Best Things to do in Miami Beach In 2024

South Beach

Visiting South Beach is a must see thing to do in Miami Beach for couples, families and groups of friends that enjoy viewing the more eclectic lifestyle that south Florida has to offer. South Beach has 10-miles of white sand beaches with body builders and bikinis as well as numerous options for watersport adventure. Inland you can visit the Art Deco Historic District along Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive where many famous people constructed homes and/or hotels from the 1920s thru the 1940s. These buildings have been brought back to life and now house some of the finest art galleries and museums in the world that exhibit artworks from the Renaissance to Decorative to Modern to Erotic artworks from around the world. The culinary delights found in South Beach range from tasty Latin dishes to French to Italian and there is even an old-fashion diner or two. Nightlife gets rolling in South Beach and if you can't find a party at your hotel just walk down the street. There is something to do in Miami Beach for everyone that will leave lasting memories of a lifetime.

Miami Beach Food and Art Deco Walking Tour

If you are looking for a walking tour that combines great food, history and unique architecture, then the best thing to do in Miami Beach is to take your family on the Miami Beach Food and Art Deco Walking tour. Your 3-hour excursion begins when you meet your expert guide at a designated starting point within the South Beach area. You will indulge in a quick pastry and Cuban style coffee and set out on foot as you begin your journey through the wonderful Art Deco Historic District. Your tour guide will explain all the necessary facts on your way about the particular buildings and why Art Deco architecture is so highly acclaimed around the world. You will stroll along Lincoln Road and the pedestrian mall where you will stop for a quick sampling of local food. Your adventure continues down Espanola Way where you will indulge in some Argentina cuisine before walking down Ocean Drive the capital of Art Deco buildings. Your final stop on the excursion will be to cleanse your palate with some homemade Italian Gelato which is а perfect thing to do in Miami Beach after a leisurely walk through one of the most unique neighborhoods in the United States.

Miami Segway Tour

When you don't want to go on a walking tour or be stuck in a coach all-day, then the best thing to do in Miami Beach to see all the sights is to take a Segway tour. Your 2.5-hour excursion begins when you meet your professional guide at a designated location within South Beach where you will be given basic riding instructions on how to navigate your Segway. As you travel on your Segway your tour guide will enhance your journey with interesting commentary about the history and culture of Miami Beach. Once you have mastered the trick of steering and balancing you will be on your way to see all the beautiful Art Deco buildings South Beach offers on streets like Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive. From here you will travel the waterfront admiring the gorgeous Miami skyline as well as the blue waters of Biscayne Bay and you can watch the numerous cruise ships, yachts and private boats that call the bay home. You will view the Bayside Marketplace, the Miami River and even stop at a 2,000 year old archeological site. Your adventure concludes at your starting point but the memories will last forever.

Art Deco Historic District

Visiting the Art Deco Historic District is one of the most popular things to do in Miami Beach for couples, families and groups of travelers that like to view intricate architecture from the 1920s to 1940s. The Art Deco Historic District contains around 900 buildings and was the first 20th century neighborhood to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service. First designated in 1979, the Art Deco Historic District features architecture that is centered on pastel colors, terrazzo floors and unique curvatures. The highest concentration of these buildings is along Ocean Drive where Gianni Versace once built a gorgeous Spanish Mediterranean style mansion. Many of these Art Deco buildings have been renovated and house numerous boutique hotels as well as art galleries. There is an Art Deco Welcome Center which is a great place to pick-up information on all the unique buildings you will view while strolling through the district.

South Pointe Park

South Pointe Park is one of the best things to do in Miami Beach for families looking for a great view of the surrounding area combined with plenty of activities to keep people busy. South Point Park is 17-acre area that has been converted into a splendid park that features a 20-foot wide walkway, dog park, restaurants and an ocean-themed playground for the children. Adults will be thrilled with the views that extend from Fisher Island to Downtown Miami to Biscayne Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. You can view the numerous yachts and enormous cruise ships that travel in and out of the Port of Miami on a daily basis. The promenade is lit up with neon lights in the evening making this an enchanting place. The park has meticulously maintained grounds and is a favorite with film makers, so if you are lucky you might even see a movie star or two.

Lincoln Road

When you want to visit a great place that is filled with architecture, culinary delights, culture and history, then an ideal thing to do in Miami Beach is to stop at Lincoln Road. You will be amazed at the variety of attractions that are located within such a small strip of land that includes numerous art galleries, gorgeous Art Deco buildings, boutique shops and plenty of different cuisine from around the world. You can explore Lincoln Road on a walking tour, by Segway, bicycle as well as numerous vehicle options that range from a double decker bus to private coach to an amphibious duck vehicle. Your whole family can indulge in Latin culinary delights, explore the Bass Museum of Art and even listen to the New World Symphony as well as soak up the intricate Art Deco buildings that bring the past back to life as you take an exciting excursion of Lincoln Road.

Ocean Drive

One of the most popular things to do in Miami Beach for all travelers is to take a scenic tour of Ocean Drive. When you visit Ocean Drive you can expect to see over 900 Art Deco buildings, cultural venues, boutique shops and dining establishments. There are a number of ways that you can visit Ocean Drive which range from an amphibious duck vehicle, a bicycle tour, double decker bus as well as a private coach. Other exciting ways to see Ocean Drive is by cruising on a Segway or from the sky above inside a seaplane. You can experience the culture of Ocean Drive by taking a salsa dance lesson at the spectacular nightclub Mango's Tropical Cafe or include a stroll down Ocean Drive on a food excursion which features cuisine from several Latin and South America countries. No matter which way you decide to experience, Ocean Drive is a must thing to do in Miami Beach.

Miami Beach Botanical Gardens

If you are seeking a tranquil outdoor environment that displays superb flora and fauna within an urban setting, then the perfect thing to do in Miami Beach is to visit the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Located along Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach, the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens are situated on 2.6-acres of lush landscape. The gardens boast fantastic flora features from wetlands to mangroves to orchids to bromeliads in an ideal surrounding that allows for relaxing moment in your life. There are numerous paths made of stone with fountains to enhance the beautiful flowers that are on display. One of the major attractions within the garden is a Japanese Garden which is complete with a red bridge over a tranquil pond. Other highlights include a native garden that sports Floridian flora which includes pond apple trees as well as an edible garden which boasts pineapples, raspberries and pomegranates. There is a Great Lawn area which is used to sponsor events throughout the year as well as an event plaza and a plant nursery onsite.

Fisher Island

If you have ever wanted to see how the rich and famous live their lives, then the ideal thing to do in Miami Beach is to take the ferry to Fisher Island. Located just three miles of the coast of Miami, Fisher Island was created in1906 when there was a canal constructed that cut-off this spectacular piece of land. Since that time the island has become home to many of the rich and famous people who call Miami their home. There are no roads or bridges that connect Fisher Island with mainland and the island is only accessible by ferry or private invitation. You will witness lavish homes, spectacular white sand shorelines, an observatory, golf course and if you are lucky you got an invitation to stay at the only hotel on the island. The ferry runs 24-hours a day from Terminal Road at the MacArthur Causeway. But maybe the best way to see Fisher Island is from one of the many excursions from Parasailing for a bird's eye view or by boat as you cruise the shoreline looking for a glimpse of your favorite movie star, music artist or philanthropist.

Salsa Lessons

If you are tired of stepping on your partners toes and are looking for something romantic to do with your partner, then the best thing to do in Miami Beach is to learn to dance salsa. Your 2-hour dancing lesson begins when you arrive to the Mojito Room which is the upper portion of the famed Mango's Tropical Cafe. Here you will meet your expert salsa instructor who will guide you through all the steps of salsa dancing. You will have 1.5-hours of superb dance lessons which will be accompanied by live music within the Mojito Room. After your lesson you have free admission to the hottest nightclub in South Beach which is Mango's Tropical Cafe where you can continue honing your salsa dance skills. Whether you are a beginner or expert salsa dancer there is something that will help you move forward in your dance step by taking a lesson in salsa dancing.

Bass Museum of Art

Visiting the Bass Museum of Art is one of the more interesting things to do in Miami Beach when you want to view art from the Renaissance period. Located along Collins Avenue, the Bass Museum of Art is housed in the former Miami Beach Public Library and Arts Center that was constructed in the 1930s in an Art Deco style. Founded in 1963 the Bass Museum of Art exhibits primarily Renaissance period artwork that ranges from paintings to sculptures. The international collection of artwork represents the cultural contributions and attractions that make Miami Beach a special place. The museum has a rotating gallery of exhibits that runs continuously throughout the year. There are educational programs, lectures workshops and artists projects for people to widen their knowledge of the fine arts. An interesting aspect of the museum is the Art History Lab which combines different eras of art history to correlate pieces while on exhibit. The Bass Museum of Art exhibits is a Salon Style which allows patrons to understand the influences from various countries during specific time frames.

Miami Beach Boardwalk

More About Miami Beach Boardwalk

If you like to walk, jog or run combined with incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean then the best thing to do in Miami Beach is to travel along the Miami Beach Boardwalk. Located directly along the shoreline, the Miami Beach Boardwalk begins at Indian Beach Park at 46th Street and Collins Avenue and continues four miles to the south until 5th Street. The portion of the boardwalk between 46th and 23rd Streets is an elevated wood boardwalk which only allows pedestrian travel. This portion offers numerous areas of beach access as well as the opportunity to view some of the more iconic hotels along Miami Beach. Once you cross 23rd Street the path becomes paved and allows other types of transportation such as bicycles through its ending point on 5th Street. You can enjoy numerous activities along the Miami Beach Boardwalk with easy beach access as well as access to the Lincoln Road Mall which is a pedestrian style mall that extends for 1-mile west of the boardwalk. Whether you are looking for a scenic walk or white sandy beaches or an enjoyable bike ride the Boardwalk is а perfect thing to do in Miami Beach for an afternoon of fun.

Collins Avenue

When you want to visit a street that features architecture, dining, shopping and more, then the best thing to do in Miami Beach is to stroll along Collins Avenue. Located one block west of the Atlantic Ocean, Collins Avenue is one of the more popular places for people to visit because of its wide range of activities. While walking along Collins Avenue you can view incredible Art Deco architecture from hotels to business buildings to converted warehouses that still adorn this fabulous era of architecture. Shopping along Collins Avenue include the Lincoln Road Mall where you will find numerous boutique stores as well as high end retailers where you can browse for the latest fashions or that perfect souvenir. Dining is superb with cuisine that ranges from Asian at Katsuya by Stark to Middle Eastern at Byblos to wonderful baked goodies and Italian cuisine at the Rosetta Bakery. Nightlife is abundant on Collins Avenue with the Drinkhouse Fire and Ice Bar, the Regent Cocktail Club and the Liquor Lounge.

Miami Beach Marina

The Miami Beach Marina is a great thing to do in Miami Beach for people looking for a superb place to dock, rent a boat or spend a couple days while refueling your body on land. Located along Alton Road in the center of Miami Beach, the Miami Beach Marina has 400 boat slips and can accommodate vessels up to 250-feet in length. The Miami Beach Marina is a great place to recharge when you sail into Miami and is situated just minutes from many of the famous sites like the trendy South Beach and downtown Miami. Amenities at the marina range from refueling stations to a freshwater swimming pool to cable television. There are a variety of services like a grocery, boat lifts and mechanics too. If you are looking to rent or buy a boat, there are several brokers and tour guides which can help you with securing the best places to fish, scuba dive and enjoy the life of sailing. There is dining onsite with selections like Monty's and Texas de Brazil for steaks. When you are looking for a premier thing to do in Miami Beach for an overnight or two while in Miami, this place will not disappoint. miamibeachmarina.com

Flamingo Park

If you are interested in finding a local place to swim, play tennis or use a running track, then the ideal thing to do in Miami Beach is to visit Flamingo Park. Located along Washington Street in the middle of the South Beach Art Deco District, Flamingo Park is a 36-acre complex with a combination of several outdoor sporting venues that caters to local athletes and sports programs. You will find everything here from an aquatics center to tennis courts to a football field to running track to a baseball stadium. Flamingo Park is an ideal thing to do in Miami Beach for travelers who want to stay within their daily exercise regime while on vacation. There are also a wide range of activities and events for individuals as well as families that range from dance lessons to art classes to special development. There is also a great playground that features a rock climbing wall and even a 1950s train.

Downtown Miami

Exploring the city of Miami is a fantastic thing to do in Miami Beach. The city of Miami is the second most populous city in the southeastern United States and is home to the largest Cuban-American population in the country. When you travel to Miami there are a plethora of places for couples, families and groups of people to visit that range from an eclectic scene in South Beach to a more tranquil setting in Miami Beach to the rich and famous that live along the shores of Biscayne Bay. Exciting attractions include numerous watersport adventures, beautiful Art Deco architecture and art galleries that represent all genres of art. The Port of Miami is referred to as the Cruise Capital of the World and accommodates the world's largest cruise ships with passengers from all over the world enjoying the beautiful sights, sounds and landscape that the city has to offer.