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10 best things to do in Miami, according to a local
Miami is one of the best travel destinations in the US, with iconic beaches, Cuban culture, world-class art, and the Everglades on its doorstep. Here are 10 top things to do, from our local expert.
The best things to do in Miami include sunbathing on South Beach, exploring the street art of Wynwood Walls, wandering the Cuban culture of Little Havana, and taking an airboat tour through Everglades National Park. These are just the highlights — Miami is also home to world-class museums, stunning waterfront parks, and a live events scene that draws visitors year-round.
To bring you the inside track on the best things to do in Miami, we teamed up with Manuela Oswald, a Miami-based Holafly team member with deep roots in South Florida. Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, Manuela’s recommendations will help you see the city the way locals do. Stay connected throughout your trip with a Holafly eSIM for the USA — unlimited data, 5G speeds, and 24/7 support from the moment you land.
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1. Spend a day at South Beach
No visit to Miami is complete without spending time on South Beach. This is the iconic stretch of Atlantic coastline that defines Miami in the popular imagination — turquoise water, white sand, and a year-round energy that’s unlike anywhere else in the US.
Manuela Oswald told us “South Beach Miami is a people-watching paradise. The beach itself is beautiful, the water is warm, and there’s always something happening along Ocean Drive.“
Beyond the beach, Ocean Drive runs parallel to the shore and is lined with cafés and the pastel-painted buildings that make South Beach unmistakable. For something more relaxed, walk north to Lummus Park, a wide beachfront strip where locals come to play volleyball and enjoy the ocean breeze without the Ocean Drive crowds.
Manuela recommends picking up a Citi Bike or a pair of rollerblades from one of the beachfront shops to cruise the beach promenade — a classic South Florida experience. For the best sunset in South Beach, walk to the southern tip of the island: South Pointe Park sits on a pier with 360° views of the ocean and the Miami skyline, and is the best spot in the area to watch cruise ships heading out to sea.
Tip: Arrive at South Beach at sunrise for the best light and the fewest crowds. By mid-morning the beach fills up quickly, especially on weekends.
2. Walk the Art Deco Historic District
Tucked just behind Ocean Drive, the Art Deco Historic District is one of the most architecturally distinctive neighbourhoods in the US. Miami Beach is home to the largest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world — over 800 structures built between the 1920s and 1940s, all packed into a few walkable blocks of pastel pinks, minty greens, and pale yellows.
As Manuela puts it: “The Art Deco Historic District is something you won’t find anywhere else. The best way to really understand it is on a walking tour — the stories behind the buildings are as interesting as the architecture itself.”
Walking tours run from the Wolfsonian-FIU museum and are led by the Miami Design Preservation League throughout the week. For a self-guided walk, head to Collins Avenue and stroll north from 5th Street to 17th Street, keeping an eye out for the original neon signs that still light up some of the older hotels at night.
Don’t miss the Freedom Tower at 600 Biscayne Boulevard — a 1925 Mediterranean Revival landmark that served as the processing centre for Cuban exiles arriving in Miami in the 1960s. It now houses a permanent exhibition on Cuban-American history and is one of the city’s most significant buildings.
3. Explore Wynwood Walls and the Arts District
Wynwood is Miami’s most visually striking neighbourhood — a former warehouse district transformed into one of the world’s most famous open-air street art destinations. At its heart is the Wynwood Walls, a curated outdoor museum where internationally renowned street artists have painted large-scale murals across converted factory buildings.
Manuela told us: “Wynwood is an art lover’s haven. The murals change regularly, so even if you’ve been before, it always looks different. Walk the surrounding streets too — the art extends well beyond the Walls themselves.”
The walls themselves are free to view from the street, and the surrounding streets of the Wynwood Arts District are filled with independent galleries, studio spaces, and rotating mural installations. Walk along NW 2nd Avenue and NW 24th Street to discover smaller studios and pop-up spaces that sit alongside the main attraction.
Tip: The Wynwood Walls courtyard may charge a small entry fee for access to interior installations. The exterior murals facing the street are always free to view.
4. Discover Little Havana and Calle Ocho
Little Havana is the cultural heart of Miami’s Cuban community and one of the most atmospheric neighbourhoods in any American city. Walking through its streets, you’ll find live music spilling out of open doorways, hand-rolled cigars being crafted in shop windows, and the sounds of dominoes being played at Domino Park on Calle Ocho.
Manuela on Calle Ocho: “Little Havana’s Calle Ocho has Cuban café culture, outdoor domino games, and ventanitas — the little walk-up coffee windows where locals grab their café cubano. It’s one of those places where you feel like you’ve genuinely stepped into a different world.”
The main drag is SW 8th Street (Calle Ocho), where the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame honours Latin music legends including Celia Cruz and Tito Puente with stars embedded in the sidewalk. The local cigar shops welcome visitors to watch traditional rollers at work — a craft kept alive in Little Havana for decades.
The best time to visit is on the last Friday of each month for Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays): a free open-street festival with live music, art exhibitions, and performances that draws both locals and visitors.
She adds: “Domino Park is free to visit and one of the most genuinely local experiences in Miami. Pull up a spot nearby, watch the games, and soak in the atmosphere. There’s nowhere else quite like it.”
5. Take an airboat tour through the Everglades
The Everglades National Park is one of the most unique ecosystems on Earth — a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just 40 to 45 miles from downtown Miami. There is nothing else like it in the US.
Manuela’s take: “The Everglades is something you can’t experience anywhere else in the world. An airboat tour is the best way to get into the heart of it — you’ll see alligators, native birds, and landscapes that feel completely removed from the city. It’s a must for anyone visiting Miami.”
The airboat tour is the most popular way to explore the wetlands. You’ll skim across the water at speed through tall grasses and cypress stands, with a guide pointing out wildlife — alligators are commonly spotted year-round. Tours run from the park’s northern entrance and can be booked directly with the park or through authorised local operators.
For a slower-paced alternative, the Shark Valley Tram Tour follows a 15-mile loop through the park’s northern section. At the midpoint, a 65-foot observation tower gives panoramic views across the entire ecosystem. Bicycles can also be rented at the Shark Valley entrance for a self-guided loop.
Tip: Book airboat tours in advance, especially December to April when visitor numbers peak. Check nps.gov/ever for current park access and entrance fees.
6. Visit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Built in 1916 by industrialist James Deering, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a lavish Italian Renaissance villa on the edge of Biscayne Bay. The estate’s interior spans 34 decorated rooms filled with European antiques and art spanning 2,000 years, while the formal gardens lead down to a stone waterfront terrace with views across to Key Biscayne.
As Manuela describes it: “Vizcaya is stunning — the combination of the historic architecture, the formal gardens, and the waterfront setting is unlike anything else in Miami. It’s one of those places that genuinely surprises first-time visitors.”
Vizcaya is particularly popular with couples and is Manuela’s top recommendation for things to do in Miami for couples. The waterfront terrace is the most photographed spot on the estate, and the combination of the gardens and Biscayne Bay views makes it one of the most beautiful settings in the city.
Manuela also notes that Vizcaya features in Miami’s haunted history circuit. Ghost tours of the property run on select evenings and are a popular way to explore the grounds after dark.
7. Explore Bayside Marketplace and cruise Biscayne Bay
Located in downtown Miami on Biscayne Bay, Bayside Marketplace is one of the city’s most lively outdoor spaces — a waterfront marketplace with live music throughout the day and clear views of the downtown Miami skyline and the bay.
Manuela told us: “Bayside is the perfect introduction to Downtown Miami. There’s always live music, the waterfront is beautiful, and you can jump on a boat tour to see the whole city from the bay. I always take visitors there on their first night.”
The main attraction here is the Biscayne Bay boat tour. Several operators run scenic cruises from the Bayside marina — from relaxed sightseeing boats to high-speed speedboat tours. Manuela specifically recommends the guided boat tours for seeing Miami’s waterfront from a completely different angle, including Star Island and the Port of Miami.
Bayside is also the starting point for the free Miami Metromover — an elevated automated transit system that loops through downtown Miami and Brickell. It’s a free activity in itself: board at any station and ride the complete loop for aerial views of the city. From Brickell, Manuela
8. Explore Miami’s world-class museums
Miami has a genuinely strong museum scene. Manuela has clear favourites across art, science, and design:
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
PAMM is the standout contemporary art museum in Miami — a purpose-built waterfront building in Museum Park with rotating exhibitions from internationally significant artists.
In Manuela’s words: “PAMM has stunning architecture, a beautiful waterfront terrace, and the exhibitions are always interesting. The terrace view over Biscayne Bay alone makes it worth visiting.”
The Bass Museum of Art
Located in South Beach, The Bass is Miami’s permanent contemporary art museum, housed in a 1930 Art Deco structure redesigned by architect Arata Isozaki. The collection focuses on European paintings alongside contemporary work, and the museum sits within Collins Park — a pleasant green space in the heart of South Beach.
Wolfsonian-FIU
The Wolfsonian-FIU is a unique museum housed in a beautiful building in the heart of the Art Deco District, showcasing a deep collection of design, propaganda, and political art from the early 20th century.
Manuela on the Wolfsonian: “It’s one of Miami’s most distinctive museums — a deep collection of design, propaganda, and political art from the early 20th century. The building itself is beautiful and it’s right in the heart of the Art Deco District.”
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Also in Museum Park alongside PAMM, the Frost Museum features a three-story aquarium, a state-of-the-art planetarium, and hands-on exhibits. Manuela recommends it especially for visitors with children — it’s one of the best things to do in Miami with kids.
Tip: PAMM and the Frost Museum are neighbours in Museum Park — you can visit both in one trip. Museum Park also has waterfront green space that makes a great spot between museum visits.
9. Kayak and bike through Oleta River State Park
If there is one recommendation from Manuela that most tourists skip, it is Oleta River State Park. Located in North Miami Beach, Oleta is Florida’s largest urban park and one of the most scenic natural areas accessible directly from the city.
Manuela’s top local recommendation: “Oleta River State Park is the perfect escape from the city — kayaking, biking, and trails through natural mangrove tunnels. Most tourists don’t even know it exists, but locals love it. If you want to see a completely different side of Miami, this is where to go.”
The park has kayak and paddleboard rentals directly on site, with access to the Oleta River and Biscayne Bay for paddlers of all experience levels. The calm, sheltered waterways through the mangroves are genuinely beautiful — particularly in the morning when wildlife is most active. Manatees are sometimes spotted in the river channels.
A network of mountain bike trails runs through the park along the mangrove shoreline, ranging from beginner-friendly paths to more technical singletrack. Bike rentals are available at the park entrance. There is also a sandy beach area on Biscayne Bay with picnic facilities.
10. Plan your trip around a Miami event
Miami’s events calendar is one of the best in the US, and Manuela’s top picks are worth planning a trip around:
Art Basel Miami Beach (December)
Manuela on Art Basel: “December is when Miami is at its absolute best. The main fair is incredible, but the real experience is the citywide energy — installations in Wynwood, pop-ups in the Design District, everything feels elevated. If you can visit in December, do it.”
Held every December, Art Basel Miami Beach is one of the most significant contemporary art events in the world. The main fair takes place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, but satellite fairs and installations spread across Wynwood, the Design District, and venues throughout the city.
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Miami Music Week and Ultra Festival (March)
Held across the last week of March, Miami Music Week culminates in Ultra Music Festival in Bayfront Park — one of the largest electronic music festivals in the world. Hotel prices and crowds surge during this period, so if March is your window, book accommodation well in advance.
On Miami Music Week, she says: “It transforms the city every March. If you’re into electronic music, there’s nowhere in the world like Miami during Ultra. Even if you’re not going to the main festival, the energy across the whole city that week is electric.”
Miami Heat at Kaseya Center
If you’re visiting between October and June, catching a Miami Heat NBA game at Kaseya Center in downtown Miami is one of the best live sports experiences in the city. The arena sits right on Biscayne Bay, and the game-day atmosphere is electric.
Viernes Culturales — Cultural Fridays (Monthly)
On the last Friday of every month, Calle Ocho in Little Havana fills with live music, outdoor art, and local vendors for Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays). It is free to attend, starts in the early evening, and is one of the best recurring events in Miami for visitors wanting to experience Little Havana at its most alive.
How to spend 3 or 4 days in Miami
Not sure where to start? Here is Manuela’s recommended structure for making the most of your time in Miami.
3 days in Miami
Day 1 — South Beach and Art Deco: Start at South Beach at sunrise before the crowds arrive. Walk the Art Deco Historic District along Ocean Drive in the morning. Spend the afternoon on the beach, then end at South Pointe Park for the sunset.
Day 2 — Art, culture, and waterfront: Morning in Wynwood — arrive early for the quietest experience. Afternoon in Little Havana along Calle Ocho. Head to Bayside Marketplace in the evening for a Biscayne Bay boat tour at sunset.
Day 3 — Nature and museums: Morning airboat tour at the Everglades — allow a half day for the journey and tour. Return to Miami for an afternoon at PAMM or the Frost Museum of Science.
4 days in Miami
Add a fourth day for the quieter side of Miami: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in the morning, then a kayaking or biking session at Oleta River State Park in the afternoon. If an evening event aligns with your dates — a Heat game, Viernes Culturales, or Art Basel — plan it for Day 4.
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Hi, I'm Brenda Beltrán. I'm passionate about travel, technology, and video games. In 2019, I started my career as a journalist in entertainment and technology. Then, I discovered that content creation was my true calling. Now, at Holafly, I'm dedicated to sharing travel tips and experiences that will make your adventures unforgettable. ✈️ Hola, soy Brenda Beltrán, apasionada por los viajes, la tecnología y los videojuegos. Desde mis inicios en 2019 como periodista en entretenimiento y tecnología, descubrí que la creación de contenido era mi verdadera vocación. Hoy, en Holafly, me dedico a compartir consejos y experiencias de viaje para que cada una de tus aventuras sean memorables.✈️
