Top 35 Miami Attractions & Things To Do You Can't Miss

With a name as titular as Miami Beach, it's no surprise that this is one of the best things to do in Miami.

You'll find that a lot of visitors to Miami come to visit primarily for Miami Beach alone! This is the crown jewel of the region.

Technically speaking, Miami Beach is a larger area, but it's most referred to for its white sand stretch of beaches. This also, technically, includes South Beach.

There's something for everyone at Miami Beach - lively nightlife, lots of spas, great shopping and dining, and much more.

Be prepared to spend a good amount of money here unless you're cautious enough to find the thriftier areas!

South Beach is an absolutely iconic, very much beloved beach in Miami. It's also famous across the country, making it one of the most beautiful landmarks in the USA.

South Beach covers a whopping 15 or so city blocks of space, stretching across a large part of Miami. It's free to access and can be visited from many different parts of the city.

Given the size of South Beach, there's plenty of space to rest, relax, or enjoy the sun and surf. Kiosks line the beach's entire length, providing rentable items like umbrellas and lounge chairs.

Snack bars and stalls offer knickknacks, food, and drinks in case you need anything. If you have more money to spend, many hotels along the stretch have special, private parts of the beach too!

It's almost a crime to visit Miami without a trip to Zoo Miami, especially if you're traveling with family.

The stunning location holds over 500 different animal species over 3,000 individual animals, all housed in natural-style environments that maintain a healthy habitat for them all.

Better yet, Zoo Miami does not use cages. The zoo, which opened in 1948, separates animals safely using moats, keeping them apart from animals they don't mix with and visitors. This makes the animals all the happier, and they're a wonder to see.

Zoo Miami offers a lot of educational programs for people of all ages. Activities include rides, giraffe feedings, water play spots, tram tours and monorails, etc. There are 750 acres of land to explore; after all, this is Florida's biggest zoo!

When it comes to natural landmarks in the USA, it doesn't get much more iconic than the Everglades National Park.

The vast 1.5 million-acre park covers a lot of ground and is well worth a trip for nature-lovers visiting Miami who doesn't mind a short bit of travel to an entrance.

It's impossible to condense everything that the Everglades National Park into a couple of paragraphs.

Eco-adventure tours give you tons of ways to enjoy the environment. Live shows and programs add entertainment to an educational variety.

Trails provide tons of ways to explore, hike, and relax. The vegetation is gorgeous and you might want to spend a whole week here!

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens are set upon the former estate of James Deering. Situated on Biscayne Bay in Miami's Coconut Grove, the villa and larger grounds once took up 180 acres of land. Now, the expanse of the attraction contains 50 acres of stunning gardens and well-kept grounds.

Deering was a conservationist of the renowned Deering McCormick-International Harvester fortune. He set up the estate to conserve tropical and mangrove environments, and its main building was completed in 1916.

When he passed away, his nieces inherited the estate, and they began to sell parts of the state to pay for the high upkeep costs necessary for the property. Some of the lands were also donated.

Now, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens are among the most beautiful historic Miami attractions. At its core, it is a living museum. It holds more than 2,500 antique furniture and artworks in its 34 gorgeous rooms.

Meanwhile, its gardens contain 25 acres of endangered land and 2,000 orchids, among other flora. It is also a National Historic Landmark and has been the host of numerous crucial ceremonies in the history of the plant, including the First Summit of the Americas in 1994.

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a modern establishment that opened in 2017.

It is housed in an environmentally friendly building with LEED certification, with a total of four structures spread across four acres on one campus.

It's a delightful museum that is a definite must-see in Miami, especially for families with kids or anyone who loves science.

There are many good attractions in the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, so there's something for everyone.

The planetarium is probably the most loved exhibit, with a gorgeous HD screen that offers a stunning look at the galaxies beyond.

The permanent exhibit offers excellent looks at the important aquatic ecosystems of South Florida. There's even a viewing portal that lets you look into the habitat of the Gulf Stream Aquarium, which spans three stories.

There's simply too much to do at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. From exploration to virtual environments and from dance floors to dinosaurs, virtually no one will find themselves wanting more to do!

The Ancient Spanish Monastery is famous in Miami for being one of the country's best examples of historic religious buildings.

It was built in 1133 in the northern region of Spain, where it was named The Monastery of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels. It was a home for many Cistercian monks for over a whopping seven centuries.

During the First Carlist War, the monastery was seized and turned into a stable and granary. But in 1925, William Randolph Hearst, who had fallen in love with the monastery's building and history, decided to purchase it for himself.

The monastery was slowly dismantled, each stone placed in 11,000 or so crates to be shipped to America.

It was a long time before the monastery was eventually rebuilt - in fact, it was after Hearst's death! It was set up as a tourist attraction 25 or so years after its original purchase.

Now, the Ancient Spanish Monastery stands as a delightful photography location and a stunning example of history.

The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is one of the most beautiful Miami attractions. With 84 acres of land to its name, the garden is completely filled with all manner of tropical flowers, plants, trees, and more.

There are different exhibits across the stretch, each themed and climate-managed to create realistic environments.

The Wings of the Tropics exhibit is one of the most well-known in the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

An impressive 40 exotic butterfly species live here, flying around in a beautiful arc. If that's not for you, there are 26 other exhibits to check out. You're spoiled for choice!

Wherever you choose to go, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is sure to amaze and awe.

The lovely location also offers a great set of guided tours and tram tours if you want a guide on your journey. There are also a few stops for meals and snacks across the garden if you get peckish.

The Wynwood Walls are the most Instagrammable spots in Miami. Essentially, this is an outdoor art gallery created by muralists and graffiti artists, with constantly changing and updating art, so it feels new every time you visit.

You'll also see some "untouchable" art, like the iconic creations of Shepard Fairey.

The Wynwood Walls were founded in 2009 and are one of the world's biggest open-air installations of their kind.

The artwork is diverse, with more than 50 artists from 16 countries responsible for the gorgeous creations. There are 80,000 square feet or so of wall space just for this, so there's a lot to see!

Parents seeking things to do around Miami with their kids will definitely not want to miss the Miami Children's Museum.

First opening in 1983, the non-profit boasts 60,000 square feet of space to its name, which makes it one of the country's most prominent children's museums.

The interactive, hands-on displays all make for an experience that feels like a gigantic, educational playground.

The Miami Children's Museum contains two floors with 14 different galleries. Some pretty exciting attractions are a cruise ship with two levels that let kids view cruise artifacts and even try navigating the boat.

There's a cool Health and Wellness area that teaches children about biology and allows them to show off their strength.

There's even a crane that children can try operating! There are also four outdoor exhibits at the Miami Children's Museum. Each one is dedicated to a different topic - two for a natural location, one for a sundial, and a final one for art.

The Venetian Pool is an Italian-themed public pool set inside a former coral rock quarry. It opened in 1924, originally as a casino, and provides this part of Florida with a lovely European charm.

If you're looking for relaxing vacation ideas in Miami, you shouldn't miss out on this gorgeous location if you're willing to travel a short distance to it.

The Venetian Pool is America's biggest freshwater swimming pool. Overlooking it is a bridge you can go on top of to get a nice view of the beautiful blue water.

The secret behind the always-clear water is a natural filtration system involving water draining into the aquifer and refilling every day. There are no chemical treatments used, only artesian well freshwater.

The pool only admits a limited number of people at a time to prevent overcrowding.

Make sure you go early to ensure a spot! If you get hungry, you can head to the onsite cafe for a nice quick bite of typical concession snacks, like nachos, pizza, and ice cream.

HistoryMiami once called the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, is one of the best things to do in Miami for history buffs.

With the bright and vibrant culture of South Florida, this museum provides a good amount of context to that world. This institute is also a Smithsonian affiliate, boasting a research center and archives with extensive data.

HistoryMiami boasts over 100,000 square feet of ground, within which it houses many different exhibits in its generous permanent collection.

All set in a Mediterranean-type building, the location is as colorful as it is diverse.

You'll learn all about the region's history, beginning with the heritage of the Native American people, and move forward to knowledge about topics like sports and transportation.

There's a fair bit of information at HistoryMiami dedicated to the city of Miami itself. For example, the museum holds one of the nation's biggest collections of Pan American World Airways displays.

There's also information on local religious relics, pop culture influence, artisans, and musicians.

We've mentioned James Deering and the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Deering Estate is another one of the sites in Miami with a connection to the man.

The Deering Estate is an archaeological and environmental preserve spanning 444 acres and looking out over Biscayne Bay. The home is filled with individual historic structures that can be toured easily.

Deering Estate is also known for its many potential activities. Nature hikes, biking trails, paddling on a lake, and numerous events like screenings, concerts, and exhibits are common.

This has made the estate equally popular with tourists and locals alike. Tours are also offered, giving you keen insight into the estate and its history.

The Deering Estate's grounds have habitats of a coastal tropical hardwood rockland, a pine rockland, a coastal dune island, mangrove swamps, and even salt marshes.

It's not a surprise that this site is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Pérez Art Museum is a bastion of Miami's art and culture scene. The building itself is already a work of art, with a unique design that captures your attention as you pass it.

It's easy to see from a distance that this is one of the most interesting Miami attractions.

For the most part, the Pérez Art Museum focuses on contemporary art from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Its permanent collection takes up eight galleries and displays a whopping 3,000 different works. The museum itself has 120,000 square feet of indoor space and more outdoor space with gardens inspired by Asia.

Some of the most prominent art collections at the Pérez Art Museum are from Latin American and Cuban countries and cultures.

There are also works of African and African-diaspora origin, post-colonial works, and works that feature and critique modern-day issues and subjects.

The New World Center is one of the best attractions in Miami for live performance art. It is here that the New World Symphony performs, and tons of concerts and shows are put on throughout the year.

The architecture of the New World Center is one of its most notable features. It's designed, of course, by the renowned Frank Gehry and is thoroughly state-of-the-art.

You can expect music to take up most of the draw of the site, with DJs, orchestras, and other art forms taking up the stages.

Outside of the New World Center, WALLCAST events are often held using a projection screen that measures 7,000 square feet.

Monkey Jungle is a park dedicated to observation and conservation. Opened all the way back in 1933, it's one of the best places to visit in Miami for fans of apes - or those who just want a unique up-close anima experience.

Around 500 or so primates call this facility their home, which has 30 acres to its name.

Monkey Jungle's appeal comes with the idea that its humans who are caged here. Animals can live in somewhat natural habitats, allowing them to live as they would have in the wild.

Four different attractions divide the park, with guided tours available for different locations, and everything's easy to navigate.

The first area is the Wild Monkey Swimming Pool, home to Java Macaques that love to play in the pond.

Then, there's the Cameroon Gorilla Forest, which is the home of a rather well-known silverback gorilla. Next, you'll see Wings of Love, a home for captive parrots that needed a sanctuary.

Lastly, there's the large Amazonian Rainforest, North America's only semi-natural habitat for monkeys. You'll see Howlers, Squirrel Monkeys, and Capuchins galore!

Anyone seeking vacation ideas in Miami should consider traveling to the Coral Castle Museum. The mystical location is home to a stunning sculpture garden made entirely from coral rock.

The history of the unique, rather odd Coral Castle Museum is quite interesting! It was created by Ed Leedskalnin, a Latvian immigrant, who worked in total secrecy to build the whole garden on his own from 1923 to 1951.

A lot of people are rightfully quite confused about how he managed to move and carve over 1,110 tons of rock without alerting anyone. No one knows the answer as to how or even why he did this.

Some of the structures at Coral Castle are incredibly tall, towering above the height of Stonehenge. Others are notably heavy, some so heavy that they outweigh the heaviest stones used in the great Giza pyramid's construction.

As you explore, you'll find a 500-pound stone table shaped like a heart, a sundial, a gate weighing 9 tons that spins effortlessly, and a rocking chair made from rock.

The Institute of Contemporary Art is, as its name suggests, one of the top Miami attractions for contemporary, modern art.

It's a lesser-known gem with a brilliant metallic exterior that provides great insight into newer emerging artists in the area.

It's relatively small compared to other museums in the city, but that doesn't change the fact that it's worth visiting. Regular events like performances and screenings make the repertoire extra interesting.

The Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center is one of the best places to visit in Miami for the preservation and showcasing of Cuban culture.

The house is filled with all sorts of art from the pre-revolution era of Cuba, with traditional works from the 1800s to the 1960s. Some of these are even up for sale.

As its name suggests, the Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center also hosts several different performances.

Live music and cigars make for a wonderful evening, so stop in for a drink and spend the night relaxing as you are serenaded by beautiful Cuban performances.

If you're a shopper seeking things to do in Miami, you can't go wrong with the Lincoln Road Mall.

More than 200 establishments, ranging from retail to dining, take up residence here. You'll find fashionable flagship stores primarily, with very few strictly local, neighborhood-type stores.

Lincoln Road Mall stretches out across almost all of South Beach's length, with a mile of pedestrian space to its name.

You can easily spend a whole day here just window shopping, stopping for drinks or meals at cafes, bars, and restaurants with outdoor seats.

Bayfront Park is one of the best attractions in Miami for those who need an escape from the hustle and bustle of Miami's downtown.

The green space is a waterfront hotspot and covers 32 acres. It was actually the first public gathering space in the city, and it continued to hold an honorable spot in the heart of the city.

Bayfront Park has its own pavilion and an amphitheater. Here, salsa classes, yoga instructions, movie nights, concerts, and even flying trapeze school classes take place.

There are 32 acres in Bayfront Park's space, and there's a stunning fountain, a fine selection of monuments, and a few laser light shows to keep you entertained.

Kids will like the playground, too! Don't forget to visit the statue of Julia DeForest Tuttle, the Mother of Miami.

The Wolfsonian-FIU is one of the key destinations in Miami for design education. It is affiliated with the Florida International University and focuses on art and design, acting as a research center and library as well as a museum.

The collection of the Wolfsonian-FIU is relatively recently curated, with the institute only opening in 1995.

Despite that youth, it has managed to cover pretty much all of the design's modern age, ranging from the Industrial Revolution up to today.

Over 180,000 different works are displayed at the Wolfsonian-FIU, including rare books, furniture, paintings, design objects, textiles, periodicals, and magazines.

These items span from 1884 up to 1945 primarily, ending around the World War II area. You'll see works made with media like paper, ceramics, metals, glass, and more.

The Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the best things to do in Miami if you love art, especially modern art.

This institution collects a variety of works from a mix of well-established and up-and-coming artists, with a temporary exhibit that continues to boost emerging voices in the field.

The Museum of Contemporary Art may be small, but it has a diverse collection well worth perusal.

The permanent collection is pretty encompassing, with great displays dedicated to icons like Nam June Paik and Louise Bourgeois.

Faena Theater is one of the most opulent things to do in Miami. The cabaret-style establishment draws inspiration from the grand, luxurious opera houses of Europe.

With a gigantic crystal chandelier hanging over the audience and plenty of modern amenities, the theater bridges the gap between classical elegance and contemporary technology.

There are just 150 seats at Faena Theater, making shows feel surprisingly intimate. It also means all seats are good seats - everyone can see and hear!

The theater has its own unique live productions in the cabaret-style, which it performs regularly as its main attraction.

There have also been productions by bigger names, with intimate performances and shows by icons like Macy Gray, Andra Day, Bon Jovi, Grace Potter, and more.

Jazz programming is also available for nights when you feel like unwinding to some great, soothing tunes.

The Bass is another one of the more underrated Miami attractions. This contemporary art museum contains four galleries, a shop, a cafe, and a nice event space.

Though it dates back longer, The Bass was completely refurbished in 2017, which doubled its size and made it much more enjoyable.

Right outside of The Bass, you'll be greeted by Miami Mountain, a huge sculpture in bright colors measuring 42 feet in height.

Near it, you'll see a vibrant chess table where you can sit and play a few games in. The front desk loans out checkers and chess pieces.

The Bass welcomes interesting temporary exhibits as a nice addition to its stylish permanent collection.

Guided tours bring you through the expanse, and you can stop at places like the multimedia lab, Creative Center, or classroom for a workshop or class. There's also a lovely outdoor terrace to relax in.

The Bayside Marketplace is set close to Bayfront Park and is a big tourist hotspot.

It's one of the key Miami attractions for souvenir shopping, boasting over 150 different shops.

You can get food, visit a retail chain store, or check out some local shops. You can also just sit back and people-watch.

At its core, Bayside Marketplace is an open-air shopping complex. You're not going to find very cheap deals here, as it's really a tourist draw first and foremost.

It's a convenient stop for recreation and offers some pleasant, comfortable bay breezes in a vibrant, cheerful atmosphere.

Wondering what to do in Miami? Try some fishing with Therapy-IV Deep Sea Fishing!

Miami is known for its stunning waters and loads of fishing opportunities, which this company takes advantage of.

You'll be riding the Therapy-IV, a gorgeous sportfish boat measuring 58 feet and staffed by a capable captain and crew.

Each ride takes six passengers for a nice, intimate experience. It's a good idea to book in advance if you're a big group.

You can trust Therapy-IV Deep Sea Fishing to bring you to all the hottest fishing spots in the city. Staff will be sure to provide you with any help you may need.

As a coastal location, plenty of Miami attractions cater to divers. The Neptune Memorial Reef is one of the more unique options among these.

The lost city of sorts is situated 40 feet beneath the sea's surface. And it really does look like a city - ruins of a metropolis, roads paved with stone, and gates that stand stately in the depths of the sea.

Situated approximately three miles off the Key Biscayne coast, the Neptune Memorial Reef is sponsored appropriately by the Neptune Society, which is a cremation company.

Believe it or not, the reef is actually an underwater cemetery that also acts as an artificial reef.

How does it work? Well, the memorials you see are cast concrete with cremated remains! It's certainly a unique way to be commemorated.

The Neptune Memorial Reef spans 16 acres and demonstrates stunning architecture with steel and bronze accents.

Coral and fish also live in the cemetery, giving life through death. It's an oddly eerie location, and it can be weird to swim through a graveyard, but it's truly a completely unique experience.

The Cape Florida Lighthouse sits at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, which is also one of the good attractions in Miami to visit.

The lighthouse is Miami-Dade County's oldest standing structure, having been built in 1825 and then rebuilt in 1846, after the Second Seminole War.

The Cape Florida Lighthouse has lived a fair few lives. After its decommissioning, it served as the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club's HQ. Today, it is simply a tiny museum filled with info and artifacts about local history.

The lighthouse has 109 steps inside, which are narrow and somewhat uneven. If you brave the climb, you'll be rewarded with gorgeous views of the surrounding area and the waves beyond.

History buffs seeking places to go in Miami will find educational value in the Jewish Museum of Florida.

This small museum provides a unique glimpse into Jewish culture in Miami and the history of the Jewish people. The museum is set in a former synagogue, which sets the tone.

The Jewish Museum of Florida is sponsored by Florida International University. It's also overseen by the Jewish Museum of Florida and works with the South Beach Jewish Walking Tour.

If you go on the tour, you'll be able to enjoy a two-hour walk across 10 blocks with many stops at important sites for Jewish culture along the way.

The World Erotic Art Museum is one of the more bizarre Miami attractions. But don't take its name and subject matter to imagine an uncomfortable, gimmick-filled experience.

Sure, it's got its fair share of campiness, but the World Erotic Art Museum's primary goal is education and preserving a world of erotic history.

That's why it doubles as an educational institution, library, and research center that attracts a mature, history buff crowd.

The World Erotic Art Museum contains an impressive 4,000 pieces of art, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and drawings.

Some of these dates back to 300 BC. There are even works by great masters like Salvador Dali, Bunny Yeager, Pablo Picasso, Helmut Newton, and Robert Mapplethorpe.

Do note that you must be 18 and above to enter the World Erotic Art Museum. If you're of age, you can view 12,000 square feet of 20 rooms filled with interesting art.

That art includes a prop from A Clockwork Orange, a Kama Sutra bed, and huge shaped sculptures based on anatomical parts.

South Pointe Park is a beautiful 17-acre recreational city park, one of the best Miami attractions for a nice, relaxing time.

Lovely palm trees with benches provide shade and seating. You can see ships pass by on the water through the park, too.

Activities in South Pointe Park include biking, jogging, fishing, and skateboarding. There's also beach access, a dog park, and a kids' playground to really add more variety.

The park is easy to explore, too, with simple signposts and nicely paved sidewalks to use.

The Haitian Heritage Museum is one of the lesser-known Miami attractions, which is a pity given its impressive information and historical significance.

Miami, as a city, is home to one of the world's biggest Haitian populations, so it's only fitting that this is where the only museum dedicated to its history and culture is located.

The Haitian Heritage Museum opened in 2004 in a lovely 60,000-square-foot building near Little Haiti.

The cultural center showcases information and artwork on Haiti's music, history, literature, movies, and more.

Temporary exhibits and regular events, such as poetry readings and art openings, add spice to the repertoire.

Time Out Market Miami, or TOMM, is one of the best things to do in Miami for a good meal.

This is where you'll find delicious casual eateries made by some of the best local chefs. There are a total of 17 vendors, each one serving something special. You'll find everything from pho to pizza.

The industrial setting of Time Out Market Miami feels very welcoming. There are huge tables with communal seating and a feast-style atmosphere in an airy environment.

It's comfortable but impressive and you might find yourself enjoying a drink well after the sun has set, especially with the great cocktails.

Artechouse is one of the most unique attractions in Miami. At its core, it is a digital art gallery that uses a mix of technology and science to elevate its art to the next level.

It's an outpost of the original Artechouse, located in Washington DC and aims to show people how art and tech can go hand-in-hand.

The specialty of Artechouse is new-media art, using sound, light, and color to create an immersive artistic experience.

You'll walk through the interior and really feel every part of that art in a way that is sure to inspire and fascinate. The future of art feels much closer in places like this.