Summary
- Hit the Beach
- Explore Monkey Jungle
- Visit the Miami Children’s Museum
- Tour Jungle Island
- Explore South Beach
- Enjoy the Nightlife
- Take a South Beach Walking Tour
- Shop Along the Beach
- Enjoy a Great Meal
- Tour the Ancient Spanish Monastery
- Visit the Miami Seaquarium
- Take a Millionaire’s Row Cruise
- Head off the Beaten Path to Stiltsville
- Visit the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens
- Take a Speed Boat Tour around the Intracoastal
- Let Loose at a South Beach Pool Party
- Visit the Vizcaya Museum
- Spend the Day at the Miami Science Museum
- Try a New Water Sport
- Tour the Perez Art Museum Miami
Sugar-sand beaches, bronzed beautiful people, great weather, and a vibrant nightlife are just a few of the main attractions in Miami Beach. However, this city is more than its bright lights and timeless Art Deco architecture of South Beach—Miami Beach is full of great tourist destinations for visitors and residents alike! Whether you plan to vacation here or spend the day, there are plenty of exciting attractions for all. Moreover, for those with plans for an extended stay, the Go Miami Card offers up to 55% off museums, tours, and activities across the city. You can purchase it online or at any certified city center.
Hit the Beach
Address: Mid-Beach, Miami Beach, FL, USA
It would be silly to head to Miami Beach and not actually spend time on the beach. The area is home to some of the most beautiful coastline in the country, so you don’t want to miss it. Miami Beach’s beaches offer a great opportunity to exercise, enjoy the sun, or just relax. There are numerous beaches in the area that offer various types of experiences:
- For family fun, try Mid Beach—centrally located and right off the boardwalk.
- Party-seekers will want to head down to South Beach, while those looking to bare it all will enjoy Haulover Beach.
- For water sports and surfing, visit Hobie Beach.
Explore Monkey Jungle
Address: 14805 SW 216th St, Miami, FL 33170, USA
Phone: +1 305-235-1611
“Where the humans are caged and the monkeys run wild.” Monkey Jungle is one of Miami-Dade County’s most unique parks. While people walk through carefully constructed wire pathways, over 300 species of primates scuttle above your head, swinging through trees and vines, and interacting with each other in ways difficult to observe in captivity. Monkey Jungle spans over 30 acres of land, and the animals run free throughout the entire area. They are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Keep your eyes peeled; you never know who’s hanging around!
Visit the Miami Children’s Museum
Address: 980 MacArthur Cswy, Miami, FL 33132, USA
Phone: +1 305-373-5437
If you have kids (or just like to act like them!), the Miami Children’s Museum is among the top-rated museums in the area. Their motto, “Play, Learn, Imagine, Create,” shines through in the wide variety of interactive exhibits allowing children to explore everything from a bank to a cruise ship, gaining valuable lessons along the way. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and general admission is $20. Children under a year are free.
Tour Jungle Island
Address: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132, USA
Phone: +1 305-400-7000
Formerly known as Parrot Jungle, Jungle Island offers visitors a fun and educational opportunity to get an up-close look at over 600 exotic animals including tropical birds, orangutans, and lions. The park reopened in spring 2018 after a year-long renovation and now features many new exhibits. The Aerodium, an outdoor skydiving simulator, is one of the new attractions. Additional attractions include water features, a ropes course, and a trampoline zone.
Explore South Beach
Address: 1545 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA
Phone: +1 305-604-5700
South Beach is the quintessential Miami hot spot, stretching from 1st Street to 23rd Street. This area is known for being the trendy spot for tourists and locals alike. Spend the day exploring South Beach, taking in the famous Art Deco architecture or strolling down the well-known Ocean Drive. The actual beaches are beautiful too. Funky Lummus Park Beach stretches between 5th and 15th street and is the popular public beachfront in the area. The South Beach beach, located directly across from Ocean Drive, is known as a celebrity hotspot.
Enjoy the Nightlife
Address: 4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
Phone: +1 305-674-4680
Don’t deny it: you’ve seen the celebrities on E! and Access Hollywood, casually sipping drinks and looking oh-so-chic at a South Beach club or another. Although you may not spot one of those celebrities (unless you’re willing to shell out big bucks for the VIP rooms), you’ll definitely feel like one while partying in Miami Beach. Most of the hottest clubs, like LIV and STORY, are located in and around the South Beach area, so head towards Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue to kick off your night.
Take a South Beach Walking Tour
Address: 1116 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139-4609, USA
Phone: +1 786-485-2200
Since the 1920s, Miami Beach has been synonymous with glamour, glitz, and non-stop sun. The epicenter of the beach is really at the south end of the barrier island, which is why South Beach is what people specifically refer to when discussing Miami Beach. At 17 blocks long and 12 blocks wide, South Beach is a perfect place for a long walk. There are plenty of cool sights to see—from the famous Carlyle Hotel to Gianni Versace’s Casa Casuarina to the Cardozo Hotel, which you’ll likely recognize from various Hollywood blockbusters. Tours usually begin at the Art Deco Welcome Center, near Lummus Park Beach, and last about an hour or two.
Shop Along the Beach
Address: Shops along Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA
Yes, there’s the sugar-sand beaches, the hot clubs, and the beautiful people, but what good would a visit to South Beach be without some shopping? The area is the winter home to many models, fashion designers, and rock stars, meaning the shopping is genuinely top-notch. From popular chain stores to unique boutiques, there’s a store for everyone on Miami Beach. Start off on Lincoln Road—it offers seven blocks of everything you need. If clothing isn’t your thing, you’ll find plenty of art galleries, jewelry stores, and pet boutiques to explore as well.
Enjoy a Great Meal
Address: 1940 N 30th Rd, Hollywood, FL 33021-4401, USA
Miami Beach is home to some exciting restaurants. Celebrity chefs, international specialties, and stunning views characterize the Miami Beach dining scene. Additionally, the multicultural essence of the city transforms dining into a delightful experience. From authentic Cuban at El Pescador to the highly rated Joe’s Stone Crab, plus Greek, Italian, and Asian fusion cuisines—there’s a flavor to satisfy everyone.
Tour the Ancient Spanish Monastery
Address: 16711 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami Beach, FL 33160-3714, USA
Phone: +1 305-945-1461
The Ancient Spanish Monastery was originally constructed during the twelfth century in Spain but was bought in 1925 by William Randolph Hearst and transported to the United States, piece by piece. It wasn’t until 25 years later that it was finally reconstructed. Today, the Ancient Spanish Monastery is used by the parish Church of St. Bernard de Clairvaux, an active congregation in Southeast Florida. Services are held at the church on Sundays and weekdays, but visitors are welcome to tour the grounds most days between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Admission is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.
Visit the Miami Seaquarium
Address: 4400 Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, FL 33149, USA
Phone: +1 305-361-5705
Spend a day exploring fascinating marine life and learning about the ocean at the Miami Seaquarium. This 38-acre marine park is one of the oldest in the country and houses more than just marine life. Visitors can experience penguins, turtles, sea lions, manatees, and tropical birds. Spend the day watching impressive water shows, or have hands-on experiences with any of the seven animal encounters, including swimming with dolphins, being a trainer for the day, or trekking through a living reef. The Seaquarium offers a perfect family activity.
Take a Millionaire’s Row Cruise
Address: 401 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132, USA
Phone: +1 305-577-3344
Sail by some of the most luxurious properties in all of Miami during a millionaire’s row sea cruise. On land, Millionaires Row is considered to be the stretch of Collins Avenue from 41st street to 62nd street. However, much of these mega-mansions are hidden from the street side. An ocean cruise, on the other hand, makes the view much more accessible. Departures are usually on the hour, with most tours leaving near the Bayside Marketplace. Expect to pay anywhere between $25-$35 for a 90-minute guided tour.
Head off the Beaten Path to Stiltsville
Address: Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, USA
Built in the early 1930s, Stiltsville is one of those Miami-only experiences that tourists crave. The collection of homes was built using wood and reinforced concrete stilts that sit about ten feet above the shallow waters of Biscayne Bay. These homes are situated a mile south of Cape Florida. Although there are different theories on why these homes were built in this manner, most historians agree that the first Stiltsville home, created by crawfish fisherman Eddie Walker, facilitated gambling towards the end of the prohibition era. Today, there are seven homes in Stiltsville, all under the care of the Biscayne National Park Service, with property owners responsible for maintaining their respective homes.
Visit the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens
Address: 2000 Convention Ctr Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139-1806, USA
Phone: +1 305-673-7256
The Miami Beach Botanical Gardens spans 2.6 acres and is located right in the heart of the city. They feature numerous subtropical plants from all over the world, in addition to many native Florida species. Admission is free unless there’s a special event, and the gardens are open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Take a Speed Boat Tour around the Intracoastal
Address: 401 Biscayne Blvd T5880, Miami, FL 33132, USA
Phone: +1 305-371-3278
Another thrilling way to experience Miami Beach is by taking a speedboat tour. Nothing defines Miami Vice quite like a 50mph catamaran ride around Biscayne Bay. Thriller Speedboat Adventures has been conducting tours for over 10 years, including tours of Stiltsville. Typically, speedboat tours are narrated and last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half, costing about $40 per person.
Let Loose at a South Beach Pool Party
Address: 1111 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA
Phone: +1 305-673-4747
Take a break from tanning at the beach and indulge in the party scene of Miami at one of South Beach’s many daily pool parties. Many hotels in the area, like Dream South Beach, Mondrian South Beach, and the Cleavelander, open their pools to the public, hosting amazing parties. Expect to find DJs, open bar options, and plenty of attractive people. Admission can exceed $30 plus drinks, so ensure you know what’s included before heading inside.
Visit the Vizcaya Museum
Address: 3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129, USA
Phone: +1 305-250-9133
Formerly the home of businessman James Deering of Deering McCormick-International Harvester—the renowned maker of agricultural machinery—the Vizcaya Mansion is a must-see. Today, the estate is primarily used as a museum and event space. Visitors can tour over 50 rooms and enjoy many courtyards and gardens. The museum is open Wednesday through Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $18 for adults and $6 for children up to age 12.
Spend the Day at the Miami Science Museum
Address: 1101 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132, USA
Phone: +1 305-434-9600
The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science features over six hands-on exhibits, a planetarium show, and a three-level aquarium all for the cost of one admission. This museum is an excellent family-friendly activity that all ages will enjoy. Learn about the inner workings of the body at MeLab, an interactive exhibit teaching about how our bodies and minds function. Discover the significance of water conservation at H2O Today, part of the Smithsonian’s Think Water Initiative. The museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Try a New Water Sport
Address: 1701 Purdy Ave Shop C-102, Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA
Phone: +1 305-874-8388
While enjoying the beautiful beaches of Miami, be sure to take advantage of the incredible water sports available. From jet skiing to parasailing, the beaches of Miami are filled with water sports retailers offering fantastic activities. You can find nearly any watersport in the area, but one new trend gaining popularity among beachgoers is LED sunset paddle boarding. The boards feature LED lights illuminating up to 15 feet below the surface, creating a picturesque experience. The tour departs at sunset and is available through Miami Beach Paddle Board, costing about $65 per person.
Tour the Perez Art Museum Miami
Address: 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132, USA
Phone: +1 305-375-3000
Miami’s flagship contemporary art museum is perfect for kids and adults alike. The Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) offers an ever-rotating selection of unique exhibits from artists worldwide. PAMM Kids is a dedicated program that engages younger guests through family packs, activity booklets, an interactive museum app, and an exciting dining experience at the Verde Museum Café. Inquire at the service desk for family packs and activity booklets. The museum is open every day except Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Thursday until 9 p.m.), with admission costing $16 for adults and $12 for youth, students, and seniors.
