Miami had always been a warm place to travel to for the snowbirds. Let’s face it, it offers sunshine 360 days a year, so many people flock to this area. Over the years, it grew to be a huge tourist destination. It is also a place where many like to settle down and enjoy the nice weather and amenities throughout the entire year. If this sounds like something you would like to do, then knowing what is offered is always a good thing.
The ocean is always warm, so you’ll have something to do in the morning – whether you like to jog in the sand, play volleyball, or just lay in the sun and do nothing, going to the beach is always fun and exciting. There are plenty of happening beaches in Miami so we suggest you check them all out.
Top Miami Beaches
The beaches in Miami are why so many choose to come here. If you’re moving to a beach area, if you just want sand, sunshine and surf or if you’re retiring, Miami beaches bring in a lot of people. The area is beautiful, the beaches are clean, and you can just hang out and actually enjoy life. South Beach is at the top of the chart, offering plenty of excitement and beach games – volleyball, footvolley, soccer, football, freezby, etc or relax by some of the happening places like Nikki Beach Miami for some music, drinks, party and fun. You can always find a bite to eat across the street on Ocean Drive, which offers plenty of restaurants, dancing and entertainment.
Surfside beach is also quite popular destination with lots of activities such as parasailing, sailing, seadoo cycles for rent, boating and more. Sunny Isles Beach offers one of the most visited places – The Sunny Isles Beach Pier. You can get great lunch right on the pier or walk across the street. By the way, there are stories about fisherman catching some big fish – tuna, snappers, snooks, groupers, mackerel and more. Make sure to check out some of the most popular beaches in Miami.
Miami Parks
Miami also offers plenty of parks with incredible settings from lush tropical gardens to native Floridian trees and shrubs. Miami’s parks are very safe, clean and offer tons of activities.
Hobie Island Beach Park
This beach and park area is pet-friendly, giving dogs the ability to splash in the shallow waters, which puts it at the top of so many people’s list. You can enjoy watersports with the gear rentals that are right on the beach. The water is shallow than most other beaches, also giving children an easier time while in the water.
Crandon Park
The protected beach of this park is beautiful because there is no trash. It has an amusement center and tennis court to spend time and get a little exercise. Eco-tours are provided to those that want to learn more about the area and water and concessions are always served.
Lummus Park
This is a very sandy park that many love to visit with young children because the water is beautiful, the views are wonderful and there are small playgrounds for the children to use when they are not in the water. Fitness equipment is also available for adults to use.
Haulover Park
This park is a bit of everything. It is a family-friendly beach that also welcomes dogs. You can picnic right on the sand or in the shade at a picnic table. Clothing is optional at this beach though, so take care when arriving.
Matheson Hammock Park
This is a beautiful beach to spend some down time at. Smaller than the others, it is not overcrowded and it doesn’t offer much more than a place to relax in the sun, enjoy your time and take a dip in the water.
The Best Restaurants in Miami
Finding a place to eat doesn’t have to be difficult. These top restaurants have made the list of places to eat. You want to eat in the best Miami restaurants and plenty of people have voted and found that these fun restaurants in Miami have made the cut.
Makoto
As a top raved about restaurant on the list of the best Miami restaurants, Makota makes the top do the list because it looks and feels like luxury the second you walk into the place. Makoto Okuwa is the head chef in this restaurant and the owner. With the real-deal in everything Japanese, you can expect the sushi to be exquisite and the bincho charcoal robata to have the biggest line of them all.
Pinch Kitchen
Fashioned after a neighborhood diner-type of spot, this is a homey place with many favorites. With twists on many classics found right here in America, you can find plenty of food you’re familiar with that they actually made better. The beer list is expansive and the prices are fair. Definitely a fun restaurant in Miami.
27 Restaurant
Literally located inside a house, this is a restaurant that offers various dishes that come from the Middle East, South America and Caribbean. You can find a laid-back atmosphere here and inventive drinks that you will love to sip. They are an exciting place to try for the first time, but they warn you that you will become regulars after that.
Zak the Baker
While not a full-on restaurant, he is the one that supplies almost every restaurant in the area with his award-winning bread. You can enjoy a lot of different options. With both a grab-and-go bakery and a full on store, you can find breads, pastries, soups and sandwiches that he expertly crafted right here.
KYU
A mix between a BBQ and Asian food, you will find many unique dishes that are sure to get your attention. The modern feel of the restaurant is a bit different from the others. Brisket lettuce wraps, duck and sushi choices are all top of the list for so many looking for something delicious to eat. Thought of as one of the best Miami restaurants.
Famous Travel Destinations
These destinations are those that many are thinking about visiting and making a trip too. Many rave about them after they visit. If you’re searching for a place to travel and want somewhere that so many recommended, these are those famous and high traffic areas to find tourists and others.
Miami Beach
Not just sung in songs, Miami Beach is a popular tourist destination. Mostly everyone that comes to this area can be found right on this beach spending time. With plenty of nightlife, resorts and beaches, it is probably one of the most fun, but also densely populated during tourist season.
Art Deco Historic District
Any type of museum is going to have the tourists all over it. Many people that are over the beach or want to do something a bit differently can find themselves looking at all that this museum has to offer. Uniquely designed buildings, plenty of artwork and more line the streets for visitors to enjoy.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Beautiful to look at and touching a piece of history one walk at a time, this museum is situated on 28-acres of land and used to be the winter home of James Deering. It was originally constructed in 1916 by authentic European designers. Adding to the grounds are decorative art pieces and beautiful landscaping.
Bayside Marketplace
As one of the largest marketplaces that you will find in the area, you can not only find well-known shops hidden in the streets but also vendors that are selling just about everything imaginable. This is a place that many of the locals are drawn too, which also brings in many of the tourists, as well.
Free Things to Do in Miami
There are plenty of free things to do in the city. When you want to save some cash and do something fun, then these are the exciting things you want to take advantage of.
Art Déco Tour
This is a nice architecture and art tour, but also a history lesson. Many of the buildings that are up and being shown in the district were built there between the early 1920’s and the early 1940’s. It was actually once riddled with crime and pollution. It didn’t clean up and look so posh until the 1990’s when it gained more popularity.
Everglades National Park
1.5 acres of park welcome one and all to come and take a look. You can explore the wildlife and enjoy the outdoors for free when you’re in the area because it is a protected piece of land and they allow anyone to be on it. Just don’t litter and refrain from bothering any of the animals that live there. You just have to ride in on a bus from Homestead, otherwise it is $25 per car.
Metromover Rides
This is probably one of the most exciting things to do because it is literally electric powered. It is a free mode of transport for the area and you can go to many popular destinations while in it like the Bayside Marketplace or Miami-Dade College.
LIST OF FREE MUSEUMS
All of these museums are around Miami and they all have free admission if you want somewhere to go to check out and have a good time, but don’t want to spend too much to do so. These are definitely a great answer.
– Institute of Contemporary Art
– Wolfsonian
– Perez Art Museum
– Bearcut Nature Preserve>
– Biltmore Hotel
– Live Jazz at the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami
Things to Do with Kids in Miami
If you’re traveling with kids, then you have to make sure that you give them something that is going to keep them occupied. Definitely easier said than done. When it comes to the many things to do in Miami, you want to find those things that are kid-friendly and actually hold their attention. Bringing them around to place after place that is dull or stuffy is not ideal. Here are some of the top places to visit when you’re in Miami having a good time with kids.
Sawgrass Recreational Park
You can take a tour through the Everglades while entering this park. You also have a chance to see a 1,000-pound alligator and take a look into three different exhibits which house iguanas and turtles. You can take a tour on the airboat and even take photos of kids holding the alligators from the area.
The Wynwood Walls
These are beautifully decorated and colorful pictures that stand out. Many of them change from time to time. It is important to come during the day, in the morning if possible to refrain from running into rowdy crowds that might not be ideal for children. They can take pictures with cameras and enjoy the beautiful pictures people have put together.
FunDimension
This 15,000 square foot building is packed with things to do and fun and games to be had. With laser tag, bumper cars, arcade games, bungee dome and more, you can find that there is plenty here to not only keep your kids occupied but to completely knock them out from being so tired once they leave. It is the ultimate playzone and in the winter months, they hold classes and events for the kids.
Jungle Island
This 18-acre zoo is filled with so many animals that you will find yourself spending all day visiting them. You can enjoy the normal animals, but also the exotic ones that are not as commonly seen and known. There is also a private beach with splash park and a playground that you can send the kids too.
Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
This museum is all about hands-on experiments and fun that you can have. The kids can touch and do in this museum. It is one that allows little hands to actually explore and not just watch as things they pass come and go. It is a great place to bring the kids to learn and also explore. It offers a planetarium and aquarium.
Other Things to Do in Miami
There are plenty of other things to do in Miami that you can make the most of. When it comes to doing things that might not be a tourist destination, or might not be just for kids or free, then you need to check out these options instead.
Little Havana and Calle Ocho
Little Havana is a small Cuban district within Miami and it is one of the most loved place for many to visit. They have many cultural areas, such as restaurants and little shops. You can even see how they make their famous Cuban cigars. Calle Ocho is the main strip of the area for those visiting to walk through.
American Airlines Arena
Home to the Miami Heat team, and also hosting many big shows and concerts, this is a great place to book something to watch while you are in the area. With seating for 19,000 people, you can find that this is a massive place to find yourself. It is energy efficient and is an artfully designed piece in the heart of Miami.
Coral Castle
A collection of 28-years of carving using homemade tools, this man’s hobby turned into a beautiful masterpiece. Made by Edward Leedskalnin out of limestone between 1923 and 1951, it has since been a great piece that many visitors find themselves walking through. He did all of these carvings privately, so no one knows how he did any of his work.
There is always plenty to do and see when you visit any of these areas throughout the city. When someone wants to do something while in Miami, you’re not short on the amount of things that can be done. You can enjoy all of what each of them offers. Whether you are coming alone, with a partner or perhaps bringing the family, Miami welcomes you and makes sure that you have a full trip planned with all of the offerings. Take in the sights, sounds and excitement that follows. Miami is here and ready when you are, plan your trip today!
