Plan your trip to Miami, Florida — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.
Top things to do in Miami
South Beach & the Art Deco Historic District. America's first urban 20th-century historic district placed on the National Register of Historic Places, South Beach packs more than 800 pastel Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival, and MiMo buildings into a walkable waterfront grid. The Art Deco Welcome Center at 1001 Ocean Drive offers daily walking tours led by the…
Wynwood Walls. An open-air museum of monumental murals commissioned from more than 100 internationally renowned street artists, Wynwood Walls transformed a former warehouse block into the most photographed outdoor gallery in the hemisphere. The surrounding Wynwood Arts District adds craft breweries, galleries, and some of the…
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. A National Historic Landmark on Biscayne Bay, Vizcaya is a 1916 Italian Renaissance villa whose 34 original-furnished rooms and ten acres of formal European gardens feel transplanted from the Veneto. Welcoming nearly 400,000 visitors a year, it is one of Florida's most significant cultural sites.
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects Herzog & de Meuron and opened in 2013, PAMM anchors Miami's cultural waterfront on Biscayne Bay with a 200,000-square-foot campus devoted to international art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Suspended garden terraces overlooking the bay make it one of the most striking…
Little Havana & Calle Ocho. The pulsing heart of Miami's Cuban diaspora, Little Havana stretches along Southwest 8th Street where cigar rollers, domino players at Maximo Gomez Park, ventanita espresso windows, and the pink-marble Calle Ocho Walk of Fame create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the country. The annual Calle Ocho Music…
Everglades National Park. Just one hour's drive from downtown Miami, the Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and a UNESCO World Heritage Site where airboat tours, kayak trails, and alligator sightings await. The Shark Valley Visitor Center (40 miles west of downtown) and the main Homestead entrance are the…
Miami Design District. Eighteen blocks of luxury flagship stores — Hermès, Dior, Chanel, Fendi Casa — are woven together with Michelin-starred restaurants, the ICA Miami, and architecturally significant public art installations, making this one of the most curated high-design neighborhoods in any American city.
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. One of only a handful of institutions worldwide to house both a planetarium and a 500,000-gallon aquarium under one roof, Frost Science sits on four bayfront acres in Maurice A. Ferré Park adjacent to PAMM. The cone-shaped, multi-level aquarium lets visitors peer at the open ocean from below, at mid-water, and from…
Best time to visit Miami
Mid-November through April, with the sweet spot in January–March for the best balance of weather, events, and (relatively) lower prices than peak December.. Miami's tropical monsoon climate means summer (May–October) brings intense heat, high humidity, heavy rainfall, and hurricane risk. The dry season (November–April) offers pleasant temperatures in the mid-70s to low-80s°F, low humidity, and sunshine. January–March coincides with Ultra Music Festival, Calle Ocho/Carnaval Miami, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, and the Miami International Boat Show, making it the richest period for both weather and events. December draws premium prices due to Art Basel. Spring break in March increases crowds but remains lively
Miami weather by month
Month
High (°F)
Low (°F)
Notes
Jan
75
64
warm & mostly dry
Feb
76
66
warm & changeable
Mar
78
68
warm & mostly dry
Apr
81
71
warm & changeable
May
83
74
warm & changeable
Jun
85
77
hot & wet
Jul
87
79
hot & wet
Aug
87
79
hot & wet
Sep
85
78
hot & wet
Oct
83
75
warm & wet
Nov
79
70
warm & changeable
Dec
76
68
warm & changeable
Getting to Miami
The Metromover is a completely free electric people mover with 21 stops covering Downtown Miami, Brickell, and the Arsht Center area; it runs daily 5 a.m. to midnight and gives a bonus aerial city tour. Metrorail and Metrobus rides start at $2.25. Free trolleys also run in Miami Beach, Coral Gables, and other neighborhoods. South Beach street parking meters run from $4 per hour and are enforced daily 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. City garages typically charge $15–$20 per day. Use the ParkMobile or SpotHero apps to pay and extend time remotely and avoid the most expensive hotel valet rates ($40–$60/day).
MIA Miami International Airport — 20 min drive
FLL Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport — 40 min drive
PBI Palm Beach International Airport — 75 min drive
Where to stay in Miami
Where to base yourself, by neighborhood.
South Beach (Miami Beach). The classic Miami Beach experience: Art Deco hotels on Ocean Drive, direct beach access, walkable Lincoln Road dining, and the city's most concentrated nightlife. The most iconic place to stay but also the loudest and most crowded, particularly on weekends. Good for: First-time visitors, nightlife seekers, couples wanting the iconic Miami aesthetic.
Brickell. Miami's gleaming financial district offers luxury high-rise hotels, the walkable Brickell City Centre mall, bayfront dining, and the free Metromover at the doorstep — making it easy to reach PAMM, Frost Science, and Bayside without a car. Safe, polished, and… Good for: Business travelers, couples, anyone who wants walkability without the South Beach party scene.
Wynwood / Midtown. Ground zero for Miami's creative class, with boutique hotels steps from Wynwood Walls, the Design District, Zak the Baker, and Mandolin. The neighborhood is liveliest from Thursday through Saturday and continues to evolve with new restaurant and gallery… Good for: Art enthusiasts, foodies, younger travelers, design and culture seekers.
Coconut Grove. Miami's oldest neighborhood delivers a slower, leafier pace: sailboats in the marina, Vizcaya around the corner, Ariete down the street, and CocoWalk for an evening stroll. The bohemian-meets-upscale atmosphere makes it the most romantic and family-friendly… Good for: Couples, families, repeat visitors wanting an authentic local feel away from tourist congestion.
Coral Gables. An upscale, tree-canopied 'City Beautiful' with Mediterranean Revival architecture, the famous Venetian Pool (a 1920s coral-rock public pool), Miracle Mile boutiques, and proximity to the University of Miami. Quieter and more residential than other areas,… Good for: Couples seeking a romantic retreat, travelers who prefer calm elegance over beach bustle.
Where to eat in Miami
A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.
Local favorites & classics
Joe's Stone Crab. South Beach · Seafood — A Miami institution since 1913 and a fourth-generation family restaurant legendary for its stone crabs — served only October through May — alongside Key lime pie and a…
Old's Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina. 1442 SW 8th St · 4.8★ (26,862 reviews)
Crazy About You. 1155 Brickell Bay Dr PH101 · 4.8★ (20,159 reviews)
CASA NEOS. 40 SW North River Dr · 4.8★ (14,202 reviews)
Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita. 1000 S Miami Ave · 4.8★ (13,363 reviews)
Tanuki River Landing. 1420 NW N River Dr · 4.9★ (5,061 reviews)
Rosa Sky. 115 SW 8th St 22nd Floor · 4.7★ (7,209 reviews)
Cafés, bakeries & casual
Versailles Restaurant. Little Havana · Cuban — Open since 1971 and widely called 'the world's most famous Cuban restaurant,' Versailles is the unofficial town square of Miami's Cuban exile community, best known for its…
Zak the Baker. Wynwood · Artisan Bakery / Café — Miami's most beloved bakery — naturally leavened sourdoughs, viennoiserie, bagels, and hearty sandwiches from a fully kosher, all-day operation in the Wynwood Arts…
Bayside Marketplace Dining. Downtown Miami · Multi-cuisine / Waterfront — Thirty-plus restaurants overlook Biscayne Bay at this waterfront festival marketplace, offering everything from seafood shacks to Latin grills alongside…
Café Bastille Downtown Miami. 248 SE 1st St · 4.9★ (21,572 reviews)
Bistro Café. 1352 NE 1st Ave · 4.9★ (21,419 reviews)
DIOR Café Miami. 162 NE 39th St · 4.8★ (7,756 reviews)
La Boulangerie Boul'Mich. 1242 Coral Wy · 4.8★ (4,206 reviews)
La Colada Gourmet. 1518 SW 8th St · 4.8★ (3,702 reviews)
Fine dining & Michelin
Ariete. Coconut Grove · New American / Cuban-American — Chef Michael Beltran's Michelin-starred flagship blends new American and classic French technique with Cuban-American flavors in an intimate,…
Le Jardinier. Miami Design District · Contemporary French / American — Michelin-starred Chef Alain Verzeroli's light-filled 'garden restaurant' prioritizes the highest-quality seasonal vegetables alongside wild…
Mandolin Aegean Bistro. Miami Design District · Greek / Mediterranean — Set in a lovingly restored 1940s bungalow with one of Miami's most praised garden patios, this Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant serves homespun Greek…
Mango's Tropical Cafe. South Beach / Ocean Drive · Latin / Caribbean — A South Beach landmark for lively Latin entertainment, nightly dinner shows starting at 7:30 p.m., salsa lessons, and a nightclub atmosphere; best…
MILA. 1636 Meridian Ave Rooftop · 4.8★ (22,230 reviews)
Day 1 — Art Deco & Ocean Breezes. Start your Miami adventure with a guided walking tour of the Art Deco Historic District on Ocean Drive, admiring the pastel-painted 1930s gems along the strip. Grab a Cuban coffee at a nearby café to fuel the stroll. Head onto South Beach itself — spread out on the iconic white sand,…
Day 2 — Street Art & Creative Pulse. Head to Wynwood and explore the Wynwood Walls when they open, spending time absorbing the world-class murals and outdoor gallery spaces in the warehouse district. Wander the adjacent Miami Design District, browsing flagship boutiques, public art installations, and architecture…
Day 3 — Cuban Soul & Local Flavor. Spend the morning in Little Havana, strolling Calle Ocho and stopping at Versailles Restaurant for a legendary Cuban breakfast of café con leche and pan tostado. Visit Domino Park to watch locals play dominos, browse the cigar rollers on SW 8th Street, and duck into Ball & Chain for…
Day 4 — World-Class Art on the Bay. Spend a rich morning at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), exploring its rotating contemporary collections and permanent works by international artists in the stunning waterfront building. Walk next door to the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, where the multi-story…
Day 5 — Gilded Gardens & Island Escape. Take a morning visit to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens — the Italian Renaissance villa overlooking Biscayne Bay is breathtaking at the quieter morning hour, with peacocks roaming the formal gardens. Drive or bike south to Key Biscayne and spend the afternoon on Crandon Park Beach,…
Day 6 — Wild Everglades & Airboat Adventure. Set out early for Everglades National Park (about an hour's drive southwest). Take an airboat tour to spot alligators, roseate spoonbills, and anhinga in the River of Grass — book a ranger-led walk at the Royal Palm Visitor Center. Hike the Anhinga Trail and the Gumbo…
Day 7 — Design, Discovery & Farewell Glow. Revisit any favorite neighborhood — or spend a final morning at the Bass Museum of Art in South Beach for a curated look at modern and contemporary work in an intimate setting. Do a final sweep of Lincoln Road Mall for souvenirs and a leisurely lunch, then walk back to the…
Events & festivals in Miami
Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) (February (typically four days, Thursday–Sunday)). Annual culinary event launched in its current form in 2002 under the leadership of Lee Brian Schrager and Florida International University. All net proceeds benefit FIU's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism…
Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show (February (five days)). Inaugurated in 1969, it is billed as the world's largest boat and yacht show, featuring 1,000+ boats and 100,000+ visitors. Produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association.
Ultra Music Festival (Late March (three days, Friday–Sunday)). Annual outdoor electronic music festival held since 1999 at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. One of the world's largest EDM events, founded by Russell Faibisch and Alex Omes.
Calle Ocho Festival (Carnaval Miami) (March (second or third Sunday; part of the multi-week Carnaval Miami celebration)). Founded in 1978 by Cuban exiles organized by the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana. The largest Hispanic street festival in the United States, drawing over one million attendees annually. Spans 15 city blocks of SW 8th…
Miami Film Festival (April (10 consecutive days, opening first Friday of April)). Founded in February 1984. A world-class platform for International, American, and Ibero-American cinema, drawing 70,000+ attendees annually and 300+ industry professionals.
Miami Swim Week (July (mid-July, approximately one week)). Annual swimwear and resort fashion week in Miami Beach. Established 2003–2004. The central event on the global swimwear fashion calendar, featuring runway shows, designer presentations, and trade exhibitions.
Art Basel Miami Beach (Early December (typically first full week of December)). The most important art fair in the United States. Held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, it features 250+ galleries from 35 countries. Serves as the anchor of Miami Art Week. First held in 2002.
Miami travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Miami?
Mid-November through April, with the sweet spot in January–March for the best balance of weather, events, and (relatively) lower prices than peak December..
What are the top things to do in Miami?
Top experiences include South Beach & the Art Deco Historic District, Wynwood Walls, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Little Havana & Calle Ocho.
Which airport is closest to Miami?
Miami International Airport (MIA) is the nearest, about 20 minutes away.
Where should I stay in Miami?
Popular areas to base yourself include South Beach (Miami Beach), Brickell, Wynwood / Midtown, Coconut Grove.
How do I get around Miami?
The Metromover is a completely free electric people mover with 21 stops covering Downtown Miami, Brickell, and the Arsht Center area; it runs daily 5 a.m.