62 Attractions For Your Miami Bucket List
If you’re heading to South Florida and looking for a list of must-visit Miami attractions, we’ve got you covered. From outdoor restaurants to family-friendly activities, Miami is packed with fun and unique things to do.
We’ve put together a collection of 62 Miami bucket list attractions to ensure you have the best possible time during your visit to the Magic City.
Where to Eat in Miami
Immerse yourself in a tropical oasis of gourmet street food at Maya’mi Cocina, Upper Buena Vista. Serving up some of Miami’s best tacos and quesadillas, Maya’mi Cocina is much more than a culinary experience. It’s an outdoor space surrounded by music, love, and community – a nod to the owners’ Mayan roots.
Juvia is a trendy rooftop restaurant offering panoramic views of the city – a great place to visit both day and night. Enjoy an array of French, Japanese, and Peruvian cuisines prepared using the finest local ingredients by the restaurant’s talented chefs.
Enjoy a selection of traditional Spanish dishes at Barceloneta tapas and gin bar. Featuring an outdoor terrace and lounge area as well as an indoor dining room, Barceloneta is a great place to enjoy great food and great company. You won’t want to miss the gin cocktails, either!
If French dining is your thing, you’ll love A La Folie, a French-bistro-inspired cafe nestled under a canopy of greenery. Serving an array of French cuisine, A La Folie offers a refuge away from the bustling city.
Open between November and April, Knaus Berry Farm is popular amongst both locals and tourists and is most famous for its delicious cinnamon rolls. Expect to wait in line for them!
Indulge in “the best steak of your life” at Smith & Wollensky, Miami’s famous American steakhouse perfectly positioned on the Miami Beach waterfront.
Where to Drink in Miami
Relax and enjoy delicious classic cocktails with a Floridian spin at Vista, a tranquil outdoor sanctuary at Upper Buena Vista, decorated with tropical foliage.
Try a selection of signature and classic cocktails at Melinda's cocktail lounge. Perfectly located in a charming courtyard orchid garden, you won’t want to miss Melinda’s when you’re visiting Miami.
Head to Le Coqtail Lounge at Le Chick for some craft cocktails and gourmet comfort food. Happy hour is every Monday to Friday, from 3:30pm to 6:30pm.
Visit Bebito’s Cuban-inspired cafe and try Bebito’s Private Label signature coffee. Featuring pristine pastel pink and forest green interiors and a matching color scheme in the outdoor seating area, Bebito’s is one of the trendiest cafes in Miami.
Enjoy Asian-inspired cocktails and tapas at Sugar’s secret rooftop garden, nestled in a tropical paradise on the 40th floor of the EAST hotel.
Take a trip to Schnebly Winery to discover a selection of tropical fruit wines amongst the stunning scenery of the Redland countryside. Enjoy a wine tasting experience or go on a wine tour to explore the beautiful estate, learn about the winemaking process, and, of course, taste the delicious wine!
Best Beaches in Miami
Lummus Park Beach
Situated along Ocean Drive, Lummus Park Beach features white sandy beaches, a playground, and the popular outdoor gym, Muscle Beach South Beach. The location has also served as a backdrop for various film and television scenes, such as Miami Vice.
South Pointe Beach
South Pointe Beach is a family-friendly beach situated within South Pointe Park. Offering a calm atmosphere and a pier boasting sweeping views of the city and sea, the beach offers a great place to enjoy a relaxing day out.
Crandon Park Beach
Situated in Key Biscayne, Crandon Park Beach has been described as a ‘paradise beach’. And, it’s easy to see why, with its sparkling-white sandy beaches scattered with palm trees.
Sunny Isles Beach
Sunny Isles Beach is a Miami seaside community, situated on a barrier island and connected to mainland Miami by the William Lehman Causeway and the Northeast 163rd Street Bridge. Lined with two miles of sandy beaches, oceanfront cabanas, and a fishing pier, Sunny Isles is a must-visit Miami beach.
Matheson Hammock Park
Situated near Fairchild Garden in the stunning Coral Gables neighborhood, Matheson Hammock Park Beach is a beautiful place to watch the sun set against the Miami skyline.
Iconic Neighborhoods in Miami
Explore Miami’s vibrant Cuban neighborhood
Take a trip to Little Havana, Miami’s vibrant Cuban neighborhood, named after Cuba’s capital city. The Calle Ocho strip on South West 8th street is a must-visit, packed with Latino culture, food and music.
Enjoy Caribbean culture in Little Haiti
Explore a celebration of Caribbean culture in Little Haiti, one of Miami’s most vibrant arts scenes. On a trip to Little Haiti, you’ll find a neighborhood packed with traditional Caribbean cuisine and culture along with family-owned businesses, music stores, book shops and clothing boutiques.
Visit Miami's oldest neighborhood
Coconut Grove is Miami’s oldest neighborhood, known for its bohemian style and tropical canopy of trees. This quaint bayside neighborhood is home to lots of boutique stores and delicious dining spots.
Indulge in a luxurious lifestyle at South Beach
Pristine sandy beaches, clear blue seas, chic restaurants and luxury boutiques are what you’ll find in Miami’s iconic South Beach. Also coined the ‘American Riviera’ and ‘Art Deco playground’, South Beach is a celebrity hotspot featuring a mix of fine dining and casual beachside cuisine.
Walk through the tree-lined boulevards of Coral Gables
Home to Miami’s Venetian Pool and the Fairchild Garden, Coral Gables is a beautiful neighborhood situated just outside the city, known for its tree-lined streets and ivy-covered mansions.
Art & Culture Miami Attractions
Take a guided tour of the Institute of Contemporary Art
The Institute of Contemporary Art is a free art museum situated in Miami Design District offering daily guided tours of the exhibitions.
Currently occupied as a contemporary art museum, Miami’s Freedom Tower has a lot of history. Originally built in 1925 as a headquarters for The Miami News, in the 1960s, the tower was used as a Cuban refugee center and is seen as a symbol of hope and freedom.
Every second Saturday of the month, the vibrant Wynwood neighborhood hosts the Wynwood Art Walk – an outdoor event packed with art, food, and culture. An experience to tick off your bucket list!
Take a tour of the Art Deco Historic District
Take a walking tour of the Art Deco District in South Beach to observe and explore over 800 historic buildings. Bursting with color and hallmark Art Deco architecture and design, it’s a must-see when in Miami. For an unforgettable experience, go at night to get a glimpse of the bright neon lights.
Discover some mysterious coral art
Coral Castle is one of the world’s most mysterious accomplishments. To this day, it’s unknown how Edward Leedskalnin single-handedly carved this coral rock sculpture garden in Miami.
Explore the artwork at Rubell Museum
Head to the newly relocated Rubell Museum in Allapattah to explore contemporary art exhibitions by up-and-coming and established artists.
Family-friendly Miami Attractions
Take a dip in Miami’s Venetian Pool
There’s lots of family fun to be had at Miami’s Venetian Pool – a historic freshwater public pool with waterfalls, caves, and sweeping views of Coral Gables via the lookout towers.
Spend a day at Miami Children’s Museum exploring the interactive exhibits with your little ones. Watch as they learn, play, and create through different experiences – we’re sure you’ll have plenty of fun, too!
Score a hole-in-one at Topgolf
Whether you’re an expert on the driving range or a golfing novice, Topgolf provides a range of golf games for the whole family. Some Topgolf venues even offer virtual games, where you hit virtual targets (we hear the Angry Birds one is very popular).
Nature Attractions in Miami
Explore the Everglades landscape
The Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, so it’s a must-visit Miami attraction. Hop on an airboat, take a kayaking trail and explore the extraordinary ecosystem.
Discover rare and exotic plants at the Botanical Garden
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is home to a range of exotic plants. Observe the world’s largest water lilies, spanning 12 to 40 inches, and discover some rare plants, flowers, and trees.
Explore the watery wonderland of Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is 95% water, so the best way to explore the watery wonderland is by diving, kayaking, or boating your way around. Discover beautiful coral reefs and unique marine wildlife, with over 500 species of reef fish to look out for.
Animal Attractions in Miami
Have an outdoor adventure at Jungle Island
Get up close and personal with Lemurs, Sloths, and Flamingos at Jungle Island through their various animal encounters. And, when you’re done, check out the Aerial Game Trek in the trees featuring suspended bridges, Tarzan swings, and ziplines. There’s lots of fun for both kids and adults at Jungle Island!
Visit open-air animal exhibits at Zoo Miami
Situated across 750 acres of land, Zoo Miami is home to over 500 animal species, each grouped according to their geographic territories. At Zoo Miami, you’ll see animals living amongst other species they’d live with peacefully in the wild, within open-air exhibits that replicate their natural habitats.
Swim with dolphins at Miami Seaquarium
Miami Seaquarium offers a range of experiences for all ages and the chance to tick swimming with dolphins and sea lions off your bucket list. Watch marine mammal shows, explore the sea life exhibits (including touch pools!), and learn about the wildlife on a day out at Miami Seaquarium.
Best Shopping in Miami
Explore the Upper Buena Vista outdoor mall
Upper Buena Vista is a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of Miami-life. With boutique stores, artisan services, and an abundance of food outlets, a day out at Upper Buena Vista offers a wholesome experience for your mind, body, and soul.
Indulge in high-end fashion at Bal Harbor
If luxury brands are your thing, shopping at Bal Harbour will be right up your street. Featuring brands such as Alexander McQueen, Chanel, and Rolex, Bal Harbour is a hotspot for the fashionistas of Miami.
Take a trip around Design District
Design District is Miami’s hub of fashion, art, and design, home to more than 120 flagship designer stores. Featuring the likes of Burberry, Hermes, and Dior, it’s the perfect location to indulge in a bit of retail therapy.
Enjoy retail therapy at Lincoln Road
If the designer stores of Bal Harbor and Design District don’t take your fancy, Lincoln Road may be more up your street! Lincoln Road is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex packed with mainstream clothing stores like ZARA, H&M, and Anthropologie.
Go shopping at a popular Miami destination
Aventura Mall is a premier indoor mall featuring a mix of high-end stores, luxury boutiques, and mainstream fashion favorites. Named one of Miami’s most popular destinations by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, there’s something for everyone at Aventura Mall. Be sure to check out the artwork while you’re there, too!
Visit an open-air waterfront mall
Bayside Marketplace is an open-air shopping mall in Downtown Miami, situated on the waterfront of Biscayne Bay. Home to a variety of retail stores and restaurants, Bayside is a great place to go shopping.
Sports Activities in Miami
Develop your mindfulness practices with paddleboard yoga Practice mindfulness on the water with stand up paddleboard yoga at Jimbo’s Lagoon. With this refreshing outdoor activity, you can test your core strength and develop your yoga abilities, whether you’re a beginner or seasoned yogi.
Kayak through the shallow waters of Biscayne Bay
Kayaking and canoeing is arguably the best way to explore Biscayne Bay's mangrove forests and shallow water bays. Many of the trails are too shallow for motorized boats, so they’re ideal for kayakers. Enjoy the amazing scenery, and keep a lookout for marine life such as rays and jellyfish.
Bike across the Rickenbacker Causeway
Go on an 8.5 mile bike ride across the Rickenbacker Causeway and take in the sights of Miami. At the North end of the Rickenbacker Trail is Crandon Park, where you can enjoy sandy beaches and coastal dunes. And, at the South end of the trail is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, where you can enjoy snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and hiking.
Jump on the Old Cutler Trail by bike
Hop on the 13.5 mile Old Cutler Bike Trail and cycle under a canopy of beautiful ficus and banyan trees through some of Greater Miami’s most stunning neighborhoods.
Get your jetpacks at the ready and learn how to flyboard above the water at Biscayne Bay during an instructor-led class.
Head to Hallandale Beach and enjoy world-class horse racing at Gulfstream Park every Wednesday to Sunday.
Historic Miami Attractions
Witness the floating homes of Stiltsville
If you look out to sea at Biscayne Bay, you’ll spot seven ‘floating’ shacks built on stilts above the water. To visit, you’ll need access to a boat, or you can hop on a guided Stiltsville tour. Public access to the structures is prohibited without a permit.
Explore Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Set within 10 acres of land, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is a national historic landmark. Observe the historic architecture of the main house and explore the enchanting gardens that surround it.
Visit an ancient Spanish monastery
Take a walk around the Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux – dismantled brick by brick and shipped to the US in 1925 after being occupied by Cistercian monks in Spain for 700 years.
Take a trip to Cauley Square Historic Village
Cauley Square is a historic railroad village that’ll take you on a trip back to Old South Florida at its best. Go shopping in the village’s unique boutiques, enjoy some tapas at The Village Chalet and take a walk around the beautiful gardens.
Explore the abandoned Aerojet Dade Rocket Facility
When you explore the abandoned Aerojet Dade Rocket Facility, you’ll come across a derelict missile silo with an old rocket booster still in its place.
InstaSpots in Miami
Strike a pose at Upper Buena Vista
Upper Buena Vista is full of Instagrammable spots. Our favorites include the Cepods Terrarium Saloon, the Bodhi Wishtree, and the staircase to the Syndical Modeling Agency.
Looking for Instagram wall inspiration? Aptly located in Miami’s Art District, Wynwood Walls is full of colorful murals – the perfect Instagram backdrop.
Take a pic at the Miami Beach Lifeguard Towers
When you take a walk down Miami Beach, you can’t miss the brightly colored lifeguard towers. Each decorated in a different pattern, there’s plenty of photo opportunities to be had.
Visit Miami Mountain
Known as the Eighth Magic Mountain, Miami Mountain is an art piece created by Ugo Rondinone, the artist behind Nevada’s Seven Magic Mountains. Situated outside The Bass Museum in Collins Park, the neon-colored 42 foot sculpture makes the perfect spot for a photo.
The Setai hotel is an Instagram photo hotspot. This exquisite hotel in Miami Beach offers picturesque oceanview suites, luxurious dining, and rejuvenating experiences in its Valmont Spa.
Educational Miami Attractions
Head to the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science to explore the interactive exhibits, aquarium, and planetarium. Visit at night to experience the museum’s bi-monthly laser light shows in the planetarium.
Pay your respects at the Holocaust Memorial
Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial offers a place to pay your respects to the holocaust victims. Some see the memorial's exact location as fate – 1933-1945 Meridian Avenue, street numbers that match the exact years of the Nazi regime and its war against the Jewish community.
Learn about the power of art and design
Head to the Art Deco District to explore the persuasive power of art and design at Wolfsonian–FIU. Free public tours are available every Friday at 6pm.
From swimming with dolphins to viewing the Miami skyline from a rooftop garden, there’s plenty of bucket-list-worthy experiences and attractions to explore in Miami. Which will you tick off first?