Miami is a vibrant city known for its beautiful beaches, Latin culture, and lively nightlife. But beyond the sun and surf, Miami offers a variety of can’t-miss attractions that make it an ideal vacation destination.
| Attraction | Description |
|---|---|
| Perez Art Museum Miami | Modern and contemporary art museum with international art from the 20th and 21st centuries, waterfront views. |
| Vizcaya Museum and Gardens | European-inspired estate with Renaissance artwork, formal gardens, and Biscayne Bay views. |
| Wynwood Walls | Neighborhood with large-scale murals by street artists, transforming the area into an arts scene. |
| Little Havana | Cuban neighborhood with cultural landmarks, cafecitos, and salsa beats. |
| Miami Seaquarium | Marine park with animal encounters and shows, featuring species like otters, dolphins, and killer whales. |
| Jungle Island | Interactive zoological park and botanical garden with safari tours, exotic birds, and interactive exhibits. |
| South Beach | Famous beach with white sands, Ocean Drive action, Art Deco district, and vibrant nightlife. |
| Everglades National Park | Subtropical wilderness with boat tours, hiking trails, and diverse wildlife. |
| Bayside Marketplace | Open-air mall with waterfront dining, shopping, and entertainment. |
| Villa Vizcaya Outdoor SoundScape Garden | Evening arts scene with digital video projections, live performances, and thematic gardens. |
| Coral Castle Museum | Hand-carved coral rock structures by Edward Leedskalnin, a monument to ingenuity and lost love. |
| Calle Ocho Street | Heart of Little Havana, hosting Carnaval Miami, a large Latin block party with food, music, and culture. |
From museums that celebrate Miami’s unique heritage to wildlife habitats that showcase Florida’s rich biodiversity, there are activities and sights to appeal to every type of traveler.
Perez Art Museum Miami
Name and Location: Located in downtown Miami, Florida, the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is a contemporary art museum that overlooks Biscayne Bay.
History and Significance: Established in 1984, PAMM focuses on 20th and 21st-century art from the Americas, Western Europe, and Africa. It’s known for its modern design and sustainable architecture.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a diverse collection of art exhibits, educational programs, and cultural events. The museum’s setting and architecture are also highlights.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday to Sunday. Admission fees apply, but there are specific free admission days and discounts available.
The Perez Art Museum Miami is a modern and contemporary art museum that opened in 2013 to international acclaim. The cutting-edge facilities showcase international works of art from the 20th and 21st centuries with a focus on art from the Americas. The museum’s location on Biscayne Bay provides panoramic views of the downtown Miami skyline. Visitors can admire thought-provoking exhibits before relaxing at the museum’s waterfront restaurant and shop. With vibrant events and programming, the Perez Art Museum offers an exciting slice of Miami’s cosmopolitan culture.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Name and Location: Situated in the Coconut Grove area of Miami, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark that features an early 20th-century villa.
History and Significance: Built between 1914 and 1922 as the winter residence of James Deering, the Italian Renaissance-style villa is famous for its stunning gardens, antique furnishings, and artworks.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore the lavish interior of the villa and the expansive European-inspired gardens.
Visitor Information: Open daily. Tickets are required for entrance, with guided tours available.
This opulent, European-inspired estate was built in 1916 as the winter home of agricultural industrialist James Deering. Today it serves as a museum where visitors can take a step back in time and envision the luxurious lifestyle of Florida’s early 20th century industrialists. The mansion features 34 rooms filled with Renaissance-inspired artwork and furnishings. The home’s -10 acre grounds are beautifully maintained with formal gardens, native woodlands, and breathtaking Biscayne Bay views. This National Historic Landmark provides a magical escape into Miami’s grand and glorious past.
Wynwood Walls
Name and Location: Wynwood Walls is an outdoor museum showcasing large-scale works by some of the world’s best-known street artists, located in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami.
History and Significance: Since its inception in 2009, Wynwood Walls has transformed the warehouse district of Wynwood into a vibrant arts hub, attracting artists and visitors from around the globe.
What to Expect: An explosion of color and creativity, the area features murals and installations by artists from around the world. The district also hosts art fairs and is surrounded by galleries, shops, and restaurants.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, free of charge. Guided tours are available for a fee.
No trip to Miami is complete without a visit to the colorful Wynwood Walls. This cutting-edge neighborhood is home to over 50,000 square feet of sensational large-scale murals created by renowned street artists from around the world. On display are powerful works featuring almost every medium, from spray paint to mosaic tiles. Visitors can take self-guided tours, marveling at the radical urban artwork that transformed the Wynwood district from an abandoned factory zone into the epicenter of Miami’s exploding arts scene.
Little Havana
Name and Location: Little Havana is a vibrant Cuban neighborhood located just west of downtown Miami, known for its cultural, historical, and social significance.
History and Significance: This neighborhood is a center of Cuban and Latin American culture in Miami, famous for its landmarks such as Calle Ocho and the Walk of Fame, celebrating Latin American celebrities.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy Cuban cuisine, music, and dance; visit cigar factories; and explore galleries and theaters. The area’s lively street festivals and cultural events are highlights.
Visitor Information: Accessible year-round, many attractions are free, but some venues and events may charge admission.
Experience Miami’s Latin influence strolling down the vibrant streets of Little Havana. Nestled between downtown and the Miami River, this historically Cuban neighborhood charms visitors with the aromatic smells of cafecitos and the lively sounds of salsa beats. Don’t miss landmarks like Maximo Gomez Park, where locals enjoy a daily game of dominoes, or the Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center where you can embrace history and culture through art, artifacts or song and dance performances. Little Havana’s colorful atmosphere, delectable cuisine and friendly community make it a beloved part of the real Miami experience.
Miami Seaquarium
Name and Location: Located on Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay, close to downtown Miami, the Miami Seaquarium is a 38-acre oceanarium.
History and Significance: Opened in 1955, it’s one of the oldest oceanariums in the United States, featuring marine mammals, fish, sharks, sea turtles, birds, reptiles, and manatees.
What to Expect: The Seaquarium offers dolphin encounters, shows, and educational exhibits. It’s a popular attraction for families interested in marine life and conservation.
Visitor Information: Open daily. Admission fees apply, and various experiences and encounters are available at additional costs.
At the Miami Seaquarium, visitors can discover Florida’s rich marine life with exhilarating animal encounters and shows. This 38-acre park is home to over 500 species ranging from playful otters and dolphins to massive killer whales. You can marvel at the majesty of Lolita the orca as she leaps out of the water during her exciting show, then witness the power of endangered Pacific white-sided dolphins as they spin through the air at breakneck speeds. Other highlights include the endangered manatee rescue program, tropical reef exhibits, shark habitat, and the rare opportunity to swim with gentle dolphins. Expect an awesome day of family fun and fascinating discoveries at the Miami Seaquarium.
Jungle Island
Name and Location: Jungle Island, an interactive zoological park, is located on Watson Island and is easily accessible from downtown Miami.
History and Significance: Originally opened in 1936 as Parrot Jungle, the park was rebranded and relocated, focusing on immersive animal experiences and exhibits.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy up-close encounters with animals, bird shows, and a tropical atmosphere that features rare plants and a variety of wildlife.
Visitor Information: Open daily. Tickets are required for entry, with additional experiences available for purchase.
For tropical adventures, visit Jungle Island — an interactive zoological park and botanical garden located on a lush 18-acre island just off Miami’s MacArthur Causeway. Here you can embark on safari tours to visit orangutans, lemurs, a rare liger, and over 300 vibrant exotic bird species from around the world. Other activities let you feed gentle parrots or watch a variety of alligators and crocodiles snap up lunch. Highlights include the interactive multisensory art installations at the Hawoo House and the beautiful Tree Top Trails where families walk through scenic hanging bridges and netting at canopy level. With so much to see and do, Jungle Island makes for an unforgettable Miami experience suitable for all ages.
South Beach
Name and Location: South Beach, also known as SoBe, is a famous beachfront neighborhood in Miami Beach, known for its beautiful coastline, Art Deco architecture, and vibrant nightlife.
History and Significance: In the early 20th century, South Beach transformed from farmland into a popular destination, with its iconic Art Deco Historic District being recognized for its architectural significance.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy the beach, explore Art Deco landmarks, shop at boutiques, dine at trendy restaurants, and experience the lively club scene.
Visitor Information: The beach is open to the public year-round with no entrance fee, but parking and amenities may have associated costs.
Famous South Beach boasts miles of white sandy beaches, turquoise waves lapping at the shoreline and nonstop action along Ocean Drive. By day, watch beautiful people working on their tans while celebrities hide behind fashionable oversized shades. At night, enjoy delicious cuisine at chic restaurants before hitting one of South Beach’s iconic clubs where you can dance the night away under flashing neon lights beside a bevy beautiful people. Don’t forget to also explore South Beach’s vibrant Art Deco neighborhood, browse the high-end shops along Collins Avenue or simply relax oceanside while enjoying a cocktail and taking in those fabulous people watching views. South Beach dazzles the senses with its colorful atmosphere and sexy style.
Everglades National Park
Name and Location: Everglades National Park, located in southern Florida, is a vast natural preserve known for its unique ecosystem, including mangroves, sawgrass marshes, and pine flatwoods.
History and Significance: Established in 1947 to protect the fragile ecosystem, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a habitat for numerous rare and endangered species.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore the park via hiking, biking, canoeing, and boat tours, observing wildlife such as alligators, manatees, and a variety of bird species.
Visitor Information: Open year-round with entrance fees. Visitor centers provide information, tours, and rental services.
Escape the city less than an hour from downtown Miami to discover the wild splendor of Florida’s Everglades National Park. These unique wetlands protect the largest subtropical wilderness in the US filled with vast grassy marshlands, slow-moving rivers, ponds, forests and mangroves inhabited by hundreds of rare and endangered species. Visitors can take guided boat tours to spot alligators, manatees, snakes and over 350 species of birds roaming free in their natural habitat. Hiking trails like the Anhinga Trail wind through the landscape giving you an up close glimpse into the park’s biodiversity. With many ways to explore, Everglades National Park brings you face-to-face with Mother Nature and offers a welcome change of pace from busy Miami.
Bayside Marketplace
Name and Location: Bayside Marketplace is a two-story open-air shopping center located in downtown Miami, along the Biscayne Bay waterfront.
History and Significance: Since its opening in 1987, Bayside has become a popular destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment, attracting locals and tourists alike.
What to Expect: The marketplace offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as live entertainment and boat tours of Biscayne Bay.
Visitor Information: Open daily. No entrance fee, but parking and some attractions have associated costs.
For some lighthearted shopping and dining along the waterfront, make your way to Bayside Marketplace. This vibrant open-air mall located in downtown Miami offers premier views of sailboats drifting along Biscayne Bay. With over 150 specialty shops, nationally-known retail chains and tempting eateries, Bayside Marketplace makes it easy to find perfect souvenirs, gifts, clothing and keepsakes to commemorate your Miami getaway. And with free daily live music, kids’ activities and fun events year-round, Bayside Marketplace promises a festive atmosphere the whole family can enjoy.
Villa Vizcaya Outdoor SoundScape Garden
Name and Location: The Villa Vizcaya Outdoor SoundScape Garden is part of the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens estate, located in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami.
History and Significance: This garden area is designed to offer a unique auditory experience, complementing the visual beauty of the Vizcaya estate with sound installations and natural acoustics.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a tranquil setting that combines the sounds of nature with art, enhancing the sensory experience of the gardens.
Visitor Information: Access included with admission to the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Check the official website for event schedules and more details.
By night, soak in Miami’s arts scene while enjoying enchanting views during an evening at Vizcaya’s Outdoor SoundScape Garden. Here, cutting-edge digital video is projected onto the villa’s impressive stone façade accompanied by audio that builds upon the location’s history. Guests can stroll through immersive multimedia gardens showcasing a variety of themes ranging from surrealism to mythology while spotting native plants, sculptures and art scattered throughout the grounds. With entertainment options including live music, opera, theater and dance performances, the SoundScape Garden offers ever-changing evening magic sure to delight all your senses.
Coral Castle Museum
Name and Location: The Coral Castle Museum is located in Homestead, Florida, and is a remarkable structure made entirely of limestone formed from coral.
History and Significance: Created by Edward Leedskalnin from 1923 to 1951, the Coral Castle is a testament to a single man’s engineering ingenuity, often compared to Stonehenge for its mystery.
What to Expect: Visitors can expect to be amazed by the intricate sculptures and structures crafted entirely from coral rock. The museum houses a collection of tools used by Leedskalnin during his construction, as well as artifacts that shed light on the enigmatic builder’s life. Exploring the Coral Castle is like stepping into a real-life puzzle, as it continues to baffle scientists and enthusiasts alike.
Visitor Information: The Coral Castle Museum is open for tours, and guided tours are available to provide insights into the history and construction techniques used by Edward Leedskalnin. Visitors should wear comfortable attire and bring a sense of curiosity to unravel the mysteries hidden within these coral walls. The site also features a gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs to commemorate your visit.
Escape the ordinary with a visit to the enigmatic Coral Castle Museum built single-handedly by Latvian immigrant Edward Leedskalnin. He miraculously excavated, carved and placed over 1000 tons of coral rock into unique organic shapes and mysterious structures without help from 1926-1951. Highlights include a working sundial, huge stone gates that a child can open with ease, a Polaris telescope, obelisks, thrones and more. While the Castle itself sparks wonder and imagination with its legends, its greater purpose was to express Leedskalnin’s sweet remembrances of his past love. This National Historic Landmark stands today as a monument to lost love, mystery and remarkable ingenuity.
Calle Ocho Street
Name and Location: Calle Ocho Street, also known as SW 8th Street, is a vibrant and iconic street located in the heart of Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood.
History and Significance: Calle Ocho holds immense historical and cultural significance as the epicenter of Miami’s Cuban community. It has been the hub for Cuban immigrants since the 1960s and serves as a cultural bridge between Cuba and the United States. The street is known for its lively atmosphere, colorful murals, and annual Carnival Miami, which celebrates Latin American culture.
What to Expect: When you visit Calle Ocho, expect to be immersed in a vibrant and bustling environment filled with Latin music, delicious cuisine, and unique shops. You can explore the Latin Walk of Fame, which showcases stars dedicated to influential Latin American figures. The street is lined with Cuban cafés, art galleries, and cigar shops, offering a taste of authentic Cuban culture.
Visitor Information: Calle Ocho is a public street and can be explored freely. It’s recommended to visit during the annual Calle Ocho Festival for a lively and cultural experience, but any day of the year, you can savor Cuban food, dance to salsa music, and engage with the friendly locals. Parking may be challenging, so consider using public transportation or ridesharing services to reach this iconic destination.
No Miami trip complete without a celebration on Calle Ocho Street in the heart of Little Havana. Every March, this lively neighborhood hosts Carnaval Miami — the nation’s biggest Latin block party. For one exhilarating day, Calle Ocho closes to traffic allowing families to flood the area to enjoy nonstop food, fun and entertainment. Swaying palm trees adorn the streets where over 1 million attendees gather to watch lively dancers in bright feathered costumes move to the hypnotic beats of salsa, merengue and reggaeton music. Don’t miss experiencing the delightful food, art, culture and joie de vivre that dazzles Calle Ocho and makes it the vibrant soul of Miami.
With endless entertainment options, world-class beaches and an electrifying multicultural vibe, Miami offers extraordinary attractions to suit every traveler’s taste. From appreciating thought-provoking art and soaking in history to connecting with rare wildlife and partying at lively festivals, Miami serves up incredible experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Let this magical city wrap you up in tropical charm while creating memories to last a lifetime.