Miami – Top Day Trips, Sights & Attractions
Miami, the filming location for countless movies and TV series such as Goldfinger, Scarface, Marley and Me, Miami Vice, CSI Miami, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and many more. A dream destination for many tourists and retirees. The metropolis in the Sunshine State of Florida captivates them all. Latinos and Americans live here peacefully side by side. Most residents speak Spanish, and almost everyone falls under the spell of this city with its many attractions. If you’ve had enough of hectic city life, escape to the mangrove swamps of the Everglades or to the Florida Keys.
What’s the easiest way to discover Miami? Depending on your preferences, your exploration can be divided into shopping, beach, salsa. Or culture, catamaran, and Keys. For a first overall impression, a sightseeing tour by land (Hop-On/Hop-Off double-decker bus) or by water is recommended. Numerous celebrities have their villas on small islands (Fisher Island, Hibiscus Island, Star Island, etc.) around Miami. Special VIP boat tours are offered so you can at least catch a glimpse of your favorite star’s property from a distance. Miami at its best. A combination of history, modernity, shopping, and sightseeing. If you’d rather explore Miami on your own, you’ll find interesting tips here:
Miami South Beach, Ocean Drive, and the Art Deco District
Nothing in movies and TV series represents Miami quite like the fascinating Art Deco District. Pastel colors as far as the eye can see. The small, landmarked houses from the 1920s impress every single time. Miami’s most famous beach is South Beach with its Ocean Drive promenade. “See and be seen” is the motto. Summer, sun, white sand, ocean, luxury limousines. Pure Miami lifestyle with countless venues and private parties. South Beach is also the center of the club scene. Which club is currently hot is best found out on site. North of South Beach, in Mid-Beach, the annual Winter Music Conference takes place at the Faena Forum. One of the largest electronic music festivals in the world.
Downtown Miami
Shopping enthusiasts will find their paradise here at Bayside Marketplace. But Downtown has more to offer. Brickell is home to the financial world. Next door is the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. And directly behind Bayside Marketplace you’ll find the American Airlines Arena, home of the Miami Heat basketball team. If you have the chance, you should attend an NBA game and enjoy the atmosphere of this typically American sport.
Coral Gables and Coconut Grove
Coral Gables, or “The City Beautiful,” is one of Miami’s oldest neighborhoods. The historic homes from the 1920s give Coral Gables a special charm. Boutiques and restaurants invite you to shop and linger during the day. In the evening, things heat up in the trendy bars. Highlights include the Venetian Pool (a coral-rock pool complex with boulders, tropical waterfalls, and grottos), Miracle Mile (shopping street), and the botanical garden. To the south, Coconut Grove borders Coral Gables, with CocoWalk. Shopping, dining, drinks, and entertainment. One thing you absolutely have to experience is Halloween in Coconut Grove. An entire district dresses up, and from one of the street cafés you can admire the spooky-beautiful characters. The Halloween parties in the bars go until the next morning.
Jungle Island
On the way from Downtown Miami to South Beach is Jungle Island. Originally started as a parrot park, Jungle Island now also houses alligators, orangutans, red kangaroos, penguins, and lemurs. A one-of-a-kind experience right in the middle of Miami. Of course, as everywhere in Miami and all of Florida, entertainment is not neglected. There are animal shows, Animals Close Up (up close with the animals), and behind-the-scenes VIP tours. Wild animals, adventure, and play right in the heart of Miami.
Little Havana and Little Haiti
Around 8th Street (Calle Ocho), history, modern life, and Caribbean vibes come together. Calle Ocho is the pulsating lifeline of Little Havana. A little Cuba in the middle of Miami. Founded by Cuban exiles, this is where you can experience the Latino lifestyle with its salsa rhythms. Bars, cafés, and restaurants with an incredible variety of flavors. To enjoy Cuban cuisine, special culinary tours are even offered. And who doesn’t know them—Cuban cigars. Robustos and Coronas are still handmade in the small cigar factories. Along with lasting memories, they’re a popular souvenir from Little Havana. To the north of the district, Little Haiti borders it. Creole lifestyle joins the Cuban influence. Catholicism and Santería meet Vodou. Right in the middle is the Caribbean Marketplace. Caribbean style with colorful market halls and a wide selection. It’s reminiscent of the Iron Market in Port-au-Prince—just as an open-air version.Bayside Marketplace
The ultimate shopping promenade. Part of Downtown Miami and yet a world of its own. Shops and restaurants as far as the eye can see. Harbor atmosphere included. But there’s more here than just shopping and dining. Street performers entertain visitors. Boat tours invite you to admire the skyline from the water. Or you can spend an entire day on the water fishing or partying. Miami is surrounded by water. So it makes sense, like in Venice, to use boats or water taxis as transportation. From here, you can take the Water Taxi to Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, and Coconut Grove. The ever-changing offerings at Bayside Marketplace aren’t just popular with Americans. So it’s no surprise that it’s one of the most visited attractions in Miami.South Pointe Park
At the southernmost tip of Miami is South Pointe Park. Vacation vibes at its best. In the evening, with a cocktail in hand, your gaze drifts over the Atlantic and South Beach. It makes anyone start dreaming. The passing cruise ships take you along in your thoughts on a journey to the Caribbean.Wynwood
What SoHo is to New York, Wynwood is to Miami. Art and commerce side by side. Souvenirs, clothing, accessories, museums, studios, and more than seventy galleries make every art lover’s heart beat faster. And of course, the food scene doesn’t fall short here either. There’s always something going on.Miami Shopping Malls – Shopping and Dining
Of course, Miami has plenty of shopping malls. One of the best known is Lincoln Road Mall in Miami Beach. It’s a pedestrian zone (the road) with shops, cafés, and restaurants. In North Miami Beach, you’ll find Bal Harbour Shops with exclusive brands, cafés, and restaurants. Farther north are Intercoastal Mall and Aventura Mall with designer stores. At Miami International Airport you’ll find the Mall of the Americas. West of that on Northwest 12th are Miami International Mall as well as Dolphin Mall with a movie theater and bowling. In Coral Gables, Miracle Marketplace draws visitors. That’s just a small selection. Every district offers malls for shopping and relaxing. North of Miami, in Fort Lauderdale, you’ll find Sawgrass Mills. The largest outlet mall in the world. Well over 300 stores with all the well-known brands, and of course food courts so the fun of shopping doesn’t fade.Miami Children Museum
So that it’s not just the parents who get something out of Miami, there’s the Miami Children Museum specifically for kids. But since pure museums would bore children, there are many entertainment options offered here. Kids can play, learn, imagine, and create. Communication made easy. Children practice personal interaction here so that in the age of Facebook and WhatsApp, face-to-face contact doesn’t wither away.
Miami Museum of Science
The Miami Museum of Science also appeals to families with children. Science made understandable. A planetarium, exhibits, and a wildlife center support learning. You can also admire birds of prey and reptiles here.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Experience art and culture of the twentieth century. Built in the Baroque and Rococo style based on Italian models, Villa Vizcaya is a museum with a dreamlike garden. From here you have a beautiful view over Biscayne Bay.
Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens
In southern Miami toward Homestead is Florida’s largest and oldest zoo. It’s the only tropical zoo in the USA. More than 3,000 animals (500 species), more than 1,000 tree species, and numerous special exhibits make a visit to this zoo a special experience for the whole family.
Day trip to the Everglades
You have to experience the swamp landscape with its trails and waterways. It provides habitat for many animals. The recommended travel time is November, when you’ll be spared mosquitoes. In addition to trails, the Everglades also offer alligator shows and boat rides. A great nature outing—more in the article Everglades Tour National Park Florida.
Trip to Key West
The Florida Keys with their 42 bridges all the way to the destination of Key West. Time seems to stand still here. A charming, dreamy place with a vibe all its own. Hippies have found a home here. Before sunset, street performers gather on the beach. After that, the bars bring out true Caribbean vibes. On Duval Street, at Sloppy Joe’s, Ernest Hemingway already knew how to enjoy life. You should explore Key West stress-free for two to three days, or take a day trip from Miami.
Trip to the Bahamas
Just a one-hour flight on an island-hopper or 2.5 hours by ferry. With the big city of Miami behind you, white beaches, blue ocean, and palm trees in front of you. The Bahamas, the epitome of the Caribbean and paradise, are worth a day trip. Grand Bahama Island, the largest in the island group, offers the most variety. After half a day at the beach, you can shop at Port Lucaya Marketplace and grab a bite to eat. Afterward, you can try your luck at Treasure Bay Casino. Whether you head back to Miami with pockets full of money or completely broke, you’ll start the return trip.
Key Biscayne with Biscayne National Park
Take the Rickenbacker Causeway to the island south of Miami. Beaches and parks for relaxation. Miami skyline views included. Biscayne National Park with mangrove swamps and coral reefs invites you to explore. On glass-bottom boats, you can admire the underwater world. Diving and snorkeling are also offered. You can find all information on what’s available at the visitor center.
Tip – Sightseeing Pass Miami Explorer Pass and the Go Miami Card
To discover as many attractions in Miami as possible at a good price, there are two sightseeing passes: the Miami Explorer Pass and the Go Miami Card. If you have little time and want to see as much as possible, choose the Go Miami Card. If you’re more interested in attractions than in the time factor, choose the Explorer Pass for Miami and the Keys.
The Go Miami Card includes 27 attractions, the Miami Explorer Pass 24. Excluded are Kennedy Space Center, Key West Day Trip, and the Everglades tour from Miami. The Go Miami Card can be purchased for 1, 2, 3, or 5 days. The Miami Explorer Pass is valid for 30 days. You can only purchase 3, 4, or 5 attractions. Price-wise, the Go Miami Card ranges from $79 (1 day) to $199 (5 days). The Miami Explorer Pass costs $99 for 3 attractions and $118.15 for 5 attractions. The savings compared to individual prices range between 30% and 60%, depending on the package selected.
Around Miami
In and around Miami there’s an endless amount to discover. If you’ve already explored the immediate area and are looking for more attractions, you can expand your radius. In a good three hours, you can reach Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral via Florida’s Turnpike and I-95 N. The rocket launch pad may be decommissioned, but a visit is still well worth it.
In 3.5 hours, you can reach Orlando from Miami via Florida’s Turnpike, the entertainment capital of Florida. More than a dozen theme parks keep boredom away. The best known are Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Epcot Center, and SeaWorld.
If you prefer it quieter and appreciate Caribbean flair, drive 2 hours via Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) to the Gulf of Mexico. Cities like Naples offer shopping and great restaurants. In the evening, you can admire the sunset on the white-sand beach.