Beaches
Miami is home to some of the best beaches in the United States, with miles of white, sandy beaches and crystal-clear water. From South Beach to the Keys, the beaches of Miami offer something for everyone. So whether you are looking for a romantic sunset stroll along the beach or an adrenaline-filled day on the waves, Miami’s beaches have you covered.
Let’s explore some of the best beaches in Miami:
South Beach
South Beach is the heartbeat of Miami. This popular hotspot offers beautiful white sandy beaches, colorful promenades, outdoor cafes, and trendy stores for shopping. Any visitor to Miami should plan to spend some time soaking up the sun and mingling with locals on South Beach. Thanks to its party-friendly atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, and delicious restaurants, it’s no wonder this beach is often considered the best of what Miami offers.
The beach extends from South Pointe Park in the south past 23rd Street in mid-beach. On any given day, you can find people tanning, swimming, playing beach volleyball, or just strolling along the coastline. There are plenty of options for water recreation as well – jet skis and parasailing are popular activities at South Beach watersport concessions located near 14th Street. If you’re looking for something less intense, stand-up paddle boarding or a leisurely kayaking trip in Biscayne Bay.
No visit to Miami is complete without taking a stroll along Ocean Drive – home of historic art deco architecture from the 1930s-1950s which will transport you back to an era gone by! From gastronomic delights lined with Latin fusion flavors and colorful murals depicting Cuban culture to chic clubs that stay open until morning, South Beach lives up to its reputation as one of the hottest spots for fun on Florida’s coast!
Miami Beach
Miami Beach is the perfect destination for a day in the sun, with its vast swaths of white sand, crystal blue waters, and palm trees. From Haulover Beach to Crandon Park and all of its attractions, Miami Beach is one of South Florida’s most popular outdoor recreation areas — and it draws visitors from near and far.
Haulover’s features include lifeguard stations, restrooms, volleyball courts, a snack bar/café, and plenty of beach rentals. Crandon Park offers public amenities such as playgrounds, a children’s water park, picnic pavilions, and nature trails in addition to its expansive beach. Dog owners often take their furry friends to Dog Beach at the north end of De Soto Street in Miami Beach on weekends (while observing beach laws).
Another popular destination on Miami Beach is South Pointe Park which provides spectacular views of downtown Miami’s skyline as well as an array of oceanfront activities such as:
- Fishing off a pier (gear/bait available)
- Renting A&B Cycle chairs or electric scooters to explore the district
- Taking pictures with monuments at the southernmost tip of the island
Overall, Miami beach provides diverse traditional accesses to beach activities for everyone who visits there.
Haulover Beach
Haulover Beach is one of the top-rated beaches in Miami, United States. It is located directly between Sunny Isles Beach to the south and Bal Harbour to the north. Haulover Beach is well-known for its beautiful white sand and turquoise waters.
It also offers a variety of amenities such as beach volleyball courts, picnic areas, biking trails, and food & drink options such as picnic baskets and ice cream bars. Visitors also love to sunbathe and swim amongst dolphins on its north side, with calm waves perfect for relaxed swimming or body surfing.
Furthermore, this beach has a clothing-optional area that allows visitors to enjoy life in their skin if they choose!
Overall, Haulover Beach is a fantastic spot with incredible amenities and stunning views – perfect if you want a relaxing or fun-filled day in Miami!
Parks
Miami has incredible parks that are great for a day out with your family or friends or for a stroll. So whether you’re looking for a large park with plenty of green space and picnic areas or a smaller garden to escape it all, Miami has it.
In this section, we’re going to talk about the parks you can find in Miami:
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park is a 1.5 million acre wetland preserve and conservation area located in South Florida, near Miami. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and one of the most admired natural attractions in the world. The park is home to many species of plants, animals, reptiles, and amphibians living in their natural habitats. It provides a unique experience for those interested in learning more about nature and wildlife.
The Everglades National Park is accessible by plane or car, with multiple entry points throughout its vast area for visitors to explore. Its major attraction is the Florida Everglades, which includes shallow grass-covered rivers flowing into basins full of sawgrass prairies (including Biscayne Bay), mangrove forests, eelgrass wetlands, and dry pinelands (pine rocks). Visitors may enjoy an array of activities such as fishing, bird watching, bicycling, boating, or canoeing on designated sections of the rivers. Hikers may follow trails such as Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm Hammock or Halfway Creek Trail along Jervey Slough at Key Largo Hammocks, offering insight into native plants found on trails throughout South Florida – saw palmetto palms and gopher tortoises among them.
Ranger-led programs are offered during peak season when visitors can learn more about flora & fauna living in the park’s intricate ecosystem and interactive experiences such as paddling trips down Long Pine Key Canoe Trail or kayaking through Nine Mile Pond near Flamingo visitors center. With its proximity to Miami’s city center and beautiful subtropical wildness, there’s plenty for nature lovers looking for an outdoor adventure within Everglades National park!
Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is located south of Miami in South Florida, United States. This breathtaking park comprises a vast expanse of aquamarine waters, mangroves, and seagrass beds. Four distinct ecosystems afford visitors an exceptional backdrop for exploration and relaxation. Biscayne National Park covers more than 172,000 acres making it the largest marine park in the United States and one of the most popular parks in South Florida, attracting over 500,000 visitors annually.
The maritime environment of Biscayne National Park supports many species, including endangered and threatened species such as the West Indian Manatee. A range of enjoyable activities is available to be experienced at Biscayne National Park, such as swimming, snorkeling, boating, and fishing. Visitors can explore mangrove-lined coves by boat or kayak to uncover the wildlife that inhabits the backcountry waters, or they can try some relaxing bird watching or wildlife viewing on land.
This fantastic park’s unique characteristics include its abundant birdlife, with nesting pelicans, spoonbills, and ospreys calling it home throughout the year. Beautiful coral reefs also call for some rewarding scuba diving opportunities for more adventurous explorers.
In addition to an array of activities on offer, visitors can stay overnight in primitive camping areas such as Elliott Key, where boat access only is encouraged due to no roads leading there, making it a truly idyllic experience!
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is a popular family destination located at the southern tip of Key Biscayne in Miami, Florida. Visitors can explore miles of pristine shorelines, fantastic fishing, and spectacular natural beauty. Spread over 1,000 acres, Bill Baggs offers seven miles of nature trails for biking, hiking, and running. In addition, you can play volleyball on the sand beach and fish from piers or a boat on the Atlantic Ocean.
The park features a historic landmark: an original 1825 lighthouse that survived two wars. The breathtaking Lighthouse Park features picnic areas and plenty of open grassy spaces, perfect for activities and relaxation. Meanwhile, the Crandon Nature Center allows visitors to know the park’s diverse wildlife and ecology through interactive exhibits and ranger-led tours throughout the year.
For those looking for an adventure out on the waters of Key Biscayne Bay or into Biscayne National Park, you can rent kayaks from licensed guides or join in one of their many outdoor classes, such as paddle boards or eco-tours to learn about local wildlife habits and habitats! With private beaches available for rent and numerous day camp opportunities available during summer break, Bill Baggs State Park is a great place to spend time in Miami with family and friends!
Museums
Miami has a diverse selection of museums, from modern art to history to science. From the Perez Art Museum to the Wolfsonian-FIU to Funtastico, Miami has something for art lovers of all kinds.
Let’s take a look at some of the fantastic museums in Miami that should not be missed:
Perez Art Museum Miami
Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is a modern and contemporary art museum dedicated to collecting and exhibiting international art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Located on Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami’s Museum Park, the new PAMM facility opened its doors in December 2013 with 146,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor program space.
The museum’s collection includes more than 1,500 modern and contemporary works representing a broad range of media worldwide, including painting, sculpture, installation, photography, video, works on paper, and performance-based pieces. Among its holdings are works by internationally renowned artists such as Danielle Dean, Doris Salcedo, Mona Hatoum, and Antoni Tapies.
At PAMM, visitors can enjoy family programming during school holidays and lectures from nationally recognized scholars in their fields. In addition, permanent collections can be explored through guided tours or personalized audio guides for kids ages 6-12. The museum also offers colorful community festivals celebrating Afro-Caribbean culture through live music performances and special art activities for all ages.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens was built as the winter residence for internationally known businessman James Deering. Built between 1914 and 1922, Vizcaya Estate is now a National Historic Landmark comprised of 10 acres of formal gardens, a main house, and auxiliary buildings.
Visitors can explore the Main House filled with European antiques and artwork still intact from when it was built. The gardens are divided into traditional compartments into areas where visitors can enjoy lush flora, fountains, sculptures, and more throughout the estate grounds.
Not only do visitors experience this historic estate, but they can also view temporary exhibitions that run throughout the year that feature contemporary art pieces by local artists in Miami or worldwide touring multi-media exhibits.
Frost Science Museum
The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is Miami’s best science museum and a must-see destination for all visitors to the city. Open since 2017, the museum features more than 130 unique experiences across its various exhibits, as well as a planetarium, taco-shaped aquariums, and an interactive activities hall. The museum focuses on life sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences, and planetary science in five distinct buildings: Aquarium, Observatory, Learning Center, and North & West Wings.
In the Planetarium Theater, you’ll be able to experience a variety of educational shows about our universe in four different 300-seat theaters with giant projection domes. The Aquarium showcases thousands of aquatic animals worldwide, from sharks, turtles, and even jellyfish. Seahorses to iguanas can be found in galleries dedicated to invertebrates and reptiles, respectively. Furthermore, visitors will find an interactive Bio Lab Gallery showcasing microorganisms and other rarely seen flora & fauna found in our world.
The Frost Science Museum also offers fascinating special exhibitions each season that provide additional insight into disciplines such as astronomy, biology, or oceanography, to name a few examples – ensuring there is always something new to explore! It’s also home to MEL’S (Miami Exploration Lab), a cutting-edge learning center with interactive technology that explores various scientific concepts through hands-on exploration.
Shopping
Miami, United States, is known as the “Shoppers Paradise” as it has plenty of shopping options. From outlet malls to luxury boutiques, there is something for everyone. So whether you are looking for designer fashion, jewelry, or home decor, you can find it in Miami.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular shopping spots in the area:
Bayside Marketplace
Bayside Marketplace is a two-story marketplace along the waterfront downtown of Miami, United States. The marketplace, which opened in 1987, features over 150 shops and restaurants, including many national chains, enticing local eateries and specialty outlets. Bayside offers a vibrant atmosphere that is perfect for the whole family to enjoy, and it’s conveniently located near the Bayfront Park area.
At Bayside, you can browse various shops, from swimwear boutiques to high-end jewelry stores to unique art galleries. Different souvenir stores also offer a range of clothing and gifts emblazoned with Miami’s signature palm tree logo or classic slogans such as “It’s always summer in Miami.”
For those looking for something to feast on while they shop, over 20 restaurants inside the shopping center offer everything from sushi and steaks to Mexican food and Italian options. Notable places include Bongos Cuban Café, celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse’s eponymous restaurant (featuring live music stages), Hard Rock Cafe Miami (on the outdoor terrace), Mango’s Tropical Café – with its section dedicated solely for salsa dancing – and Bru’s Room Sports Bar & Grill.
When you want to take some time off from shopping or sightseeing around nearby downtown Miami areas like Brickell or Wynwood Districts, Bayside Marketplace has plenty of benches and seating options where visitors can rest with ease while admiring some breathtaking views across the bay or engage in people-watching by the tranquil waterside.
Lincoln Road Mall
Lincoln Road Mall is a pedestrian mall located in Miami Beach, Florida, United States. It is a popular destination for locals and visitors due to its wide array of retail stores, restaurants, bars, and other entertainment venues. One of the most popular shopping experiences in Florida, Lincoln Road Mall is the center of activity from morning until night.
The Mall offers visitors plenty of choices when it comes to shopping; from high-end designer apparel and jewelry stores to international boutiques and souvenir shops, there is something here for everyone. For fashion lovers looking for unique styles and luxury items, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, or Balenciaga are some upscale brands found at Lincoln Road Mall. On the other hand, those looking for a more laidback vibe can find affordable local brands perfect for their everyday style needs.
In addition to its shops featuring apparel and accessories, Lincoln Road Mall also features home furnishing galleries and specialty stores selling books, magazines, and assorted gift items. Those with a sweet tooth will be delighted by all kinds of candy stores stocked with an impressive assortment of candy from around the world! And if you are looking for something special to bring back home from your trip to Miami Beach – you will certainly find it at Lincoln Road Mall!
Dolphin Mall
Dolphin Mall, located in the western part of Miami, is one of the must-visit destinations for travelers in south Florida. This place has everything, with over 240 stores ranging from popular international brand outlets to unique specialty shops and restaurants!
In Dolphin Mall, you can find a variety of trendy apparel shops, such as Gap and Forever 21. It also offers a unique selection of fashion outlets like Puma or Aldo to satisfy your glamorous fashion needs. In addition, home furnishings and accessories from top manufacturers like Nike and Adidas are available here.
In addition to clothing retail stores, consumers can find jewelry stores such as Pandora or Bijoux Terner for beautiful pieces. And if you are looking for great deals on electronics, there are options including Best Buy, Apple store, and Microsoft stores to explore too!
No matter what type of shopping you want to do while visiting Miami, there is no better destination than Dolphin Mall – it’s the perfect spot for all your shopping needs!
Restaurants
Miami is the perfect spot for food lovers to visit. From delicious Cuban cuisine to fresh seafood, there is something to tickle everyone’s taste buds. So whether you’re looking for a high-end meal at a fancy restaurant, a cozy cafe, or a lively spot with some local flavor, here are some of the top restaurants Miami has to offer:
Joe’s Stone Crab
Joe’s Stone Crab is one of Miami’s oldest and most beloved restaurants, located near the heart of South Beach and renowned for its superior seafood. Established in 1913 by Joe Weiss and his son Jesse, it quickly became a popular spot with locals and celebrities; in the hundred-plus years since, Joe’s has expanded from a small café to an expansive beachfront eatery boasting two kitchens and four separate dining rooms.
Among the must-try dishes are their signature stone crabs with sides ranging from coleslaw to mustard sauce. Those looking for something off the shellfish menu can opt for a classic steak dinner or signature salads like Cobb or Nicoise. The accommodating kitchen staff regularly works to accommodate those with special dietary needs or requests so that no one will go hungry!
Beyond just the food, Joe’s provides a unique atmosphere in South Florida. With its lush tropical gardens, crooning live music on Saturday nights, banks of TVs, ample outdoor seating, and more, guests should expect an excellent meal and a wonderful overall experience. So whether it’s a casual lunch, romantic dinner, or celebratory events like an anniversary or birthday, you can expect high-quality service at Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami.
Zuma
Zuma is a world-renowned restaurant situated in the heart of downtown Miami, United States. Founded in 2002, the restaurant offers its guests exquisite dining experiences with recipes and ingredients from Japan and South America. With luxurious interiors and a warm atmosphere, Zuma has established itself as one of Miami’s leading restaurants.
The menu includes some of the best Japanese dishes, like sushi, sashimi, and rolls, alongside some Latin-American-inspired plates. Delicacies like black cod glazed miso, grilled chicken teriyaki, and crispy vegetables tempura are some of their signature dishes. On their drink menu, you can find a wide variety of wines from Chile, Argentina, California, and France, as well as international beers to complement the dishes you choose from their menu. Every visit will be a unique experience where you can savor Japanese-Peruvian fusion flavors cooked with the highest quality ingredients by world-renowned chefs.
Zuma’s mission is to provide its guests with a safe and inviting atmosphere while they feast on delectable food prepared with care and craftsmanship by masterful cooks. All staff members are trained in hospitality etiquette to feel welcome in this elegant yet rustic restaurant. It ensures that everybody has a unique experience when they dine at Zuma.
La Mar by Gaston Acurio
La Mar by Gaston Acurio is a fine dining establishment located in the luxuriant Brickell neighborhood of Miami. Established by Peruvian celebrity chef and restaurateur Gaston Acurio, La Mar offers open-air seating with breathtaking views of the Miami River, a variety of specialty cocktails, and delicious ceviche dishes.
The restaurant’s menu showcases bold flavors from Latin America, Peru, and other parts of the world, making it one of the most authentic restaurants in town. From their signature, Tiraditos Mixtos delight to the traditional “Lomo Saltado” or any new custom seafood options – La Mar perfectly captures South American cuisine in an elegant yet inviting atmosphere perfect for any occasion.