Big City vibes on a beach? Yup that’s Miami. With miles of white sand right next to miles of high end shops there are plenty of things to do in Miami. But how to choose? And with any big city, spending time in Miami comes with a big price tag. So how to you decide when to spend money and when to save? We’ve put together this list of things to do in Miami with our recommendations on whether to spend the money on it or save your money for something else.
Whether your visiting Miami as part of a larger Florida road trip, a port on a cruise, or a full fledged vacation destination, we’ve included the list of things to do in Miami so you can create your very own Miami itinerary.
When To Visit Miami
Miami is a warm weather destination. Therefore, it’s super busy when the rest of the US gets cold. November-March is considered peak tourism season. Outside of these months rain can frequently come to Miami. However, we visited in September, had beautiful weather and saved hundreds on our hotel because it was still the off-season.
Miami is also a city that likes to party and is known for a good party. So if you’re visiting Miami for this reason, definitely come on the weekend. However, if you’re like us and have no desire to pay for overpriced drinks at some dark bar, avoid the weekends like the plague. You’ll save money on your accommodations by booking outside of weekends. However, don’t expect the town to be any less busy – just cheaper.
Getting There and Around
Flights into Miami are regularly arriving from around the world. The size of the airport and scope of flight offerings means that flights to and from Miami are generally less expensive than other US destinations.
Most people get around Miami via car. And renting a car at the airport may be best for you. We did that as we were on a full Florida-wide road trip. However, between 10 lanes of traffic and malfunctioning parking apps, this was a frustrating way of getting around.
You could also take a shuttle from the airport to your hotel and then use taxis and ride shares to get around. With enough planning, the ride sharing option may be cheaper as long as you plan your Miami itinerary and accommodations accordingly.
Miami is not a walkable city. There are several walkable areas but they are very far apart. And I did not see any public transportation even in the touristy sections so clearly not a frequent bus schedule. However, there is a bus and light-rail option. With enough planning this would be the cheapest way to get around. EASY ticket does sell a 1 or 7-day pass that allows you to ride public transportation for a set amount of time. Also, there is a free shuttle train in the downtown and Miami Beach area to help you get around. However, as a public transport rookie, Miami is not the best city to test your skills. I found the schedules confusing, expecially if you are going to travel between neighborhoods.
I realize after typing all of this that there may not be a “good” way to get around this sprawling city but I’m sure there is a way that makes most sense for you.
Things To Do In Miami
South Beach Neighborhood
When you think of Miami, you probably are actually thinking of South Beach. This is the touristy, glamorous, over the top, beachy vibes that you’re probably imagining. And if you visit one area in Miami this should be it. From here, you’ll get the basic Miami experience with plenty of add on tours leaving from this area.
Art Deco Tour
Save – FREE self-guided tour
Sure you could sign up for a guided tour or even a bicycle tour but why pay for something that you can do for free. Just wander the streets and take in the sights of the art deco buildings of South Beach. A majority of your wanderings should be on Ocean Drive, which these buildings are plentiful.
South Beach
Save – FREE
You cannot visit Miami without at least walking down to the iconic South Beach. Miles of white sand stretch on as you pass colorful lifeguard stations. If you want to spend some time here lounging in the sun – enjoy. However, don’t be surprised if you encounter seaweed. While the beautiful beaches are pristine, it’s because the city spends lots of time maintaining them. So encountering some seaweed while swimming or when the tide is going out is normal.
Downtown Miami
So we felt pretty “meh” about downtown Miami. This area is full of shops and upscale restaurants. But it does kinda feel like the downtown any other big city. However, if you’re looking for some great shopping this is your place. Also, lots of guided tours leave from this area.
Bayside Marketplace
Save – FREE
Shop til you drop at the Bayside Marketplace which is really just an outdoor mall. However, with mojito bars aplenty and open container laws it makes for a fun mall experience. Also there are plenty of Miami souvenirs to purchase here. Plus the people watching is quite entertaining.
Millionaire Row Cruise
Spend – $30/person
Oddly, this is one of the best things we did in Miami. This booze cruise operates out of the pier next to Bayside Marketplace and takes you to the small islands between mainland Miami and Miami Beach. While we’re not one for celebrity stalking, we are millennials who spend more time on Zillow than any other social, so we loved the house spying cruise. The tour guide had fun facts on the house and fun puns for the celebrities. This was something that we weren’t sure if we’d love but it was a really good time and the only way to come close to those multimillion dollar properties.
Little Havana
Little Havana was the best place in Miami we visited. We loved it! People were welcoming and wonderful. And while there are touristy areas, there are also grittier places to explore that feel much more authentic than the rest of Miami’s touristy neighborhoods.
Food Tour
Spend – $70/peraron
This was by far, our favorite thing to do in Miami which is why we would Spend, Spend, Spend on repeat. And honestly the amount we spent seemed pretty worth it compared with the food and knowledge we got in return. Food tours are a regular sight on the streets of Little Havana. I’m sure every food tour is filled with delicious food but not every food tour goes to the same stops, even those tours put on by the same company.
Every tour appears to include a fabulous mojito and a cuban sandwich. Additionally, tour stops include deserts, cuban coffee and other treats. Our tour had 7 food/drink stops. Additionally, the walking tour took us to places of historical and cultural significance such as memorials, murals and one very intense domino club.
Walking Tour
Save – FREE
If you really want to save money, you can also take your own home grown walking tour in Little Havana and even add in some stops for food. Don’t forget to visit the Ball and Chain on your own walking tour of Little Havana. It’s a great stop for live music and drinks. Additionally, consider stopping in to a cigar factory to learn about the art of cigar rolling, even if you don’t partake in a smoke.
Elsewhere
Wynwood Walls
Spend – $12/person
Wynwood Walls is best described as an outdoor art museum. And while you can find street art for free in the neighborhood of Wynwood, you must pay admission to get into Wynwood Walls. There are indoor portions as well but the street art of the Walls is outside and is fun to explore. We spent just over an hour here looking at all of the amazing street art.
Wynwood Walking Tour
Save – FREE
Take a self guided tour of the streets of Wynwood. You can download one online or make one up yourself. Just wander around and find interesting piece of art. Sure you’ll see some neat golf cart tours going by but you don’t need them to enjoy art. Plus, if you’re wandering you can also explore the unique shops in the area.
Little Haiti’s Caribbean Market
Save – FREE
Visit the vibrant farmers market in Little Haiti. This section of Miami is a neighborhood of Haitian immigrants. And this farmers markets has as much flair as Little Havana. Wander the stalls, have some tasty treats and take home some Haitian crafts.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Spend – $25/person
OMG the opulence of this place! This waterfront mansion and surrounding estate is a standing testament to the gilded age of Miami. While visiting the property, you’ll likely see people posing for photo shots as this is a popular photography destination so don’t forget to bring your camera. It’s also fun to explore the house and learn about the history of the property with their guided online tour. One of the most ridiculous things the property has to offer is their “folly”. They built a stone ship and then sunk it in their bay so they would have something “interesting” to look at – because the ocean view apparently wasn’t enough.
Venetian Pool
Save – $16-21/person
The Venetian pool is a large public swimming pool and historical monument. This pool is still functioning after being built in 1924. It is a public pool with lookout towers, waterfalls and grottos. If your hotel doesn’t have a pool, this is the best option for you to enjoy. While the price of admission is high compared to other public pools, the history is what you’re paying for.
Coral Castle
Spend – $18/person
Coral Castle is a mysterious castle built of coral and no one knows how it was built. If unsolved mysteries and conspiracies are your thing, this is the place for you. Or if you just like weird roadside-esque attractions, this fits that bill too. However, if neither of these things are of interest to you, save your money and go elsewhere.
Key Biscayne
Save – FREE
This Key is home to beautiful parks and beaches. It’s a good escape into nature while still being in a developed area. There are some amazing scuba and snorkel destinations off the coast that you can visit but really the charming small town feel is something to see in itself. Additionally, you can find a lighthouse and a state park to visit on the tip of the key.
Everglades National Park
Save – $30/vehicle
Head into Everglades National Park for your chance to spot the American alligator and learn about wildlife in the are. Read more about visiting the park in our post here.
Favorite Things To Eat In Miami
Azucar (Little Havana)
Strange ice cream flavors, sign me up! While our Little Havana Food Tour didn’t take us here, we had to stop anyways because of the giant ice cream sign outside. Plus there’s always room for ice cream as it melts into the cracks in your tummy – bam – science. They have lots of unusual flavors like the caramel flan and burn in hell fidel.
El Pub (Little Havana)
El pub has the best cuban coffees we tried – and we tried a few. You can also stop here for a good cuban sandwich or grab an empanada from their street front walkup window.
Versailles (Little Havana)
Considered by most to be the best cuban restaurant in Miami, we can concur. This diner-ish restaurant is located in the more industrial section of Little Havana. With a huge menu and efficient servers, it is no wonder that it serves hundreds of tourists and regulars alike on a daily basis.
Havana 1957 (South Beach)
This restaurant (with a few other locations in Miami) serves up slow cooked Cuban food. While the prices would be expensive in Little Havana, it’s actually reasonably priced for South Beach.
Peruvian Food
There are a surprising number of Peruvian and Argentinian restaurants in Miami. And when in Miami… try south American food – because it’s good. These grilled meats are fun dinners especially when eaten family style with your traveling companions.
Cuban Sandwich
The one must-try in Miami is a cuban sandwich. These sandwiches were staples of the cuban population as they worked the day away. Many disagree about where you can get the best sandwich. But Little Havana is a good place to start.
Key Lime Pie
Nothing says Florida more than a refreshing slice of key lime pie. These deserts can be found at a variety of restaurants and cafes and even the larger grocery stores. Try them all and let us know which is best.
What To Pack For Miami
Don’t forget your sun protection when you’re visiting Miami. Lather up each day with sunscreen and consider wearing a hat as well. That southern sun can be brutal. Additionally, make sure you have a reusable water bottle as well. We like these for city explorations as they collapse and can be shoved into our pockets when not in use.
To explore South Beach or other beaches near Miami, you’ll want to pack your swimsuits and towels. We love quick dry beach towels. And for the gents, the dress in Miami is pretty casual during the day so if you have a solid pair of swim shorts, you can just toss a shirt on and call it good. Ladies too can feel free to chill in their swim suits all day, just pack a coverup and you’ll fit right in with the other tourists.
Safety In Miami
Downtown Miami and South Beach do not feel like safe places. There are many people experiencing homelessness that hang out in these areas and drug use seems to happen in public. We also experienced several people who were clearly intoxicated or mentally unwell. All that being said, there are lots of people around and a very visible police presence. Outside of these areas, we felt really safe. Especially in Little Havana where the people were so darn friendly our midwest selves felt right at home.
Heat stroke is a real thing and I’ve never been so close to it as I was in Miami. Make sure to stick to the shade, use sun protection and drink plenty of WATER – those mojitos don’t count as hydration.
I hope this list of things to do in Miami has helped you to plan your own budget friendly trip to Miami. If you need help fitting things into a weekend, check out our weekend in Miami itinerary here. If you have any additional suggestions, please leave them in the comments section below.
