miami and its surroundings in an interactive way. It feels like a real journey of discovery as you walk through this museum.
As mentioned earlier, Miami has a large number of Caribbean residents. In this museum, you will learn, among other things, how this came to be and how these Cubans, Dominicans, and Puerto Ricans ended up in Miami.
9. Visit the Vizcaya Museum and wander through the unique gardens
The Vizcaya Museum is a special place to visit, but the gardens that accompany the museum are also a delight to stroll through. The museum is a mansion over a century old, housing several artworks. The location is also available for weddings and other events. Therefore, keep an eye on the website if you want to visit the museum to ensure it is open to visitors.
10. Visit a chic hotel for a luxurious pool day experience
Miami is, of course, known for its glitz and glamour. If you want to enjoy a luxurious experience, it’s highly recommended to purchase a day pass at a hotel or resort. With a day pass, you can enjoy all the luxurious facilities the hotel offers for a day, mainly lounging by the pool. Great hotels for this experience include The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, The Confidante Miami Beach, and Arlo Wynwood. Prices vary greatly per hotel. On average, you will spend between € 25,- and € 100,- for access. Sometimes this includes food and drinks. Check the Resort Pass website for options.
11. Bayfront Park and Bayside Marketplace
If you want to combine dining and shopping, head to Bayside Marketplace. It’s a very lively place where you can easily spend a day or half-day. Here, you’ll experience the real Miami.
Many street musicians, delightful Latin music, and lots of cool boutiques. You can also enjoy delicious Caribbean food here. And the great thing about this marketplace is that it’s very affordable. You can get a meal for an average of € 10,-
12. Seaquarium Miami
If you’re traveling with a family with children or have an affinity for the underwater world, the Seaquarium is a fun activity. You’ll discover many sea creatures, and you can also attend marine shows. Dolphins, orcas, and seals are eager to perform an entertaining show for you. Some people find these animal shows uncomfortable. We understand that. You can still visit the Seaquarium but spend more time in the park itself and skip these shows.
13. Take a boat tour through Miami
Taking a boat tour is always a great idea. It allows you to see the city from a whole different perspective. Sailing through the water with the tall skyscrapers in the background creates a very idyllic image. Miami has a beautiful skyline, best admired from the water. If you book an organized boat tour, you’ll usually pass by the harbor, Fisher Island, Star Island, and Biscayne Bay. You’ll be amazed.
14. Wynwood Walls
When you think of art in Miami, you quickly think of Wynwood Walls. Wynwood is a very artistic neighborhood in Downtown Miami. It’s a vibrant district where much is organized for and by local residents. One of these initiatives is the free-to-visit Wynwood Walls. This is an open-air art gallery with dozens of large murals. Some of these murals are permanent, while others are replaced annually. This continuously provides a platform for local creative artists. Wynwood Walls was established in 2009 and attracts hundreds of visitors daily. If you’re looking to take great photos for your social media, this is also a great tip!
15. Shopping in a real American mall
Miami has several large shopping malls. A big favorite among Miami locals is the Aventura Mall, while tourists often prefer the Dolphin Mall.
Both malls offer roughly the same selection, so why the difference in clientele? Aventura Mall is known for its food court. The mall has one of the best food courts in all of Miami. A food court in a mall is usually located on either the ground floor or the top floor of the mall. Here, you can eat deliciously and affordably. The food court at Aventura Mall has won many awards and is renowned for its delicious Latin American cuisine.
16. Miami Design District
The Miami Design District offers design in various forms. You can shop for expensive design items here. Brands like Christian Dior, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton have boutiques in this area. But you can also enjoy the architecture and design of the buildings. It’s a neighborhood where you can primarily find modern architecture. Many buildings are sleek white or made of glass. This creates a striking contrast with the Art Deco district on South Beach, where most buildings have flowing forms and are painted in pastel shades.
17. Take a stroll down Lincoln Road
Lincoln Road is a long promenade surrounded by palm trees. You’ll feel like you’re in a tropical paradise. It’s a promenade not only lined with tropical trees but also filled with many cafes and restaurants. It’s the perfect place for a bike ride or a walk.
18. Little Haiti
Little Haiti, much like Little Havana, is a vibrant neighborhood in Miami that focuses on a specific country. In Little Haiti, the spotlight is on Haiti. Enjoy colorful buildings in the colors of the Haitian flag, delicious Haitian cuisine, and many local Haitian street artists. Be sure to buy fruit from local fruit stalls. These so-called ‘small businesses’ can use all the support they can get. The fruit is sweet and juicy, especially the Haitian coconuts and mangoes, which you shouldn’t miss.
19. South Pointe Pier
The South Pointe Park Pier is a very popular destination among Miami locals as well as tourists. It’s a real meeting place. There’s plenty to see and do here: skating, swimming, surfing, and even fishing. You don’t need a permit; everyone is free to fish here. There’s also a turtle rescue center where turtles are cared for and released back into the wild when they’re ready.
20. Flamingo Gardens
Flamingo Gardens is a fantastic place to visit if you love flamingos. But besides flamingos, you can admire many other animals such as alligators and otters. Another big favorite is the peacock. This botanical garden is located in Fort Lauderdale, about a 45-minute drive from downtown Miami.
Ready for a visit to Florida Miami
After reading our comprehensive article and studying our ultimate list of things to do in Miami, we are convinced that you know all the important things about Miami. When you visit Miami, be sure to check out Miami South Beach, Miami North Beach, and Downtown Miami.
Are you excited about this unique, tropical destination? Then quickly look into the travel options available to get there as soon as possible. Enjoy basking in the warm Miami sun, cycling among the palm trees, and discovering new artworks at Wynwood Walls. Who wouldn’t want that!