When people think of Miami, they think of beach, cruises, Cuban food, beautiful people and clubs and partying. All of that is in fact true! Miami has a wide range of activities to do that one will never be bored.
It is where you go to have fun in the sun and just let loose. You can say Miami is a mixture of both New York City and Los Angeles into one place.
It’s a go to city where you can do a bunch of fun things, party, get a nice tan, and eat amazing food all within a few days of visiting. You can also find the best malls in miami! This guide will give you a list of the coolest spots, how to get around, and tips of how you can save money when going to Miami.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN MIAMI
- Vizcaya Estate: This is a historic 50-acre estate that one must visit if they are coming to Miami. It’s a European-style mansion with Renaissance furniture and artwork built by James Deering as a way to show off all his wealth to his friends. There are also formal gardens that resemble France’s Versailles with palm trees, orchids, and Cuban limestone. The admission to visit is around $22.
- Relaxing by the Beach: A lot of people think there is only South Beach when you come to Miami. There are a lot more pristine beaches to visit such as Virginia South Beach, Haulover Beach which is a legal nude beach, and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Once you decide what beach fits your needs best, you can then see the other extra-curricular activities in that area, like jet skiing, parasailing, and yachting. For yacht rentals, click here.
- Clubbing: Miami is very active city especially during the nighttime with the variety of clubs and bars it offers. Typically, the cover to get into most clubs ranges from $20-$30 and drinks can range from $10-$15 each. There are clubs such as E11even which is open 24 hours, LIV Miami which is the most famous and you will most likely run into someone famous, and Basement which also has an ice-skating rink and bowling lanes.
- Florida Keys: These keys stretch along the south of Florida and has beaches with beautiful white-sand, palm trees, and crystal blue waters. Key Biscayne is the northernmost island which is only 15 minutes away from town. It has some great waterfront parks, bike paths, amazing views of the city of Miami, and great swimming spots. You can spend an entire day there hanging out in Crandon Park and have a picnic or go swimming. If you want to visit other Keys, you will need to arrange your own transportation and it takes about two hours to get there.
- Fruit and Spice Park: This park is 30-acres and has 500 types of fruit and spice plants and trees. There is a lot of shaded paths which is good since Florida can be pretty hot most of the time. There are also a lot of festivals that are hosted in this park so make sure to check their website for details. The park admission is around $10 for entry.
- Coral Gables: This neighborhood is one of the wealthiest ones in all of the United States. It has a lot of beautiful trees and breath-taking mansions. The one who designed this area is George Merrick in the 1920s and still to this day anything that is built in that area has to adhere to his style. There are also great places to visit in that area such as the botanical garden, the Lowe Art Museum, and the Venetian Pool.
- Art Deco Historic District: This area in Miami has over 800 Art Deco buildings all within one square mile. The walking tours in this area are about 2 hours long and typically start around $30.
- History Miami: This place takes visitors through the city’s history from the beginning when everything was just a swamp to today’s modern metropolis. There is history from football to an entire gallery of folklore. Admission for this place is $10 per person.
- Tropical Botanic Garden: This is an 84-acre garden which has many tropical plants, flowers, and trees, including rare ones like the petticoat palm. You can explore this garden by foot or on a 45-minute tram tour.
- Wynwood: This is an industrial neighborhood that turned into a trendy spot for street art and graffiti, as well as shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, and galleries. If you go to Wynwood, definitely visit the Wynwood Walls which has 40 murals from some of the world’s best street artists.
- Frost Science Museum: This museum has four different buildings dedicated to science and includes a planetarium and an aquarium that is three stories high. This aquarium features sharks, tuna, and a bunch of tropical fish. It also shows you the surface of South Florida’s water down to the deepest depths.
- Perez Art Museum: This is one the biggest museums in the city which is around 200,000-square-feet. There are many things to see here from paintings to kinetic sculptures that span around 80 years. This museum also has an outdoor hanging sculpture garden that took months to put together. Admission for this museum is around $16 per person.
WAYS TO SAVE MONEY
- You are going to want to look for package deals. This is one of the easiest ways to save money, especially if you are flexible with your travel dates. Another option to save money is to book your transport in advance. Check out Limo Find and make sure you get the best deal on your party bus or limousine.
- Go Miami Card: With this you can get unlimited free admission to over 25 attractions for one price. These cards are typically good for two weeks.
- Fly into Fort Lauderdale: This city is just an hour north of Miami and flights to this location are often cheaper than flying into the Miami airport. JetBlue, Spirit, and Southwest all fly into Fort Lauderdale.
- Free walking Tours: There is always a free walking tour in Little Havana that leaves daily from the Tower Theater at 7pm. You can learn about the history of the places you are visiting.
- Free live music: Bayside Marketplace has free live music events every day at the Marina Stage. They offer something different each day so you can go visit that spot more than once and you will see something different each time.
- Save money on ride shares: Uber and Lyft are very popular and are a lot cheaper and safer than taxis. They have an option to share the ride with other people which can offer you better savings. This is the best way to get around the city.