Best 20 things to do in Miami, United States

Welcome to the vibrant city of Miami, where the sunshine sparkles brighter than the rhinestones on your grandma's sunglasses! Dive right in with a visit to the legendary South Beach, where you can perfect your tan while dodging speedos that defy the laws of physics. Take a detour to Little Havana and embrace the Cuban culture by sipping on a mojito while practicing your salsa moves, just make sure to hydrate – Miami's humidity will make you sweat like a snowman in a sauna. And lastly, don't miss the chance to hop on a gator-filled airboat, because nothing screams Miami like racing through the Everglades with half your breakfast still stuck in your teeth. Enjoy the Magic City, where ordinary becomes extraordinary!

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1. Take a walk on Ocean Drive

As you stroll down Ocean Drive in Miami, prepare yourself for a dazzling mix of colors, blindingly bright neon signs, and an army of perfectly chiseled joggers trying to convince you to swap your couch for six-pack abs. It's a street that oozes flashy extravagance, where even the palm trees seem to be sporting shimmery gold leaf jackets. So, lace up your sneakers and join the parade of tourists trying to look effortlessly cool while inadvertently weaving through flocks of selfie enthusiasts and stopping every five seconds to gaze at their own reflection in the shiny storefront windows.

2. Explore the Miami Science Museum

4.4 (6299)

1101 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132, USA

Welcome to the Miami Science Museum, where science meets sunburns! Prepare to embark on a quest of knowledge as you dodge melting ice cream cones and curious seagulls. Whether you're an aspiring mad scientist or just looking to escape the scorching Florida heat, this museum offers a delightful blend of interactive exhibits, educational shows, and air conditioning that rivals the Antarctic temperatures you won't find outside. So grab a beach towel, leave your sunscreen in the car, and get ready for a scientific adventure that's hotter than a salsa competition in Miami!

www.frostscience.org

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3. Discover the Miami Design District

4.7 (13906)

4000 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137, USA

Welcome to the Miami Design District, where you can swap your flip-flops for fabulous shoes that even Cinderella would drool over. Prepare to be dazzled by the district's unique blend of high-end fashion and art, because here, even the pigeons might be strutting their stuff in designer feather boas. From sipping sangrias at rooftop lounges to exploring galleries that make your eyes pop like an over-filled suitcase, this district is a magnetic force for those who like their vacations with a side of whimsy and a pinch of extravagance.

www.miamidesigndistrict.net

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4. Visit the Little Havana neighborhood

4.4 (145)

2555 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135, USA

Welcome to Little Havana, Miami's vibrant and spicy neighborhood that will transport you straight to the heart of Cuba, without needing a passport or a salsa class. Get ready to savor the mouthwatering aromas of Cuban coffee and fried plantains that will tempt even the most disciplined dieters, because calories don't count here, right? Stroll along Calle Ocho, the neighborhood's lively main street, where you'll find colorful domino games, men rolling cigars the size of baseball bats, and more fedora hats than a Miami Vice marathon.

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5. Visit the Pérez Art Museum Miami

4.5 (5980)

1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132, USA

Welcome to the Pérez Art Museum Miami, where art and sunshine collide in a harmonious blend that will make even the most pasty-skinned tourists question their indoor lifestyle choices. Prepare to drift through a sea of awe-inspiring masterpieces, strategically placed amidst a backdrop of palm trees swaying to the rhythm of your art-induced enlightenment. As you marvel at the exhibits, you may also catch glimpses of Miami's wild side, where locals take selfies with Picasso's long-lost cousins, just to prove they're the hippest hipsters this side of the Mississippi.

www.pamm.org

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6. Experience the Jungle Island

4.1 (3755)

1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132, USA

Nestled amidst the vibrant city of Miami, lies the exotic Jungle Island, where you can experience a wild adventure without the need for a plane ticket. Embrace your inner Tarzan as you swing through the jungle on their thrilling zip line, or channel your inner Jane and frolic with the playful lemurs. Just remember, if you happen to come across a parrot named Polly, don't challenge it to a dance-off, unless you're prepared to lose in the most embarrassing way possible.

www.jungleisland.com

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7. Relax at the Crandon Park Beach

4.5 (9763)

6747 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, USA

Welcome to Crandon Park Beach in Miami, where relaxation is practically mandatory and stress is sent packing faster than a sun-worshipper on a crowded beach day. This picturesque slice of paradise will have you feeling like a blissed-out beach bum, without the 24/7 commitment. Bask in the warm golden sands, dip your toes in the crystal-clear waters, and let your worries float away like a wayward balloon in a sea breeze.

www.miamidade.gov

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8. Visit the Miami Beach

Miami Beach, FL, USA

Welcome to the sunny and sizzling Miami Beach, where you can roast like a marshmallow and bake like a cookie all year round! Dive into the vibrant turquoise waters and swim alongside enthusiastic dolphins doing synchronized flips, just remember to leave any synchronized swimming ambitions at home. When you're ready to test your relationship with the sun, grab that random inflatable crocodile and strut your stuff on the sandy catwalk, and don't forget to apply enough sunscreen to survive a nuclear meltdown!

www.miamibeachfl.gov

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9. Experience the vibrant nightlife in South Beach

4.8 (59)

1120 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA

Get ready for a wild roller coaster ride as you dive headfirst into the electric atmosphere of South Beach in Miami! When the sun goes down, be prepared to unleash your inner party animal and join the bustling scene of nightclubs, bars, and dancing shoes galore. From swanky rooftop lounges to hip dive bars, South Beach caters to all nocturnal creatures looking for a good time, even if you're just as coordinated on the dance floor as a newborn giraffe learning to walk.

www.allinclusivesouthbeachclubpackage.com

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10. Explore the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

4.8 (2905)

Coral Gables, FL 33156, USA

Welcome to the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in sunny Miami, where plants flaunt their greenery like supermodels at a foliage fashion show. Take a leisurely stroll through this enchanting jungle oasis, where the palm trees sway so gracefully that they could give Beyoncé a run for her money. Don't be surprised if you find yourself chatting with a talking parrot named Fred, who claims to have mastered the art of philosophical debates while munching on mangos.

www.fairchildgarden.org

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11. Relax at the Venetian Pool

4.4 (3395)

2701 De Soto Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134, USA

Welcome to the Venetian Pool in Miami, where relaxation takes a front-row seat and tranquility does a graceful cannonball. Dip your toes into this aquatic marvel, originally a quarry, transformed into an oasis for weary souls seeking respite from the Miami heat. Here, you'll find an amusing concoction of natural beauty, Mediterranean charm, and enough Instagram-worthy moments to make even your friends envious of your "out of office" adventures.

www.coralgables.com

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12. Shop at the Bayside Marketplace

4.5 (62507)

401 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132, USA

Welcome to the Bayside Marketplace in sunny Miami, where shopping becomes a vibrant adventure sprinkled with a pinch of Floridian quirkiness! Immerse yourself in this retail utopia bustling with colorful boutiques, tantalizing aromas, and enough tourist swag to rival a flock of pink flamingos. Grab your sunscreen and unleash your inner shopaholic amidst the palm trees, glistening waters, and an occasional alligator sighting (just kidding!).

www.baysidemarketplace.com

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13. Visit the Frost Museum of Science

4.4 (6299)

1101 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132, USA

Welcome to the Frost Museum of Science in sunny Miami, where avant-garde exploration meets flip-flops! Dive into a world of cutting-edge exhibits and hilarious aquatic antics as you embark on a journey through mind-boggling science. Be prepared to ooh and aah as you witness daring astronauts, interactive exhibits, and possibly bump into a sassy dolphin who knows more about marine biology than your average college professor.

www.frostscience.org

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14. Explore the Art Deco Historic District

5 (9)

1001 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA

Welcome to the Art Deco Historic District in Miami, where fabulous architectural wonders await you like a buffet of eccentric flavors. Take a stroll along Ocean Drive and witness a carnival of pastel-hued buildings that seem to have been plucked straight out of a Miami Vice episode. The deco façades will make you feel like you've stumbled into a retro time capsule, begging the question - did the Golden Girls secretly reside here?

mdpl.org

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15. Discover the Everglades National Park

4 (135)

305 Lincoln Rd #E, Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA

Welcome to Miami's Everglades National Park, where you can witness alligator fashion shows like you've never seen before – walk the runway, but watch your step! As you venture deeper into this unique wetland, be prepared for nature's version of hide and seek. The Everglades have more wildlife than a zoo, so keep your eyes peeled for sassy manatees, sneaky crocs, and even panthers with an attitude.

www.evergladesnationalpark.com

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16. Stroll through the Wynwood Walls

4.7 (39687)

2516 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127, USA

Welcome to Wynwood Walls, where art and quirkiness collide in a delightful dance. Prepare to be whisked away on a visual rollercoaster as you stroll through this vibrant outdoor museum of brightly painted walls. Witness how graffiti can magically transform into unbelievable masterpieces, making you wonder if you've stumbled into a whimsical dreamland where spray cans reign supreme.

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17. Take a boat tour of Biscayne Bay

4.3 (71)

Miami, FL 33132, USA

Embark on an aquatic escapade in the enchanting city of Miami! Grab your sunscreen and sense of humor as you set sail on a boat tour of the one and only Biscayne Bay. Prepare to be dazzled by the stunning skyline, pristine beaches, and a lively ecosystem inhabited by curious dolphins who just might offer you an impromptu stand-up comedy routine. So, hop aboard, channel your inner explorer, and get ready for a voyage filled with sights, laughs, and more sea spray than a Beyoncé concert!

wannadotours.com

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18. Explore the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

4.7 (11172)

3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129, USA

Prepare to be transported to a time when gardens were more extravagant than shoulder pads in the 80s! Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami is a delightful mishmash of Italian Renaissance and Baroque elements, making it the lovechild of an art historian and a landscape architect who went on a spontaneous European road trip. Wander through its opulent rooms, feeling like you just stumbled into the set of The Great Gatsby - but with fewer people quoting Fitzgerald and more chatting about the fabulous flamingos that roam outside. Don't forget to snap a selfie on the Venetian Grotto bridge, which is basically the world's classiest jungle gym.

vizcaya.org

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19. Enjoy water sports at Key Biscayne

4.1 (162)

1 Rickenbacker Cswy, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, USA

Welcome to Key Biscayne in Miami, where the water sports scene is so great, even mermaids have been spotted showing off their impressive jet ski skills! Dive into the crystal-clear waters and take the plunge in exhilarating activities like paddleboarding, where trying to balance while avoiding the occasional dolphin photobomb is all part of the fun. And if you're feeling adventurous, don't miss out on the chance to surf the waves like a pro, or at least pretend to, as pelicans soar overhead, secretly judging your moves.

miamiwatersports.com

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20. Visit the Miami Seaquarium

3.7 (13722)

4400 Rickenbacker Cswy, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, USA

Welcome to the sunny paradise of Miami, where you can dive into an aquatic adventure at the Miami Seaquarium! This enchanting marine wonderland offers a fin-tastic blend of delightful shows, daring encounters, and perhaps the occasional battle of wits with a clever dolphin. Get ready to unleash your inner Aquaman or Aquawoman as you frolic amidst sensational sea creatures and navigate the waters of laughter and awe.

miamiseaquarium.com

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How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Miami by plane is to fly into Miami International Airport, which is serviced by numerous airlines from all over the world.

Car

If you are driving to Miami, the best way to get there will depend on where you are coming from. Interstate 95 runs along the east coast of the United States and can take you straight to Miami.

Train

Unfortunately, there is no direct train service to Miami. However, you can take an Amtrak train to the nearby cities of Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach and then transfer to a bus or taxi to get to Miami.

Boat

Miami is a popular cruise port, so if you prefer to travel by boat, you can take a cruise to the city. Some of the major cruise lines that call at the Port of Miami include Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Bus

One of the best ways to get to Miami by bus is to take a Greyhound bus, as they offer numerous daily trips to the city from cities across the United States.

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