Miami is a subtropical Florida city of about 450,000 people (about 6.1 million in the metropolitan area) on Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic coast, known for South Beach, Art Deco architecture, Cuban and Latin American culture, Wynwood street art and year-round warm weather.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Miami.
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1
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
1916-1922 Italian Renaissance-style villa of industrialist James Deering with 10 acres of formal gardens beside Biscayne Bay.
Tip: Arrive at opening on a weekday to avoid crowds and the midday heat. · Take Metrorail to Vizcaya station; on-site parking is limited and fills on weekends. · Allow 2-3 hours so both the house and gardens can be seen unhurried. · Last admission is about 4:30 PM, and the museum is closed Tuesdays. · Bring a hat and water; the open garden lawns have little shade by midday.
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2
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
Waterfront museum of 20th- and 21st-century international art with hanging gardens and views of Biscayne Bay.
Tip: Use the free Metromover to Museum Park station rather than paying 18 USD for the garage. · Visit on Thursday evening for late hours until 9:00 PM. · Free entry on the second Saturday of each month brings larger crowds. · The museum is closed Wednesday; check pamm.org for current hours. · Pair the visit with the Frost Museum of Science next door.
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3
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Science museum with a three-level aquarium, planetarium, and Everglades and ocean exhibits on Biscayne Bay.
Tip: Buy tickets online, as they are usually cheaper than at the door. · Arrive on a weekday morning, before school groups fill the galleries after 11 AM. · Check the planetarium schedule on arrival so no show is missed. · Take the free Metromover to Museum Park to avoid garage fees. · Allow 3-4 hours, more with young children.
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4
South Pointe Park
Southern tip of Miami Beach with a pier, lawns, a promenade and views of cruise ships entering Government Cut.
Tip: Come in the late afternoon to see cruise ships depart. · Sunrise offers quiet light for photographs. · Bring a hat and water, as shade on the lawns is limited. · Reach the park by the free South Beach Trolley or Citi Bike.
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5
The Wynwood Walls
Outdoor museum of large-scale murals by international street artists, surrounded by galleries, breweries and murals across the Wynwood district.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for better light and fewer crowds. · Buy the walled-garden ticket online to confirm the current price. · Walk the surrounding streets for free murals. · Use a rideshare, since street parking is limited.
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6
Domino Park (Maximo Gomez Park), Calle Ocho
Open-air park where Cuban-American residents play dominoes and chess; the centre of Little Havana's Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street).
Tip: Come between morning and early afternoon when games are in progress. · Watch quietly and ask permission before photographing players. · Try a Cuban coffee at a nearby walk-up window. · Take Metrobus 8 along SW 8th Street, or use a rideshare.
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7
Art Deco Historic District and Welcome Center
The Miami Design Preservation League runs a visitor center and walking tours of the 1930s-40s Art Deco, Streamline Moderne and Miami Modern (MiMo) buildings of Ocean Drive.
Tip: Visit in the morning for even light and quiet streets. · Join a guided walking tour for details a casual walk misses; check mdpl.org for the schedule. · Return after dark for neon photographs. · Use the free South Beach Trolley to Ocean Drive and 10th Street.
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8
South Beach and Lummus Park
Wide Atlantic beach between 5th and 15th Streets, backed by the Art Deco hotels of Ocean Drive and lifeguard towers painted in bright colours.
Tip: Swim within staffed lifeguard hours of about 10:00 AM-5:00 PM and obey posted flags. · Arrive in the morning for quieter sand and better light. · Chair and umbrella rentals cost about 20-40 USD per day. · Use sun protection, as midday sun is strong. · Take the free South Beach Trolley or bus 120 Beach MAX.
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9
Bayside Marketplace
Open-air waterfront shopping and dining centre with departures for Biscayne Bay sightseeing boat tours.
Tip: Visit in the evening for waterfront lights. · Take the free Metromover to College/Bayside station. · Book boat tours separately; they are not included in free entry. · Confirm restaurant hours, as they vary from the centre's opening times.
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10
Zoo Miami
One of the largest zoos in the United States, with cageless habitats, a tram and a monorail across more than 700 acres.
Tip: Arrive at opening, before animals rest in the afternoon heat. · Use the monorail or tram to cover long distances. · Bring water, sun protection and comfortable shoes. · Arrive by car or rideshare; public transport is slow. · Last entry is about 4:00 PM, so plan at least four hours.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Museum
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
1916-1922 Italian Renaissance-style villa of industrialist James Deering with 10 acres of formal gardens beside Biscayne Bay.
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
Waterfront museum of 20th- and 21st-century international art with hanging gardens and views of Biscayne Bay.
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Science museum with a three-level aquarium, planetarium, and Everglades and ocean exhibits on Biscayne Bay.
The Bass
Contemporary art museum in a 1930 coral-stone building beside Collins Park.
Outdoors
South Pointe Park
Southern tip of Miami Beach with a pier, lawns, a promenade and views of cruise ships entering Government Cut.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
83-acre botanic garden with tropical palms, rainforest, a butterfly garden and a glass conservatory.
Venetian Pool
1924 spring-fed lagoon pool carved from a coral rock quarry, with waterfalls, caves and Mediterranean-style bridges.
Bayfront Park
32-acre waterfront park with the Isamu Noguchi-designed Challenger Memorial, a fountain and an amphitheatre.
Deering Estate
444-acre bayfront estate with 1920s Stone House and Richmond Cottage, tropical hardwood hammock, pine rockland and 10,000-year-old archaeological sites.
Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Free 4.5-acre garden with a koi pond, tropical plantings and a small outdoor stage behind the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Neighborhood
The Wynwood Walls
Outdoor museum of large-scale murals by international street artists, surrounded by galleries, breweries and murals across the Wynwood district.
Domino Park (Maximo Gomez Park), Calle Ocho
Open-air park where Cuban-American residents play dominoes and chess; the centre of Little Havana's Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street).
Espanola Way
Pedestrian lane of 1925 Mediterranean-revival buildings with cafes, flamenco venues and a weekend market.
Architecture
Art Deco Historic District and Welcome Center
The Miami Design Preservation League runs a visitor center and walking tours of the 1930s-40s Art Deco, Streamline Moderne and Miami Modern (MiMo) buildings of Ocean Drive.
Beach
South Beach and Lummus Park
Wide Atlantic beach between 5th and 15th Streets, backed by the Art Deco hotels of Ocean Drive and lifeguard towers painted in bright colours.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
State park at the tip of Key Biscayne with a calm beach, bike trails and Miami-Dade's oldest standing structure, the 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse.
Shopping
Bayside Marketplace
Open-air waterfront shopping and dining centre with departures for Biscayne Bay sightseeing boat tours.
Lincoln Road Mall
Pedestrian mall of shops, restaurants and outdoor cafes between Washington Avenue and Alton Road, with 1950s Morris Lapidus architecture.
Miami Design District
Neighbourhood of luxury boutiques, public art, architecture and restaurants, including the Fendi Fly Fly pavilion and a free public art plaza.
Family
Zoo Miami
One of the largest zoos in the United States, with cageless habitats, a tram and a monorail across more than 700 acres.
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Many Miami museums close one weekday (PAMM and Vizcaya on Wednesday and Tuesday respectively) and open about 10:00 AM; outdoor attractions are best before 11:00 AM in summer. Confirm hours on each attraction's website before traveling.
- Fees
- Free: South Beach, Lincoln Road, South Pointe Park, Bayfront Park, Miami Beach Botanical Garden, Metromover. Paid highlights: Frost Museum of Science (about $35-40 USD), Zoo Miami (about $25-30 USD), Vizcaya (about $20-25 USD) and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (about $30 USD). Prices are approximate; confirm online.
- Best Times
- November to April has dry, 70-80 F (21-27 C) weather; June to October is hot, humid and afternoon-thunderstorm season (Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1-November 30).
- Booking
- Book timed or discounted tickets online for the Frost Museum, Vizcaya, Venetian Pool and Zoo Miami. Use the GO Miami-Dade Transit app (miamidade.gov/transportation) for Metrorail, Metromover and bus times.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Greater Miami is spread out: group sights by area (Downtown and Museum Park, South Beach, Wynwood and Design District, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, Key Biscayne) and allow 30-60 minutes between areas.
The free Metromover covers Downtown, Brickell and Omni; Metrorail reaches Vizcaya, Coral Gables and Coconut Grove; the free South Beach Trolley covers Miami Beach.
Carry water, sunscreen and a rain layer: afternoon thunderstorms are common from June to October.
Parking on South Beach costs about $2-5 USD per hour at meters (pay by ParkMobile app); garages charge about $20-40 USD per day.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best free things to do in Miami?
South Beach and Lummus Park, South Pointe Park, Lincoln Road, Bayfront Park, the Wynwood street murals, Miami Beach Botanical Garden and the free Metromover are all free. PAMM is free on the second Saturday of each month.
How many days are needed to see Miami?
Three to four days cover South Beach, Downtown museums, Wynwood and Little Havana, Vizcaya and Coral Gables; add one day for Key Biscayne or the Everglades.
Is a car needed in Miami?
Not for South Beach, Downtown and Brickell, which are served by Metrorail, Metromover, buses and the free Miami Beach trolley. A car or rideshare helps for Zoo Miami, Fairchild, Deering Estate and the Everglades.