The best things to do in Miami

There are thousands of things to do in Miami. Between all of the attractions, beaches, and dining options, Miami truly has something for everyone.  Having so many choices is great but it can also be very confusing, especially when you have a limited amount of time. In this article we’ve identified the best things to do in Miami so that you have an easy holiday to plan.

Zoo Miami

Zoo Miami is the largest and oldest zoological garden in Florida, and the only sub-tropical zoo in the continental United States. The unique climate in South Florida allows Zoo Miami to keep a wide variety of animals from the Americas, Asia, Australia and Africa, representing a broad mix of species that is unlike any other zoo in the country.

The history of the zoo can be traced back to 1948, with what was then known as the Crandon Park Zoo on the island of Key Biscayne. At that time, the zoo occupied 48 acres of the park and its first animals included some lions, an elephant and a rhinoceros that had been stranded when a circus went out of business in Miami.

Today Zoo Miami occupies almost 750 acres, and is home to more than 3,000 animals representing over 500 different species.
Of this population, more than 40 species are classified as endangered. Zoo Miami is proud to be an active leader in many global wildlife and environmental conservation initiatives, and are currently involved in over 36 projects taking place on six continents.

From Florida Panther Recovery Programs to supporting Pine Rockland Preservation efforts, there is a conservation program out there for everyone.

You can take a walk down The Asian Trail to see more than 70 different types of beautiful exotic plants. Or you can go to the Samburu Giraffe Feeding Station where you can get very close to a giraffe and feed it lettuce.

Humpy’s Camel Rides are another great attraction. It’s easy to spend the entire day at the zoo because there are five different places to eat there.

Insider tip: Make sure to check their online event calendar before going. The zoo is much more fun when they have a special event going on.

• zoomiami.org
• 1 Zoo Blvd 12400 Southwest 152nd Street, Miami, FL 33177
• (305) 251-0400
• Price: Adults $17.95 – Children (3-12) $13.95 – Children under 2 are free
• Hours :
  Weekdays- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Entrance gates & ticket booths close at 4 p.m.)
  Weekends and Holidays- 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Entrance gates & ticket booths close at 4 p.m.)
• Ideal For: Everyone

Biltmore Hotel

Visit the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Miami for a step into the cities past. The Biltmore Hotel is arguably Miami’s most historic hotel and was (really, still is) the playground of the rich and famous from the 1920’s to the 1940’s. Some of the hotels most notable guests from the days of yore include Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Ginger Rogers, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, and Al Capone.

Today, you can go for a guided tour, first class spa treatment, a round of golf, breakfast, lunch, dinner or anything in between. The legendary Biltmore Pool, one of the biggest in the USA, is a perfect way to cool off. Day visitors can access the pool by renting a Cabana. Oh, and don’t forget happy the hour at the Cellar Club Bar and the Biltmore Bar daily from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.Insider tip: Grab a bite and a drink and soak up the view and the sun at Cascade, the Cascade pool side bar.

• The Biltmore Hotel
• 1200 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134
• (855) 311 6903
• Price: Contact the hotel for tour prices.
• Hours :
  Open 365 days per year
  Hours vary per season
• Ideal For: Everyone

Little Havana

Over the years many Cuban immigrants have settled there and it has developed into a cultural, social, and political area in Miami.

If you want to immerse yourself in Cuban culture this is where to go in Miami. Little Havana is a good place to spend an afternoon exploring the shops and unique venues. We highly recommend walking up and down Calle Ocho (8th street) where there are several tasty restaurants, a domino park, and cigar shops.

An interesting place to visit is the Bay of Pigs Museum on 1821 SW 9th St. Calle Ocho is also home to the very famous Versailles Restaurant.We recommend going there for one meal and then going to El Pub on 1548 SW 8th St and order a “medianoche” (midnight) sandwich and a colada. Once a year, Calle Ocho is also home to one of the largest block parties in the country.

Visit this site to get dates for next year: Calle Ocho.

• Little Havana is the heart and soul of the Cuban community. It’s a neighborhood about 10 minutes west of Downtown Miami.
• Price: Free
• Hours:
  March 2015-August 2015 Specific Dates and Time
  Check website for days you want to visit
  
• Ideal for: Everyone

Venetian Pool Miami

The Venetian Pool is a historical public swimming pool in Coral Gables. This pool is unlike anything else in the country. Since its opening in 1924, the Venetian Pool has been one of the most fun things to do in Miami.

It’s also recognized in the National Registry of Historic Places. The pool holds an incredible 820,000 gallons of spring water!
You can swim into several caves and also soak underneath two different walls.

Kids will love exploring the pools and it can also be a very romantic thing to do in Miami for couples.

The concession stands with food are limited. It’s a nice for a snack but we recommend going to dinner after the pool. There is a restaurant called Ortanique on the Mile less than 1 mile away and it serves delicious Caribbean food.

• coralgables.com
• 2701 De Soto Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134
• (305) 460-5306
• Hours:
  March 2015-August 2015 Specific Dates and Time
  Check website for days you want to visit
  
• Ideal for: Everyone
• Price: Adults 13 years and older $12- Children ages 3-12 $7

Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science

The current location of the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science will be closing August 30, 2015 and will re-open at its new location in downtown Miami’s Museum Park in Summer 2016.

The museum will continue to activate in and around South Florida via its “Out & About with Frost Science” outreach program, bringing educational science experiences to the community.
The new Frost Science will be structured around a lushly landscaped indoor and outdoor Living Core Aquarium of terrestrial and aquatic environments, featuring a Gulf Stream Aquarium experience totaling over 500,000 gallons of salt water.
The facility will also feature the state-of-the-art, full-dome Frost Planetarium, the Knight Learning Center, Innovation Center and Cafe, and an Exploration Center featuring permanent interactive exhibits.

The Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science is funded with the support of Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.

• miamisci.org/
• (305) 646-4400
• Ideal for: Everyone

Seaquarium Miami

The Miami Seaquarium is one of the most visited Miami tourist attractions. Every year thousands of people come to the park to have close encounters with dolphins, sea lions, and killer whales.

There are dozens of shows and exhibits to experience but there are several highlights to keep in mind. At the Shark Channel presentation caretakers feed 200 pounds sharks.
Another highlight is the Seal & Sea Lion area where guests are allowed to feed the seals.

However, our top recommendation is the Sea Trek Reed Encounter where you put on a special dive helmet and go into a 300,000 gallon reef filled with tropical fish and stingrays. It lasts 20 minutes but it’s worth it.

It’s best to visit the park in early Spring or late fall when the weather is cooler; June, July, and August are super hot and rainy months.

• miamiseaquarium.com/
• 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
• (305) 361-5705
• Hours: Daily from 10am to 6pm
• Price: Adult $40 – Children (ages 3-9) $31.99
  Military Free – Seniors (over 55) $2 off
• Ideal for: Families, Children

Water Parks in Miami

The temperature in Miami can get very hot. That’s why Water Parks are fun places to visit in Miami.

So it’s a good idea to know where the water parks are and you don’t have to drive to West Palm Beach or Pembroke Pines to enjoy them.

Grapeland Water Park located at 1550 NW 37 Avenue; Miami, FL 33125 is a good place to start. There are four pools, two slide pools, one for toddlers, one for older children and adults, a recreation pool and a lazy river.

Or visit the Miami Shores Aquatic Center in 10200 Biscayne Blvd, just North of the Miami Shores Country Club. There are two pools one with a slide and one that’s great for swimming competitions.

Links:

Grapeland Water Park
Miami Shores Aquatic Center

Visit the park websites for hours and additional details before going. Their hours are subject to change.

Parasailing in Miami

Looking for fun and adventurous things to do in Miami this weekend?   You should try parasailing! Parasailing in Miami is not only fun, it gives you an entirely new way to see the beaches.

There are dozens of parasailing companies out but rather than try to figure out which one is best, visit Beach City Watersports.
Their website has a calendar where you can select the date and time that works best for you. They will make you glide 1,000 ft in the sky from their commercial parasail boat and you have the option of being dipped in the water.
You can feel comfortable knowing they use the most modern parasailing equipment and have years of experience.

It’s best to go parasailing in the morning for better water visibility when you are in the sky.

• Miami Beach Parasailing
• 1127 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
• (305) 767-1255
• Hours: Based on availability
• Price: $85
• Ideal for: Adults, couples

Miami Planetarium

The Miami Planetarium is located within the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science and has been educating children about astronomy for nearly 50 years.
The shows at the planetarium are amazing to watch. The 65 foot domed projection screen showcases breathtaking depictions of space.
They have a “Space Transit Planetarium” star projector that recreates the stars and planets exactly as they can be seen from Earth.

Though children are often the focus, it’s also one of the fun things to do in Miami for couples. It’s a unique date night idea if you are looking for fun and new activities in Miami. There are shows every single day.

Arrive early because sometimes there is a line to get in.

• miamisci.org
• (305) 646-4400
• Ideal for: Families, young children

Spa in Miami

There are plenty of spas in Miami to choose from and one of the most celebrated ones to visit is the Lapis Spa at the iconic Fontainebleau Hotel. The Lapis spa offers all its visitors unique experiences that are hard to find anywhere else.

For pure relaxation, try the “Four Hands Massage” that features two skilled therapists using their hands and movements to perform a Swedish massage that melts away tension.
Or help your skin breath better with a blast of oxygen. This treatment uses state-of-the-art infusion of moisture, vitamins and antioxidants into the skin with age-defying results.

Whenever you visit the Lapis spa you also have access to their complementary thermal heat therapies of water which help rejuvenate the body and mind.

Every year, Miami has Spa Month during the summer. During this timeframe, spas all across the Miami offer special treatments for as low as $99. It’s the perfect time to experience very expensive treatments at really great prices. Visit Miami Spa Month each year to learn when Spa Month is taking place.

• fontainebleau.com/web/spa
• 4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140
• (305) 538-2000
• Ideal for: Adults, couples
• Hours: Mon-Fri-: 9:30am – 6:30pm
  Sat: 9am – 7:30pm
  Sun: 9:00am – 6:30pm
• Price: Depends on treatment

Jet Skiing in Miami

Jet Skiing is one of the most exciting actives in Miami. There are many companies around the city that offer jet ski services but a good place to start is with Jet Ski Tours of Miami.
In addition to their good rates, they also have a tour you can take. The Jet Ski Tour takes you around Star Island where the rich and famous live. They will also take you to areas in the water that only locals know about.

If you love to swim you can also go on their snorkeling adventure. This tour is more expensive at $250, but it combines both activities and gives you the chance to stop at Monument Island where you can snorkel in clear waters.
You might even see dolphins and other sea life.
Gear is included in the price.

Insider tip: Groupon and Living Social often list great deals on jet ski rentals.

• jetskitoursofmiami.com
• 1661 James Ave (inside DUCK TOUR office) Miami Beach, FL. 33139
• 305-538-7547 or 305-JETSKIS
• Hours: Daily from 10:00am until ½ hour before sunset (weather permitting)
• Price: $99
• Ideal for: Adults, Couples – 18 or over

This list showcases some of the best things to do in Miami. Miami is an exciting and fun city that offers activities that everyone can enjoy. We hope to have given you great ideas of what to do in Miami when you visit. We welcome you to read more articles for more insider information.