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Top 14 things to do near Miami Airport
Found yourself with time to spare and looking for things to do in Miami Airport? Find out the best activities within 30 minutes of MIA.
Did you find yourself with time to spare at the Miami International Airport (MIA)? It’s easy to enter a cycle of doom-scrolling and sit on airport WiFi while you wait for your flight, but there are plenty of things to do near Miami Airport that will help you pass the time and have fun while you’re at it. Follow along to learn all about some of the best activities to take on.
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1. Go to the beach
Distance from MIA: ~20 minutes
Price: Free
Miami is famous for its stunning beaches and sunny weather, so why not take the opportunity to enjoy it while you’re here? The entire South Beach shoreline is a mere 20-minute ride away from the airport, so you can find yourself in Miami Beach or South Beach in next to no time.
Soak in the sun, grab a cocktail from one of the many beach bars, and enjoy a refreshing dip in the ocean. Definitely beats hanging out in the airport for a few hours.
2. Institute of Contemporary Art
Distance from MIA: ~20 minutes
Price: Free
If you enjoy visiting art museums, the Institute of Contemporary Art is the place to be. Admission is free, though it’s a good idea to reserve a time online before you visit, as the number of visitors is limited. The daily free tour starts at 12 PM, making it one of the best times to visit the institute.
Opening hours are 11 AM to 6 PM, Wednesday through Sunday, and even if you miss the free daily tour, there’s plenty to explore on your own here. The exhibitions change constantly, so you can come back and see something new every time you visit.
3. Wynwood Walls
Distance from MIA: ~20 minutes
Price: $8-12
Wynwood Walls offers a unique experience by replacing art galleries with street walls. 100+ artists from 20+ countries have created 35 murals and two art galleries full of fascinating street art.
General admission is $8-12, but you can also get a guided tour for under $20. This can result in a much more immersive experience, with tour guides walking you through the stories behind each mural while you marvel at the art.
4. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Distance from MIA: ~25 minutes
Price: $25 for adults, $10 for children aged 6-12
Vizcaya is where art and nature come together. The museum holds pieces ranging from the way back to Pompeii and up to the 20th century. The European-inspired gardens compliment the Mediterranean architecture of the museum itself and are reminiscent of the gardens from 17th-century Italy and France.
The entire estate, located in the Coconut Grove neighborhood, once belonged to a renowned businessman James Deering, who is largely responsible for the collection of art and the gardens displayed here.
5. Zoo Miami
Distance from MIA: ~28 minutes
Price: $25.95 for adults, $21.95 for children aged 3-12
South Miami is a hotspot for animal experiences, with multiple zoos and animal-related activities in the region. Zoo Miami is the biggest and the most popular of the lot, with a wide variety of mammals, reptiles, birds, and amphibians on display.
If you want a more immersive experience, you can visit Monkey Jungle, located not far from Zoo Miami. The name gives it all away; it’s a jungle-like settlement where many monkey species roam free. Another great option is ZWF Miami, an appointment-only zoo that specializes in intimate interactions with animals, especially famous for its big cats.
6. Sky Zone Doral
Distance from MIA: ~30 minutes
Price: $25.99 to $29.99
Sky Zone is a popular trampoline park chain with multiple locations across the country. It’s a great way to spend time with the family while also getting some exercise. On top of the trampoline areas, you’ll also find a ninja warrior course, a skyslam area, a foam zone, and an ultimate dodgeball arena.
7. Bayside Marketplace
Distance from MIA: ~22 minutes
Price: Free
Want to see Miami Bay and do some shopping but only have a few hours to spare? Why not combine both by visiting the Bayside Marketplace? You’ll find dozens of shops here, as well as multiple food options, and other attractions such as a 200-foot tall Ferris wheel, speedboat rides, and guided bus tours.
8. HistoryMiami Museum
Distance from MIA: ~25 minutes
Price: $15 for adults, $8 for children aged 6-12
If you want to learn more about Miami and South Florida in general, the HistoryMiami Museum, located in Downtown Miami, is the place to be. As you can probably tell by the name, the museum is dedicated to the history of Miami and its surrounding areas.
The collection includes pretty much anything related to Miami, with artifacts ranging from pre-Colombian to modern times. Learn what life in Miami was like in the past and the things that led to it becoming the bustling metropolis it is today.
9. Little Havana
Distance from MIA: ~15 minutes
Price: Free
Little Havana is a Cuban neighborhood located just outside of Downtown Miami. The vibrant atmosphere is created by colorful Latin restaurants, shops, and art galleries, which are always accompanied by the unmistakable sounds of Latin music.
Little Havana is an accurate representation of what the neighborhood offers, as you feel as if you’re taken to the capital of Cuba from the moment you step foot here. And since it’s only 15 minutes away from Miami Airport, visiting the neighborhood is one of the best things you can do in Miami during a long layover.
10. Jungle Island
Distance from MIA: ~25 minutes
Price: $43.95 for adults, $27.95 for children aged 3-9
Jungle Island is one of the top spots for nature enthusiasts in Miami. Animal encounters are the main draw here, allowing you to get up close and personal with exotic animals such as lemurs, capybaras, or sloths. There’s also a petting zoo with more common furry friends such as goats or rabbits.
However, that’s not all that Jungle Island is known for. It’s also the home of Treetop Trekking, a place where you can climb, zipline, and swing across treetops. This makes Jungle Island great both for general exploration and for active leisure.
11. Miami Seaquarium
Distance from MIA: ~30 minutes
Price: $32.99 for adults, $22.99 for children aged 3-9
If you can’t get enough of hands-on animal experiences, Miami Seaquarium gives you yet another option. That said, it’s going to cost extra. While general admission for adults starts at $32.99, most animal interactions, such as meeting dolphins, seals, or sea lions start at $59.99 and reach up to $199.99 for a VIP tour.
The general admission gives you access to all exhibits on the Seaquarium as well as shows and educational activities. If you decide to spend the whole day here, there are also themed dining and shopping options within the Seaquarium.
12. Sightseeing boat tours
Distance from MIA: ~15 minutes
Price: Starting at around $25
Want to see some of the most stunning spots in Miami but only have a few hours to spare? Get on a sightseeing boat tour that’ll take you to some of the best views of the Miami skyline, give you a ride on the Miami River, take you around Fischer Island, or give you a tour of celebrity homes in the area.
The tours typically take from around 90 minutes to 4 hours, so you can choose the option that fits your flight schedule or simply one that takes you to the places you want to see most.
13. Try the street food
Distance from MIA: ~0-30 minutes
Price: $10+
No Miami experience is complete without trying the street food available here. Try iconic Cuban sandwiches, incredible tacos, mouth watering burgers, crispy fried chicken, and plenty more.
You’ll be able to find some great food spots no matter where you go, whether it’s just outside the airport or Downtown Miami. Food is more than just a way to stuff your stomach here, it’s a cultural experience, so make sure you don’t miss out.
14. Explore the airport
Distance from MIA: 0 minutes
Price: Free
There’s plenty of things for you to do within the Miami Airport itself, whether you don’t have much time or simply don’t want to leave the airport. You can go window-shopping in the many shops spread throughout the airport, dine at one of multiple restaurants, or see the art exhibitions available here.
If you simply want to relax, book one of several lounges within the airport. If you’re extra tired and have an overnight layover, you can even book a luxury hotel with complimentary shuttle service taking you from the airport and getting you back just before your flight.
Stay connected in Miami
Having mobile internet in Miami makes it much easier to explore the city and have a stress-free experience. Use map apps to find places to visit and things to do in Miami, use ridesharing apps to get a ride to your destination, or simply stay in touch with family and friends on social media.
Miami Airport WiFi is only available within the airport, but if you want to stay connected anywhere, getting an eSIM for Miami is the best choice. It only takes minutes to buy and set up an eSIM, and you can do it anywhere without the need for any additional devices or prepaid SIM cards.
The Holafly eSIM for the USA offers solid coverage all throughout the country, as well as unlimited data and 24/7 customer support, ensuring that you’ll always stay connected, no matter what you do.
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A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.
