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What to Do in Miami: 10 Top Spots to Visit & Where to Eat

Miami is a gloriously sunny city made fascinating by diversity. Different kinds of people and cultures make it vibrant and dynamic. Skyscrapers and nightclubs are aspects of Miami that are just as iconic as beaches, alligators and swamps. And all of the city can be yours to enjoy as you drive through it, stopping to explore the parts that tickle your fancy.

Because of the unique way Miami is geographically situated, exploring by car is the most convenient and efficient way to explore. It is a long, narrow city on the east coast of mainland Florida, but it also includes islands you can get to across bridges. Furthermore, because of Miami’s hot and sunny weather and world-famous scenery, you’ll want to travel at your own pace and in your own best level of comfort. A convertible is the classic choice for exploring the city, but an SUV with its air-conditioning and higher seats for better views might suit you best in The Sunshine State.

Book in Miami

  • Lummus Park Beach
  • Everglades National Park
  • Little Havana
  • Historic Art Deco District
  • Bayfront Park
  • Jungle Island
  • Coral Castle
  • Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
  • Wynwood Walls Street Art
  • Julia Tuttle Causeway
  • Best Places to Eat & Drink in Miami
  • Must-see attractions in Miami

    1. Lummus Park Beach

    volleyball courts and beach along lummus park on the water in miami beach, florida
    Photo: Gagliardi Photography on Shutterstock

    If you want to see an iconic Miami beach with bikini-clad women, rollerbladers, ripped jocks working out and people playing volleyball, Lummus Park is it. This park and its beach have been featured in countless movies and TV shows, including “CSI: Miami”. Characterized by a grassy palm tree grove, a smooth and winding sidewalk, and a sandy beach complete with a colorful lifeguard station, Lummus Park does not disappoint. It also offers 2 outside fitness gyms, a playground, restrooms and water fountains.

    Address: 1130 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, FL 33139

    Entry fees: Free

    Hours: Open 24/7

    Time required to see the attraction: Spend as much time here as you like

    2. Everglades National Park

    heron flying up from the water in the everglades national park at sunrise
    Photo: Brian Lasenby on Shutterstock

    Are you hoping you see an alligator when you visit Miami (without getting eaten)? Then Everglades National Park, with its 1.5 million acres of protected swampland, is a must-see. A relatively short walk along the Anhinga Trail will allow you to see alligators, birds, snakes and maybe even crocodiles in their natural habitat. The park’s borders start just outside Miami and it’s definitely worth the drive.

    Address: 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034

    Entry fees: More information

    Hours: When to visit

    Time required to see the attraction: 2-3 hours

    3. Little Havana

    four men playing dominoes at Domino Park in little havana in Miami
    Photo: Fotoluminate LLC on Shutterstock

    Cuban culture and people make up and influence so much of Miami life that you will want to go to Little Havana to experience the distinctive cultural scene. Calle Ocho is the main road of the district, featuring specialty food shops, restaurants, ambient Latin music and murals on the walls of buildings. Don’t expect tourist traps and kitschy shops – Little Havana is the real deal – the actual neighborhood where Cubans in Miami live.

    Address: At the southern end of Biscayne Bay, west of downtown Miami

    Time required to see the attraction: 1-2 hours

    4. Historic Art Deco District

    pastel fronts of art deco buildings in miami beach, florida
    Photo: Richard Goldberg on Shutterstock

    Miami Beach is a long, narrow island connected to the mainland by a number of bridges. You’ll find the Art Deco District at the southern end of the island. This district is characterized by sleek pastel buildings from the 1930s and 40s, when Miami had to rebuild after a devastating hurricane in 1926. Upscale restaurants, shops and hotels abound, allowing for a memorable day or perhaps the ideal place to stay.

    Address: South Miami Beach

    Time required to see the attraction: As long as you like

    5. Bayfront Park

    paved pathway along the water lined with palm trees, with miami skyscrapers in the background
    Photo: Papa Bravo on Shutterstock

    At this seaside park next to the Bayfront Marketplace, you can stroll, run, fish, swim or just relax. But some other attractive features include The Light Tower, which is a popular concert venue, and the Challenger Memorial, honoring the crew of the Challenger Space Shuttle that exploded just after take-off in 1986.

    Address: 301 North Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132

    Entry fees: Free

    Hours: Open 24/7

    Time required to see the attraction: As long as you like

    6. Jungle Island

    two red, green and blue parrots sitting on a branch amid green foliage on jungle island in miami
    Photo: Mia2you on Shutterstock

    While you are driving through Miami, take advantage of the city’s hot climate and lush vegetation by visiting Jungle Island. At this bird sanctuary and wildlife habitat you can see exotic animals, including parrots, tigers, baboons, monkeys and tortoises. You can even interact with sloths, pink flamingos, lemurs and capybaras. There is also a botanical garden featuring thousands of types of tropical plants.

    Address: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132

    Entry fees: More information

    Hours: When to visit

    Time required to see the attraction: 4-6 hours

    7. Coral Castle

    limestone sculpture garden coral castle with stone floor in homestead, florida
    Photo: David Souza on Shutterstock

    Coral Castle is not really a castle nor made of coral, but it is an amazing sight to behold. In 1923, Edward Leedskalnin began carving intricate and unique figures from oolite limestone. He finished the job in 1951, and since he never let anyone watch him work, no one knows how on earth he accomplished such an amazing feat. Take a tour and take lots of pictures of this artistic marvel.

    Address: 28655 S. Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL 33033

    Entry fees: More information

    Hours: When to visit

    Time required to see the attraction: 1-2 hours

    8. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

    spanish-style vizcaya museum and its manicured gardens with ponds in miami, florida
    Photo: Songquan Deng on Shutterstock

    This mansion right on Biscayne Bay is an Italian Renaissance-style villa built in 1916. The 34 rooms situated around a central courtyard feature furniture, artworks and decorative details from five different centuries. Just as breathtaking as the mansion are the lush and cultivated grounds. You’ll enjoy formal gardens, sculptures, pools and fountains. This 28-acre estate is a National Historic Landmark.

    Address: 3251 South Miami Ave., Miami, FL 33129

    Entry fees: More information

    Hours: When to visit

    Time required to see the attraction: 2-3 hours

    9. Wynwood Walls Street Art

    Vibrant street art enlivens the exterior walls of Miami’s warehouse district. These bold murals are sometimes abstract and sometimes representational, but always fascinating. You can take several different tours to both see the art and learn about the artists and the history of art in the district. More than 8,000 square feet of walls display murals, some painted by street artists who traveled across the county or the globe to paint them.

    Address: 266 NW 26th St., Miami, FL 33127

    Entry fees: More information

    Hours: When to visit

    Time required to see the attraction: 1-2 hours

    10. Julia Tuttle Causeway

    long multilane julia tuttle causeway bridge connecting miami and miami beach over the water
    Photo: Felix Mizioznikov on Shutterstock

    When you visit Miami, you simply must allow yourself the pleasure of driving across the Julia Tuttle Causeway. This 4.4-mile bridge crosses Biscayne Bay, connecting Miami on the west side to Miami Beach on the east side. You will feel like you are driving across the very waves themselves as you traverse this bridge named for the founder of Miami.

    Address: Interstate 195/Florida State Road 112 across Biscayne Bay

    Time required to see the attraction: Roughly 5 minutes to drive across the causeway

    Best Places to Eat & Drink in Miami

    Miami has such a vibrant blend of cultures, and the food reflects the exciting diversity.

    Finka Table & Tap: In this spacious restaurant with wooden tables and booth seating, you can enjoy bold Cuban cuisine. This restaurant is in western Miami away from the water, but the authentic Cuban food is worth it. Signature dishes include croquette pizza and arroz con pollo fritters. You can also enjoy craft cocktails.

    Joe’s Stone Crab Restuarant: This restaurant in South Beach is known for – what else – stone crab claws! Joe’s has been serving this iconic Miami seafood for over a century. This elegant restaurant has an old-world look and feel but a casual and relaxed vibe. Aside from the crab claws, Joe’s also has a full menu of starters, sides, entrees, sandwiches and desserts.

    Stubborn Seed: This Miami Beach restaurant dazzles with inspired American cuisine. It offers an eight-course chef’s tasting menu that you won’t regret ordering. Stubborn Seed’s signature dishes include roasted barramundi over onion and citrus stew and cacio e pepe cheese puffs.

    More about Miami

    • South Florida Road Trip: Essential Stops from Miami to the Florida Keys
    • NYC to Miami Road Trip: The Route & Top 5 Stops Along the Way
    • Road Trip from Atlanta to Miami
    • One way car rental Orlando to Miami

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