Things to do in Miami, FL
Miami's full of great tourist destinations for visitors and residents alike! This list presents some great tourist destinations in our region.
1. South Beach
South Beach is the quintenssential Miami hot spot. From shopping to partying, this area of Miami Beach is well-known for being a trendy locale. In the linked article, we outline a weekend trip to this fabulous destination.
2. Miami Metrozoo
Miami MetroZoo is fast becoming one of the best zoos in the nation. Its climate allows it to keep a wide variety of animals from Asia, Australia and Africa like no other zoo in the country. One of the first free-range zoos in the country, the exhibits are entirely cageless. Animals are grouped according to their geographic territory and animals that live together peacefully in the wild are placed in exhibits together.
3. Seaquarium
The Miami Seaquarium is located right in the middle of the tourist area, on the causeway between downtown Miami and Miami Beach. It's a fabulous stop where you can witness an outdoor aquarium experience that's only possible in our tropical climate. Be sure to budget enough time to spend at least half a day there!
4. Hit the Beach!
Miami's beaches offer a great opportunity to get some exercise or just enjoy some time in the sun! I take a look at a few of my favorite beaches, including a couple of lesser-used spots where you'll be able to avoid the tourist crowd.
5. Everglades
With 1.5 million acres of swamps, saw-grass prairies and sub-tropical jungles, Everglades National Park is one of the most unusual public parks in the United States. Located on the southern tip of Florida, the park is home to 14 rare and endangered species, including the American Crocodile, the Florida Panther and the West Indian Manatee. A large portion of the park is primitive, explored only by adventurists and researchers - but visitors have ample opportunity to walk, camp and canoe.
6. Miami Museum of Science
Check out the latest kid-friendly exhibits at the Miami Museum of Science. You're bound to find a learning adventure for the whole family. The museum is home to the Bird of Prey Research Center and the Weintraub Observatory.
7. Miami Children's Museum
If you have kids (or just like to act like them!), the Miami Children's Museum is a must-see destination. Their motto of "Play, Learn, Imagine, Create" shines through in the wide variety of interactive exhibits that allow children to explore everything from a supermarket to a television studio, picking up valuable lessons along the way.
8. Parrot Jungle Island
Parrot Jungle offers visitors a fun, educational opportunity to get an up-close look at tropical birds in replicas of their natural habitats. The attraction routinely hosts field trips and offers frequent educational programs.
9. Miami SkyLift
The Miami SkyLift is an interesting new attraction located in downtown Miami's Bayfront Park. You'll gain an interesting perspective on our city when you ride 500 feet into the air in a helium balloon suspended above the park. The ride lasts about 15 minutes and includes a narrated description of Miami as you ride.
10. Monkey Jungle
"Where the humans are caged and the monkeys run wild" - it's more than a catch-phrase. Monkey Jungle in southern Miami-Dade County is a truly unique park. While homo sapiens walk through carefully constructed wire pathways, many species of primates scamper above your head, swing through trees and interact with each other in ways difficult to observe in captivity. Keep your eyes open; you never know who's hanging around!
11. Coral Castle
Coral Castle is truly a monument to the uniqueness of Miami! This attractions was built by a Latvian-born Miami resident named Ed Leedskalnin as a monument to his lover. After 28 years of effort, he introduced his 1100-ton coral creation to the world. It's a bit of a trip from downtown, but well worth the time.
12. Vizcaya
No visit to Miami is complete without a stop at the historical 50-acre Vizcaya estate. This European-style mansion offers a glimpse at life in turn-of-the-century South Florida. It's also an extremely popular venue for galas, weddings and other entertainment events.
13. Rent a Boat
To really experience South Florida, you must get out on the water. Thankfully, there are some rental companies that offer bareboat charters:
Tropical Boat rents power boats in Bayside; Phone (786) 218-3030.
Fast Track rents power boats in Miami Beach and Bayside; Phone (305) 223-3488.
Miami Catamarans rents Hobie Cats in Key Biscayne; Phone (305) 345-4104.
14. Experience Backcounty Flats Fishing
Serious anglers should not miss the chance to go fly fishing and light tackle fishing in Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. If you're busy during the day, try night tarpon fishing at secret spots in Downtown Miami.
15. Charter a Deep Sea Fishing Trip
There are 4 marinas in Miami where you can find a private fishing charter: Crandon Park, Haulover Park, Bayside Marketplace, and Miami Beach Marina. Deep sea fishing charters cost $500 to $600 for a half day, and they provide everything you need to fish. Got that? Flats and deep sea fishing requires a captain with a boat, so you need to get a charter to take you.
16. Scuba Dive Artificial Reefs
There are 10 artificial reefs offshore, with 5 lying between Miami-Dade and Broward county and another 5 between Key Biscayne and Monroe County. Some of the best scuba diving is in less than 100 feet of water and only 2 miles east of Sunny Isles, Miami Beach, and the Key Biscayne shoreline.
17. Pamper Yourself
Miami is a great place to relax a stressed-out body and mind. While you're here, treat yourself to a day spa, or massage. Spa at Mandarin Oriental is an award-winning sanctuary with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bay.
18. Walk down the Boardwalk
Take a stroll down Miami Beach's four mile boardwalk. The boardwalk runs from 5th to 46th Street. The paved and wooded walkway winds down Ocean Drive and behind the oceanfront hotels, providing views of the hotel pools on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. You can also find boardwalks near the beach in Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale.
19. Skydiving Over the Everglades
Located at Homestead Airport, Skydiving Miami has the closest dropzone to Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale. They offer solo skydives and tandem parachute jumps where the instructor remains attached to the student during free fall. Skydivers accelerate to a speed of 120 mph, and open the shoot at 6,000 feet. Jumps last about 4 minutes.
20. Watch an IMAX Movie
The 300-seat IMAX Theater is located inside the Museum of Science in Fort Lauderdale.
21. Watch a Professional Sport
Depending on the season, you can watch : Dolphins Football, Marlins Baseball, Panthers Hockey, or Heat Basketball.
22. Seminole Hard Rock Casino
Between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, this 86-acre resort has a Vegas-like casino, a tropical pool area with water slides, and a Hard Rock Cafe. Hard Rock is located at 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood.
23. Horse Racing at Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park is a casino and horse racing facility with two tracks that feature thoroughbred racing. The casino has 512 slots, and 17 poker tables. The property has 10 restaurants, and is also a popular venue for concerts. The track is open from mid-January through late March. Gulfstream Park is located at 901 South Federal Hwy., Hallandale.
24. Wolfsonian Museum
A must see if you're visiting Miami Beach, this museum exhibits a collection of propaganda art that includes furniture, paintings, books, prints, industrial and decorative art objects. The Museum explores the role of design at the height of the industrial age (1885-1945) in the context of social, political, and technological issues. Admission is free after 6pm on Friday. Wolfsonian is located at 1001 Washington Ave., Miami Beach.
25. Bal Harbour Shops --
15 minutes north of Miami Beach, this exclusive outdoor shopping small showcases a collections of boutiques, restaurants and shops. The anchor stores are: Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Other notable shops: Fendi, Armani, Prada, Chanel, Dior, Cartier and, Tiffany. Bal Harbour Shops is located at 9601 Collins Ave. |
