Miami is usually associated with beach holidays and the financial district, but there’s much more to see in Florida’s most famous city!

You can find here museums, boat trips, exclusive gastronomic experiences, unusual encounters, ambitious art projects, architectural gems and much more.

Here’s my guide to activities for the whole family – and besides that, this article is going live exactly on the 4th of July 2026, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States as a country!

1. Admire the Art Deco Architecture Around South Beach

South Beach, the famous seaside area of Miami Beach with its colourful Art Deco buildings, was buzzing during our visit.

The Atlantic Ocean, wide white sandy beaches, and colourful lifeguard stands – everything is exactly as you would expect from this place.

Ocean Drive was closed during our visit because Pride celebrations were taking place in Miami.

The first house here was built in 1886, and within just 50 years the beach property market boomed, followed by the construction of the pastel-coloured Art Deco buildings dating back to the 1930s.

Miami Beach area is now all filled with historical houses!

Today, it feels like a real open-air museum, extremely vivid and buzzing all day all night along!

2. Explore Downtown Miami

Downtown Miami is a large area along Biscayne Bay filled with cafés, restaurants, museums, offices, hotels, and shopping centres.

I mention some of its highlights below, but make sure to spot the famous clock tower overlooking the cruise terminal, admire Zaha Hadid’s easily recognisable “Scorpion” building, and look out for modern art installations such as Botero’s sculptures. The best views are probably from the water (see below).

3. Have Coffee in Little Havana

Little Havana is a unique and vibrant district of Miami, originally inhabited by Cuban immigrants who fled the communist regime in the 1960s. Before that, the area was largely populated by Jewish communities.

Today, visitors come here to admire the murals, stroll along Calle Ocho (8th Street), live through this vibe and spot stars on the Walk of Fame.

Of course, watch domino players at Máximo Gómez Park – now nicknamed Domino Park – a very special place where people gather ignoring the crowds. Players have to be registered members of a club and be at least 55 years old!

Numerous murals and colourful buildings will allow you to admire the atmosphere. Even McDonald’s blends in with the surroundings.

Also don’t miss your opportunity drink Cuban coffee served directly from restaurant windows – we tried it at El Pub.

There are lots of tourists, but the atmosphere still feels authentic.

4. See the Murals of Wynwood District

Wynwood is a true open-air museum with dozens of murals – some remain for years, while others are constantly changing.

It used to be an industrial warehouse district, hence the abundance of large empty walls, but today it has been transformed into a trendy neighbourhood with street art, cafés, and galleries.

You can simply walk or drive around as we did, or spend an entire day exploring the various art spots.

Many modern artists display their works here too – for instance, look out for Lumen by Daniel Popper.

5. Have Lunch at the Versace Mansion

We had lunch at Gianni’s restaurant in the former Gianni Versace mansion – and a signature Golden Margarita at the Versace Villa certainly sounded appealing.

The Villa Casa Casuarina, formerly known as the Versace Mansion, was built in 1930 and became closely associated with Gianni Versace after he purchased it in 1992. He lived here until 1997, when he was tragically shot outside the property by Andrew Cunanan.

Today, the venue operates as both a hotel and a restaurant named after Versace. I must admit, the food was genuinely excellent – much better than I expected from such a tourist-heavy location.

You can choose either a three-course lunch menu or order à la carte. Be sure to book in advance.

6. Shop in the Design District

The Design District is one of Miami’s most famous neighbourhoods, known for luxury fashion and modern architecture.

Buckminster Fuller’s Fly’s Eye Dome at Palm Court is probably the most iconic installation here.

Tiffany & Co. is decorated with Damien Hirst’s butterfly artwork, the Museum Garage parking structure features impressive art on every side, Louis Vuitton Men’s is the brand’s first freestanding men’s store in the United States, and one of the restaurants also features work by Zaha Hadid.

Dior even has a rooftop café here – we were lucky to enter it without any queue and spent some great time there tasting their signature desserts!

Make sure to visit the open-air Nader Sculpture Park, which opened in 2024 and displays around 50 sculptures by Fernando Botero (whose house we had previously seen in Colombia), Julio Larraz, and others.

There is also a food hall offering a wide selection of cuisines, including Italian, Japanese, French, Israeli, and Mexican.

7. Get Amazed by Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Would you expect a place like this in Miami? Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a fascinating and eclectic estate well worth visiting.

This villa and garden complex was built between 1914 and 1923 on the shores of Biscayne Bay for businessman James Deering, who was deeply inspired by European culture.

He and his associates purchased numerous historical objects – mostly Italian and French – transported them to Miami, and created an elaborate mansion and extensive gardens to house them.

Take a stroll through the Renaissance-style gardens with their staircases and grottos, admire the unusual combination of Italian sculptures with subtropical plants, spot the large stone barge near the waterfront resembling a gondola landing, and explore the lavishly decorated rooms inside the mansion.

Unfortunately, local climate and hurricane activity have damaged the property on several occasions, and many rooms were under renovation during our visit.

Vizcaya is also a popular location for weddings and professional photo shoots (special permits are required), and many films have been shot here as well.

8. Visit Brickell City Centre

Brickell City Centre is not only a shopping mall – although it is an excellent shopping destination with stores such as Mango, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Anthropologie – but also a great place to admire the Downtown Miami skyline.

There are also plenty of cafés and restaurants serving Mediterranean, Cuban, and Mexican cuisine – for example, we enjoyed Tacology.

9. Drive Along Brickell Avenue

Brickell Avenue is worth a quick visit if you’re interested in celebrity homes. The famous “Millionaire’s Row” area features luxurious waterfront properties owned by wealthy residents and celebrities.

One particularly bizarre story involved Gunther, a German Shepherd who supposedly inherited a fortune from his late owner and “purchased” a mansion previously owned by Madonna.

10. Watch Cruise Ships from South Pointe

South Pointe is a green and walkable area with restaurants and cycling paths, famous for its iguanas and scenic views.

Cruise ships pass by here on their way to the terminals, making it a perfect place for ship-watching.

Joe’s Stone Crab, one of Miami’s oldest and most iconic restaurants, is also located nearby – although sadly we didn’t have time to visit this trip.

11. Learn About Jewish Culture

Although Miami now has a large Jewish community, Jews were not allowed to settle in Florida until 1763. Later, Jewish communities migrated here from across the United States and greatly influenced the development of the city.

To learn more, visit the Jewish Museum of Florida, housed in restored synagogue buildings originally constructed in 1936, and pay your respects at the Holocaust Memorial and Museum.

12. Visit the Aquarium at Frost Science

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a fantastic destination for the whole family.

Prepare to spend 2-3 hours here, or, maybe even longer!

Learn about scientific breakthroughs, watch stingrays and tropical fish in the huge aquarium, observe local wildlife in the rooftop enclosures, or enjoy a show at the planetarium.

The museum is surrounded by a lovely park with animal sculptures, and the Pérez Art Museum Miami is located nearby as well.

13. Stroll Along Española Way

Española Way is a charming pedestrian street designed a century ago and packed with restaurants serving cuisines from around the world.

Come here for Mexican, Chinese, Cuban, French, or Italian food. We chose the Cuban restaurant Havana 1957 and were not disappointed.

14. Learn About Muhammad Ali’s Miami Connections

Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, had strong ties to Miami. It was here that he rose to fame and changed his name.

The city still celebrates these connections, especially at the 5th Street Gym where he trained, and the Miami Beach Convention Center, where in 1964 he defeated Sonny Liston and won his first heavyweight title.

15. Spend a Few Hours at Zoo Miami

Zoo Miami is one of the best attractions for children in the city and the largest zoo in Florida – it’s definitely worth a visit.

Plan ahead, as you’ll need at least three hours to explore most of it.

Your visit begins with flamingos, one of Miami’s symbols. In total, around 375 animal species live here, organised into geographic sections such as Asia, Africa, Florida’s Everglades, and Amazon & Beyond.

Some of the animals are incredibly rare – I had never even heard of several of the species despite visiting many zoos throughout my life.

Wild animals such as woodpeckers, lizards, and squirrels wandering freely around the grounds also add to the experience. I even spotted a northern cardinal for the first time.

You can also book animal encounters or rent a buggy to explore the zoo more comfortably.

16. Take a Boat Ride from Bayside Marketplace

Bayside Marketplace is a great place for shopping, arts and crafts, and waterfront dining.

There are numerous boat cruises options available – even pirate ships! Although reservations are preferred, you can buy tickets for the same day from multiple vendors on the spot too.

During our visit, we chose Kuba Restaurant for lunch.

You can also join a sightseeing boat tour – sunset option might be the best but Miami sparkles beautifully at late evening too!

Tours usually include views of the Downtown Miami skyline, Fisher Island, Hibiscus Island, Miami Beach skyscrapers, and celebrity mansions (although I’m not entirely sure why celebrity homes are always included).

17. Feed Raccoons on Raccoon Island

During our trip to Miami, we decided to make a short boat trop to a very unusual spot – the Raccon island, or Sandspur Island, accessible only by boat. Our boat trip took around 45 minutes each way.

The journey itself was lovely, passing luxury villas and waterfront homes. There’s even a chance to spot manatees – sadly, we spotted none.

Sandspur Island is better known as Raccoon Island because of its population of wild raccoons. Some visitors brought fruit to attract them, but we only brought water after being told that raccoons love drinking fresh water. Of course, we took all plastic bottles back with us.

We saw around five to seven raccoons, and they were absolutely adorable. A few people also arrived by kayak, and overall the island seems to be becoming increasingly popular.

18. Discover the James Bond Heritage of Fontainebleau Hotel

I really wanted to visit the Fontainebleau Hotel – unfortunately, we only managed to see the lobby because we were not staying there.

Opened in 1954, the hotel is both an architectural icon and a piece of Hollywood history. It appeared in the James Bond film Goldfinger (1964) and The Bodyguard starring Whitney Houston (1992). Frank Sinatra also stayed and performed there numerous times.

As a huge James Bond fan, I simply couldn’t miss it.

19. Spot Alligators at Everglades National Park

In Miami, you have a chance to experience something completely different from South Beach – and it’s just about an hour’s drive away from it.

Make sure to visit the Everglades National Park, established in 1947, which protects part of the original Everglades ecosystem and its wildlife.

It’s an unmissable spot if you want to understand Florida, with its endless moors with potentially dangerous wildlife!

We took a one-hour guided airboat tour through the park. Although we saw many impressive bird species, we primarily came to see the alligators. They are iconic in this part of the world, and of course we couldn’t miss the opportunity to see them in the wild.

We were lucky enough to spot more than a dozen alligators of all sizes, from tiny babies to enormous adults. They are surprisingly difficult to spot without a guide. Most hide when boats approach, though some seem completely unbothered.

The trip felt perfectly safe as long as everyone followed the instructions. There’s also a themed shop there as well.

Besides the boat tours, there are also walking trails to explore. We also saw crocodiles and alligators in protected enclosures.

20. Take Day Trips from Miami: Fort Lauderdale and Sunny Isles Beach

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale makes for a relaxing day escape from Miami.

Fort Lauderdale is located around 45 minutes to an hour from South Beach and is often called the “Venice of America” because of its extensive canal system filled with yachts and gondolas.

Boat rides are practically mandatory here. To explore the canals, you can take the Water Taxi, ride the Jungle Queen riverboat, or even hire a private gondola.

The canals are lined with luxurious villas, many with private yachts, and gardens featuring modern sculptures.

For shopping, restaurants, and galleries, head to Las Olas Boulevard. For a historical perspective, visit the Stranahan House Museum, the oldest surviving house in Broward County, built in 1901. Originally a trading post with the Seminole people, it later became the residence of Frank and Ivy Stranahan.There’s also a pleasant riverwalk, several museums, and plenty of dining opportunities.

Sunny Isles Beach

We also made a quick stop at Sunny Isles Beach, a coastal city where you’ll find Russian bookshops, Eastern European grocery stores, and cafés such as Kalinka.

Where to Stay: Ritz-Carlton South Beach

We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, and overall the experience was pleasant – although you notice the difference if you’ve recently spent time in Asia or the Middle East, where many luxury hotels are brand new or freshly restored.

The hotel is located in the Art Deco district just a few minutes from the ocean and features a moderately sized pool and a pleasant beach area. However, like all beaches in Miami, it is public rather than private. Unfortunately – and unusually for Ritz-branded properties – our kid also didn’t receive any kid-friendly amenities such as colouring books or welcome gifts.

Breakfast is served either buffet-style or à la carte, though both options felt somewhat limited. The buffet included an egg station, pastries, cold cuts, berries, and fruit, but surprisingly no vegetables.

The room itself was stylish and minimalist, and the toiletries were by Diptyque. Unfortunately, the hotel changed our reservation, and instead of an ocean-view room we were given a city-view room. While the view was attractive, it was also rather noisy – though, to be fair, South Beach is hardly known for tranquillity.

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