Miami Beach has a diverse range of activities.
You can go to the best things to do in Miami Beach like blockbuster clubs.
Mimosas and queens take center stage at the club’s legendary entertainment and brunch.
You can tour the Historic Art Deco District to witness over 800 spectacular architectural treasures from the 1920s, and crack open some fresh claws at Joe’s Stone Crab, widely regarded as the best anywhere, anytime.
Parks, beaches, museums, hotels, and spas vie for recognition.
Summary of the 12 best things to do in Miami Beach
To help you pick the ones that are appropriate for you, check out some of the best things to do in Miami Beach, grouped into these categories:
1. Lummus Park
This beach and park area embodies all of South Beach’s cliches. Fit sunbathers, bikini-loving celebs, and supermodels (often on a photo shoot) all crash on the beige-colored sand that stretches along Ocean Drive from around the 5th to 14th lanes.
The location also features volleyball nets, beach gear rental shops, and restrooms.
The grassy section between Ocean Drive and the beach has palm trees, playgrounds, and a curving asphalt pathway popular among runners, bikers, and rollerbladers.
It also houses Muscle Beach, an outdoor workout area for aerobics, weight lifting, and gymnastics on the sand near 9th lanes.
Spending time here will bring you within walking distance of Ocean Drive’s various restaurants and bars. It allows you to experience the Art Deco District.
Address: 1130 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
Phone:Not available
2. Holocaust Memorial
The Holocaust Memorial at South Beach pays emotional respect to the Holocaust’s victims and survivors.
A small group of Holocaust survivors devised the idea in 1984, and the memorial was for the public in 1990.
One of the best things to do in Miami Beach includes several statues, architectural components, a meditation garden, and a memorial wall.
The primary sculpture depicts dozens of starving people reaching for aid and clinging to one another, forming an outstretched arm reaching to the sky.
Recent visitors have echoed one another, claiming that Miami Beach’s Holocaust Memorial touched them and reminded them of the significance of not forgetting the atrocity.
Most visitors think you should stop by to see this lovely homage while you’re in the area, citing the instructive photo panels as additional methods to learn more about this crime.
Address: 1933-1945 Meridian Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
Phone: Not available
3. Wolfsonian-Florida International University
The Wolfsonian-Florida International University is a multistory museum that examines the impact of art and design on world history via a collection of over 200,000 objects.
The artifact collection ranges from everyday domestic appliances and furnishings to revolutionary architectural blueprints, propaganda posters, and more.
Visitors loved learning about 20th-century design and viewing the Art Deco antiques and political mementos.
Some visitors commented that the museum’s tiny size allows them to see the whole collection in around two hours.
The indoor, air-conditioned museum is also an excellent spot to escape the South Florida rain and humidity.
Travelers also suggested buying a cappuccino or macchiato at the on-site coffee bar.
Address: 1001 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
Phone: +13055311001
4. Miami Beach Botanical Garden
The Miami Beach Botanical Garden covers three acres and is home to 100 types of palm palms, orchids, and other natural flora.
This one of the top things to do in Miami Beach is famous for an hour of strolling beneath the shade of blooming trees and seeing wildlife like native and migratory birds, butterflies, turtles, and koi fish.
The garden has many sections, such as a Japanese garden with water lilies and a red wooden bridge, a gumbo-limbo courtyard, an edible plant garden, wetland mangroves, turtle and koi ponds, water features, and more.
A garden map is available at the entry to help you find your way to the self-guided audio tour stops.
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Address: 2000 Convention Ctr Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
Phone: +13056737256
5. Miami Children’s Museum
The Miami Children’s Museum is on a small island between downtown Miami and South Beach.
This museum focuses on kid-friendly interactive exhibits, such as a 6-foot piggy bank (to learn about financial literacy), the Castle of Dreams (a two-story sand castle with a winding slide designed to inspire imagination), and the Music Makers Studio (where children can learn how musical sounds are here), among other engaging activities.
Families visiting Miami Beach say this is a terrific air-conditioned spot to spend time with younger children, especially since many displays are interactive.
The museum has engaging activities for all ages. Parents reported that children aged 3 to 6 like it more than older children.
Visitors complained about the high admission price (together with the need to pay for parking) and the few food options available on-site.
Recent visitors have also commented that the museum may benefit from improvements.
Address: 980 MacArthur Cswy, Miami, FL 33132, United States
Phone: +13053735437
6. New World Symphony Center
You don’t have to love classical music to admire Frank Gehry’s symphony hall, the New World Centre.
The New World Centre, home to the New World Symphony, an orchestral academy for young music graduates, is both a campus for music education and a cutting-edge performance center with plenty to offer lovers of the performing arts and live entertainment.
Visitors who have attended a concert at this one of the things to do in Miami Beach have commended its exceptional acoustics and architectural design.
Address: 500 17th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
Phone: +13056733330
7. Española Way
The pedestrian-only Española Way, a two-block avenue of pastel-pink Old World-style buildings, is famous for its restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.
It has borders of the Washington Avenue highway on one side and Pennsylvania Avenue on the other.
The historic enclave was founded in the 1920s as a bohemian artist colony, drawing inspiration from the lovely Mediterranean communities of Spain and France.
The hotel on Española Way became a popular hangout for gangsters, including Al Capone, who established an underground gambling operation there.
Española Way is a hidden gem many travelers recommend for a brief stroll, shopping, lunch, or dinner.
With over a dozen restaurants, pavement cafes, and pubs within a two-block radius, visitors gather here to people-watch and dine al fresco under dazzling lights.
Address: Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA
Phone: Not available
8. Art Deco Historic District
Miami Beach is one of the things to do in Miami Beach, well-known for its Art Deco architecture, the 1920s and 1930s design style distinguished by vibrant colors and geometric designs.
It frequently incorporates elements of cubism, futurism, and other art forms.
One of the best things to do in Miami Beach may be in the city’s beautiful hotels, stores, restaurants, and buildings along South Beach.
Walking tours of the South Beach neighborhood are the way to see all of Miami Beach’s Art Deco architecture.
Several outfitters offer excursions, including the Miami Design Preservation League and Art Deco excursions, with prices beginning at $32 per person.
Address: 1680 Michigan Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
Phone: Not available
9. South Pointe Park & Pier
South Pointe is a 17-acre park with strolling routes, grassy knolls, and a panoramic ocean view.
The area also has a playground with water and a dog park.
The park has plenty of seats, with a 55-foot art sculpture that lights up and greets guests like a modern lighthouse.
The South Pointe Pier juts into the Atlantic Ocean and is a popular fishing spot.
The 450-foot-long pier includes bait-cutting and fish-washing stations, fishing line recycling containers, and varied ocean views.
Overall, recent visitors stated a walk through this park and along the pier was excellent, with many mentioning that they enjoyed seeing cruise ships and smaller yachts come and go.
Reviewers praised the breathtaking scenery and the numerous photo opportunities.
Families also believe South Pointe Park, with its grassy areas and playground, is an excellent place for children.
Address: 1 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
Phone: +13056737006
10. Lincoln Road Mall
Lincoln Road Mall is a mile-long, must-see pedestrian retail center.
Lincoln Road drew Burdines, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Cadillac outposts before being transformed into only the second open-air mall in the United States by renowned Miami Modern (MiMo) architect Morris Lapidus in the late 1950s.
As artists flocked to Lincoln Road and brought tourists to the region, the pedestrian promenade resurfaced as one of the best avenues in the country by the late 1990s.
It is one of the things to do in Miami Beach, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It features a variety of architectural styles like Mediterranean Revival, Art Deco, and midcentury Modern.
Address: Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA
Phone: Not available
11. Haulover Park
Clothing is optional. Haulover has long been a favorite among free-spirited residents and travelers, but there’s more to do here than sunbathing.
This beach, located just north of Bal Harbour, offers kite flying, charter fishing, and volleyball.
And you don’t have to strip down to your birthday suit to enjoy this region; there are also dedicated swimsuit-clad beach swimming areas (naked sunbathers may be in the northern area of the beach).
Most visitors stated they appreciated their stay in Haulover Park, noting that it is a much more relaxed option than the crowded South Beach.
Some recent visitors were surprised by how the individuals at the beach were, whether dressed or unclothed.
Address: 10800 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33154, United States
Phone: +13059473525
12. Ocean Drive
Ocean Drive is famous for its striking Art Deco architecture, steady streams of crowds, and shimmering hotel and club fronts at night.
It’s safe to say that if you book a hotel on Ocean Drive, you’ll be right in the middle of everything. Shopping, dining, beach activities, and more are all just outside your hotel door.
Travelers believe one of the things to do in Miami Beach to see Ocean Drive is to walk along the street, admiring the historic Art Deco hotels and businesses and taking photos.
Visitors say there’s always something to do on Surf Drive, whether dining outside steps from the surf, having a cocktail at a bar, or dancing the night away at one of the clubs.
However, many warn that engaging in the revelry of food and drink along Ocean Drive comes at a heavy cost.
Address: Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA
Phone: Not available
Conclusion
Miami Beach caters to a wealthy demographic.
Miami is home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches, world-class shopping, historic architecture, and, let’s not forget, all those famous South Beach clubs.
Even if you live here, it’s easy to get caught up in the craziness and miss out on many of the things to do in Miami Beach.
For starters, Miami Beach is home to some of Miami’s top restaurants, small cafes, contemporary art museums, wild drag brunches, and much more.
You only need to know where to look. Read on for our thoroughly researched guide to the finest things to do in Miami Beach.