10 Best Things to Do in Miami, Florida

The only reason to go to Miami 30 years ago was to visit Grandma. Now, this southern city is America’s premier culture destination by the beach, a stop on any art intelligentsia’s itinerary, and a must-visit for mere mortals with a love of la vida loca.

Whether you’re browsing the Design District or grabbing a mojito in the shadow of an art deco masterpiece, Miami has revelry at every volume — which means that, even if you just want to stroll the shore and admire the beautiful people who call Miami their second (or third) home, you’ve come to the right place.

Hotels in Miami, FL

Splurge: Delano Hotel – Hotelier Ian Schrager put Miami on the map back in 1995, when he opened the white-on-white Delano Hotel on Collins Avenue. Architect Philippe Starck’s shrine to modernism sparked a revolution with its austere rooms, infinity-edge pool, and a to-die-for art collection, including works by Salvador Dalí and Man Ray. This is where that signature Miami vibrancy began, and continues — you never know who you’ll see behind the billowing curtains in the lobby.

Steal: YVE Hotel Miami — Located in downtown Miami but just minutes away from some of the city's best beaches, the YVE Hotel Miami touts itself as being the "best of both worlds." 

Top Restaurants in Miami, FL

Breakfast: News Café – It’s a classic, and with good reason. The News Café is a mainstay of Miami, serving eggs Benedict and bloody marys 24/7. (It was Gianni Versace’s favorite breakfast spot back in the day.) Come early and, if you’re lucky, you can still catch last night’s partiers dolled up in their barely-there disco garb, scarfing down huevos rancheros as the sun comes up.

Lunch: Joe’s Stone Crab – Ask anyone in Miami where to have the ultimate local meal, and chances are good that all paths will lead you to Joe's Stone Crab. Try to snag a table in the original dining room, and pace yourself. It’s easy to overdo it on the enormous namesake claws, but there are other to-die-for options, including the summer tomato salad and the asparagus with blue cheese sauce.

Dinner: Larios on the Beach – Singer Gloria Estefan’s Cuban restaurant is kind of a mob scene, especially on weekends, and the food isn’t spectacular. But Larios offers an incredible glimpse into Miami living. Come for a Texas-sized portion of well-turned-out rice and beans, and check out the people cruising the sidewalk. Or sit inside as day turns to night and watch the restaurant transform into a salsa club.

Dessert: Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink – Pretty much anything on the menu at Michael’s Genuine will impress, but if your particular vice is dessert, you’re in for a treat. These childhood-inspired indulgences — including a passion fruit pot de crème served with coconut donuts, and the insanely good Home Brew Sundae (which proves the equation that beer-flavored ice cream + malted caramel + pretzels + marshmallows = yum) — are made with locally sourced ingredients.

Best Activities to do in Miami

For everyone: Ocean Drive – Known for its art deco hotels, Ocean Drive counts about 800 preserved buildings on its tree-lined boulevard. Walk through decades as you watch Streamline Moderne evolve into the art deco style that defines Miami, and don’t miss the famed Versace mansion.

For couples: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens – Vizcaya is one of the nation’s most glorious garden settings. Reserve time to explore: The property, which dates back to 1916, features a main house, 10 acres of formal gardens, and a native forest.

For families: Zoo Miami – Considered one of the best zoos in the world, Zoo Miami counts more than 2,000 animals in its collection, which is divided into geographic regions. Rent a Safari Cycle (a cross between a golf cart and a bike), and you can move fast enough to see every animal — from Australian koalas to African elephants — in one visit. Leave time for the Giraffe Feeding Station, where the dainty mammals eat right out of your hands.

For the adventurous: At Miami Seaquarium you can don wetsuits and learn about dolphins through an interactive course with a trainer. Then wade into the salty lagoons to join the ocean’s most intelligent animals.