Places to Visit in Miami

Miami goes well beyond the beach. Within an hour you can walk an Art Deco district from the 1930s, stand in a Cuban café on Calle Ocho, tour an Italian-style villa on Biscayne Bay and watch alligators in the Everglades. The trick is planning by area, because Miami is spread across the mainland, the barrier islands and the edge of a national park.

You will find the bigger picture in our guide to the most famous landmarks in the USA.

This guide covers 12 places with costs, best times and how to get there, checked in October 2026. For hotels and wider planning, start with our Miami city page and our United States travel guide.

How we chose these places: We picked places that show different sides of Miami, from beaches and history to art, Cuban culture and wild nature, all reachable from Miami Beach or downtown in under an hour. Prices and rules were checked against official and Greater Miami tourism sources in October 2026. Some changed in 2026, such as the new $100 Everglades fee for non-US visitors.

Places to visit in Miami compared

Several of the best places to visit in Miami are free, including South Beach with its Art Deco district and Little Havana on Calle Ocho. Vizcaya in Coconut Grove costs about $25, Wynwood Walls $12 to 15, and the Everglades west of the city $35 plus $100 for non-US visitors. Use the table to group places by area and budget.

12 best places to visit in Miami: full guide

South Beach and the Art Deco Historic District

South Beach is the image most people have of Miami: pastel hotels, palm-lined Ocean Drive and a wide, pale beach with lifeguard towers painted in bright colours. Behind it, the Art Deco Historic District holds hundreds of 1920s to 1940s buildings and was listed on the US National Register of Historic Places in 1979, one of the first 20th-century districts to be protected.

The best way to see it is on foot. Walk Ocean Drive early in the morning before the cafés set out tables, then cut inland to Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue, where the details are easier to study: porthole windows, "eyebrow" ledges over windows, terrazzo floors and neon signs. The Miami Design Preservation League runs walking tours from its welcome centre on Ocean Drive.

Lummus Park beach is free. Ocean Drive restaurants are known for overpriced drinks, so check the menu price before you sit down.

• Area: Ocean Drive, Collins and Washington avenues, Miami Beach
• Cost: Free to walk; guided tours paid
• Best time: Early morning; neon at night
• Getting there: Bus from downtown Miami, or taxi across the causeways

On a first visit, walk Ocean Drive at 8:00 for empty pavements and soft light on the façades.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Built between 1914 and 1922 as the winter home of industrialist James Deering, this paid Coconut Grove estate copies an Italian Renaissance villa facing Biscayne Bay. The house has about 34 decorated rooms filled with European furniture and art, and around ten acres of formal gardens with fountains, grottoes and a stone barge in the bay.

The gardens are the real highlight, and the morning light from the bay terrace is the best of the day. Allow at least two hours. As of October 2026, adult admission is about 25 US dollars, and the estate is closed on Tuesdays.

Vizcaya is a popular spot for wedding and quinceañera photo shoots, so the gardens can feel busy at weekends.

• Area: 3251 S Miami Ave, Coconut Grove
• Cost: About $25 adult (October 2026); closed Tuesdays
• Best time: Weekday mornings
• Getting there: Metrorail to Vizcaya station, then a short walk

History and garden fans visiting at the weekend should buy a timed ticket online.

Wynwood Walls and the Wynwood Arts District

Wynwood was a warehouse district until the Wynwood Walls opened in 2009, an open-air gallery of large murals by artists from around the world. The murals inside the Walls are refreshed regularly, and entry is ticketed, at about 12 to 15 US dollars as of October 2026, with children under 12 free but still needing a reserved ticket.

You do not need a ticket to enjoy the area. Dozens of free murals cover the warehouses on the surrounding streets, especially along NW 2nd Avenue, and the neighbourhood is full of galleries, coffee roasters, breweries and restaurants, with a busy nightlife.

Wynwood gets very hot in the middle of the day, with little shade. Go in the morning for photos or in the evening when the bars open.

• Area: NW 2nd Ave and NW 25th St, Wynwood
• Cost: Walls about $12–15; streets free
• Best time: Morning or evening
• Getting there: Taxi or rideshare from downtown or Miami Beach

Photographers should note the second Saturday of each month, when the Art Walk opens the galleries.

Little Havana and Calle Ocho

Centred on SW 8th Street (Calle Ocho), Little Havana is the heart of Cuban Miami. In Máximo Gómez Park, known as Domino Park, older men play dominoes under the trees as they have for decades.

Walk the stretch between about SW 12th and 17th avenues: cigar shops roll by hand in the window, ventanitas (walk-up coffee windows) sell cafecito and cortadito, and the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame honours Latin stars. Live Cuban music spills out from bars on weekend evenings.

Eat a Cuban sandwich or a plate of ropa vieja, and finish with a pastelito (guava pastry). The Calle Ocho festival takes over the street each March.

• Area: SW 8th Street, west of downtown
• Cost: Free to walk
• Best time: Late afternoon into evening; Viernes Culturales on the last Friday of the month
• Getting there: Bus along SW 8th St, or a short taxi from Brickell

Food is the reason to come. Order a cortadito from a ventanita and stand at the counter like the locals.

Everglades National Park

About an hour west of Miami, the Everglades is a vast slow-moving river of sawgrass and the obvious day trip for alligators. The two easiest entry points are Shark Valley, on the Tamiami Trail, with a 15-mile loop road (by tram or bicycle) to an observation tower, and the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center near Homestead, which leads to the Anhinga Trail boardwalk, the best short walk in the park for alligators and wading birds.

From January 2026, international visitors aged 16 and over pay a 100 US dollar per-person nonresident fee at Everglades on top of the standard entrance fee, which is 35 US dollars per private vehicle for seven days. US residents pay only the standard fee. Fee-free days apply to US residents only.

Airboat rides run by private operators outside the park boundary are popular, but they are not allowed in most of the national park itself. The dry season, December to April, is the best time; the wet summer brings mosquitoes and storms.

• Area: Shark Valley or Homestead entrances
• Cost: $35 per vehicle + $100 per non-US visitor aged 16+ (October 2026)
• Best time: December to April
• Getting there: Car required; about 1 hour from Miami

Hire bikes at Shark Valley early in the morning, before the heat.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne

At the southern tip of Key Biscayne, this state park has a long, quiet beach and the Cape Florida Lighthouse, first built in 1825 and the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. Guided climbs to the top run on set days, with views across the bay to the Miami skyline.

The beach is calmer and more natural than South Beach, with sea grape and dune vegetation behind the sand. You can also see Stiltsville, a cluster of houses on stilts in the bay.

Entry is charged per vehicle. Parking fills on weekends, so arrive early or come on a weekday.

• Area: Southern tip of Key Biscayne
• Cost: State park fee per vehicle
• Best time: Weekday mornings
• Getting there: Car or taxi across the Rickenbacker Causeway

It suits a calmer beach day. Check lighthouse climb days before you go.

Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)

Since 2013 PAMM has occupied a Herzog and de Meuron building in Museum Park, with hanging gardens draped from a wide canopy over a bayfront terrace. The collection focuses on international modern and contemporary art, with a strong Latin American and Caribbean emphasis.

Even if you spend only an hour inside, the terrace is one of the best places in downtown Miami to sit with a view of Biscayne Bay and the port.

As of October 2026, adult admission is listed at about 18 US dollars, and the museum offers free entry on the second Saturday of each month.

• Area: 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Museum Park
• Cost: About $18 adult (October 2026)
• Best time: Late afternoon for bay light
• Getting there: Metromover to Museum Park station

Art lovers can pair it with Frost Science next door.

Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

Next to PAMM in Museum Park, the Frost Museum of Science combines a science museum, a three-level aquarium and a planetarium. The aquarium's 500,000-gallon Gulf Stream tank, viewed from an oculus at the bottom, is the highlight, with sharks and rays swimming above you.

Ticket prices vary by day of the week, and holidays cost more. Buy online for the best price, and check the planetarium schedule when you book.

It is a strong rainy-day choice with children.

• Area: 1101 Biscayne Blvd, Museum Park
• Cost: Variable dynamic pricing
• Best time: Weekday mornings
• Getting there: Metromover to Museum Park station

With a family, start at the aquarium oculus before school groups arrive.

Venetian Pool, Coral Gables

A swim here is a swim in 1924 Coral Gables: the Venetian Pool opened that year in a former coral rock quarry, with Venetian-style towers, a stone bridge, caves and waterfalls. It is fed by spring water and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

It is a public pool run by the City of Coral Gables, so it has seasonal hours, capacity limits and reservations. Children must meet a minimum age to enter.

Combine it with a walk around Coral Gables, the Biltmore Hotel and Miracle Mile.

• Area: 2701 De Soto Blvd, Coral Gables
• Cost: Paid; reservations required
• Best time: Weekday mornings in summer
• Getting there: Car, taxi or the Coral Gables trolley

For an unusual swim, book online and check that it is open; it closes for cleaning and in winter weeks.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Founded in 1936 in Coral Gables and named after plant explorer David Fairchild, this garden covers about 83 acres with one of the largest collections of tropical plants in the United States, including palms, cycads and flowering trees.

The Wings of the Tropics butterfly conservatory and the rainforest section are the most popular parts. A tram tour gives an overview if it is too hot to walk.

It is a calm half day away from the beaches, and a good stop on the way to Key Biscayne or the Everglades.

• Area: 10901 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables
• Cost: Paid
• Best time: Winter and spring mornings
• Getting there: Car or taxi

Come early on a quiet morning, when the butterflies are at their most active.

Zoo Miami

Down in South Dade, Zoo Miami is the largest zoological garden in Florida and the only subtropical zoo in the continental United States. Animals live in open, cage-free habitats separated by moats, grouped by region: Asia, Africa, Australia, the Amazon and Florida.

It is very spread out, so rent a bike or a safari cycle, or use the tram. The Florida: Mission Everglades section introduces local wildlife if you are not visiting the park itself.

Shade is limited. Arrive at opening time and leave by early afternoon in summer.

• Area: 12400 SW 152nd St, South Miami-Dade
• Cost: Paid
• Best time: Opening time, cooler months
• Getting there: Car; about 40 minutes from downtown

Families see more of the park by renting a bike at the entrance.

Miami Design District

North of Wynwood in Midtown, the Miami Design District mixes luxury boutiques with architecture and public art: the Fly's Eye Dome by Buckminster Fuller, the Institute of Contemporary Art (with free admission), and façades designed by well-known architects.

Even without shopping, it is pleasant to walk the shaded paseos and look at the installations. Restaurants range from casual to chef-driven.

Combine it with Wynwood on the same afternoon; the two neighbourhoods are next to each other.

• Area: NE 39th to 41st streets, Design District
• Cost: Free to walk; ICA free
• Best time: Afternoon
• Getting there: Taxi, or free trolley routes

Design fans should reserve ICA Miami timed entry online; it is free.

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Getting around Miami and where to stay by area

Miami is two cities joined by causeways: the mainland (Downtown, Brickell, Wynwood, Little Havana, Coral Gables) and Miami Beach across Biscayne Bay. Public transport works well within each side and poorly between them, so where you sleep shapes how you move.

Metrorail runs from Miami International Airport (Orange Line) through Downtown and Brickell to the southern suburbs; the standard fare is $2.25 as of October 2026, paid with a contactless bank card or the GO Miami-Dade Transit app. Metromover, the elevated loop through Downtown and Brickell, is still free, although the county has discussed adding a fare. Miami Beach has its own local trolley and bus routes, and ride-hailing is the practical choice for Beach to Wynwood or Coral Gables trips. For the Everglades, Zoo Miami and Fairchild you will want a car; hotel parking on Miami Beach and in Brickell is costly, so rent one only for the days you leave the core.

For a first three-day trip, a split works well: two nights on South Beach, then one in Brickell close to the airport train. Browse Miami hotels by neighbourhood.

Best time to visit Miami and hurricane season

Miami really has two seasons. The dry season, roughly November to April, brings lower humidity, warm days and the highest hotel prices, peaking over Christmas, New Year and Miami Art Week in early December. The wet season, roughly May to October, is hot and humid, with short, heavy afternoon thunderstorms most days; mornings are usually clear, so plan outdoor sights early.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from 1 June to 30 November, with the greatest activity from mid-August to mid-October. A direct hit on Miami in any given year is unlikely, but storms can still cancel flights, close beaches and trigger evacuation orders for Miami Beach, which is a barrier island. If you travel in this window, book refundable rates, take out travel insurance that covers named storms, and follow the National Hurricane Center forecasts in the days before you fly.

March, April and early May are the sweet spot for most visitors: dry weather, a warm sea and lower rates once spring break ends. November is a good-value shoulder month as the rains ease.

How to plan three days in Miami

Day one: walk South Beach and the Art Deco district in the morning, swim in the afternoon and return to Ocean Drive for the neon after dark. Day two: Vizcaya in the morning, lunch in Little Havana, then Wynwood and the Design District from late afternoon into the evening. Day three: drive to the Everglades early, and stop at Fairchild Garden or Zoo Miami on the way back; or choose Key Biscayne for a slower beach day. Downtown, the free Metromover links Brickell, Bayside Marketplace and Museum Park station for PAMM and Frost Science.

Miami International Airport has nonstop flights from Europe and Latin America, and one-stop connections from Asia and the Middle East. Compare fares on our flight search, find a stay on our hotel page, and check US entry rules on our visa page; requirements depend on your passport, and Visa Waiver travellers apply for ESTA on the official US government site.

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Tips for visiting Miami

• Pick the season. December to April is dry and pleasant but busy. June to November is hot, humid and hurricane season; follow forecasts.
• Car or not. South Beach, downtown and Brickell work without a car. Everglades, Zoo Miami and Fairchild need one.
• Sun and heat. Midday sun is strong all year. Carry water, wear sunscreen and plan outdoor sights for mornings.
• Check menu prices. Ocean Drive cafés can charge very high drink prices and add service charges. Read the menu first.
• Book timed tickets. Vizcaya, Wynwood Walls, ICA and Venetian Pool use timed or reserved entry. Book a day or more ahead.
• National park fees. Non-US visitors aged 16 and over pay a $100 surcharge at Everglades from 2026, on top of the standard fee.
• Use the free trolleys. Miami Beach runs a free trolley network with several routes across the island, and the Metromover downtown is free too. Together they cover South Beach and Downtown without taxis; check current route maps before relying on late-night service.

Planning a trip to Miami? Read our Miami travel guide, compare hotels in Miami or search flights.