Miami is a tourist destination par excellence. It possesses qualities that captivate the most demanding visitors: bright blue sky, white sand beaches and warm weather. It also has a vibrant and cosmopolitan nightlife and a multiculturalism that is expressed in the most varied gastronomy. Therefore, sightseeing in Miami is ideal for those who enjoy the experience of traveling.
According to data from the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (2022), the flow of national and international visitors has recovered after the emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The entity reports a positive change of 109% in the number of arrivals at Miami International Airport between January 2022 and 2021.
Hotel occupancy has also increased throughout the Miami-Dade area between January of this year and the previous one (Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2022).
However, choosing what to do can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re introducing this guide for you to enjoy Miami, whether it’s for a couple of days or for longer stays.
Tourism in Miami: essential tips
For sightseeing in Miami any time of the year is propitious. However, keep in mind that in the seasons of greater tourist influx, such as Christmas or spring break, it is advisable to plan ahead.
To get around during your stay, renting a car can be useful. In the same way, you can make use of the taxi services available.
In addition, there are other ways to move for tourism in Miami. These include the metrobus, metrorail and brightline. The latter provides the possibility to enjoy a drink while moving from one place to another.
Tour guide in Miami for a weekend
If you only have a couple of days to do sightseeing in Miami, you can not miss the most emblematic places of the city.
Art Deco District
A visit to Miami is not complete without knowing its architectural heritage in which Art Deco constructions stand out. To get to know them, a walk through South Beach is perfect: there are more than 800 buildings of this style, many on the iconic Ocean Drive. The most emblematic are:
- The Webster.
- The Carlyle.
- Colony Theatre.
- Miami Beach Main Post Office.
- Bass Museum.
- The BreakWater.
- Cavalier Hotel.
- Mr. Frog’s.
- The Essex House.
- The Plymouth.
The beaches of Miami
You can’t go sightseeing in Miami without visiting its beaches. There are relatives, to go to celebrate with a group of friends and to visit with pets. Even in some it is not necessary to use the bathing suit. Among the best are:
- Crandon Park Beach: three kilometers of sand and sea make up this beach considered one of the best in the United States.
- Sunny Isles Beach: This clear-water beach has restaurants, public restrooms, and parking.
- South Pointe Park: it is suitable to share with children and as a couple. At night, its spaces are illuminated for the enjoyment of its visitors.
- Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Beach: This beautiful beach stretches for nearly two miles and is home to a lighthouse that is the oldest structure in Miami County.
- Haulover Beach Park: is known for its surf. It has services such as tennis courts and areas to fly kites and play golf.
Boardwalks
An activity that perfectly complements the beaches of Miami is sailing. Sightseeing boat tours not only allow you to enjoy the landscape and climate, but also to get to know the city better.
There are different types of boats: from sailing and motor catamarans, to very fast or high octane boats. All tours can be customized. For example, you could see the luxurious mansions located on Star Island and Fisher Island. It could also reach open waters in the Atlantic Ocean.
Little Havana
Known as Little Havana , this is one of Miami’s most popular and unique neighborhoods. At its focal point, Calle 8, restaurants converge where typical dishes of Cuban cuisine are served. The area also brings together artisans who make cigars.
Part of sightseeing in Miami is observing the daily life of picturesque Little Havana. To do so, visit Maximo Gomez Park. There you will see the residents of the area playing dominoes and chess accompanied by a traditional Cuban coffee.
Wynwood and the Miami Design District
These two areas privilege culture, fashion and gastronomy. If street art is your thing, Wynwood is for you. This neighborhood is famous for its walls full of street art and its multiple galleries, which makes it perfect for taking photos. It is also a leading destination to enjoy restaurants and bars.
Nearby, the Miami Design District is full of design and art exhibits. It is also home to high-end fashion stores and sophisticated restaurants (Moktadier, 2017).
Miami tour guide for several days
If your stay is longer, you can complement these destinations with other places to experience tourism in Miami to the fullest.
Coral castle
Miami has its own monument dedicated to love: the Coral Castle. Edward Leedskalnin built it with his own hands over the course of 20 years. It is said that his motivation was the love disappointment he suffered after his girlfriend Agnes Scuffs left him. There you can also see a Polaris telescope that still works and a nine-ton door that moves only with the touch of a finger.
Fairchild Tropic Botanical Garden
This eight-hectare garden is one of the most interesting places in Coral Gables. Have several hours to contemplate its flowers, fruits, lagoons and butterflies: there are more than 3,400 species on display. All have been carefully catalogued and arranged by ecosystems, which produces a beautiful landscape aesthetic. You can discover this paradise on your own, with a guided tour or a free excursion.
This garden is also the scene of concerts, educational activities and festivals.
Everglades National Park
Visiting this national park south of Miami of more than six kilometers is an adventure. Imagine traveling at full speed aboard a hovercraft in search of alligators and crocodiles, navigating swampy terrain. This is a unique experience offered by tourism in Miami.
But that’s not all. In this park, which has been declared a World Heritage Site, it is possible to camp, photograph the flora and fauna, and go hiking.
Downtown Miami and Brickell
Downtown Miami is characterized by its historic buildings and urban atmosphere. It is best traveled walking. It is also very close to major cultural centers such as the Perez Art Museum and the Frost Museum of Science.
Right next to downtown, the Brickell area is a business district above scenic Biscayne Bay. There are plenty of restaurants with sea views (Castrillo, 2018).
Villa Vizcaya
One of the most recognizable and unique places in the city is Vizcaya. This villa built and decorated as an Italian villa exhibits more than 2,500 antiques. It has rooms set in the image of cities such as Milan, Palermo and Venice. It is also surrounded by ten acres of beautiful gardens and views of Biscayne Bay (Wood, 2019). Sightseeing in Miami is exciting. We hope our recommendations will guide your next stay in this vibrant city. Which attraction will you visit first?
References
Castrillo, K. (2018). How to Spend Two Weeks in Miami, FL. The Culture Trip.
GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU. (2022). Greater Miami Occupancy and ADR.
GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU. (2022). PASSENGER ARRIVALS. MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. 2022 – 2014.
Moktadier, A. (2017). The 10 Coolest Neighborhoods in Miami. The Culture Trip.
Wood, J. M. (2019). 11 Best Museums in Miami. Condé Nast Traveler.