Choose from 37 Fun Things to Do in Miami
Miami Seaquarium
- Allow at least four hours to see the Seaquarium and all four daily shows.
- Frequent shows include killer whale, dolphin, and sea lion performances.
- Dolphin Harbor is an especially fun venue for watching marine mammals play and show off.
- Ample paid parking is available on-site.
Aventura Mall
- Aventura Mall is a must-do for shopping aficionados.
- On-site restaurants include a food court and more than 15 sit-down spots, including the Cheesecake Factory, Le Pain Quotidien, and Serafina Miami.
- Parking is available, along with a valet service.
- The mall is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Coral Gables
All across America are wealthy suburbs, where the houses are big and new and designed to resemble European abodes. But Coral Gables, called the City Beautiful, was the first. For in the posh neighborhood, you’ll see Italianate villas, Mediterranean mansion, mini-Alhambras, and cookie-cutter Cordobas, shaded and lovely under lving walls of banyan grove and ficus copse.
After you’ve spent some time driving around looking at all the beautiful homes, head up Granada Boulevard to Anastasia Avenue to marvel at the palatial landmark Biltmore Hotel. Then zip up the diagonal Desoto Boulevard, past the gurgling stone fountain of DeSoto Plaza to the perfectly sculpted landscaping, waterfalls, palm groves, and shaded pavilions of Venetian Pool. For a little respite, head east past wedding-cake houses and an organic pavilion of banyan branches to Miracle Mile, a sparkling stretch of the Gables’ finest shopping outlets.
To the south is the University of Miami, where the gorgeous grounds and its student body inject a nice dose of punky youth into this aristocratic neighborhood. Art lovers should stop at the Lowe Art Museum to see the stunning collection of pre-Columbia and Mesoamerican art. The museum also has a lovely collection of Renaissance and Baroque art.
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Coral Gables is located southwest of downtown Miami and borders Coconut Grove and Little Havana. The City Beautiful is packed with dining establishments and gourmet shops, along many international retailers.
You can easily spend an entire day here sightseeing, shopping, and eating. Though you can get here by public transportation, you’ll get the most of your visit by car, as you can easily see more sites.
Miami Design District
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Jungle Island
Jungle Island (formerly Parrot Jungle Island) is a glorious homage to tourism kitsch. This is one of those places kids beg to go, so just give up and prepare for some bright-feathered, bird-scented fun. Actually, the 18 acre (7 hectare) waterfront facility, lushly landscaped and using a minimum of pesticides, is pretty impressive, thanks in part to the parrots, macaws, flamingos, and cockatoos flying about in outdoor aviaries.
The Cape Penguin colony is especially cute, as is Crocosaurus, a 20 foot (6 meter) long saltwater crocodile that lives in Serpentarium. Other critters include snakes, crocodiles, gibbons and orangutans, not to mention tortoises, iguanas, and a rare albino alligator on exhibit.
You can even see animals in action, as Jungle Island host a number of shows starring roller-skating cockatoos, card-playing macaws, and numerous stunt-happy parrots. Nearby is Pinecrest Gardens, which has a petting zoo, mini-water park, and a lake.
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Jungle Island sits on the north side of MacArthur Causeway, which connects downtown Miami with South Beach. To get here, take I-95 to I-395 east (MacArthur Causeway). Make a right on Parrot Jungle Trail, which is the first exit after the bridge. If you have kids, consider combining a visit to Jungle Island with the Miami Children's Museum, which is located nearby.
Homestead-Miami Speedway
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Mango's Tropical Cafe
Conveniently, Mango’s Tropical Cafe is located across from Miami Beach. Just like at Miami Beach, you can expect beautiful people at the nightclub and restaurant and a party that seems to never end.
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Bal Harbour
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Art Deco Historic District
- The Art Deco Historic District is a must for architecture aficionados.
- Restrooms and other amenities are available at the Art Deco Welcome Center, but once you start on a walking tour, there are few public facilities along the way.
- The welcome center houses an art deco museum and gift shop.
- Those with special mobility needs should contact the Art Deco Welcome Center 72 hours in advance of any tour to seek assistance.
Fisher Island
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Miami Beach
- Much of Miami Beach is pedestrian friendly, but you can cover more ground by car, or by taking a city sightseeing bus tour or boat tour.
- The most crowded beaches run from about 5th Street to 21st Street in the South Beach area.
- Families with kids should head north of 21st Street, especially to the beaches at 53rd Street or 73rd Street, or to Matheson Hammock Park or South Pointe Park.
Coral Castle Museum
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Little Havana
The Basics
The neighborhood’s colorful spirit unfolds on Calle Ocho, Little Havana’s bustling main street, reminiscent of Cuba. On this block between SW 15th and 17th avenues, the Miami Arts District contains a string of studios and galleries that showcase some of the best Latin American art in the country. Nearby, travelers will find the Bay of Pigs Museum & Library, which enshrines the crew of the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion, and on the two blocks at SW 13th Street, south of Calle Ocho, are monuments of Cuban patriots and freedom fighters. Many tour options combine a visit to Little Havana with tours of other popular spots in Miami and the surrounding area: South Beach and its art deco architecture, Miami Beach, the Everglades, Coconut Grove, or the art galleries in nearby Wynwood.
- If you’re not prepared to sweat through the Miami summer heat, book a bus tour or a private tour with air-conditioned transportation included.
- Walking tours and bike tours are the easiest ways to see the area.
- Half-day Little Havana tours take in the neighborhood’s sights, while full-day options also visit other Miami highlights.
How To Get to Little Havana
The Miami River separates Little Havana from downtown Miami on the northeast border. Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street) is the neighborhood’s epicenter, running between NW 22nd Avenue and SW 10th Avenue. You can get to Little Havana via the Metromover train or by bus. If you’re coming by car, take I-95 to NW 7th Street.
When to Get There
Daily life is always pulsating to the beat of Cuban music in Little Havana. A daytime visit lets travelers see the neighborhood’s charming, banal side; the nightlife that erupts after dark is worth a visit in itself.
What to Eat in Little Havana
One of the best ways to experience a culture is through its food, and Cuban culture in Miami’s Little Havana is no exception. On a Little Havana food tour, you can taste Cuban specialties such as guava pastries, chicken plantain cups, and flan ice cream while learning about Cuban traditions, history, and culinary practices from a local tour guide.
Miami Beach Botanical Gardens
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De la Cruz Collection
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Dolphin Mall
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Bass Museum of Art
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Miami Cruise Port
How to Get to Miami
Your ship will be docked at the port on Dodge Island, just a couple of miles from downtown. It’s a 15-minute walk to the Bayside Marketplace shopping and dining center. Most other Miami attractions require a cab, which you’ll find near the port.
One Day in Miami
The beach is a must, but first, head inland to explore one of Miami’s most colorful neighborhoods, Little Havana, just west of downtown. Wander down 8th Street (or ‘Calle Ocho’), where you can watch cigars being rolled, try a Cubano sandwich and see several memorial statues along Cuban Memorial Boulevard.
Next, hop in a cab and head to the Miami Seaquarium, an aquatic park spread across nearly 40 acres (16 hectares) on Biscayne Bay. Watch sharks being fed, manatees being brought back to health, dolphins showing off their tricks and rescued turtles enjoying some rehabilitation.
Now it’s time to visit Miami Beach, which is reached easiest by cab. Ask the driver to drop you off around Ocean Drive and 10th Street, which puts you in the heart of the Art Deco District. Walk around for a bit to admire the historic buildings that put Miami on the architecture map, and then kick off your shoes and spend the rest of the afternoon on the white sands of South Beach.
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Coconut Grove
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Bayside Marketplace
- In the evenings and on weekends, the market’s atmosphere often gets energetic with dancing and live music.
- Vehicle parking, handicapped parking, and stroller parking are all available.
- Aside from many restaurants, there is a food court serving more fast, casual dining options.