21 Fun Things to Do in Miami Beach

Miami has got to be one of my favourite US cities – it’s fun, colourful, and packed with distinctive neighbourhoods that all have their own individual charm. 

From Cuban sandwiches in Little Havana to the murals of Wynwood, you could easily spend a week here and never get bored. 

But Miami is a massive city, and it’s really spread out too. Most people choose to stay in Miami Beach for their first time, which is on a barrier island a short drive from the main city. 

So you may be wondering about the best things to do in Miami Beach itself.

In fact, most of my favourite spots in Miami are located in Miami Beach, like the aesthetic Art Deco hotels, colourful lifeguard towers, and lively bars on Ocean Drive. 

So you never really have to venture far to experience this vibrant city in all its glory. 

This blog covers 21 of the best things to do in Miami Beach, plus some FAQs about visiting, but if there’s anything else you need to know, feel free to leave a comment at the bottom. 

21 of the Best Things to Do in Miami Beach

1. Rollerblade Along Ocean Drive

One of the most iconic things to do in Miami Beach? Probably this. 

Rollerblading along the promenade honestly feels like something out of a movie, and it’s the funniest activity to do with a group of friends, too. 

Kids will love it, and it’s a silly, speedy way to glide past the highlights of South Beach. 

You can rent your skates for a few hours or even a whole day, and the rental shop is located right in the heart of Miami Beach.

Rent your skates here. 

2. See the Sunrise on South Beach 

One for the early risers (or just those with jet lag if you’re travelling from Europe!), South Beach faces east, so sunrise is a gorgeous, glowy time to visit. 

Sunrise is usually between 6.30am – 7.30am, so you hardly even need to get up super early to catch it. Just roll out of bed, throw on some clothes, and wander down to the beach to soak it up from the sand. 

We found this was really easy on the first couple of days while we were still adjusting to the time zone. And this time of day was also perfect for photography, with golden hour lighting and hardly any other people around. 

3. Visit the Spot That Starred in Scarface 

Honestly, the whole of Miami Beach feels like a movie set to me, but there’s one spot that starred in the iconic crime epic Scarface.

The staircase from the famous chainsaw scene is located right on Ocean Drive, where the original hotel from the movie still stands. 

There’s a small plaque next to the CVS pharmacy to mark its location, but here’s the Google Maps spot in case you want to wander over there and snap a photo. 

4. Take a South Beach Food Tour 

I can honestly say I had some of the best meals of my life on my last visit to Miami. I feel like the diverse influences from Cuban to Colombian and Italian really inject some incredible flavour into the city’s food scene. 

The best part is that you can get a full taste of all of it on a whistlestop food tour on South Beach. 

This is especially good if you’re short on time in Miami or you like to try a little bit of everything. My favourite South Beach food tour includes photo stops at some of the most famous Art Deco buildings, so you can fill up your camera roll too.

You’ll sample everything from tasty tacos to latin comfort foods and a sweet treat at the end, meaning you can book it in place of a meal at a restaurant (and usually spend less).

Find out more here. 

5. Photograph the iconic lifeguard huts

I’m a sucker for a pretty picture, and the playful lifeguard huts that dot the beach are just begging to be photographed. 

Ideally, I recommend going early in the morning to snap your photos while thre’s less people around, and the lifeguards aren’t actually on duty. I’m sure they get tired of being in the background of people’s photos all day! 

You also get the best glowy light for photos in the morning because the sun rises over the ocean. Lifeguards typically come on duty about 10am on South Beach, so you should have plenty of time to get your photos and head for a coffee afterwards.

My favourite huts to photograph are the red and orange spiky one on 8th street and the wavy neon green one on 4th street. 

6. Go to a drag show at the famous Palace Bar 

If you happen to be walking along Ocean Drive at any point, Palace Bar is hard to miss. 

It’s the most famous drag bar in Miami, and they host events nearly every day, from raucous bottomless brunches to late-night drag shows with music thumping until the early hours. 

There’s also a pool on the rooftop where special events and DJs are occasionally hosted. 

If you like to party, Palace Bar certainly throws a fun one. Last time I went to Miami, I went with some friends and our accommodation was located nearby, so we often found ourselves stopping here for a drink or to watch the drag acts in action. 

Sit near the centre if you’re not afraid of a little audience participation! 

This is definitely one of the best things to do in Miami if you’re travelling with friends or as part of a Miami bachelorette trip. 

7. Attend a pool party or beach club event 

Continuting the party theme, pool parties in Miami are legendary. 

There are beach clubs dotted all along the beach, from world-famous brands like Nikki Beach, to Miami institutions like Hyde Beach SLS at the Goodtime Hotel. 

Some of my favourites are: 

• Hyde Beach SLS at Strawberry Moon (The Goodtime Hotel)
• Arkadia Day Club at the Fontainebleau 
• The Cleavelander 
• Nikki Beach 
• Baia Beach Club 
• Joia Beach 

Some beach clubs are all about champagne-shower parties, while others are more chilled, so check the latest Instagram posts before you book for an up-to-date vibe check!

You can get entry tickets to some parties for as little as $50pp, while some VIP beds and cabanas will set you back hundreds of dollars in minimum spend, so there’s something for every budget too. 

8. Play beach volleyball

Feeling sporty? Miami Beach has a real work hard, play hard vibe, with Ocean Drive and its famous bars and parties edged by outdoor gyms, beach volleyball courts, and a long promenade that’s popular with early morning runners. 

If a hardcore workout isn’t your thing, beach volleyball can be a fun way to get into the outdoor lifestyle. 

The courts at Lummus Park between 5th and 14th Street are free to play on, with the more compeititie matches taking place on the courts between 7th and 8th Street. 

Organsied games and tournaments tend to take place after about 3pm most days, so if you just want to play with friends, head there in the morning with a ball and plenty of water. 

You can even take some lessons if you’re keen to improve your skill level, drop-in classes cost from about $40 plus tax with the Volleyball Acadamy South Beach. 

9. See the sunset at South Pointe 

If you’re more of a sunset-lover than a sunrise-lover, then you don’t have to be disappointed in Miami Beach. 

While the sun typically rises above the ocean and sets behind the city, there’s one spot in South Beach where you can catch the sun dipping below the horizon. 

Head to South Pointe park at the very top end of SoBe at golden hour to see the show. There are benches dotted all along the pier and promenade that runs adjacent to the PortMiami Cruise ship channel. 

This means you can usually watch the giant megaships make their way out onto open water while the sky is painted pink. There’s also a splash zone and kids’ playground here, plus a cafe and a steakhouse called Smith & Wollensky. 

10. Go shopping on Lincoln Road 

If a little bit of retail therapy is a part of your Miami Beach itinerary, then the best spot for shopping is definitely Lincoln Road. 

It between 16th and 17th Street, this area has all the major chains, plus leafy avenues crammed with cute boutiques. 

I’m not usually much of a shopper on holiday, but even I couldn’t resist popping into Ross Dress for Less, which is like a designer outlet store with all sorts of fun, bargain finds. 

11. Have brunch at Pura Vida 

If you’ve ever searched for Miami recommendations on Instagram, chances are, you’ll have come across Pura Vida. 

This is THE go-to brunch spot in Miami, and it’s become so popular, they’ve opened multiple spots across the city, including about four in Miami Beach. 

Think healthy bagels, ultra fresh juices and top barista-style coffee. We went to the Collins Avenue location after a morning of taking photos on the beach, and managed to get a table fairly easily. 

There’s another Pura Vida in the polished South of Fifth neighbourhood, if that’s closer to your accommodation. 

12. People-watch from a bar on Ocean Drive 

Of course you can’t visit Miami without spending a little time people-watching on Ocean Drive. This is 100% one of my favourite things to do in Miami Beach every time I visit. 

Settle in for an XL frozen cocktail as the supercars rev their engines out in front and the cool kids rollerblade along the promenade. 

Some of my favourite spots for people watching are Tango on Ocean for a casual, Latin-inspired spot, The Birdcage Cafe in the Carlyle, and Mango Tropical. 

13. Have dinner on Espanola Way 

If you only have chance to have one meal out in Miami Beach, I highly recommend booking something on Espanola Way. 

This charming street was inspired by European architecture complete with cobbled streets and twinkling fairy lights, with live music pouring out of the local bars. 

The Drexel is a particularly special Italian spot which feels super intimate and romantic. The pasta and pizza we had here was absolutely insane. 

Just be cautious when they upsell truffle on your risotto, it comes at a premium. 

14. Visit the Bass Musueum of Art 

The whole of Miami Beach is kind of like a living art museum, but if you want to see even more, the Bass Museum of Art is the go-to gallery in Miami Beach. 

Housed in a beautiful Art Deco building, the museum showcases a changing programme of contemporary art, from large-scale installations and sculpture to photography and multimedia works.

It’s pretty small as art museums go, so I find it easy to fit into a Miami Beach itinerary without sacrificing half a day in the sunshine. 

Allow around one to two hours to explore, then wander through leafy Collins Park or continue down Collins Avenue. It’s also a particularly good option for one of Miami’s occasional rainy days. 

15. Rent bikes to cycle along the promenade 

One of my favourite ways to see Miami Beach is by bike. Rent one for a couple of hours and follow the Miami Beachwalk, which runs alongside the ocean and connects most of the island. 

We always use the bikesharing CitiBike stations, which are dotted all around South Beach, making it easy to pick up a bike and drop it off somewhere else. There are also bike rental shops for something more vintage. 

You’ll pass palm trees, colourful lifeguard towers, Art Deco hotels and impressive beachfront properties along the way.

For a good route, start around South Pointe and cycle north through South Beach towards Mid Beach, stopping whenever somewhere catches your eye. 

Go first thing in the morning if you can, before the midday heat kicks in, and grab an iced coffee somewhere along the route.

16. Work out at Muscle Beach 

If Miami’s health-and-fitness culture has inspired you, squeeze in a workout at Muscle Beach South Beach, the outdoor fitness area beside Lummus Park. 

There are pull-up bars, weights and plenty of equipment, all just metres from the sand.

You definitely don’t need to be a bodybuilder to join in, either. I’ve stopped here a few times during a morning walk along Ocean Drive, even if it’s only to attempt a few pull-ups before rewarding myself with breakfast. 

It’s free, fun and about as Miami Beach as a workout gets.

17. Take a walking Art Deco tour 

South Beach is home to one of the world’s greatest collections of Art Deco architecture, and although you can easily wander around independently, I think a walking tour is worthwhile if you want to understand what you’re actually looking at.

You’ll explore the pastel-coloured hotels and retro buildings around Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue, learning about the architectural details and characters that shaped the neighbourhood. 

Look out for curved corners, neon signs, porthole windows and the distinctive geometric designs that make this part of Miami so photogenic. 

My favourite tour is led by an Art Deco historian, and spills all the tea on the crimes and scandals of Miami Beach while you’re admiring the buildings. 

Book it here. 

18. Go on a daytrip to Miami City 

It’s easy to spend an entire holiday on Miami Beach and forget there’s a whole city sitting across the water. If you have a spare day, cross over to mainland Miami to discover a different side of the Floridian hub. 

I’d pick colourful Little Havana for Cuban food, coffee and Calle Ocho, then head to Wynwood for street art, galleries and cool bars. 

You can also add Downtown and Brickell if you want to experience Miami’s sleeker side.

19. Spend the day at the Everglades National Park 

If you can tear yourself away from South Beach, the Everglades make for one of the most memorable day trips from Miami. 

This enormous subtropical wilderness feels worlds away from the high-rises and beach clubs, despite being just an hour’s drive away. 

Many organised tours include an airboat ride, where you’ll skim across wetlands while looking for alligators and other wildlife. 

If you’re a real nature-lover however, I’d choose a more comprehensive tour that gives you time to explore a little beyond the airboat. 

Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, water and insect repellent.

Book the Everglades tour here. 

20. Learn to surf on South Beach 

You might associate Miami Beach more with sunbathing than surfing, but you can absolutely get out on a board here. 

Beginners can book lessons around South Beach, where an instructor will teach you the basics on the sand before heading into the Atlantic to put them into practice.

I love activities like this on a beach holiday because they break up those long days spent horizontally on a sunlounger. 

Conditions aren’t as consistently surf-focused as destinations such as California or Hawaii, but for complete beginners it can be a fun introduction when the waves cooperate.

21. Hop on a boat tour of Biscayne Bay 

Finally, if there’s one Miami cliché I’m very happy to embrace, it’s getting out on the water. 

Biscayne Bay boat tours give you fantastic views back towards the Downtown skyline and Miami Beach, while many routes cruise past the extravagant waterfront mansions on islands such as Star Island.

There are options for virtually every budget, from larger sightseeing cruises to smaller boats and private yacht charters. For something a little more special, I’d book a late-afternoon or sunset cruise. 

Seeing the skyline from the water as the light starts to change, ideally with a drink in hand, is a pretty perfect way to finish a day in Miami.

See the sunset cruise. 

Things to do in Miami Beach: FAQs

Is Miami Beach worth visiting?

In my opinion, absolutely. Miami Beach offers much more than its famous stretch of sand, combining colourful Art Deco architecture, excellent restaurants, stylish hotels, shopping and a lively nightlife scene. 

I love that you can spend the morning on the beach, explore Ocean Drive and the Art Deco District in the afternoon, then dress up for cocktails and dinner without ever having to even hop in a taxi. 

What are the best beaches in Miami?

For that quintessential Miami experience, South Beach is the obvious choice, but I actually prefer South Pointe Beach for its slightly more relaxed atmosphere and gorgeous views. 

Mid Beach is great if you want something quieter but still close to luxury hotels and beach clubs, while North Beach has a much more laid-back, local feel. If you’re happy to venture beyond Miami Beach itself, Haulover Beach Park is another beautiful option with a more natural coastline.

What to do in Miami Beach, Florida if it’s raining? 

A rainy day is a good excuse to explore Miami Beach beyond the sand. Visit The Wolfsonian-FIU for art and design, browse the shops and stop for lunch around Lincoln Road, book a spa afternoon at one of the luxury hotels, or settle in somewhere glamorous for a long brunch. 

Summer showers can also be short and intense rather than all-day affairs, so you may still get plenty of beach time afterwards.

How to get to Miami Beach? 

Miami International Airport is the most convenient airport, sitting around 10 miles west of Miami Beach. 

From the airport, I find a taxi or rideshare the easiest option if you’re travelling with luggage, although public buses are available too. Once you arrive, you don’t necessarily need a hire car. 

Most of South Beach is walkable, and Miami Beach also operates a free trolley service connecting South, Mid and North Beach.

What are the best things to do in Miami Beach at night?

Miami Beach really comes alive after dark. Start with sunset drinks at a rooftop bar, then stroll along Ocean Drive to see its famous Art Deco buildings illuminated in neon.

You could follow this with dinner in South Beach, cocktails around Española Way or, if you want a bigger night out, one of Miami Beach’s glamorous bars and clubs. For something more relaxed, I love an evening walk along the beach when the temperature has cooled and the daytime crowds have disappeared.

What are the most romantic things to do in Miami Beach?

For couples, I’d book a sunset cruise around Biscayne Bay, followed by dinner and cocktails somewhere overlooking the water.

Other romantic options include watching the sunset from South Pointe Park, hiring bikes for a leisurely ride along the Miami Beachwalk, booking a couples’ spa treatment or simply finding a quieter stretch of sand around Mid Beach for an afternoon together.

What are some cool things to do in Miami Beach?

Beyond sunbathing, there are loads of cool things to do in Miami Beach. Explore the colourful Art Deco Historic District, visit contemporary art museum The Bass, work out beside the ocean at Muscle Beach, cycle the Miami Beachwalk or take a surfing lesson on South Beach.

I’d also make time for a boat trip around Biscayne Bay, where you can see the Miami skyline and some of the extravagant mansions dotted around its islands.