Hello and welcome back to my Florida trip. This is my 2nd visit to Florida. Last time I visited Orlando with my friends, and this time our destination is Miami.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best things to do in Miami. This city is amazing to explore and perfect for creating beautiful memories for the future. So without wasting any time, let’s get started.
Best 5 Things to Do in Miami With Family That I Recommend
✈️ Take the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
✈️ Visit the Frost Science Museum
✈️ Pop Into the Pérez Art Museum (PAMM)
✈️ Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
✈️ Explore Brickell — Miami’s Financial Heart
1. Start at Bayside Marketplace
Whenever I arrive in Miami, my first stop is always Bayside Marketplace. It’s located right on the water’s edge, and the atmosphere immediately gives you that Miami feel.
There are various restaurants and bars here, including a famous daiquiri bar where you can relax with a tropical drink while watching the boats cruising on Biscayne Bay.
It is also the main hub for many city tours — the Big Bus double-decker, various boat tours, and ferry rides all depart from here. On the edge of the Marketplace you’ll find the Hard Rock Cafe, where dining is always a great experience. It’s a bit touristy, but in a fun and enjoyable way.
2. Ride the Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel
Right next to Bayside is the Skyviews Observation Wheel — a Ferris wheel about 200 feet tall that sparkles with beautiful lights at night. The best time to visit is during golden hour or at night, when the entire city is lit up and the reflection of the lights on Biscayne Bay looks stunning.
A single ride lasts about 12 to 15 minutes, and the gondolas are fully enclosed and air-conditioned, which provides great relief in Miami’s heat.
As of 2026, adult tickets cost around $24 to $25, so if you see the old $17 price anywhere, it’s now considered outdated. There’s also a VIP glass-floor gondola option if you’re looking for something special and memorable.
3. Take the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
If this is your first visit, I’d really say the Big Bus tour is the best investment for you. This tour covers the city’s major sights from South Beach to Little Havana. You can get off the bus wherever you want, explore at your leisure, and then hop back on the next bus when you’re ready.
Adult tickets currently start at around $45, and for a full day of sightseeing without worrying about parking or navigation, that price seems quite reasonable.
I personally love sitting on the open-air deck of the bus, especially when it passes the Port of Miami. Seeing the massive cruise ships up close is truly an amazing experience.
Wynwood is also a stop on this tour, so you can use this bus tour as an easy base for exploring the city all day.
4. See the Port of Miami and Its Cruise Ships
Port of Miami is counted among the busiest cruise ship hubs in the world. I was lucky enough to see the Icon of the Seas docking there during one of my visits, and the ship’s actual size is something photos simply can’t fully capture.
Even if you’re not taking a cruise, watching these massive ships dock from a Big Bus tour or any waterfront spot becomes a memorable experience in itself.
5. Spend Time at South Beach (Miami Beach)
South Beach probably needs little introduction. When people hear the name Miami, this is usually the beach that comes to mind—beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, outdoor dining, and an atmosphere that’s hard to replicate.
I went there in February, and that day people were actually swimming and sunbathing, which suggests that the weather here can be quite pleasant even in winter.
However, during the cooler months Miami can sometimes get a bit chilly, so it’s wise to bring a light jacket just in case. The beach itself is completely free and open to everyone, and taking a walk along the shore at any time of day is one of those simple pleasures that never loses its charm.
6. Walk Ocean Drive — But Eat Elsewhere
Ocean Drive is the famous street that’s considered the true identity of South Beach because of its neon-lit restaurants and bars. You should definitely take a walk here, especially at night, when the Art Deco buildings sparkle with lights and the streets fill with music.
But there’s one thing I always make sure to mention: The food here can be quite expensive. Restaurants on Ocean Drive are generally about 20% pricier than in other parts of Miami.
My advice would be to come here, enjoy the atmosphere, relax and people-watch, and then head a few blocks inland for your meal. Collins Avenue, which runs alongside Ocean Drive, also has some great options.
7. Day Trip to Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is located about an hour north of Miami, and if you have the time, you should definitely visit. Its beaches are very beautiful—wide, clean, and somewhat less crowded than South Beach.
One of the city’s standout features is its canals, where water taxis run. It’s not only an easy but also a very scenic way to get around town. Also be sure to check out Las Olas Boulevard, which is famous for shopping, dining, and a lively street atmosphere.
8. Explore the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a chain of islands stretching south of Miami, and this place really feels different from anywhere else in the world. Key Largo — whose name means “long key” in Spanish — is the first major island you reach.
Next comes the most famous Key West, located at the very southern tip. The islands in between, like Islamorada, are also incredibly beautiful and relatively less crowded.
People especially come to the Florida Keys in winter to enjoy the sunshine and pleasant weather, and you can really see why. If you get the chance, be sure to rent a bike here. The Keys are a great place for cycling, and a leisurely ride with ocean views on both sides is an experience you’ll always remember.
9. Go on an Everglades Tour
The Everglades are located about an hour from downtown Miami, and the tour here offers a completely different experience from the other places on this list. You can book this tour through your hotel, Bayside, or TripAdvisor.
When you’re sitting in an airboat, speeding across the water and marshland with sawgrass stretching out in every direction, it really feels like you’ve come a long way from the city.
During my visit, I saw alligators as well as some amazing birds. This place makes you realize that Miami is located near one of the world’s most unique ecosystems, and the Everglades make that fact abundantly clear.
10. Discover Wynwood’s Street Art Scene
Wynwood has completely transformed itself over the past few years. About fifteen or twenty years ago, it was an area that most locals didn’t like to visit, but today it’s considered one of Miami’s most vibrant cultural neighborhoods.
Besides art, Wynwood is also well-known for its food truck scene, marketplace, restaurants, bars, and lively nightlife. The atmosphere here stays active late into the evening. It’s about a 15- to 20-minute drive from downtown and is also a stop on the Big Bus route, so it can easily be included in a full day of sightseeing.
11. Visit the Frost Science Museum
The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a truly impressive place located in Museum Park in downtown Miami. It features a large aquarium, a state-of-the-art planetarium, and numerous interactive exhibits spread across several buildings.
This spot is especially enjoyable for children, but curious adults can also find plenty of fascinating things to see.
As of 2025, adult general admission typically ranges from $29.95 to $34.95, with discounts available for children and seniors. If you want to fully explore the place, be sure to allow at least four hours so you can comfortably enjoy the entire experience.
12. Pop Into the Pérez Art Museum (PAMM)
Right next to the Frost Museum is PAMM — Pérez Art Museum Miami. On regular days, admission is completely free (though some special exhibitions may carry an additional fee), making it one of the best value experiences in the city.
This museum focuses primarily on contemporary and modern art, with a special emphasis on works by local and Latin American artists that reflect Miami’s unique cultural identity.
The museum spans two floors, so don’t miss the upper level. You should plan to spend at least one to two hours here, especially since it’s right next to the Frost Museum and both can easily be explored on the same trip.
13. Explore Brickell — Miami’s Financial Heart
Brickell is downtown Miami’s financial district, and it offers an interesting contrast to the beach atmosphere. Here you’ll find high-end malls, great restaurants, rooftop bars, and a lively evening scene as people head out after work. I personally prefer to wander around Brickell in the late afternoon or evening, when the weather is cooler and the city really feels alive.
When you’re here, be sure to walk the Miami Riverwalk — it’s a beautiful path along the Miami River where joggers, cyclists, and locals stroll at their leisure. From here you can also see boats heading out toward Biscayne Bay, and at golden hour the whole scene looks like a postcard.
14. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya is one of South Florida’s most beautiful places. It’s a magnificent Gilded Age estate that industrialist James Deering had built in the early 20th century, modeled on the grand villas of northern Italy. The formal gardens here are so beautiful that they alone make the visit worthwhile—they stretch along Biscayne Bay and feel like you’ve stepped into Renaissance Europe.
Adult admission is currently around $20–$25 (because the museum is undergoing restoration work, a discounted rate is available), while admission for children under 5 is free. The mansion’s interior has been very well preserved, and most importantly, it’s air-conditioned, which is a real relief in Miami’s heat.
15. Hang Out in Little Havana
Little Havana is the soul of Miami to me. As soon as you step onto Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street), you’re surrounded by Cuban music, the scent of cigars, and a cultural warmth that feels completely genuine, not artificial.
During the day, the place is quite lively and colorful, but at sunset it truly comes into its own—the music gets louder, the restaurants fill up, and the streets feel like you’re not in Miami but in Havana.
Be sure to check out Domino Park, where you’ll always see elders playing dominoes in the shade of the trees. Also stroll along the Cuban Walk of Fame, try a Cuban sandwich, and if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, visit a cigar shop where cigars are hand-rolled in the Cuban tradition.
16. CocoWalk in Coconut Grove
CocoWalk is an open-air shopping and dining complex located in the heart of Coconut Grove, near Coral Gables. It’s a comfortable, walkable spot where people come to eat, browse local shops, and simply enjoy a pleasant afternoon.
If you come here on a weekend at lunchtime, you’ll see a good mix of locals and visitors enjoying the atmosphere of this beautiful, tree-lined spot.
17. Get Out on the Water — Biscayne Bay Tour
One of my favorite things in Miami is spending time on the water. A Biscayne Bay boat tour takes you past stunning waterfront mansions, under drawbridges, and out into the open bay where the city skyline looks completely different.
You can also take daytime cruises or sunset tours—both are great, but the sunset tour’s atmosphere is even more beautiful.
If you want to do something more active, jet skiing, parasailing, and windsurfing are available around South Beach. You can easily find all these activities along the waterfront, taking Miami’s coastal atmosphere to another level.
18. Escape to Key Biscayne and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
If you want to get completely away from the city’s fast-paced life, Key Biscayne is the perfect answer. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, located at the southern tip of the island, really feels like a completely different world from downtown — it’s home to abundant wildlife, native vegetation, iguanas basking in the sun along the paths, and a beautiful lighthouse. It’s a great spot for a morning stroll or a picnic.
The beach here is much quieter and less crowded than South Beach, so if you just want to relax in the sun and stay away from the hustle and bustle, this is the perfect choice.
19. Day Trip to the Bahamas
This is something that surprises most people: Nassau in the Bahamas is only about 110 miles from Miami. Ferries and fast boats run from Fort Lauderdale and Miami to Bimini or Freeport, making it entirely possible to include a short island escape in your trip.
If you have an extra day or two and want to experience a completely different vibe, you should definitely consider this option.
20. Dance Lessons and Live Music
Miami is essentially a city built on Latin music and movement. It has large, devoted communities of salsa, flamenco, and other Latin dance styles, and various studios and cultural centers offer dance lessons for beginners.
And even if you never set foot in a dance studio, just sitting at an outdoor café in Little Havana and listening to a live band’s music becomes a complete cultural experience.
21. Check Out Sunny Isles Beach
Sunny Isles Beach, located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, is a relatively tranquil alternative to South Beach, where you’ll find beautiful white sand and a row of luxury hotels.
If you want to enjoy Miami’s beach experience but avoid South Beach’s faster, busier vibe, this spot is definitely worth checking out.
Practical Tips Before You Go
A few things I’ve learned from multiple Miami trips:
Transportation: If possible, avoid renting a car. When you factor in insurance, gas, and downtown parking costs, Uber and Lyft often turn out to be cheaper and less stressful. Miami traffic is really no joke.
Ocean Drive Budget: The atmosphere here is priceless, but restaurant prices are quite high. It’s better to eat a block or two inland and save your money for experiences.
In winter, wear layers: In January and February the weather can be warm enough for swimming, but the evenings can get really chilly. So it’s helpful to bring a light jacket.
Timing is important: In Miami, the midday heat, especially in summer, can be overwhelming. So plan outdoor activities in the morning or evening.
Cuisine: Miami’s food scene is often underestimated. Besides Cuban sandwiches and Latin dishes, you can also find excellent Italian, Indian, Asian, and Mexican cuisine here. If you venture beyond the tourist areas, you’ll discover truly great food.
Miami has earned its title “Capital of Latin America” for good reason — it’s a city that moves to its own rhythm, blends cultures in a way few others can, and has you planning your next visit before your trip is even over. I hope this guide will help you explore the city more effectively.
