Miami offers many fantastic experiences and attractions to everyone who visits. However, for locals who live in the Magic City, living in one of the world’s most visited destinations can be challenging when enjoying what the city has to offer. But regardless of the number of people who come to Miami, the city’s attractions should also be enjoyed by locals who keep the city beautiful and energetic. Below, you will find 12 of Miami’s best attractions to enjoy the city from a local perspective.
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1001 Ocean Drive / Website
Miami has the largest collection of Art Deco Buildings in the world, and if you are bored of the beach and the energetic nightlife, visiting the Art Deco Historic District is the perfect activity. Following a disastrous hurricane in 1926, these one-of-a-kind structures were constructed in a variety of pastel colors and with enormous neon signage. The majority have been nicely restored as hotels and eateries. The lower level awnings of these buildings provide shade for outdoor dining spaces along several of the main roadways. The two main thoroughfares in the neighborhood are Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue. Undoubtedly a must-see attraction in the Magic City.
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140 NE 39th St. / Website
The Miami Design District is a one-of-a-kind district that blends high-end shopping, galleries, museums, design boutiques, restaurants, and major art and design exhibitions in a historically significant setting. Miami Design District Associates, a partnership between Dacra, founded and owned by visionary entrepreneur Craig Robins, and L Catterton Real Estate, a global real estate development and investment fund specializing in creating luxury shopping destinations, owns and operates the Miami Design District. The expansion of the Miami Design District illustrates how Miami is deserving of its place on the global stage as it becomes increasingly acknowledged for its own rich culture.
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1101 NW 23rd St. / Website
Superblue is the premier experiential art facility in the Allapattah neighborhood of Miami, featuring the works of James Turrell, Yinka Ilori, Es Devlin, teamLab, and more. Superblue strives on its unique immersion art experiences and wall-to-wall landscapes, capturing the attention of those who visit the South Florida arts & cultural landscape.
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2701 De Soto Blvd / Website
Miami is known for its beautiful clearwater beaches, but if you get tired of the waves and salt water, head to the Venetian Pool tucked away in the lovely city of Coral Gables. The pool was built in the early 1920s, and its water is as pure as it gets because it comes from an underground spring. The spring drains and refills the 820,000-gallon pool every day making the pool so refreshing for the heat of Miami. The landscape around the pool seems like it belongs in Venice, Italy because it is surrounded by bridges, towers, and little plazas, giving it a distinctly European atmosphere, while caverns, grottoes, and two waterfalls provide hours of entertainment for both children and adults. Each year, the pool is open from the beginning of February to the end of November. The public lot across the street has plenty of free parking.
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1101 Biscayne Blvd / Website
The Frost Museum of Science is a cutting-edge science museum dedicated to conveying science's power, inspiring wonder and inquiry, and fostering future innovation. The Frost Planetarium, Aquarium, and North and West Wings are the four separate structures that make up the museum. Visitors can learn about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through interactive exhibitions and one-of-a-kind shows at Frost Science. The American Alliance of Museums has accredited the museum, and it is a Smithsonian Institution affiliate and member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers.
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3251 S Miami Ave / Website
One of Miami’s top destinations, is a National Historic Landmark. Built in 1916 as the winter home of 20th-century industrialist James Deering, Vizcaya sits on 28 acres, and has 34 rooms organized around a central courtyard. Around a thousand workers were required to build the mansion, many of whom were recruited from Europe to assure design accuracy. The mansion features a beautiful collection of European furniture and ornamental arts from the 15th to 19th centuries and its designed in an Italian Renaissance-style. Magnificent Italian and French fountains, pools, and statues may be found throughout the grounds and gardens. An ornately carved barge with female figures serves as a barrier at the base of the steps going into Biscayne Bay.
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2520 NW Second Ave between 25th and 26th St. / Website
A fantastic outdoor museum of worldwide street art, Wynwood Walls has become a sensation, driving the installation of murals around the Wynwood district, thanks to the first year's program, which featured Kenny Scharf, Futura, Os Gemeos, Swoon, Shepard Fairey, and other prominent innovators in street art. It is now one of the best places in the world to witness prominent street artists' work. The Wynwood Walls draw hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world with more than 50 colorful, cutting-edge murals made by respected street artists from Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.
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12400 SW 152nd St. / Website
More than 3,000 wild animals, including 40 endangered species, are housed at Zoo Miami. Unlike many traditional zoos, animals here are maintained in environments that are close to their natural habitats and are grouped with other species with which they would typically coexist peacefully in the wild. Feeding the giraffes is one of the most pleasurable zoo activities. These gentle giants will astound children as they reach down with their lengthy necks to pick a goodie from their hands. In the continental United States, this is the only zoo with a subtropical climate. On the grounds, there are over 1,000 different tree and plant species, including a big collection of orchids.
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4400 Rickenbacker Causeway / Website
The Miami Seaquarium is one of the city’s most popular attractions. Famed among locals and tourists, the seaquarium is located on the Rickenbacker Causeway on the way to Key Biscayne. This is a great spot to take the family for an afternoon of entertainment and education. Killer whales, dolphins, stingrays, seals, and penguins, among many other sea species, call this aquatic complex home. The Seaquarium also hosts a variety of animal exhibitions. Animal interactions are offered for an extra cost if you want to get close and personal with the animals. Three opportunities for interacting with dolphins, one with penguins, and a chance to swim with seals are available. There is also an area dedicated to marine conservation.
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Slips 6 & 12, Miamarina at Bayside, 401 Biscayne Blvd / Website
Miami is famed for its gorgeous white sand beaches, turquoise waters, exciting nightlife, and many cultural influences. It can be tough to decide what to do and see here because there is so much to see and do, but getting out on the water is a must. With Fiesta Cruises you can tour Miami Celebrity Mansions both past and present, such as Shaquille O'Neil, Gloria Estefan, and Al Capone, and where many movies have been made, including Bad Boys, Scarface, and Miami Vice, to mention a few. This famous sightseeing tour takes you around the Palm, Star, and Hibiscus Islands, past the end of South Beach and Fisher Island, and down around the Port of Miami and along Miami's lovely waterfront. Snacks and a variety of cold and frozen drinks are available for purchase. For your comfort, both boats include open or covered seating as well as two bathrooms. The Fiesta Cruises Miami Celebrity Homes tour lasts around 1 and a half hours and is conducted in both English and Spanish.
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401 Biscayne Blvd / Website
Bayside Marketplace is a big outdoor-style mall with over 120 specialized and tourist shops, as well as a variety of cafes and restaurants and daily live entertainment. There are several well-known chain stores and numerous unique, one-of-a-kind establishments for visitors to enjoy. The market attracts both locals and tourists. The mall is located along Miami's waterfront, with views of docks and boats, as the name suggests. Many individuals simply come to take in the atmosphere and the vibes. From here, tour boats depart for destinations throughout Biscayne Bay. A water taxi service is also available to Miami Beach and downtown hotels nearby. You can also visit The Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel, a massive Ferris wheel, which stands 200 feet in the air, features 42 climate-controlled passenger gondolas and one glass-floored VIP version. During your 15-minute journey, you'll get beautiful views of Biscayne Bay and Miami.
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40001 State Road 9336 / Website
Just a short drive from Miami, Everglades National Park protects one of Florida's most unique natural beauties. Alligators, crocodiles, snakes, and birds live in these swamplands, expanding 1.5 million acres. The entire area is essentially a shallow river that flows out to sea. The park has a Visitors Center, and walking routes and boardwalks for wildlife watching. The Anhinga Trail, which begins at the Royal Palm Visitor Center, is one of the park's most popular walking pathways. This track is less than a mile long, but it passes through areas where alligators and other wildlife are common. This trail is non-strengthening and wheelchair accessible. An airboat tour is one of the most enjoyable ways to see the Everglades. Visitors can observe alligators and other wildlife on these high-speed boat tours through the marshes and streams. The half-day Miami Everglades Airboat Adventure with Transport includes transportation from your hotel to the park, a 30-minute airboat ride, a live alligator display at the Everglades Alligator Farm, and return transportation to your hotel.
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SW 8th St. / Website
Little Havana, Miami's Cuban district, is noted for its distinct cultural environment more than its abundance of tourist attractions. The streets are lined with restaurants and specialty food stores, where Latin music fills the air. Locals like to congregate in public areas here to socialize. Murals depicting famous Cuban people and situations from daily life adorn the walls of structures. The district's main artery, Calle Ocho, is the center of all the fun, although Little Havana extends far beyond it, into the surrounding streets and avenues. The neighborhood provides plenty of opportunities for people-watching. Of course, this is the place to go for Cuban cuisine or, as most visitors are surprised to learn, a nice haircut at one of the many barbershops.The Calle Ocho Festival, which takes place in March, is the world's greatest celebration of Cuban culture. This street festival has grown to include more Latin American cultures over the years, and it is now a fantastic way to sample Latin American music and Caribbean cuisine.
Photography by: Courtesy Antonio Cuellar/Unsplash, Denys Kostyuchenko/Unsplash
