The Best Things to Do in Miami, According to a Local

· A local’s take on the absolute best things to do in Miami, plus everything to know for planning your trip. ·

Date
Nov, 05, 2021

Miami is a city that is on just about every American’s bucket list to visit, and a huge share of foreigners’ bucket lists, too. And it makes sense! Miami is one of the coolest, most unique major cities I have visited in the United States. The Magic City has things to do for people from every walk of life and with every set of interests, and you really can’t get bored here.

While I love Miami and have been many times, I thought this city was so special that it required me to seek some outside help. For that reason, this post has been written in collaboration with MADEARCHIVES, a friend of ours and expert of all things Miami, considering it’s where she was born and raised. After reading this post, hopefully you’ll be ready to hop on Spirit Airlines’ website and buy your tickets! But more on that later.

This post contains affiliate links through which we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own.

Best Things to Do in Miami

Miami is known for its beaches, abundance of culture, and, of course, its nightlife. Whether you’re coming to party or relax, Miami is the perfect vacation destination. You are constantly discovering unique experiences. However, that can definitely get overwhelming! This guide will take you to the best spots in Miami and make your vacation worthwhile.

Growing up there, I’ve seen the city constantly change. There is always something bigger and better that you have to go see. Thankfully, I’ve done it all so you don’t have to. In my opinion, these are the best things to do in Miami that just never get old! There is something for everyone, which makes it even more exciting to visit. It’s called the Magic City for a reason!

1. Head to Wynwood

Colorful mural of Native Americans in Wynwood Neighborhood of Miami

This area has completely transformed in the past couple years into one of the biggest art centers worldwide. There is modern art to discover all around you, without that stuffy feeling you get elsewhere. This neighborhood is the ideal location to go take pictures during your visit! There are so many artists to see, not only in the galleries, but just everywhere you look in the streets. It is mostly known for its walls, as the Wynwood Walls are THE tourist destination. I recommend quickly skimming through the main walls and experiencing all the side streets. Here, you’ll find less crowded areas with more unique art.

Not only does this area have amazing art, but it probably has some of the best restaurants in Miami. There is always a newer, hotter place to try and they surely never disappoint. I will list some of my favorites down below! If you are coming to visit Miami as an art enthusiast, the best time to visit for you would be early December for the annual Art Basel. This weekend long event attracts not only the leading members of the art world, but pretty much anyone who’s anyone. You’ll be rubbing shoulders with all the celebrities as you admire eclectic and fun pieces!


2. Soak up some Sun at Miami Beach

Miami’s crystal waters are the best way to spend your days. Leaving Miami’s warm oceans for the west coast, I now understand I took it for granted. If you are looking for fun music and dining by the sea, Miami Beach is the place to go. White sands and bright lights, it’s no secret this is why people come to visit. There are restaurants all through Ocean Ave, making this the perfect people watching AND sunset watching location. Miami Beach can get a little hectic sometimes, so a great alternative is going to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park where it is quiet and secluded. Whatever type of beach day you prefer, just always remember to wear your sunscreen!


3. Stroll through the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

If you’re looking for an escape from your hungover state, stop at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Its enchanting gardens make you feel transported to a villa in northern Italy. This is the perfect getaway when looking for something different in Miami. Not only is it a beautiful location, but it is rich with history. Miami is a relatively young city, so it is fascinating to learn more from the past. Hidden in Coconut Grove, most people pass by it every day and never check it out. Right after your visit, you can go eat some brunch at the Greenstreet Cafe for their famous Nutella stuffed French toast. This is the perfect day plan when you’re looking for a relaxing day.


4. Walk down Calle Ocho in Little Havana

Little Havana is the center of Cuban culture in Miami. You will find the absolute best Cuban food, music, and more. As you walk along these streets, you’ll discover the magic that has been created here. Sure you can try all the trendy spots in Miami, but if you’re looking for authenticity, Versailles is the place to go. As you eat your delicious croquetas, stop by the Domino Park to enjoy the traditional game of dominos with the locals. No trip to Little Havana is complete without treating yourself to some guava ice cream from Azucar.


5. Check out Literally Anything by Dave Grutman

Even though Dave Grutman technically isn’t a place to visit, he basically is. Grutman deserves his own section in this article. He is known to be the king of Miami for a reason. You can say he has Midas’s touch, because everything he starts is an absolute success. He is the owner of Komodo, LIV, and Swan just to name a few. One of his most recent projects, The Goodtime Hotel, is a must stay. It’s colorful, art-deco decor gives you the tropical Miami feel you are looking for. At the poolside, the famous Strawberry Moon resides. This fun restaurant hosts some of the most famous artists to perform for its day parties. He has also opened a diner, a Japanese restaurant, and a bakery! Make sure to visit his hospitality page for more details.


Best Nightlife in Miami

Writing about Dave Grutman is the perfect transition for what probably most people come to Miami for – the nightlife. In Miami, you can find yourself clubbing until the sun rises and then a little more after that. The party really never stops here, so make sure to mentally (and physically) prepare yourself. If you’re looking for something casual, sorry to break it to you, but you won’t find it here. Every bar + club has its own unique vibe, so you’ll never be bored. Here is a list of the top places to go to for a fun time. Be sure to look up each place ahead of time to find the theme or vibe that fits what you’re looking for.


How to Get to Miami

Getting to Miami couldn’t be any easier, as there are two incredible options for airports to fly into. Everyone thinks of Miami International Airport (MIA) which is the true airport of Miami and is a major American Airlines hub. This airport is massive and has domestic and international flights connecting to just about everywhere. If you don’t really care about the price of your flight, you should just find the most convenient flight route into Miami International Airport.

If you’re looking to shave a nice chunk of change off of your airfare, you should check out Fort Lauderdale’s Airport (FLL). Fort Lauderdale, just 45 minutes north of Miami, is a major budget airline hub and you can find incredibly low rates to Miami by flying on budget airlines into Fort Lauderdale. There are shuttles connecting the Fort Lauderdale airport to Miami, and when it’s all said and done, it can save you a couple hundred dollars per person on your airfare.

The best way to get from either of these airports to your hotel in Miami is by booking a private transfer with our partners at Welcome Pickups.

Welcome Pickups offers personalized, private, comfortable rides from the airport into the city for about the same price as a standard taxi. They monitor your flight status while you are in the air, and a driver will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name on it as soon as you arrive.

Spirit Airlines, one of my top five budget airlines in the United States, utilizes Fort Lauderdale a lot, and you can find unbelievable low rates when you visit their website. Additionally, they run promotions all throughout the year to save an additional 40%+ on your airfare if you sign up for their email chain. If you are nervous about flying on budget airlines because of bad stories you may have heard from friends, I encourage you to check out my budget airline guide, which breaks down exactly why I love budget airlines so much and will help you to avoid any hidden fees that they might have. Additionally, if you’re coming from far away, you might want to consider my guide with tips for finding cheap flights to save even more money on your flight.


How to Get around Miami

METRO | BUS | METROMOVER | UBER

If you have read any of my posts before, you know I am a huge fan of public transportation. It’s easy, cheap, frees up your hands, and is great for the environment! The good news for you if you’re headed to Miami is that the public transportation options are fantastic.

Public transportation is effective and affordable in Miami.

Miami has a great Metrorail system that connects almost every part of the city – including the airport. The trains are nice and tend to run on time, and the costs are very affordable, starting at $2.25 per trip. You can buy an EASY card either in person or on your phone and just load it up as you go. If you are trying to go somewhere that isn’t connected well by the Metrorail, you can hop onto one of the Metrobuses that connect literally every part of the city. Like I said, I love public transportation, and Miami is one of the few cities in the United States that does it well.

Also, if you are just staying downtown and want a convenient way to explore the area, you can hop onto the Metromover. This free shuttling service runs three different loops around downtown areas to get people where they want to go without clogging up traffic. It’s a great option if you aren’t trying to get very far!

As always, rental cars, taxis, and Uber’s are great options, too, but cost exponentially more than public transportation does. For simplicity’s sake and to avoid having to park, I’m a huge advocate of Uber, and I even just wrote a post all about Uber and why it’s a great option. If you are trying to get around after hours or don’t have the time to wait on the metro system, I highly recommend using Uber instead of renting a car, unless you want to take a road trip down into the Florida Keys.



Safety in Miami

While Miami is an incredible city to visit, it doesn’t have the best reputation for safety. In fact, Miami has one of the highest violent crime rates in the entire United States. While crime rates tend to over-exaggerate problems and deter people a little too much in my opinion, it’s still worth taking caution during your visit to Miami. Miami has historically been notorious for its involvement in cartel activity, and there are definitely a few bad apples lingering in the city that you probably don’t want to mess with.

Honestly, most of Miami is very safe, even at night. After all, how many people go clubbing in Miami on a given night? Tens of thousands. While that is true, there are still a couple of areas you want to avoid, especially at night, and they include Overtown and Liberty City. These two areas have the highest violent crime rates in Miami and probably aren’t worth your time anyway. Apart from that, if you take general precautions and try not to get involved with any suspicious people, you’re bound to have a safe and incredible time.


Is Miami Worth Visiting?

Miami gets a lot of hype. Let’s be real. Can a city really match up to the reputation that Miami gets? People travel from all over the world to visit Miami throughout the year, either for its beaches, art, events, or other cultural aspects. But should they?

Yeah, they should. Millions of people don’t tend to all get the same thing wrong! “Is Miami worth visiting?” is the kind of question that gets answered within one hour of arriving in the city. Miami is incredibly unique and has a very diverse personality. You need to see it to believe it. If you are thinking about visiting Miami, you should stop thinking and start booking.

Miami is incredibly unique and diverse.


Thanks for reading our post on the best things to do in Miami! Miami really is one of the best cities in the United States to visit and deserves its great reputation. We loved working with Made to put this post together, and we totally recommend heading over to her website at madearchives.com. She is constantly posting great content about so many different things. For fashion, beauty, lifestyle, or travel things, she is a fantastic source.

If you’re planning a trip to Miami, let us know by commenting below! We’d love to chat ahead of time and answer any questions you have. Otherwise, have a wonderful day and stay present!

Greg

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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Meet The Author - Greg

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.