Miami attractions

With its warm, clear waters and white sands, Miami Beach has perhaps some of the best urban beaches in the United States. Located just over the bridge from the city of Miami, it is also known for its vibrant neighborhoods, fine dining, pulsing nightlife, and architectural claim to fame: the area boasts the largest concentration of art deco buildings in the world.

A hidden gem amid the hustle and bustle of the city, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden offers a secret oasis from the frenetic urban energy. Find diverse flora carefully comingling with lush lawns, fountains, and atria brimming with colorful flowers. This free attraction offers a near-perfect spot to unwind in nature while exploring Miami.

Thanks in part to its subtropical climate (which allows for large swathes of natural habitat), Miami’s zoo is one of the best in the country, filled with a variety of animals from Asia, Australia, and Africa. More than 200 species roam the cageless exhibits, separated from visitors by cleverly-designed moats.

An aquarium, planetarium, and science museum all in one, the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science is one of Miami’s top landmarks for an educational experience. Visit to learn about everything from research on coral reefs to the hunt for dark matter to how prehistoric animals evolved to fly. Interactive exhibits offer a fun, hands-on experience for kids.

The somber Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach is a fitting place to reflect on the tragedy of World War II and learn the story of the Holocaust. Beyond its stunning bronze sculpture, the memorial offers educational programs, lectures, and seminars. The Memorial Wall, etched with thousands of names, honors those who lost their lives.

As a premier shopping and entertainment hub just a stone's throw from Miami, Dolphin Mall is the place to find some of the best deals on brand-name apparel. There are more than 200 stores here—like Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, and Tommy Hilfiger—plus plentiful dining options, valet parking, and the family-friendly CMX Cinemas Dolphin 19.

Discover contemporary and modern art on exhibit at PAMM, or the Perez Art Museum Miami. Set in a striking glass building with coastal views, PAMM relocated to its current location in 2013 and showcases a range of colorful exhibits with art from the Caribbean, South America, Africa, and Australia.

In Miami Beach, Mango's Tropical Cafe is synonymous with live performances, late night parties, and fantastic dancing. Stop by this two-story nightclub earlier for dinner and drinks, show up rejuvenated from a disco nap for a night out with your besties, or swing by to hydrate with refreshing cocktails after tanning at Lummus Park Beach.

Florida’s largest urban park is in Miami, offering over 1,000 acres (400 hectares for a range of outdoor activities from cycling to kayaking and fishing. Oleta River State Park is home to rugged trails, mangrove-spotted coastlines, and a 1,200-foot (350-meter sandy beach. The park is best known as a destination for cyclists, with 3 miles (5 kilometers of simple paved paths and 10 miles (15 kilometers of off-road trails.

The Miami Children's Museum is more like a playhouse than a traditional museum, with areas for kids to practice grown-up activities such as banking, grocery shopping, caring for pets, and acting as a TV news anchor or firefighter. The venue combines art, culture, and community into interactive experiences for children and their families.

On the Miami Beach circuit, LIV Nightclub is considered a top-five nightlife destination. The glam Mid-Beach spot inside the Fontainebleau Hotel has VIP banquette seating, private skyboxes, bottle service, and an exclusive guestlist. These perks plus three full-service bars help attract celebrities and VIPS from Miami and beyond.

To experience the energy, art deco architecture, and top-notch nightlife in Miami Beach, visitors shouldn't miss Miami's Washington Avenue. This bustling stretch is the place to eat, sip cocktails, and shop. Running from City Center through the Art Deco District, you can head here to enjoy the best of Miami, without planning a thing.

Established in 1964 from couple John and Johanna Bass’ private art collection, The Bass Museum of Art has since become one of Miami Beach’s premier art institutions. Now housed in an expansive, sleek building following its 2017 renovation, the museum is dedicated to international contemporary art, and also offers educational programming.

A tropical paradise just a stone’s throw from bustling Miami, Key Biscayne is a prime addition to any Florida itinerary. Hit the golf course, charter a fishing boat, or just chill out on a beach.

A stone castle and sculpture garden crafted entirely by one person without the help of modern equipment, the Coral Castle is a mysterious architectural anomaly. Sometime between 1923 and 1951, the complex was constructed by Edward Leedskalnin—a 100-pound (45-kilogram) man who claimed to know the secrets of the Egyptian pyramids.

In Miami’s Art Deco District, the Wilzig Erotic Art Museum, also known as the World Erotic Art Museum (WEAM), was founded in 2005 and is the only museum of its kind in the United States—exclusively filled with erotic art. The collection includes over 4,000 works of international art, dating back as far as 300 BC. The 12,000-square-foot (1,115-square-meter) museum was founded by Naomi Wilzig, an American art collector and writer.

Traveling by trolley is a fun way to explore Miami, Miami Beach, and beyond. Even better, in most neighborhoods, a ride on a Miami trolley is free, making it easy to keep costs down and skip the hassle of driving and tackling the city's notorious traffic. Here's what you need to know about navigating Miami’s trolley system.

Home to the New World Symphony, the New World Center in Miami Beach was the first Florida building designed by architect Frank Gehry. Debuted in 2011, the landmark concert hall lacks Gehry’s typical sinuous forms, though its glass-fronted looks still make a statement (and have helped cement it as a top cultural destination).

If you’re looking for a dose of retail therapy while in Miami, Aventura Mall is the place to go. This expansive shopping complex exudes sophisticated style, with upscale boutiques such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Burberry alongside trendier favorites including Apple, Anthropologie, and Aritzia.

Miami Cruise Port (PortMiami) is a bustling travel hub serving ships from around the globe. The port is situated a stone's throw from downtown Miami on Dodge Island, so you can easily enjoy a shore excursion, hop in a cab to enjoy the city sights, and take in the views of Miami's glistening skyline while crossing the causeway.

Combining a hearty, burger-heavy menu with displays of iconic music memorabilia, Hard Rock Cafe caters to music fans with an appetite. Add craft cocktails and a waterfront patio overlooking Biscayne Bay, and this Miami location (one of around 180 Hard Rock Cafe restaurants worldwide) offers something for everyone. Be sure to save time to peruse the walls to learn more about America’s music legends.

Located at the southern tip of Key Biscayne island, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park offers captivating sea views, a historic lighthouse, and outdoor activities from hiking and kayaking to swimming and fishing. Once part of the Underground Railroad, and associated with Seminole Indian history, it has been a protected park since 1967.

Home to the NBA’s Miami Heat, Miami-Dade Arena is a must for sports fans. Open since 1999, the arena is also a major concert venue, having hosted the likes of Madonna, U2, and Mariah Carey. Designed by the architecture firms Arquitectonica and 360 Architecture, the arena on Biscayne Bay is also known for its striking modernist appearance.

A motorsports mecca south of Miami, the Homestead-Miami Speedway is a premiere hub for fans of high-speed racing. This is the place in South Florida to enjoy NASCAR and IndyCar events, bask in the Florida sunshine, and enjoy the ambience of lakes and palm trees that surround the track—all just a short drive from Everglades National Park.

Situated in Miami’s Design District, the de la Cruz Collection is a museum that grew out of couple Carlos and Rosa de la Cruz’s private collection. Housed in a strikingly modern, 30,000-square-foot (2,800-square-meter) building since 2009, the museum hosts one major exhibition every year, and is a key Miami destination for contemporary art lovers.

Bal Harbour is an upscale community located in the northern section of Miami Beach. It is known for its luxury shops, high-rise apartment buildings, and luxury hotels. The open-air Bal Harbour Shops includes high-end retailers and designers such as Prada, Gucci, Versace, Hermes, and Chanel. The community also has fine dining and cocktail options.