Things To Do in Miami & Miami Beach — Local Guide from Miami Vacations

You chose the right city. Miami and Miami Beach offer an incredible mix of beaches, culture, food, nightlife, and outdoor adventure — all within minutes of your furnished apartment with Miami Vacations. Here is our local guide to the best experiences in the area, put together by our team with over 30 years in the Miami market.

Miami Beach — Sun, Sand & Art Deco

Miami Beach is the crown jewel of South Florida. Whether you are staying at our Monte Carlo apartments on Collins Ave or just visiting for the day, these are the must-do experiences:

South Beach & Ocean Drive — The iconic stretch of Art Deco architecture, white sand beach, and turquoise water. Free to visit and unmissable at sunset
Miami Beach Boardwalk — A beautiful 2.5 mile walking and cycling path from 21st Street to 46th Street along the ocean. Free, open 24 hours
Art Deco Historic District — Over 800 preserved Art Deco buildings from the 1930s and 1940s. Take a self-guided walking tour or join a guided tour from the Miami Design Preservation League
Lummus Park Beach — The best stretch of public beach in South Beach, with volleyball courts, lifeguard stations, and clear blue water
Lincoln Road Mall — A pedestrian shopping and dining street two blocks from the ocean. Great for people watching, brunch, and boutique shopping
The Bass Museum of Art — World-class contemporary art collection inside a stunning Art Deco building on Collins Ave. $15 adults, free first Wednesday of the month

Wynwood — Miami’s Street Art Capital

Just 15 minutes from Miami Beach, Wynwood is one of the world’s most famous street art districts and a must-visit on any Miami trip:

Wynwood Walls — Over 35 giant hand-painted murals by world-renowned artists in an outdoor gallery setting. Free to walk around the neighborhood, small entry fee for the curated walls area
Wynwood restaurants & bars — The neighborhood is packed with trendy restaurants, rooftop bars, and craft breweries. Wynwood Brewing Company and Coyo Taco are local favorites
Weekend Wynwood Market — Every Saturday and Sunday, local vendors, food trucks, and artisans gather in the neighborhood for a lively open-air market

Little Havana — Culture & Cuban Food

Little Havana is the heart of Miami’s Cuban community and one of the most authentic cultural experiences in the city:

Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street) — The main street of Little Havana, lined with Cuban restaurants, cigar shops, domino parks, and street art. Free to explore
Versailles Restaurant — Miami’s most famous Cuban restaurant, open since 1971. Order the Cuban sandwich and a café cubano
Ball & Chain — A historic music venue on Calle Ocho with live salsa, jazz, and Latin music nightly. A true Miami institution
Domino Park — Watch local elders play dominoes at Maximo Gomez Park — a beloved free slice of authentic Miami culture

Water Activities & Outdoor Adventures

With Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Everglades all nearby, Miami offers world-class outdoor experiences:

Biscayne National Park — Glass-bottom boat tours, snorkeling, and kayaking just 30 minutes from Miami Beach. One of the most underrated experiences in South Florida
Everglades National Park — An hour from Miami Beach, the Everglades offer airboat tours, wildlife spotting, and stunning natural scenery unlike anywhere else in the world
Paddle boarding & kayaking — Rentals available on Miami Beach and throughout Biscayne Bay. Best in the morning when waters are calm
Deep sea fishing — Numerous fishing charter companies operate out of Miami Beach Marina and Bayside Marketplace
South Pointe Park — Beautiful park at the southern tip of Miami Beach with ocean views, a pier, splash pad, and great people watching. Free entry

Arts, Culture & Sightseeing

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens — A stunning 1916 Italian Renaissance villa on Biscayne Bay with original furnishings and formal gardens. One of Miami’s top cultural attractions
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) — World-class modern and contemporary art museum on the waterfront in Downtown Miami
Frost Museum of Science — State of the art science museum with a stunning 500,000 gallon aquarium in Downtown Miami. Perfect for families
Design District — Miami’s luxury shopping and arts neighborhood with galleries, flagship stores, and impressive public art installations
Star Island Boat Tour — See the waterfront mansions of Miami’s most exclusive island from the water

Dining & Nightlife

Miami is one of America’s top food cities with a dining scene influenced by Cuban, Caribbean, Latin American, and international cuisines:

Joe’s Stone Crab — Miami’s most iconic restaurant, open since 1913. A must for stone crab claws in season (October–May)
Zuma Miami — World-class Japanese robata restaurant in the Epic Hotel, Downtown Miami
La Mar by Gastón Acurio — Peruvian cuisine with stunning Biscayne Bay views at the Mandarin Oriental
Nikki Beach — Iconic Miami Beach beach club with food, cocktails, and music right on the sand
Ocean Drive bars & clubs — The center of Miami Beach nightlife, with dozens of bars, clubs, and live music venues along the oceanfront strip

Day Trips from Miami Beach

Key West — 3.5 hours south on the Overseas Highway. Colorful, quirky, and unlike anywhere else in America. Worth an overnight stay
Fort Lauderdale — 45 minutes north, with beautiful beaches, the famous Las Olas Boulevard, and a vibrant arts scene
Palm Beach — 1.5 hours north, for Worth Avenue shopping, the Breakers hotel, and beautiful quieter beaches

Stay in the Heart of It All with Miami Vacations

All of these experiences are easily accessible from our fully furnished apartments in Miami Beach and Dadeland. Our Monte Carlo property on Collins Ave puts you steps from South Beach, Ocean Drive, and the Miami Beach Boardwalk. Our Dadeland apartments give you easy access to Wynwood, Little Havana, and Downtown Miami via the Metrorail.

Ready to book your Miami stay? Call us at 1-305-661-3775 or book online today.

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