Last Updated on March 27, 2020
The City of Miami has so much more to offer than just the sun and sand, the magic in this city will woo you since it is known as the Magic City after all.
We really could go on forever describing this wonderful city, but here are the best things to do in Miami, Florida.
1. Admire Art at Wynwood Walls
Formerly an industrial neighborhood, Wynwood warehouses have been turned into pieces of art that have tourists flocking in to take pictures of.
Graffiti has transformed dull and boring old warehouse walls into street art that is colorful and vibrant. More than 80,000 square feet of the warehouse wall space has been painted over, giving this whole area a new life and look.
Overall it features over 40 murals from some of the world’s best street artists. This certainly is the best place for Instagram photos in the whole of Miami.
2. Explore Coral Castle
Coral Castle of Miami is a result of 28 years of carving by a man named Edward Leedskalnin. Having started carving in 1923 and only completing it in 1951, Edward Leedskalnin used his own homemade tools and carved the structures himself from limestone.
Edward was a very private man, going to great lengths to keep his ways of work private. He would not even allow anyone to watch him work back in the day.
Today you can tour his entire property and see for yourself his most prized possession, a giant stone gate that is able to open so seamlessly with the touch of a finger. The property is also home to other smaller pieces of work like stone tables and figures.
3. Take the Little Ones to Miami’s Children’s Museum
Should it be raining outside, then be sure to spend a few hours with your kids at the Miami Children’s Museum which is over 56,000 square feet of space. The museum is home to exciting and interactive exhibits that are designed to appeal to children.
There are a total of 14 themed galleries that encompasses art, culture, communication, and outdoor activities among others. All meant to get your children thinking creatively and having fun at the same time. It is known to get pretty busy on the weekend so its best to visit the museum on a weekday so that you can avoid long waiting times.
4. Pay Respects at Holocaust Memorial
In 1984 a small group of Holocaust survivors joined hands in building a memorial for the six million Jews that lost their lives in a tragedy that shook the world. The Holocaust memorial today stands as a reminder to the world of the atrocious act of genocide by the Nazis.
A lot of the tourists are immediately overwhelmed by the significance of the memorial, from the names of the Jews that lost their lives to sculptures that bring back memories of the horror that happened, all in honor of them. Visit, read and learn from the mistakes made in the past at this somber memorial.
5. Visit the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
Once a winter home to James Deering, a 20th-century industrialist, this Italian styled villa is now a national historic landmark. Built all the way back in 1916, by over 1,100 workers.
Many of which were brought over from Europe to ensure authentic Italian Renaissance design. The massive mansion features 34 rooms with an extraordinary collection of European art and furniture. The surrounding gardens feature beautifully designed European sculptures and fountains that make for a perfect spot of pictures.
6. Go on a Shopping Spree at the Bayside Marketplace
The Bayside Marketplace is a large outdoor style shopping mall with hundreds of shops, cafes, and restaurants. Tourists will find some of the most famous brands as well as smaller unique outlets. that will most certainly meet all of your shopping needs.
On top of that, prices are known to be on the affordable side so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank. Once you are done shopping, be sure to take in the beautiful atmosphere at the docks and watch ships as they pass.
7. Climb the Lighthouse at Bill Baggs Florida State Park
Located at the Bill Baggs Florida State Park is the Cape Florida Lighthouse. Today you can climb 109 stairs to the top to get a sense of how mariners used lighthouses for guidance in the 1800s. The lighthouse is currently one of the oldest standings structures in Miami county and is well maintained even today.
Once at the top, you will be able to enjoy views of the city like no other. On one side is the sprawling city of Miami and on the other is the vast blue ocean that never seems to end.
8. Spend Some Time at the Venetian Pool
Hidden in the heart of Coral Gables is the Venetian Pool that was constructed in 1923 by architect Phineas Paist, the pool was then known as Venetian Casino that the upper-class people used to frequently visit.
The pool occupies a rather shallow quarry that displaces a staggering 800,000 gallons of fresh water on a daily basis. This makes it the largest freshwater pool in the United States. The pool is also home to some old caves that were once carved out of rock quarry and makes for great spots to swim into.
9. Explore the Bass
The Bass is Miami’s contemporary art museum that primarily has its exhibits showcases pieces of work from the international contemporary art scene.
The Bass opened it’s doors to the general public back in 1964 and has since undergone several rounds of renovation work with the most recent being in 2017.
Besides the art on display, The Bass is surrounded by cafes and small independent shops for all your dining and shopping needs. In order to have families engage with one another through art, The Bass organizes a monthly Family Day event that is free for all to attend.
Activities like design challenges and gallery explorations are among the activities that families can take part in.
10. Learn at HistoryMiami
HistoryMiami which used to be a Historical Association in the 1940s is now a Smithsonian Affiliate that educates people about the community, individuals, places and also events of Miami.
You can find exhibits displayed in this museum that was formed throughout the decades that portray the importance of the past in Miami which now is aimed to develop Miami’s future.
It is the largest private, regional history organization in the southeastern United States that has more than 37000 three-dimensional artifacts all the way from prehistoric archaeological discoveries to 20th-century Afro-Cuban folk art.
11. Go Wine Tasting at Schnebly Redland’s Winery
Schnebly Redland’s winery has a loyal following of locals in Miami. Mango, lychee, and guava are just some of the tropical wines that are available for tasting.
Head over on the weekend for a private wine tasting session and get a tour of the estate to be able to see for yourself how wine is made. The estate is within close proximity to a waterfall and man-made koi ponds for you to discover as well.
Prices are affordable as you can choose 5 different wines to taste for under $15. There is also a live band on Saturdays that plays some good old southern country music.
12. Catch Some Rays at South Pointe Beach
If you’re in Miami then you cannot miss out on the beautiful beaches in Miami, one of which is South Pointe Beach. South Ponte is the southernmost tip of Miami Beach with a 17-acre park that includes beautiful walkway paths, modern benches for lounging and a breathtaking view of the ocean.
It’s also perfect for children as there are playground areas with water features, a dog park, and fantastic sculptures throughout the beach. If you are into fishing, this place might be the perfect place to fish especially on their 450-foot long pier that has multiple fishing stations.
Apart from South Pointe Beach, you can also always enjoy a sunset on other beaches in Miami like Bal Harbour Beach, Surfside Beach and 12th Street Beach.
13. Uncover Secrets at the Ancient Spanish Monastery
Construction of the monastery began around the 1100s in Spain and was inhabited by Spanish monks for around 700 years. In 1925, the monastery was bought over by William Hearst and had it shipped over to the United States.
After about 19 months, the monastery was rebuilt and opened to the public as a tourist attraction in 1964. Today the monastery serves as a peek into history and a very popular tourist attraction. There are many ancient Spanish artifacts on display as well as gifts shops with plenty of souvenirs for you to take home.
14. Visit the Jewish Museum
It doesn’t matter if you’re a member of the Jewish faith, has roots of Jew or even just curious about the Jewish History, this museum will teach a whole lot about the Jewish in Miami. It is the only museum that teaches you about 250 years of Jewish history, art, heritage, and culture.
The center of attention of this museum is its core exhibit that features MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida, 1973 until present date. It covers the who, what, where, whys and hows of the Jewish history in Florida and is basically a one-stop center to learn about it.
It is also placed alongside two restored historic buildings that were once synagogues in Miami Beach. An additional tip, the entrance fee is free on Sundays so be sure to plan ahead.
