Things to do in  Miami

Situated right on Biscayne Bay, the open-air, 2-story Bayside Marketplace is one of downtown Miami's most popular shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations. It's home to dozens of shops, selling everything from apparel and watches to cosmetics. It also offers a wide range of dining options, while its proximity to highlights, including the Skyviews Miami Ferris wheel, makes it a popular stop for families.

Little Havana is the epicenter of Miami's Cuban community, where Latin culture and daily life come together on Calle Ocho. Travelers come here to see cigar rollers at work, sip Cuban coffee, or watch locals debating politics while playing dominoes in the local park. Bursting with colorful murals, live music, and street food, this district overflows with energy and local flavor.

An exclusive enclave for the rich and famous, Fisher Island is 3 miles (5 kilometers) off the coast from Miami. Its mansions, apartments, and marina filled with luxury yachts belong to some of Florida’s wealthiest residents, and the island is heavily protected. With no roads or bridges leading to it, access is only by ferry or private boat. The island also features a golf course and two upscale hotels.

One of the first established neighborhoods in Miami, Coconut Grove melds an eclectic history with a modern vibe, creating a historic, hipster hub for food, art, and culture. From its idyllic waterfront on Biscayne Bay to quaint walking streets lined with boutiques and cafés, the village is the perfect laid-back base for a Miami vacation.

Famous for its white sand beaches, photo-worthy art deco architecture, and carnival-like atmosphere, South Beach is Miami’s most iconic stretch of coastline. The area blends beach relaxation with a buzzing café culture, exciting nightlife options, and endless people-watching. With 10 miles (16 kilometers) of shoreline and oceanfront views, it’s one of the most glamorous and energetic beach destinations in the United States and a must-visit for those coming to Miami.

Miami is often called the “Magic City,” and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is one of its most enchanting estates. Built for industrialist James Deering in the early 20th century, Vizcaya Palace is as ornate as a Fabergé egg and brimming with 15th- to 19th-century furniture, tapestries, and decorative pieces. The seaside grounds, which front Biscayne Bay, feature elegant gardens, fountains, sculptures, pools, canals, trails, and a charming Florentine-style gazebo.

Biscayne National Park—95 percent of which lies underwater—is unique among the country's national parks, and one of the top snorkeling, kayaking, and scuba-diving destinations in the United States. Divers and snorkelers flock to this idyllic stretch of sea to experience Biscayne Bay's extensive reef system. Above the water, you can explore the Florida park's small mainland mangrove shoreline and keys by boat.

With its warm, clear waters and white sands, Miami Beach has some of the best urban beaches in the United States. Located just over the bridge from the city of Miami, it is also known for its vibrant neighborhoods, fine dining, pulsing nightlife, and an architectural claim to fame: The area boasts the largest concentration of art deco buildings in the world.

A mecca for art lovers, the Wynwood neighborhood, just north of downtown Miami, has evolved from a rundown warehouse zone to a lively area known for its street art. Creative energy runs through every block, and visitors can browse independent galleries, sip craft coffee, and visit local breweries. The star attraction, though, is Wynwood Walls—an open-air museum of murals by over 100 artists.

Miami’s Jungle Island (formerly Parrot Jungle) is an eco-adventure park where you can experience animal encounters, treetop walks (or bolder explorations), and educational shows to learn about different creatures. The park is home to a range of animals—including sloths, wallabies, lemurs, capybaras, and Burmese pythons; there are also parrots and macaws that fly freely in indoor aviaries, as well as flamingos, tortoises, and other tropical species.

Miami Beach’s Art Deco District is a colorful section of the trendy South Beach neighborhood, with around 800 designated historic buildings to admire—including nautical–themed hotels and pastel mansions dating back to the 1920s. The district has been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, and visitors come here to dine, stay at fancy hotels, and explore the photo-worthy buildings.

Sandwiched between the sizzling beaches of Miami and the white sands of Key West, Everglades National Park stands in stark contrast to its seductive neighbors—but don't make the mistake of passing it by. Visit the park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States—to discover for yourself why it draws more than one million visitors every year.

Zoo Miami (Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens) is home to thousands of animals, trees, and plants. Florida’s subtropical climate allows the zoo to feature large swathes of natural habitat, making it one of the most diverse wildlife parks in the country and a great place to explore. If you’re interested in the state’s native environments, visit interactive conservation exhibits showcasing flora and fauna from the Everglades and the Pine Rockland habitats. It’s the perfect family-friendly Miami activity.

Posh Coral Gables, called the “City Beautiful,” is filled with old European-style homes: Italianate villas, Mediterranean mansions, mini-Alhambras, and cookie-cutter Cordobas shaded by living walls of banyan trees and ficus copses. You’ll also find 1920s-era historic landmarks like the Biltmore Hotel.

South Pointe Park was once home to police units and horse stables, and today the transformed waterfront expanse is one of Miami Beach's more popular public spaces. The 17-acre (7-hectare park offers eateries, a dog park, and walking paths, though it's worth visiting for the views alone. You can spot Fisher Island, Biscayne Bay, and Downtown Miami.