14 Fun Things to do in Miami for Adults: Weekend Getaway

I am a participant in affiliate programs, so basically I earn a small commission if you use any of the affiliate links on this post - at no extra cost to you! Dope right?

Miami is…a hit or miss for some people. And honestly, I get it. Trust me I do. Miami isn’t for everyone – and that’s okaayyyyy. Personally though, I loved Miami and I can’t wait to go back. I’ve only been once as of my time writing this (2024), but there are so many things to do in Miami that I can see myself finding new ways to occupy my time with each new visit.

That said, I am still but a newbie when it comes to all things to do in Miami. Thankfully, I have a blogging friend that is way more versed and volunteered to help fill in some of the gaps with her own experiences – thank you Nausheen from Globe Gazers!!!

In total, I spent four days in Miami with a group of friends, all adults, and our itinerary was a mix of art, nightlife, museums, and a few outdoor activities. We also ate a lot of amazing food, but for this specific post, I’m just going to focus on the things to do in Miami and save all the juicy bits like where to stay and what to eat in my (eventual) Miami travel guide.

Now then, without further ado, let’s get into ittttt!

Relaxing Things to do in Miami

As a member of the working class, one of the reasons I travel is to relax and decompress from my 9-5 (not remote) job and temporarily live in a suspended state of comfort. A majority of travelers prefer more relaxed and leisurely itineraries, or at least have a few chill activities mixed in. You know, like strolling around, window shopping, and reading a new spicy romantasy novel at the beach and listening to the ocean waves ride in and out and in and out and innnn and outttt…

Ahem.

Miami is more known for its upbeat and lively persona, but there are still plenty of things to do in Miami that take life in the slower lanes.

Kick Back at South Beach

If you can only choose ONE of the “iconic” things to do in Miami…you should prioritize seeing South Beach, aka SoBe. The art deco architecture of Ocean Drive is the picture of Miami, and you know I love a good art deco moment. If you’re a fan of architecture, you can get a more in-depth look at art deco in Miami with a guided tour. In my humble opinion, America should have RAN with art deco and made it the statement look for our cities…but I digress.

Another great tour in the South Beach area would be the legendary SoBe food tour, where you get to sample a mix of all the cuisines that make up Miami. Though the South Beach area can be known as party central, it also offers great shopping, and even fine museums like the Jewish Museum of Florida, Bass Museum of Art, and the World Erotic Art Museum…

Ahem.

But really, the biggest draw to South Beach (for people wanting to relax) is the soft warm sand and clear calm water of…well, the beach area. While other Florida beaches can often be strewn with seaweed, the (very natural) ocean debris seems to skip over SoBe. Plus, since it is a popular area, extra care is taken here to keep the sand clean and clear. You can easily rent a beach chair or cabana with one of the resorts and enjoy the sun. Visiting the best is kind of one of the obligatory things to do in Miami.

Stroll Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Formerly known as Villa Vizcaya, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a waterfront wonder in well-heeled Coconut Grove, an affluent and the oldest continuously inhabited neighborhood of Miami. Dating back to 1916, the spectacular property in a stunning seaside setting is a National Historic Landmark.

The building offers 32 opulent rooms previously occupied by businessman James Deering. It’s also set among many acres of glorious Italian Renaissance gardens. Technically, the property is not ADA compliant because the elevator is closed to the public, so just something to keep note of if you visit.

Because of the property’s oppulance, a whole lotta movies have been filmed here, like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Bad Boys II (THE SOUNDTRACK iykyk), and Iron Man 3. If you like touring buildings and gardens, then this is def one of the best things to do in Miami.

Browse Bayside Marketplace

When you feel a lull in your itinerary, or just need a bit of unplanned downtime, spend a fun day in Miami at Bayside Marketplace. There’s plenty to keep you busy, fed, and watered here. Take a walk through the park for one of Miami’s best free, fresh air activities, or board the ferris wheel for sweeping skyline views.

Bayside Marketplace also offers a huge range of shops and restaurants. Whether you want to buy a gift or find someplace special for a romantic dinner, you’ll be spoiled for choice in this part of town. It’s a very lowkey option for things to do in Miami, and perfect if you don’t want to plan anything but still want to window browse.

Wild Things to do in Miami

Then again, this is Miami. Things get turnt at the drop of dime. So on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, there are equally (if not more) things to do in Miami that center the city’s party persona. This side of Miami is probably what most people know and think of when they envision a trip to Miami, so I’m going to try to step out of the box and offer a few activities that you wouldn’t automatically think, but still offer the same level of adrenaline.

See Miami from the Sky

One of Nausheen’s top recommendations for off-the-beaten-path things to do in Miami is to take a plane tour over the city. It gives you a perspective that you wouldn’t get from the ground, and is a bucket-list sort of experience to boot! It’s not one of the most popular things to do in Miami, but that’s also what makes it unique.

There are plenty of options to pick from. Take a seaplane tour, a champagne trip, a tour at sunset, a private experience, or a flight over famous South Beach. If you love celebrity-spotting, you can see some truly extravagant homes during your flight, too.

You can also see Miami landmarks while learning about local history from your pilot. Flights typically last between 30 minutes and an hour.

Yacht it Up

Miami parties usually revolve around the incredible bars and clubs (and sometimes restaurants that double as both), but to put a new spin on it…why not take the party off land? Yachts are not part of our everyday life – well, at least not for ME – so adding it on a vacation activity makes it that much more exciting, especially for groups.

Yacht tours in Miami have become one of the best things to do in Miami for the every day traveler, which in turn have also made them more accessible and affordable. These trips typically operate on an all-inclusive basis, so unlimited drinks can be covered by the cost. Dancing is also on the agenda, so there may be a DJ spinning the tunes while you dance around on the deck, or just a really fire playlist. .

Taking in the scenic views is also part of this one-off experience. You might only get to cruise around Miami once in a lifetime, so why not make the most of it? Some yachts may even cruise by Miami’s millionaire mansion.

Get Messi

Fun fact – I saw the 2022 World Cup final in the Buenos Aires airport on my layover trip to Antarctica. Yah. It was absolutely guano. So whether you’re a diehard soccer fan or you just love the electric energy of the games, you can now see Lionel Messi and his team-mates in action as one of the new top things to do in Miami. Though…technically…you’ll need to head out to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale to do so.

The Brightline train can take you there, though, with shuttle services supplied between the main station and the stadium. “Futbol” matches are usually scheduled for Saturday nights, and are sometimes held on Wednesday evenings too.

Due to popularity, you’ll need to book this one way in advance! Are you a fan of Messi?

Next Club No Sleep

Okay. This is MIAMI. You really didn’t think I was going to skip CLUBBING in Miami did you? Being completely transparent, while the rest of my friends got their nightlife on…I actually found a semi-quiet corner of the street to attend my bookclub facetime lol. So I actually missed all the juicy stuff, but I was the designated driver that night and lemme tell ya…Wynwood at 1am on a Saturday is ANOTHER LEVEL. I’ll leave it at that.

Clubbing in Miami is…well, one of the best things to do in Miami. It’s what the city is known for. If you don’t want to go through the trouble of finding a spot for drinks and/or dancing yourself, or if you’re traveling solo and feel more comfortable in a group, you can join a club hopping tour. That said, a solo trip to Miami can be equally as fun, so here are a few spots worth checking out!

Twist (multi-level gay bar with various music genres)
Mango’s Tropical Cafe (Latin music)
LIV Miami (hip hop/pop music)
The Electric Pickle (indie/underground music)
Do Not Sit On The Furniture (house music)
Nikki Beach (bougie day club)

And if you wake up in time the morning after, R House in Wynwood and Palace in South Beach have an incredible drag brunches!

Cultural Things to do in Miami

Now that we have that debauchery out of the way, we can move into the more cultural things to do in Miami. Not that clubbing isn’t integral to Miami’s cultural makeup or anything but…yanno, not everyone operates on a nightclub level energy. And on that note – YES! There are cultural things to do in Miami!!! I briefly mentioned earlier but there are a lot of cool museums and annual events like Art Basel and Afro-Cuban Dance Festival.

Dale Little Havana

But honestly, you can’t know Miami without checking out Little Havana. Cuban heritage in Miami is SUCH a huge part of its past, present, and future. When I visited Cuba, I learned…well a lot about the common misconceptions about Cuba – and in turn the refuge so many sought in Miami.

Our group wandered around Little Havana, dipping into to Cuban cafes and souvenir shops. However, I’d fully recommend booking a Little Havana walking tour if you can to get the full scoop on the neighborhood and its impact on Miami. You can sample coffee, cocktails/mocktails, plus of course Cuban cuisine and culture.

Key sites include Calle Ocho Plaza and the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame. On the third Friday of each month, you can also celebrate Viernes Culturales – or Cultural Fridays – here, with music, stalls, and free walking tours.

Nearby, there’s also the neighborhood of Little Haiti. We hadn’t heard much about it before visiting, but it has just as much history and significance! Visiting Little Havana and Little Haiti ended up being one of our favorite things to do in Miami. We mostly walked around looking at murals, but next time we’re definitely signing up for a guided Little Haiti walking tour to learn more about Haitian heritage (and food!!!) in Miami.

Wander Wynwood

I absolutely love street art. It’s the reason I visit Palm Springs every other year for Desert X. The artsy areas of a city are often my favorite, whether they are on the more industrial side or have a newer energy and are still settling into their neighborhood in the city. In Miami, that area is Wynwood.

Visiting Wynwood is one of the best things to do in Miami for art lovers, with the biggest attraction being the Wynwood Walls. While the entire neighborhood is painted with murals, Wynwood Walls is an enclosed area featuring mind-blowing works by internationally famous muralists. Adults will need to pay an entry fee to access Wynwood Walls.

But like I said, there are lots of murals around the neighborhood. You can do your own walk or take a guided tour of Wynwood street art. One of my favorite things I did in Wynwood was actually visiting the Museum of Graffiti, which explains the backstory and history of graffiti, graffiti artists, and the question of…what’s the difference between graffiti artists and muralists? Incredible museum.

With a good mix of shops, bars, and eateries, the surrounding area is also worth wandering around while you’re in the neighborhood. We all loved our meals at World Famous House of Mac and Zak the Baker is a great spot for brunch.

Meander the Monasteries

Given the relatively recent history of the USA, it seems incongruous to have a medieval monastery here. But that’s exactly what you’ll find when you head out to West Dixie Highway.

The 12th century structure, literally named the Ancient Spanish Monastery, was transported piecemeal to America in 1924, and was rebuilt at the site in 1952. Today, it’s the Western Hemisphere’s oldest structure. Of course, the Western Hemisphere’s history does not begin with the USA, but because of colonization, many Indigenous structures and buildings were either destroyed or labeled as “ruins.”

But I digress.

Check before you visit the Ancient Spanish Monastery, opening hours vary due to special events often being held here. For history lovers, it’s one of the best things to do in Miami.

Outdoorsy Things to do in Miami

But wait – there’s more! Yes, there are even things to do in Miami for nature lovers. I know more outdoorsy folks usually think of states like Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Washington….and for good reason. BUT YANNO WHAT, Florida is a natural wonder. And I mean that genuinely. Florida is such a beautiful pocket of land, and you can see a lot of it even from Miami.

Saunter South Pointe Park

Head to South Pointe Park during the day, or for sunset, to enjoy lots of open space by the water. The views toward South Beach are unparalleled, and there are plenty of different areas of the park to experience.

The park lies at Miami Beach’s southernmost tip, and offers lots to keep you entertained. There’s picnic and barbecue facilities, walking trails, and lovely landscaped areas for romantic strolls. Palm trees and benches provide shade and seating when you need rest or respite.

South Pointe Park also offers a stretch of beach, a cafe, a 450-foot pier, and a steakhouse restaurant. It’s great for all ages and mobility levels.

Biscayne National Park

It’s not often that a national park is just outside of a major city, but luckily for you, Miami is surrounded by natural beauty! Visiting Biscayne National Park is one of the best things to do in Miami because it is very accessible, a little under an hour outside of downtown Miami. However, Biscayne NP is a bit unique in that 95% of the park is underwater.

Yeah, told ya it was unique.

Basically the only part of the park you can see on dry land is the visitor’s center, which is a pretty cool spot all on its own. But to really get a gist of Miami’s coastline, sign up for one of their guided water tours (either kayak, canoe, or SUP) and have an experienced ranger point out the flora, fauna, and critters that inhabit the waters of southern Florida.

The waves are very calm and is all fitness-levels friendly.

Day Trips from Miami

As I mentioned above, Miami has a pretty dope location. In fact, one of the best things to do in Miami is to take advantage of all the cool stuff nearby with a day trip (or two, or three, depending how long you’re in town).

Everglades National Park: Yes, there’s ANOTHER National Park nearby!!! I loved the Everglades. There are boat tours and stuff you can take that look really fun, though we didn’t have time. I’d also recommend stopping by the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum to learn more about the Seminole Nation and their ancestral lands.
West Palm Beach: Super popular for snorkeling and lowkey water activities, and I recommend Foster Park for that. If you’re lucky, you can even spot manatees chilling in Manatee Lagoon.
Key West: This is definitely an ALL DAY trip (and potential overnight), but definitely worth the three hour drive. Key West lies at the southernmost point of the Florida mainland and Keys, and is famed for snorkeling, diving, historic landmarks, and conch-style homes.
Bimini, Bahamas: YOU CAN EVEN GO INTERNATIONAL!!! Yes, the island of Bimini in the Bahamas is even closer to Miami than Cuba. There’s a few ways to get there, either by boat or plane, though it isn’t cheap (~$300 usd RT). You can also save a bit by joining a ferry day tour, just don’t forget your passport.

Conclusion: Things to do in Miami

Woohooo!! Hopefully this lil list of things to do in Miami is enough to get you started planning your own trip! And thank you again to Nausheen from Globe Gazers for a few more suggesties for everyone – y’all go check out her blog and socials!

Overall, I really liked Miami and the range of activities there are. Next time, I’d love to see more of the art scene so I’m going to try to visit during a cultural event. Anyways, enough about me. What do you think of Miami? If you’ve been before, what activities would you suggest as a MUST DO for things to do in Miami? Let me know in the comments below!

14 Fun Things to do in Miami for Adults: Weekend Getaway