Miami attractions

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is an aquarium, planetarium, and science museum all in one, and is one of Miami’s top destinations for an educational experience. Here, you can learn about everything from coral reefs to the hunt for dark matter, or how prehistoric animals evolved to fly. Expect interactive exhibits that offer a fun, hands-on experience and the opportunity to see a variety of marine life at the multi-level aquarium.

A hidden gem amid the hustle and bustle of the city, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden offers a secret oasis from the frenetic urban energy. Find diverse flora carefully comingling with lush lawns, fountains, and atria brimming with colorful flowers. This free attraction offers a near-perfect spot to unwind in nature while exploring Miami.

The Miami Design District is one of the city’s most stylish neighborhoods, blending high-end fashion, contemporary art, striking architecture, and innovative dining. Designer boutiques such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Christian Louboutin, and Prada sit alongside public art installations, foodie hot spots, and edgy galleries, meaning there’s plenty to explore beyond the luxury shopping scene. Plus, there are great photo opportunities around every corner.

As a premier shopping and entertainment hub just a stone's throw from Miami, Dolphin Mall is the place to find some of the best deals on brand-name apparel. There are more than 200 stores here—like Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, and Tommy Hilfiger—plus plentiful dining options, valet parking, and the family-friendly CMX Cinemas Dolphin 19.

Discover contemporary and modern art on exhibit at PAMM, or the Perez Art Museum Miami. Set in a striking glass building with coastal views, PAMM relocated to its current location in 2013 and showcases a range of colorful exhibits with art from the Caribbean, South America, Africa, and Australia.

The somber Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach is a fitting place to reflect on the tragedy of World War II and learn the story of the Holocaust. Beyond its stunning bronze sculpture, the memorial offers educational programs, lectures, and seminars. The Memorial Wall, etched with thousands of names, honors those who lost their lives.

Spanning the entire island of Key Biscayne, Rickenbacker Trail is an 8.5-mile (13.7-kilometer) path that includes well-known spots like Virginia Key Beach, Crandon Park, and the Miami Seaquarium. It begins in southern Miami before continuing south along Rickenbacker Causeway/Crandon Boulevard, and it’s one of the area’s best biking trails, with its stunning views of the city skyline.

Florida’s largest urban park is in Miami, offering over 1,000 acres (400 hectares for a range of outdoor activities from cycling to kayaking and fishing. Oleta River State Park is home to rugged trails, mangrove-spotted coastlines, and a 1,200-foot (350-meter sandy beach. The park is best known as a destination for cyclists, with 3 miles (5 kilometers of simple paved paths and 10 miles (15 kilometers of off-road trails.

In Miami Beach, Mango's Tropical Cafe is synonymous with live performances, late night parties, and fantastic dancing. Stop by this two-story nightclub earlier for dinner and drinks, show up rejuvenated from a disco nap for a night out with your besties, or swing by to hydrate with refreshing cocktails after tanning at Lummus Park Beach.

A stone castle and sculpture garden crafted entirely by one person without the help of modern equipment, the Coral Castle is a mysterious architectural anomaly. Sometime between 1923 and 1951, the complex was constructed by Edward Leedskalnin—a 100-pound (45-kilogram) man who claimed to know the secrets of the Egyptian pyramids.

The Miami Children's Museum is more like a playhouse than a traditional museum, with areas for kids to practice grown-up activities such as banking, grocery shopping, caring for pets, and acting as a TV news anchor or firefighter. The venue combines art, culture, and community into interactive experiences for children and their families.

Established in 1964 from couple John and Johanna Bass’ private art collection, The Bass Museum of Art has since become one of Miami Beach’s premier art institutions. Now housed in an expansive, sleek building following its 2017 renovation, the museum is dedicated to international contemporary art, and also offers educational programming.

In Miami’s Art Deco District, the Wilzig Erotic Art Museum, also known as the World Erotic Art Museum (WEAM), was founded in 2005 and is the only museum of its kind in the United States—exclusively filled with erotic art. The collection includes over 4,000 works of international art, dating back as far as 300 BC. The 12,000-square-foot (1,115-square-meter) museum was founded by Naomi Wilzig, an American art collector and writer.

If you’re looking for a dose of retail therapy while in Miami, Aventura Mall is the place to go. This expansive shopping complex exudes sophisticated style, with upscale boutiques such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Burberry alongside trendier favorites including Apple, Anthropologie, and Aritzia.

Home to the NBA’s Miami Heat, Kaseya Center (formerly the American Airlines Arena and Miami-Dade Arena) is a must for sports fans. Open since 1999, the arena is also a major concert venue, having hosted the likes of Madonna, U2, and Mariah Carey. Designed by the architecture firms Arquitectonica and 360 Architecture, the arena on Biscayne Bay is also known for its striking modernist appearance.

Home to the New World Symphony, the New World Center in Miami Beach was the first Florida building designed by architect Frank Gehry. Debuted in 2011, the landmark concert hall lacks Gehry’s typical sinuous forms, though its glass-fronted looks still make a statement (and have helped cement it as a top cultural destination).

A tropical paradise just a stone’s throw from bustling Miami, Key Biscayne is a prime addition to any Florida itinerary. Hit the golf course, charter a fishing boat, or just chill out on a beach.

Miami Cruise Port (PortMiami) is a bustling travel hub serving ships from around the globe. The port is situated a stone's throw from downtown Miami on Dodge Island, so you can easily enjoy a shore excursion, hop in a cab to enjoy the city sights, and take in the views of Miami's glistening skyline while crossing the causeway.

Located at the southern tip of Key Biscayne island, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park offers captivating sea views, a historic lighthouse, and outdoor activities from hiking and kayaking to swimming and fishing. Once part of the Underground Railroad, and associated with Seminole Indian history, it has been a protected park since 1967.

On the Miami Beach circuit, LIV Nightclub is considered a top-five nightlife destination. The glam Mid-Beach spot inside the Fontainebleau Hotel has VIP banquette seating, private skyboxes, bottle service, and an exclusive guestlist. These perks plus three full-service bars help attract celebrities and VIPS from Miami and beyond.

To experience the energy, art deco architecture, and top-notch nightlife in Miami Beach, visitors shouldn't miss Miami's Washington Avenue. This bustling stretch is the place to eat, sip cocktails, and shop. Running from City Center through the Art Deco District, you can head here to enjoy the best of Miami, without planning a thing.

Traveling by trolley is a fun way to explore Miami, Miami Beach, and beyond. Even better, in most neighborhoods, a ride on a Miami trolley is free, making it easy to keep costs down and skip the hassle of driving and tackling the city's notorious traffic. Here's what you need to know about navigating Miami’s trolley system.

A motorsports mecca south of Miami, the Homestead-Miami Speedway is a premiere hub for fans of high-speed racing. This is the place in South Florida to enjoy NASCAR and IndyCar events, bask in the Florida sunshine, and enjoy the ambience of lakes and palm trees that surround the track—all just a short drive from Everglades National Park.

Situated in Miami’s Design District, the de la Cruz Collection is a museum that grew out of couple Carlos and Rosa de la Cruz’s private collection. Housed in a strikingly modern, 30,000-square-foot (2,800-square-meter) building since 2009, the museum hosts one major exhibition every year, and is a key Miami destination for contemporary art lovers.

Bal Harbour is an upscale community located in the northern section of Miami Beach. It is known for its luxury shops, high-rise apartment buildings, and luxury hotels. The open-air Bal Harbour Shops includes high-end retailers and designers such as Prada, Gucci, Versace, Hermes, and Chanel. The community also has fine dining and cocktail options.

Combining a hearty, burger-heavy menu with displays of iconic music memorabilia, Hard Rock Cafe caters to music fans with an appetite. Add craft cocktails and a waterfront patio overlooking Biscayne Bay, and this Miami location (one of around 180 Hard Rock Cafe restaurants worldwide) offers something for everyone. Be sure to save time to peruse the walls to learn more about America’s music legends.