Top Things to Do in Miami: From WaterSports and Beach Strolls to Culture, Food, and Nightlife

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Planning to make your top-things-to-do-in-Miami list? Don’t worry, the city never lets up on throwing wonderful surprises, and the list of best things to do in Miami practically never ends. You have your mandatory water sports and beach walks, lush gardens, art galleries, wildlife, and amazing culinary fare. But there is always something more to bring you back to the unique beach city.

Start your day kayaking at Oleta River State Park, feeling the fresh breeze on your face. Spend an afternoon at The Bass or the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), and don’t miss the stunning street art at Wynwood Walls. Glide through mangroves in Biscayne National Park, exploring an underwater world teeming with life. Do luxury shopping at Bal Harbour Shops. A trip to Everglades National Park or Big Cypress National Preserve offers unique wildlife and breathtaking scenery. And then there is the amazing nightlife. It’s difficult to list all the best things to do in Miami. We have put together an exhaustive list of activities, where to eat in Miami, what to visit, the best restaurants in Miami Beach, and so much more.

Miami Water Sports 2024

Miami's unique location, between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, makes it perfect for various water sports. Discover the thrill of jet skiing in Biscayne Bay, soaring above the ocean with parasailing, or the tranquility of kayaking through mangroves. For those seeking a calm experience, try paddleboarding along the coastline. Snorkeling offers a glimpse into Miami's underwater world, teeming with marine life, while windsurfing lets you harness the coastal breezes. Our guide provides details of the best locations, necessary preparations, and what to expect.

Read our Complete Guide to Miami Water Sports here. Another guide lists a range of activities not just limited to the sea, here.

Make Apogee Indigo Your Travel Buddy

Before Your Trip Begins

Apogee Indigo is a mobile wallet app that will offer its members up to 25% savings on food and attraction bills while visiting Miami. Apogee Indigo is launching soon, you can join the waitlist now.

Before your Miami trip: Preload the Apogee Indigo app wallet at a discount. At partner restaurants, you can spend the full face value of the preload. For instance, if you preload $100, your credit card is charged only $85, but you still have the full $100 to spend at an Apogee partner restaurant.

Apogee Indigo’s partner network is growing, check the full list here.

Miami Beach Guide 2024

Miami Beach offers a glimpse into luxury and vibrant culture, featuring public art, diverse museums, galleries, luxury hotels, and top restaurants. It was crowned “World’s Leading Lifestyle Destination” by the World Travel Awards in 2023. This recognition adds to its titles of “North America’s Leading Beach Destination” and “North America’s Leading City Destination.” Major events like the Miami International Boat Show and the South Beach Wine and Food Festival draw large crowds. The EXP Miami Beach Tours App offers virtual tours of cultural landmarks. With its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and vibrant lifestyle, Miami Beach truly deserves its title. Whether seeking relaxation, adventure, or cultural enrichment, Miami Beach has something for everyone.

Here is our guide to the best beaches in Miami, and the top things to do at the Miami beaches. We also have a list of top Miami South Beach Restaurants worth a visit, many of which accept Apogee Indigo wallet payment. If you are a backpacker, our blogger Javier Mateo has some excellent tips in this blog: Miami Beach on a Budget: A Backpacker’s Guide to Affordable Dining.

The Best Things to Do in Miami

Miami offers an array of activities for every traveler. Let’s look beyond the beaches to give you a peek at Miami’s rich lifestyle, fun, and frolic. Start at the iconic South Beach for golden sands and vibrant nightlife. For a quieter escape, visit Crandon Park Beach on Key Biscayne. Art lovers should explore the colorful Wynwood Walls and the serene Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science features interactive exhibits and stunning views of Biscayne Bay. Experience Cuban culture on a Little Havana Food & Cultural Tour.

Thrill-seekers can try flyboarding or jet skiing in Biscayne Bay. Explore the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse and shop at the bustling Lincoln Road Mall. The list is almost unendingly long. Here’s our complete guide to the best things to do in Miami. Another blog explores top activities in Miami beyond the beaches.

South Beach Miami

Top South Beach Restaurants

South Beach offers an eclectic mix of dining experiences that capture the essence of Miami’s vibrant culture. For a taste of Mediterranean flavors, 7 Spices Mediterranean Restaurant & Hookah Lounge is a must-visit, blending authentic Mediterranean cuisine with a laid-back vibe. Queen Omakase provides an intimate, luxurious sushi experience, bringing Japanese culinary artistry to South Beach. Cilantro 27 adds a Peruvian flair to the area’s diverse food scene, known for its fresh ceviches and flavorful dishes.

For a more casual but equally enticing experience, The ScapeGoat serves up craft cocktails and an inventive menu in a cozy setting. Finally, Harry’s Pizzeria offers a relaxed spot with artisanal pizzas and local ingredients, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike. For a deeper dive into South Beach’s top restaurants, don’t miss our guide on Top South Beach Restaurants: The Ultimate Dining Guide.

To plan your trip well, you must also know about the weather pattern of Miami, and find the best time to visit. While the best season to visit Miami is during the peak winter months, December to February, Miami’s off-peak season also has its charms and benefits. Our blogger Chloe Isabella is in love with the discoveries she made during one of her visits to Miami in the summer, and you may want to hear her reasoning for why the off-peak months are a good time to visit Miami.

Top Cuban Restaurants in Miami

A trip to Miami will not be complete without a halt in a top Cuban restaurant. As you set off to explore the best Cuban restaurants in Miami, you may start at Versailles Restaurant on SW 8th Street, where chandeliers and marble floors transport you to old Havana. Enjoy classic dishes like the Cubano sandwich and ropa vieja. At La Rosa Restaurant on NW 7th Street, elegance meets nostalgia with crystal chandeliers and vintage decor. Savor empanadas and lamb shank in a sophisticated setting. Sergio’s on Bird Road offers a cultural kaleidoscope with vibrant decor and diverse patrons. Each restaurant offers a unique slice of Cuban culinary heritage.

You should check out our guide to the Best Cuban restaurants in Miami. Many of them accept Apogee Indigo wallet payments.

Before we tell you which other restaurants to visit, check out this cool Apogee Indigo Savings Calculator to estimate how much you can save on dining and attraction bills in Miami when you make Apogee Indigo your travel buddy.

Savings Calculator

* Based on average estimated load discount and rebates

Where to Eat in Miami? The Best Restaurants

Explore iconic spots like Carpaccio, known for its authentic Italian cuisine in a luxurious setting, or Primo’s Italian Kitchen & Bar for a cozy yet high-quality Italian meal. For a unique dining experience, visit the 94th Aero Squadron with its aviation-themed decor, or Ariete for New American cuisine with Cuban influences. The Surf Club Restaurant offers refined Continental dishes, while Emilio’s Trattoria provides a cozy Italian dining experience. The list is ever-growing. From Michelin-starred establishments to beloved local spots, Apogee Indigo’s guide to top Miami restaurants features the finest the city has to offer. Whether you're looking for an opulent dining experience or a casual meal, the guide to the best restaurants in Miami has you covered. But we have many more.

Here is a list of the top Miami downtown restaurants. Your hunger pangs may strike while you are at the Miami International Airport, entering or exiting. You have a list of the top Miami airport restaurants. And, of course, here are the top Miami South Beach restaurants. Just so you don’t forget, many of these restaurants accept Apogee Indigo wallet payments.

The Best of Miami Nightlife

Miami’s nightlife is legendary, and our guide provides a first-hand account of the city's hottest spots, perfect for anyone looking to experience the best of Miami after dark. Begin your evening at The Magnum Lounge, a retro bar with live music and crafted cocktails. The Anderson, as it's also known, exudes old-world charm and is a hub for socializing and making new connections. Next, head to The Taurus in Coconut Grove for a blend of rustic charm and modern elegance. Here, whiskey cocktails and a welcoming atmosphere make it a local favorite.

But before you embark on pub hopping, read about some of the best pubs, lounges, and clubs in Miami here.

The Best Miami Food Trucks

Food trucks in Miami are known for their innovation, blending traditional Latin American flavors with modern culinary techniques. Examples include Twice Butter Taqueria’s Mexican-fusion menu and Ms. Cheezious’ gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. These mobile eateries offer accessible and affordable dining options, showcasing the talents of chefs from diverse backgrounds. Should you give them a miss? No way. There are regular food truck events as well, such as Food Trucks Tuesdays at Haulover Park and Food Trucks Fridays Fiesta at Tropical Park, that you can visit.

Here’s our guide to Miami’s top food trucks and where to find them. We also have a blog on Miami’s food truck events.

Miami Spice Restaurant Months

If you travel to Miami during the off-peak season, don’t forget to visit restaurants participating in Miami Spice Restaurant Months for great discounted rates. During this event, fine-dining restaurants in Greater Miami and Miami Beach offer affordable prix-fixe menus for both lunch/brunch and dinner. Miami Spice runs from August 1st through September 30th. If you are in Miami then, you can enjoy top-notch three-course meals at a fraction of the regular price. We published a blog in 2023 covering all the details of Miami Spice Month.

And finally, here is how Apogee Indigo can help you make great savings during your trip to Miami.

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