Miami Travel Guide
Miami runs on sunshine, salt air and a Latin heartbeat, blending pastel Art Deco beachfronts with world-class art, Cuban coffee and turquoise water. It is a city built for the outdoors, where the day drifts from beach to café to a late, music-filled night.
Miami — Highlights in photos
Top things to do
South Beach
The iconic strip of golden sand, lifeguard towers and warm Atlantic surf that defines Miami. Beyond the beach itself, Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road buzz with cafés, people-watching and neon after dark.
Art Deco Historic District
South Beach holds one of the world's largest concentrations of 1930s Art Deco architecture, all pastel facades, porthole windows and curved corners. Take a walking tour from the Art Deco Welcome Center to decode the style and its history.
Wynwood Walls
A former warehouse district transformed into an open-air gallery of giant, ever-changing murals by international street artists. The surrounding Wynwood neighbourhood brims with craft breweries, galleries and hip eateries.
Little Havana and Calle Ocho
The soul of Miami's Cuban community, where domino players fill Máximo Gómez Park, cigars are hand-rolled and salsa spills from open doors. Sip a cortadito and soak up the culture along Eighth Street.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
An opulent 1916 Italian Renaissance-style villa on Biscayne Bay, surrounded by formal gardens and fountains. It is one of Miami's most photogenic spots and a cool escape from the beach.
Bayside Marketplace and Downtown
A waterfront hub of shops, restaurants and boat tours, and the launch point for cruises around Biscayne Bay and Millionaire's Row. Nearby, the Perez Art Museum and Frost Science anchor the cultural waterfront.
Key Biscayne and Crandon Park
A short causeway from downtown, this island offers calmer beaches, the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse in Bill Baggs park and family-friendly nature trails.
Everglades National Park (day trip)
Just west of the city, the vast subtropical wetlands are home to alligators, wading birds and airboat adventures, an easy and unforgettable escape into wild Florida.
Museums & entry info
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
A striking waterfront museum of modern and contemporary art with hanging gardens over Biscayne Bay. Adult admission is around $16–18; typically closed some weekdays. Check the official site for hours.
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
An interactive science and aquarium complex with a planetarium and a three-level living-core aquarium. Tickets run roughly $30–33 for adults; open daily. Verify online.
The Bass
South Beach's contemporary art museum, set in an elegant 1930s building, known for bold rotating exhibitions. Admission is around $15; usually closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Confirm before visiting.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
The Gilded Age estate doubles as a museum of European decorative arts amid lush bayfront gardens. Adult admission is roughly $22–25; closed Tuesdays. Check hours on the official site.
HistoryMiami Museum
A Smithsonian affiliate telling the layered story of South Florida, from the Seminole to Cuban migration. Admission is around $10; typically open Wednesday to Sunday. Verify times online.
Signature experiences
Everglades Airboat Tour
Skim across the sawgrass marsh at speed, spotting alligators and herons on a guided airboat trip, often paired with a wildlife show. Expect roughly $30–60 per person depending on operator and length.
Biscayne Bay Boat Cruise
Sightseeing cruises from Bayside glide past the Miami skyline and the celebrity mansions of Star Island. Around $30–45 for a 90-minute tour; sunset sailings cost a little more.
Little Havana Food and Culture Walk
Guided walking tours sample Cuban coffee, croquetas and fresh guarapo while explaining the neighbourhood's history and art. Typically $50–75 per person including tastings.
Art Deco Walking Tour
The official Art Deco Welcome Center tour reveals the design and stories behind South Beach's pastel landmarks. Around $30–35 per person for about 90 minutes.
What to eat
Miami eats like the crossroads it is, layering Cuban, Caribbean and Latin American flavours over fresh Florida seafood. Wash it down with a cortadito or a fresh stone-crab feast in season.
The dry, sunny winter months from December to April bring the best weather and biggest events, along with peak crowds and prices. Summer is hot, humid and prone to afternoon storms, with hurricane season peaking August to October.
A car or rideshare is most convenient, though the free downtown Metromover, Metrorail and the South Beach trolley cover key areas. Miami International Airport connects to downtown via the Metrorail Orange Line and the MIA Mover.
Traveler tips
- Sales tax and resort fees add up, so confirm the final price on hotels and dining.
- Tipping 18–20% is standard in restaurants; check whether gratuity is already added.
- Wear reef-safe sunscreen and hydrate; the sun is intense even on hazy days.
- Parking in South Beach is scarce and pricey, so rideshares often beat driving.