Miami is definitely worth visiting for its beautiful beaches, diverse culture, vibrant nightlife, and thriving art scene. You can also enjoy outdoor activities and indulge in delicious cuisine. So, whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure, this dynamic city is the perfect destination.
To help you decide is Miami worth visiting, read on to discover our list of 21 reasons to visit Miami. Our useful list will also help you to plan your next visit to Miami as it features many interesting and fun things to do and see in Miami.
Is Miami Worth Visiting? 21 Reasons to Visit Miami
1. Relax at Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park is 32 acres of green space in downtown Miami. The park has a beach area, memorials, waterfalls, monuments and an amphitheatre where festivals and concerts take place. It’s also a good place to bring your picnic and enjoy outstanding views of the port of Miami and Biscayne Bay.
If you are a fan of yoga, you can participate in free yoga classes here on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. If you want to join in, you need to bring your own equipment.
2. Go Wild at Jungle Island
Jungle Island is an eco-adventure theme park located between downtown Miami and South Beach and is the perfect day out with kids. You will find animals from all over the world and the collection is huge.
Jungle Island is 75 years old and, all year long, there are different activities to entertain all the family. These include animal encounters and treetop trekking.
3. Watch the World Go By at South Pointe Park
South Pointe Park is located in the south-eastern part of Miami Beach. It is the best spot for views of impressive cruise ships leaving the port of Miami and a great place to practise your camera skills.
There is also a sidewalk where you can enjoy rollerblading, walking or cycling. In addition, you can access the beach and there is a playground for kids.
4. Experience the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya Museum is an amazing Mediterranean-style house located in the heart of Miami. You will be transported back in time when architects were inspired by Europe.
Inside the villa, you will discover Fine Art and stunning interiors. You can finish your visit in the tranquil European garden.
5. Get Hands On at the Frost Science Museum
The Frost Science Museum is another great place to visit with kids. There are so many activities which give children the opportunity to experience science first-hand.
You can enjoy interactive exhibitions, a planetarium, aquarium and other events. This is a great museum where you aren’t purely a spectator but an active particpant. Check out the official Frost Science website for the full programme of events.
6. Enjoy Miami Beaches
South Beach is the most well-known beach in Miami but if you want a more local and less touristy beach, I would recommend Soho Beach.
As with all beaches in the world, you can enjoy various water sports and sunbathing but there is also a very good club at the northern end of the beach, the Soho Beach House. Here, you can enjoy a drink in the sun. Don’t forget the sun cream and umbrella because the sun is very strong here!
Another interesting place to see is the Muscle Beach at South Beach. This part of the beach is dedicated to bodybuilders who come here to train on the beach.
7. Wander Around Bayside Marketplace
Bayside Marketplace is located in downtown Miami. It is nice to spend time wandering inside this shopping centre.
The two-story open-air marketplace is located next to the marina and Biscayne Bay. It offers a relaxed ambience near the marina and is a good spot to have a drink, watch the boats go in and out and listen to live music.
8. Check Out Wynwood Walls Street Art Museum
Wynwood Walls is an outdoor destination dedicated to Street Art artists from around the globe. Whether you know nothing about Street Art, or you are an expert, Wynwood Wall is the place for you. You can enjoy la crème de la crème in Street Art. Many Street Artists come here to paint so it’s a very interesting place to visit and to take cool selfies!
9. Visit the Presidential Rail Car at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum
As you might guess, the Gold Coast Railroad Museum is dedicated to trains! The museum has an impressive collection of historic railway equipment including the presidential rail car, ‘Ferdinand Magellan’.
The Gold Coast Railroad Museum also hosts different seasonal exhibitions. In addition, it has model railway displays and visitors can also enjoy train rides on the weekends. On the first Saturday of every month, there is free admission!
10. Get Close to Marine Life at Miami Seaquarium
Miami Seaquarium is the best aquarium in south Florida. This is a good place to come with kids but there are experiences for the entire family that include swimming with dolphins.
Daily shows, animal encounters and exhibits are sure to entertain you. The Miami Seaquarium is open 365 days a year. To avoid disappointment, click on the banner below to buy your tickets in advance.
11. Stay at the Jules’ Undersea Lodge (Unique Diving and Secret Underwater Hotel)
Miami is a good place to enjoy diving or snorkelling and you will find plenty of places to experience these water sports. Why not use your time in Miami to take your PADI exam and discover the undersea world? It is certainly more appealing to learn how to dive in Miami than in a swimming pool closer to home!
If diving isn’t your thing, you can still have a unique experience spending one night under the sea. Jules’ Undersea Lodge is a unique underwater hotel which also offers scuba diving courses.
12. Discover Alligators in their Natural Habitat
When you think of Miami, you often think of alligators! If you want to see some alligators in their natural habitat, you need to go to the Everglades National Park (see number 19) and take a ride on an airboat.
An airboat is a flat boat with a big propeller at the back and is the perfect way to explore the Everglades. During my airboat trip, I didn’t see a lot of alligators, but the best part iof the experience was the boat ride. It’s great fun!
Do you know there is a restaurant where you can eat Florida alligator? I haven’t tried eating alligator so can’t comment! Perhaps you will!
13. Try Out Some New Water Sports
Miami has fantastic beaches and offers plenty of water sports, so why not try some of them during your stay? Arguably, Miami is one of the best places to have a go at water sports because the water is perfect, and the weather is sunny.
In Miami, you can rent jet skis, flying boards, kayaks, paddleboards, aqua jets or experience speed boats, parasailing and boat cruises. I’m sure you will find what you want in Miami, no matter what water sports you are looking for.
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14. Cruise Along Ocean Drive and Discover Its Art Deco Buildings
Ocean Drive is the most famous street in Miami. Everybody goes here for different reasons. I enjoyed seeing the stunning Art Deco buildings. On one side, the beach runs along Ocean Drive and, on the other, you will find beautiful buildings.
Ocean Drive is also the place to go to show off your fast car. In addition, there are plenty of bars, restaurants and trendy clubs. If you decide to drink or eat in this area, be prepared to pay more for the location. I don’t recommend eating here. For me, it’s too touristic and not as authentic as other areas of Miami.
Ocean Drive needs two visits. One during the day and one at night. At night, the Art Deco buildings are illuminated with neon lights and there is a very different feeling from the daytime. It’s time to party!
15. Experience an Adrenaline Rush at Lock and Load
At Lock and Load premier machine gun experience, museum and art gallery, you can try out plenty of different weapons. It’s like a restaurant. You have a menu and can choose which weapon you want to shoot with.
This is a unique experience if you want to try out your shooting skills in a safe and private environment. It’s not easy and probably isn’t for everyone. The museum is free to visit.
16. Enjoy a Miami Sunset
Miami is a great place to relax in front of a nice sunset. Whether you experience it alone, with your partner or as a family, everyone enjoys seeing the sun disappear below the horizon. For me, it is always a magical moment and allows you time for self-reflection about our beautiful planet.
Here are the 5 best places to enjoy a sunset in Miami:
- South Pointe Park (see number 3)
- Lummus Park
- Smith & Wollensky (eat, drink and enjoy the sunset in background)
17. Immerse Yourself in Miami Nightlife
Miami is a town where the nightlife is part of the culture. From having a cocktail with friends to dancing until the early hours, you will find a place which suits you. Usually clubs close at 2am but Miami residents, don’t usually head to the clubs before 1am.
Imagine you could dance, drink, ice skate and bowl in the same place. In Miami it’s possible! Check out the Basement Club.
If you are looking for a Hotel in Miami, check out the best prices below.
18. Watch a Basketball Game at the Miami-Dade Arena
Miami has a great basketball team (Miami Heat) and plenty of supporters. Going to see a live basketball game at the Miami-Dade Arena is completely different from watching it on TV. There is a great atmosphere inside the stadium, and you are quickly part of the game along with everyone else.
If you have never been to a live basketball match, why not try it out whilst you are visiting Miami?
19. Enjoy the Beauty of Nature in the Everglades National Park
The Everglades National Park protects a wetland landscape in south Florida. The park is vast and is mainly comprised of mangroves. People compare the Everglades to a grassy slow-moving river. It is the habitat of hundreds of animal spices like amphibians, fish, birds, insects, mammals and reptiles.
There is plenty to do in the Everglades. Most people come here to have a guided tour on an airboat to catch sight of alligators. However, the Everglades National Park is the third largest park in the USA, so offers many other leisure opportunities including organised tours, canoeing, kayaking, biking, fishing and camping.
For more information about this great park, you can check out the official website of the Everglades National Park Service.
20. Indulge Yourself in Multi-Cultural Miami Food
Miami is a multi-cultural town and offers a wide range of multi-cultural food. If you want to try a speciality of Miami, you should try some Latin American and Caribbean influenced food or seafood like the Stone Crab. However, as I mentioned above, if you want to experience authentic food, you should avoid Ocean Drive.
If you fancy a burger, you will find a lot of restaurants serving regular burgers in Miami. If you want to experience burgers at another level, you should check out Amour de Miami.
21. Discover Miami’s Little Havana
Little Havana is great neighbourhood of Miami which allows you to experience a taste of Cuba. In this area of Miami, you will find great Latino music, shops and restaurants.
This neighbourhood will transport you to another place in the world. Just wander around Little Havana and discover parks with domino players or historical buildings like the Tower Theatre. In the evening, you can enjoy the Latino clubs.
Is Miami Worth Visiting?
For me, it is another big yes! This is a vibrant city with great food and many different activities to entertain the entire family.
For more information about Miami you can check Miami Visitor website.
