Top 14 Must-Do Activities in Miami Shores, FL

This suburban village emerged during the Florida land boom of the 1920s as part of Miami’s Biscayne neighborhood. Miami Shores was officially established shortly thereafter, during the Great Depression era.

True to its name, the village is situated on Biscayne Bay, providing picturesque views at the beautiful Bayfront Park.

The compact yet vibrant downtown area along NE 2nd Avenue offers diverse dining options. Miami Shores is also conveniently located just minutes from North Bay Village, where various watersport activities can be enjoyed.

Furthermore, the Biscayne Boulevard corridor invites you to explore the thriving northern segments of Miami, which have undergone remarkable transformations over the past two decades.

1. Village Place Miami Shores

The primary downtown area spans several blocks of NE 2nd Avenue, extending from 101st Street to 94th Street.

At Village Place, one will find a modest yet vibrant commercial district, which hosts the annual Green Day Festival every April. The area features an array of shops specializing in interior decor, fashion, houseplants, jewelry, pet supplies, and much more.

In terms of dining, the options are varied, encompassing pizza, smoothie bowls, health foods, contemporary American cuisine, sandwiches, gelato, and soft serve.

The Miami Theater Center is located along this corridor, showcasing stage performances, classic film screenings, and various children’s programs. At the southern end, a pair of parks flanks the avenue, highlighted by a charming cluster of live oaks at Optimist Park.

2. Miami Shores Country Club

Source: alexdecarvalho / Flickr

This village is home to one of the finest golf courses accessible from downtown Miami. Established over 80 years ago, the 18-hole par-71 course at Miami Shores Country Club has been the venue for numerous acclaimed events, such as the Florida State Open.

Notable figures including Lee Trevino, Joe DiMaggio, and Bob Hope have enjoyed this course. The 21st century has brought several enhancements, ensuring superb course conditions throughout the year.

The setting is captivating, featuring a gently undulating landscape adorned with magnificent, ancient live oaks. Additional amenities include a lighted driving range, a pro shop, and a bar & restaurant.

3. Miami Shores Village Bayfront Park

This is the sole public property located on Biscayne Bay, comprising a narrow expanse of grass along the seawall. Bayfront Park features a row of palm trees and benches positioned at regular intervals.

With opulent residences in the background, this park serves as a clear indication of being in an affluent section of Miami-Dade County. Naturally, the major attraction here is the breathtaking view, which encompasses much of the northern half of Biscayne Bay.

Visitors can observe small islands, admire the Miami Beach skyline, and watch the flow of marine traffic. Personally, I highly recommend witnessing the sunrises at this location, as it is an unforgettable experience.

4. Watersports

One cannot gaze upon Biscayne Bay without the urge to engage in water activities. Fortunately, such endeavors can be readily accessed within minutes by visiting Harbor Island in North Bay Village.

Home to Pelican Harbor Marina, this island serves as a departure point for a wide range of water-based activities.

A variety of rental companies are available here, offering services such as kayaking, paddleboarding, jet-skiing, and more. Notably, the northern part of the bay offers excellent paddling opportunities with many discoverable islands.

Some companies operating in North Bay Village include Almighty Jet Skis, iPaddle Miami, and Jet Ski 305 Rentals.

5. Miami Shores Tennis & Pickleball Club

A division of the Miami Shores Country Club, this facility caters to both residents and non-residents.

If your tennis skills are a bit inconsistent, you can arrange for individual lessons or a series of classes with a certified USTA professional. The Miami Shores Tennis & Pickleball Club boasts a premier complex featuring three cushioned hard courts and six clay courts.

Seven of these courts are equipped with lighting, and there exists a pro shop stocked with all essential gear, alongside racket stringing services. Furthermore, a match arranging service can help you find suitable partners.

6. North Beach Oceanside Park

With fortunate traffic conditions, the Atlantic beaches are accessible within a ten-minute drive via SR 934 from Miami Shores.

The principal public beach park in the area is North Beach Oceanside Park, which offers a more relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere compared to the southern beaches.

Natural beauty is prevalent here, featuring a stretch of low dunes and a stunning canopy of mature trees. During my visit, the park had recently undergone enhancements, including new landscaping, pathways, trees, and turtle-friendly lighting.

Moreover, the beach itself is spacious, pristine, and tranquil, providing a contrasting experience to South Beach.

7. Miami Beach Bandshell

A notable landmark in North Beach is a striking mid-century bandshell, established in 1961. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2022, this structure was crafted by architect Norman Giller (1918-2008), who contributed significantly to Miami’s Modernist architecture.

The bandshell underwent renovations in 2015 under the guidance of the Miami-based Rhythm Foundation. Today, it serves as one of Miami’s premier outdoor venues, hosting over 100 events each season.

Recent improvements include the addition of a canopy. Diverse concerts are held here across various genres, and every third Thursday of the month features the North Beach Social, an event open to the public at no cost.

8. MiMo Historic District

Located south of Miami Shores, Biscayne Boulevard serves as a connection to Miami’s vibrant MiMo Historic District, situated on the Upper Eastside.

This area, once associated with less favorable urban traits up to the 2000s, has flourished. A critical aspect of this revival has been the preservation of its distinctive array of mid-century Miami Modern hotels, motels, and commercial buildings lining the boulevard.

The most notable examples can be found as far north as 77th Street, only a short drive from Miami Shores. Currently, MiMo is gaining recognition for its gastronomic scene, complemented by an excellent farmers’ market held on Saturdays at Legion Park.

9. Miami Design District

Continuing southward, one encounters the more affluent Miami Design District. Like the MiMo Historic District, this area experienced a revival beginning in the early 2000s.

Previously run-down, eighteen square blocks have been transformed into a sparkling upscale enclave.

This district is replete with galleries, antique shops, restaurants, bars, home design boutiques, and nearly every luxury fashion brand imaginable.

Major names such as Dior, Balenciaga, Cartier, Christian Louboutin, Chanel, Prada, and Gucci are just a few examples. Visitors should also note the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, which offers more accessibility than one might expect.

In addition to innovative exhibitions, a plethora of programs are available for free to the public. I attended Family Sunday with my children, where a different hour-long workshop is offered each week.

10. Legion Park

A straightforward drive south along Biscayne Boulevard will lead you to another bayside park located in Miami’s Upper Eastside.

Legion Park is a lovely space to unwind during the early hours, featuring beautiful views of the bay with Legion Picnic Islands in the foreground.

However, the highlight of this park for me is the weekly farmers’ market, held on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

This vibrant community event showcases seasonal fresh produce, jams, baked goods, smoothies, local fish, houseplants, crafts, pet products, and much more. Additionally, dogs are welcome, and weekly yoga sessions are offered at the market.

11. Green Day Miami Shores

The largest event hosted by Miami Shores annually is a celebration of sustainability and environmental awareness. During the last event in April, this complimentary, one-day festival drew over 10,000 attendees to the downtown area.

The stretch of NE 2nd Avenue transforms into a vibrant village atmosphere, featuring over 100 vendors, live music, food trucks, and various family-friendly activities, including inflatables and face painting.

A pop-up farmers’ market is also present, offering advice on energy-efficient practices, healthy living resources, and a diverse selection of vegetable and herb plants to embrace South Florida’s gardening season.

12. Miami Shores Aquatic Center

Source: miamishoresvillage.com

While this facility is predominantly accessible to residents of Miami Shores and Bay Harbor Islands along with their guests, it offers an exceptional family attraction for qualifying individuals.

The standout feature for families with young children is Wild Waters, a theme park-inspired water playground equipped with five slides, spray features, and a large 300-gallon tipping bucket.

For those seeking exercise, an eight-lane competition pool is available, which is open to non-residents specifically for lap swimming.

13. SkateBird Miami

Opened in the early 2020s, SkateBird Miami features a sprawling 32,000-square-foot skate park situated just moments away in El Portal.

This facility is the first of its kind in the state, combining an outdoor street-style skate plaza with a covered pump track designed to accommodate South Florida’s unpredictable weather.

The latter features 15,000 square feet of uninterrupted, steeply banked turns to facilitate momentum building. Skateboarders, rollerbladers, BMX riders, and scooter enthusiasts are welcome in both the outdoor plaza and covered track.

Additionally, there is a skate shop, a snack bar, and a restaurant/bar, and the facility frequently hosts pop-up stores.

14. Food Trucks Wednesdays North Bay Village

A noteworthy local event to consider is the food truck festival held at Pelican Harbor Marina in North Bay Village.

Food Trucks Wednesdays occur from 5 pm to 10 pm, featuring ample free parking and picnic tables. Guests are encouraged to bring their blankets and chairs. Alongside a wide variety of food trucks, live music is also provided and there is a bounce house available for children.

During my visit, I was impressed by the extensive selection of offerings. Choices included elotes, lobster rolls, arepas, burgers, gyros, Cuban sandwiches, BBQ, tostones, and an array of sweet treats ranging from shakes to churros.