Introduction
Must-see
Neighbourhoods
Seasonal events
Planning toolkit
Once you're there
Things to do

Miami travel guide

Miami: a colorful trip into the heart of Latin America, without a passport

Just over a century ago, Miami was little more than a tiny fishing outpost at the end of an uninhabitable swamp. To say it’s grown up quickly would be an understatement, as it’s transformed from a far-flung vacation destination to a major global metropolis.

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Table of contents

Must-see in Miami

Miami must-sees to keep on your bucket list

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1/22

Ocean Drive

The neon lights of Ocean Drive are the iconic highlights of the world’s biggest collection of art deco buildings . They’ve appeared in movies, TV shows, and countless Miami Beach postcards.

2/22

Superblue Miami

Superblue is an art museum unlike any other, where immersive, interactive installations make every visit a little different.

3/22

Frost Science Museum

Learn about the Everglades, pet a stingray, and take a picture in front of the Instgram-ready Oculus at Miami’s combination aquarium and science museum.

4/22

Everglades National Park

Alligators, pythons, and endless canopies of cypress trees dominate the landscape in Everglades National Park, the most unique ecosystem in America.

5/22

The Wynwood Walls

Blocks of street art await in Wynwood, where the neighborhood’s collection of restaurants, bars, and boutiques sit inside buildings covered in provocative murals.

6/22

Coral Castle

1,100 tons of coral and limestone were miraculously crafted by one man over 28 years, and now serve as a wondrous sculpture garden.

7/22

South Beach

Miami’s best-known beach is THE place to catch some sun while you’re in Miami. It also offers loads of recreational opportunities just steps from the shore.

8/22

Perez Art Museum Miami

Miami’s downtown art museum is a work of art itself, where views of Biscayne Bay peek between the exhibits and fantastic food sits at the end of your journey.

9/22

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

This opulent estate from industrialist James Deering was modeled after Versailles, and its rooms and gardens remain some of the most photographed places in Miami.

10/22

South Pointe Park

Enjoy a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean, PortMiami, and Downtown skyline from the hills inside South Pointe Park, the city’s best spot for sunsets.

11/22

Venetian Pools

A grand, Mediterranean public pool boasts movie star history, and remains one of America’s great swimming holes.

12/22

Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park sits almost entirely underwater, and for divers and snorkelers, its collection of wrecks and reefs is a literally-hidden gem.

13/22

Cape Florida Lighthouse at Bill Baggs State Park

The city’s most secluded beaches sit at the end of Key Biscayne, watched over by a 200-year-old lighthouse.

14/22

Brightline

This high-speed, high-tech train whisks passengers to Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach in style. Later in 2023, it’ll take them to Orlando too.

15/22

The Ancient Spanish Monastery

The Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux dates back to 1141 AD and was moved piece by piece to America in 11,000 separate containers.

16/22

Loan Depot Park

The home of the Miami Marlins offers a true taste of Miami, with a baseball game in the background.

17/22

Gulfstream Park

Horse racing is only the beginning of the excitement at Gulfstream, where an upscale trackside lounge and a village of shopping entice non-horse players too.

18/22

Oleta River State Park

Winding channels of mangroves lead out into the Intracoastal Waterway, where you can experience natural Florida on the water.

19/22

Haulover Beach

Miami's only clothing-optional beach is an exercise in self-exploration and a fascinating study of the human form.

20/22

Calle Ocho

The main drag of Miami’s Little Havana is a trip to another world, where salsa music spills out of the bars and cigar smoke fills the air.

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Jungle Island

Parrots, sloths, lemurs, and flamingoes are all within reach at this tropical oasis between downtown and Miami Beach.

22/22

Artechouse

This trippy, rotating collection of multi-story art installations fuses art and technology.

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Miami's neighbourhoods

Explore Miami's best neighborhoods

South Beach
A Turquoise Beach Paradise by Day, and Steamy Neon Jungle by Night.
Wynwood
Street art, craft beer, and boutique shopping in Wynwood
Downtown and Brickell
Miami’s Urban Energy Surrounds You in Downtown and Brickell
Coconut Grove
A Lush Bohemian Jungle by the Water in Coconut Grove

Seasonal events in Miami

Miami’s annual events you need to know about

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1/9

Miami International Boat Show (Second Weekend in February)

The largest boat show in the world brings massive yachts and even bigger parties.

2/9

South Beach Wine and Food Festival (Last Weekend in February)

Celebrity chefs host private dinners, and tasting events on the beach offer the best from America’s restaurants.

3/9

Miami Music Week/Ultra (Third Week of March)

Bigname DJs play small venues all week, then the biggest electronic music festival on the weekend.

4/9

Miami Open (Last 2 Weeks of March)

Top men’s and women’s tennis stars square off over two weeks at Hard Rock Stadium.

5/9

Miami Beach Pride (April)

Art, music, and a crazy parade showcase Miami Beach’s LGBT pride.

6/9

F1 Grand Prix Miami (First Weekend in May)

Miami’s Formula 1 race is one of the year’s biggest parties, where you can watch from the grandstand, or the bow of a boat.

7/9

Miami Beach Air and Sea Show (Memorial Day Weekend – May)

Impressive aircraft shows, parachute teams, and powerboat demonstrations make your Memorial Day weekend in Miami memorable.

8/9

Miami Spice and Spa Months (August and September)

August and September in Miami is your chance to enjoy a culinary and self-treatment experience without breaking the bank.

9/9

Art Basel Miami Beach (First week of December)

America’s grandest art party is as much about the celebrations as it is about the art.

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Planning toolkit for Miami

Everything you should know about visiting Miami

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High seasonMay - Jul
Average flight price$691 from New Zealand
Average hotel price$329/night
Travel restrictionsOpen
All the Ways to Get to Miami
Miami is an international hub with nonstop flights from pretty much everywhere. But flying’s not the only way to get to the Magic City.
In Miami, there is always a hotel that matches your style
Miami boasts some of the finest hotels in America, from luxury beachside escapes to urban oases with rooftop bars. And you don’t need to blow your entire budget to enjoy many of them.

Once you're in Miami

Getting around Miami

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Miami can seem like a giant, sprawling landscape for those who aren’t familiar. But getting around isn’t as hard as you think, whether you’re in a car or trying public transportation.

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Where to Eat Around Miami

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From Cuban cafeterias to fine dining restaurants, Miami's culinary offerings run the gamut of great cuisine. The city's diverse population has brought with it an abundance of foods from the Caribbean, Latin America, and beyond.

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Renting a car and driving in Miami

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Driving in Miami can be an adventure. But if you know where to go, how to navigate the roads, and, most importantly, what kind of car to drive, it can be altogether fun – if you can handle the traffic.

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Things to do

From Sloths to Airboat Rides, Miami Has Plenty for Families with Children

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America’s adult playground is great for kids, too - especially if they love the beach, the water, and exotic animals.

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Miami's nightlife: Miami's Bars and Nightclubs Take You on an All-Night Whirlwind of Strong Drinks and Beautiful People

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E11even

A 24-hour nightclub with topless dancers and endless showers of dollar bills.

2/11

LIV

The city's most famous nightclub, where celebrities and models fill VIP tables and top-tier DJs take over the stage.

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Swizzle Rum Bar and Drinkery

A downstairs drinking den full of rare rums and cozy, dark tables.

4/11

Broken Shaker

A tropical cocktail bar set on the lush back patio of the Freehand hostel.

5/11

Café La Trova

Take a trip to old Cuba with an award-winning bartender and a live salsa band.

6/11

Sweet Liberty

Locals and tourists alike flock to this colorful cocktail bar, where a dollar-oyster happy hour leads into a night of uninhibited dancing.

7/11

Sugar

A panoramic view 40 floors above Miami awaits at this Asian garden in the sky.

8/11

Sipsip

Bahamian vibes and endless views of Biscayne Bay at this Coconut Grove rooftop in the Mayfair Hotel.

9/11

Rosa Sky

A front-row seat to the Brickell skyline comes with creative cocktails and Cuban-inspired bites.

10/11

Mac’s Club Deuce

A legendary dive bar where time has no meaning and happy hour starts at 8 am.

11/11

Better Days

A service industry dive hidden among the towers of Brickell.

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The Top Places to Shop in Miami, From Local Boutiques to High Fashion

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Miami is a global shopping destination with everything from high fashion to fashion outlets. Here are the best places to shop.

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The Top Day Trips from Miami

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In addition to being one of the world’s great destinations for beaches, art, and nightlife, Miami is also a great jumping-off point to explore the nature and cities of South Florida. Whether you want to hike in the Everglades or dive in the Keys, it can all be done in an easy day trip.

The Florida Keys
West Palm Beach
Ft. Lauderdale
Everglades National Park
Homestead
Naples
Boca Raton and Delray Beach

What to pack for Miami

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The Top Tips for Enjoying All that Miami Offers

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Miami Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Miami city guide for the best Miami travel tips. To help you organise your Miami trip ideas, this Miami visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.