Miami’s Top 10 Places to Visit

Miami does not really require a thorough introduction.It is well known throughout the world for its glitz and glam, as well as its beaches and sunny weather. Miami will enchant you with its dazzling glamour and keep you spellbound. The natural beauty of the city, such as Biscayne Bay and the clear blue skies of South Florida, will also steal your heart. This travel guide will guide you about the things to do on vacation in Miami

Miami is first and foremost about glam, but spend some time here and dig a little deeper to see what lies beneath the surface. Or simply go with the flow and bask in the glam in true Miami fashion. Here are our picks for the Miami’s Top 10 Places to Visit

1. Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a vast and comprehensive learning temple in Downtown Miami’s Bayfront Park. It is one of the top attractions in Miami. This distinguished destination is always busy, but it’s large enough to accommodate even the largest rainy-day crowds, with an aquarium, a planetarium, and two science galleries. Though the exhibitions are equally appealing to adults and children, the Frost Museum is unquestionably a family destination. Take the elevator to the sixth floor’s rooftop terrace for panoramic views of downtown Miami.

2. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

The Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, which spans nearly 84 acres, is packed with tropical plants, flowers, and trees, along with extremely rare species such as the petticoat palm. Every square inch of the area has been thoughtfully designed and built to be easier to explore. The best way to see a little bit of everything, however, is to take one of the 30-minute tram tours, which run twice an hour year-round. Don’t miss the Wings of the Tropics exhibition, which features 40 different species of butterflies performing acrobatics all around you.

 

3. Art Deco Museum

The Art Deco Museum and Welcome Center, located on the beach on Ocean Drive, right in the heart of South Beach’s Art Deco District, is where architecture enthusiasts can go to learn more about the iconic, colorful buildings that give this neighborhood its personality. While simply looking up and admiring the glitzy geometric details and chrome accents may be enough for some, the Miami Design Preservation League offers daily 1.5-hour walking tours of the neighborhood that can be pre-booked online. Tour guides are enthusiastic about their profession and aren’t afraid to give visitors a crash course in not only Art Deco history but also Mediterranean Revival and Miami Modern nuances. If you are planning a trip to Atlanta Georgia check out our travel guide to it to know the best attractions there.

 

4. Allapattah

Allapattah, just west of Wynwood, is known as one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in a city brimming with them, and it continues to add artsy attractions to its ever-growing lineup of thrift shops, hipster bars, and Latin restaurants (including Dominican and Honduran eateries and a fab Mexican taqueria). The renowned Rubell Museum—six former industrial buildings are housing a collection of world-class contemporary works by artists such as Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, and many celebrated newcomers too. mAnd, directly across from the Rubell Museum, a new (Spring 2021) walk-through art experience known as Superblue immerses visitors in exhibitions through music and visuals in such a way that you’ll have to resist the urge to Instagram or TikTok at every turn.

 

5. South Beach

South Beach, the quintessential Miami experience, is the free and open-to-the-public beach. It’s also easily reachable by foot, though the southernmost section, via Lummus Park, which flows along Ocean Drive from 5th to 15th streets, is the most scenic. Everything on South Beach looks familiar because it’s been used as a backdrop for nearly every movie and TV show set in Miami, including the kiosks where you can borrow or rent lounge chairs and umbrellas. Even if you don’t like sitting in the sun, it’s worth walking up and down the beach to see what all the fuss is about.

 

6. Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)

This is another pillar of the Miami art scene, situated in the Miami Design District and known as ICA for short. The building has a striking metallic facade designed by the Spanish architectural firm Aranguren + Gallegos Arquitectos. Exhibits, both permanent and temporary, with a focus on emerging and local artists; in Miami, this means several Cuban-born and Latin American artists. You don’t need to spend hours at this museum, as is the case at others in town, so it’s ideal for people who just want to dabble in Miami’s arty side while on vacation. The interiors are as modern as the exterior, with open spaces that are well-lit. They have permanent collections of works by Pablo Picasso, Yves Klein, and Roy Lichtenstein, among others.

Must Read: Travel Guide to Seattle, Washington

 

7. Miami Design District Seattle

With a plethora of shops, boutiques, showrooms, galleries, and restaurants, you’d be hard-pressed not to find what you’re looking for in the Miami Design District. In addition to a diverse selection of popular clothing boutiques, there is an impressive selection of handbags and accessories (Louis Vuitton, Hermès); jewelry and watches (Rolex, Tiffany & Co.); and home furnishings (Rolex, Tiffany & Co.) (Jonathan Adler, Versace Home). L’Atelier de Jol Robuchon and the vegetable-focused Le Jardinier are two of the district’s most popular restaurants. The chef-driven Mia Market food hall is also a must-visit. You can find everything you can think of. Even if you’re just walking by, window shopping and people-watching are great too.

 

8. Cape Florida Lighthouse

Though it sits on a peaceful stretch of sandy beach within Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne, this meticulously restored lighthouse offers a glimpse into a tumultuous period in South Florida’s history. The now-defunct regal lighthouse tells tales of ocean adventures, Caribbean slave smuggling, and attacks by Native American Seminole tribes. A knowledgeable park ranger leads half-hour tours several days a week, during which you will learn about the monument’s history as Dade County’s oldest structure (it was built in 1825, twenty years before Florida became a state). When visiting, wear comfortable shoes because the 109 steps to the top are a mini-workout.

 

9. Deep Sea Fishing

Sure, the water in Miami looks nice from your lounge chair. But for a true adventure, board Captain Stan Saffan’s 58-foot sportfish boat with his crew for a day (or half-day) of deep-sea fishing. It’s not just any ordinary tourist who thinks a day at sea fishing for marlin, sailfish, or hammerhead sharks is a good time. So, if you’re paired with a couple of strangers, it’s safe to assume you’ll share a love of the sea.

10.Faena Theater

Faena, an opulent cabaret-style theatre inspired by Europe’s grand opera houses, manages to feel totally decadent, sumptuous, and Miami. Tryst—a Lovers’ Rendezvous, the theater’s original live production, is a cabaret-style spectacle with elements of the circus (more like cirque) and burlesque that is perfect for the red velvet surrounds. Big names like Bon Jovi, Macy Gray, Mike Snow, Grace Potter, Andra Day, and others have performed intimate shows here as well. There are only 150 seats in the audience, and regular jazz programming is held.

 

That concludes our list of must-see and must-do attractions and sights in Miami. Miami is one of the most well-known cities in South Florida. Even if you can’t fit all of them into your itinerary, we hope this helps you narrow down your choices!