14 must-see attractions in Miami

Miami, a city full of sunshine, sand and vitality, is waiting for you to explore. If you are planning to travel to Miami, this guide will provide you with some practical tips and recommended activities. First of all, you must experience the charm of white sand and blue water on the Ocean Boulevard. It is recommended that you go to Little Havana to experience the rich Latin culture and delicious Cuban food. In addition, don’t miss visiting the Art Deco District to appreciate the colorful buildings and charming street scenes. I hope these suggestions can help you enjoy a sunny and happy holiday in Miami!

1. Biscayne Bay

Biscayne Bay is a vast and beautiful bay located in southeastern Florida, USA, adjacent to the city of Miami. This natural harbor covers an area of ​​about 700 square kilometers, stretching from downtown Miami in the north to Biscayne National Park in the south, and is an important ecological and recreational area in the region.

Biscayne Bay is famous for its clear waters, dense mangroves and rich marine life. The ecosystem here is very diverse, home to manatees, sea turtles, dolphins and a variety of tropical fish. Mangroves not only provide habitats for these creatures, but also play an important role in protecting the coastline and filtering water quality.

There are many small islands and coral reefs in the bay, which is an ideal place for diving, snorkeling and boating. Visitors can explore the underwater world and admire the beautiful coral reefs and colorful marine life. Biscayne National Park covers most of Biscayne Bay, protecting this unique ecosystem and offering a variety of outdoor activities such as camping, boating and ecotourism.

Biscayne Bay is also an important recreational area in Miami. There are many parks and beaches along the coast, such as Bill Baggs State Park and Crandon Park, which attract a large number of tourists and local residents to enjoy the sun and sea.

2. Star Island

Star Island is an artificial island in Biscayne Bay near Miami, Florida, known for its luxury homes and celebrity residences. This private island was built in 1922 and is connected to the mainland by the MacArthur Causeway, which connects downtown Miami and Miami Beach.

Star Island is small in size, but it is one of the most exclusive and wealthy communities in Miami. The island has spacious mansions, many of which have private docks and swimming pools, beautiful surroundings and great privacy. The residents here include famous entrepreneurs, athletes and stars in the entertainment industry, which adds to the island’s mystery and appeal.

Due to its privacy, Star Island is not open to the public, but visitors can take a sightseeing cruise to see these mansions from the water and learn about the luxurious lifestyle on the island. The cruise guides usually introduce the stories of famous residents on the island and the history of the houses, which adds to the fun of sightseeing.

3. Wynwood Walls

Wynwood Walls is a famous outdoor art display in Miami, located in the Wynwood Arts District. The project was founded in 2009 by the late urban art pioneer Tony Goldman, who aimed to transform the industrial area of ​​Wynwood into a vibrant art community.

Wynwood Walls is one of the largest street art exhibition areas in the world, bringing together top graffiti artists and mural artists from all over the world. They created colorful and creative giant murals on the walls of Wynwood buildings, making this area a mecca for art lovers.

In addition to the permanent mural display, Wynwood Walls also hosts a variety of art events and exhibitions every year, attracting a large number of tourists and local residents to visit. It not only displays graffiti and mural art, but also includes sculptures and installation art, forming a diverse art space.

4. Zoo Miami

Zoo Miami, officially known as the Miami Metropolitan Zoo, is the largest zoo in Florida and the southernmost zoo in the United States. The zoo covers an area of ​​750 acres and has more than 3,000 animals from 300 species. Its feature is the open environment that mimics the natural habitat of animals, providing a realistic living space that allows animals to live in a close-to-natural environment.

The zoo is divided into several areas, including Africa, Asia, Australia, and America, each of which showcases animals unique to that continent. Visitors can see lions, giraffes, and elephants in Africa, Bengal tigers and rhinos in Asia, kangaroos and koalas in Australia, and jaguars and toucans in America.

The Miami Zoo focuses on education and conservation, offering a variety of interactive experiences and educational programs such as animal feeding, interactive displays and nature conservation lectures, aiming to raise public awareness of wildlife and environmental protection. The zoo also has a children’s zoo, a water play area and a picnic area, which is suitable for family outings.

5. The Promenade

Ocean Drive is one of the most famous streets in Miami’s South Beach, known for its vibrant atmosphere and unique Art Deco architecture. The avenue stretches along the Atlantic coastline for about 1.3 miles, making it a popular place for tourists and locals to relax and have fun.

The Ocean Drive is lined with colorful Art Deco buildings, most of which were built in the 1920s and 1930s and have been carefully restored to show their rich history and cultural heritage. Most of these buildings have been transformed into boutique hotels, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs, becoming the center of South Beach’s nightlife.

Here, visitors can enjoy a meal at an open-air cafe, enjoy street art performances, or experience the lively nightlife when night falls. The famous Lummus Park is located just off the avenue and is an ideal place for walking, jogging, and enjoying the sun. The coconut trees and white sand beaches in the park provide visitors with a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

6. Miami Seaquarium

Miami Seaquarium is a famous marine theme park in Miami, Florida, located on the Virginia Key Island in Biscayne Bay. Since its opening in 1955, the 38-acre aquarium has been one of the favorite attractions for locals and tourists, and is famous for its rich marine life displays and wonderful performances.

The Miami Seaquarium is home to a variety of marine life, including dolphins, orcas, sea lions, sea turtles, and a variety of fish. Visitors can watch these marine creatures go about their daily lives and learn more about their habits and conservation through interactive displays. One of the most popular programs is the Dolphin and Orca Show, where these intelligent animals display a variety of amazing tricks that are loved by the audience.

In addition, the aquarium also offers a variety of interactive experiences, such as swimming with dolphins and interacting with sea lions, giving visitors a unique close contact experience. Children can touch starfish and other small marine creatures in the touch pool to stimulate their interest and love for the ocean.

7. Port of Miami

PortMiami, also known as the “Cruise Capital of the World,” is a major port located in Miami, Florida. As one of the largest cruise ports in the world, PortMiami welcomes millions of visitors each year and is an important stop for many of the world’s top cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

The Port is not only an important hub for the cruise industry, but also a key node for freight transportation. The cargo facilities at the Port of Miami handle a large amount of international trade goods, including containers, vehicles and bulk cargo, making it one of the important import and export gateways in the United States. The Port’s modern facilities and efficient operations ensure the smooth flow of cargo and passengers.

The Port of Miami is strategically located on Dodge Island in Biscayne Bay, close to the city center and Miami International Airport, with convenient transportation. There are multiple cruise terminals and cargo terminals in the port area, as well as advanced infrastructure and service facilities to meet various shipping needs.

8. Frost Science Museum

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in Miami, Florida, is a modern museum that combines science, technology, and natural history. The museum, which covers approximately 250,000 square feet, opened in 2017 with the goal of inspiring the public’s interest in science and the natural world.

The Frost Science Museum is divided into four main areas: the Aquarium, the Planetarium, the North Wing, and the South Wing. The Aquarium showcases diverse marine ecosystems from Florida Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, including a huge three-story glass tank where visitors can get up close to a variety of marine life, such as sharks and coral reef fish. The Planetarium has a state-of-the-art 8K high-definition projection system that provides an immersive astronomy and universe exploration experience.

The museum’s North and South wings feature interactive exhibits covering the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and environmental science. The exhibits are not only suitable for children but also appeal to adults, providing visitors with a deep understanding of scientific principles and technological innovations through hands-on experiments and interactive displays.

The Frost Science Museum also offers a variety of educational programs and activities, such as science lectures, workshops and summer camps, aimed at promoting science education and community participation. Its advanced facilities and rich exhibition content make it an important science education center in Miami and even Florida.

9. Observation Wheel

The Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel is a modern large Ferris wheel located in Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. The Ferris wheel is 200 feet (about 61 meters) high and provides an excellent view of downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay. The observation wheel has 42 fully enclosed air-conditioned cabins, each of which can accommodate 6-8 people, providing visitors with a comfortable and safe viewing experience.

From the Miami Flyer, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the downtown Miami skyline, the Port of Miami, Biscayne Bay, and South Beach in the distance. Whether it is day or night, it is an ideal place to capture the beauty of the city and take photos. The Flyer at night is particularly spectacular under the colorful lights.

The Bayfront Park around the Flyer is an important entertainment district in Miami, with many restaurants, shops and entertainment venues nearby, where visitors can enjoy the city’s vitality and style. The Flyer is strategically located near major attractions in downtown Miami, such as the American Airlines Arena and the Perez Art Museum, making it convenient for tourists to visit.

10. Super Blue Miami Art Experience

Superblue Miami is an innovative art space in Miami dedicated to interactive and immersive art experiences. Opening in 2021, the art center is located in Miami’s Allapattah district and covers more than 50,000 square feet, showcasing works by the world’s top artists.

Super Blue Miami’s exhibitions combine light, shadow, sound and space to create an immersive environment. Visitors can participate in art creation in an interactive way, breaking the traditional boundaries of art viewing. For example, teamLab’s work is known for its dynamic digital art installations, in which the audience can shuttle and feel the fusion of art and technology. The works of artists such as Es Devlin and James Turrell are also exhibited here, and they use light, shadow and space to create a unique sensory experience.

11. Jungle Island

Jungle Island is an interactive zoo and eco-park located in Miami, Florida, United States, on Watson Island in the city center. Originally named Parrot Jungle, the park was built in 1936 and attracts many visitors with its rich flora and fauna and interactive experiences.

Jungle Island is famous for its diverse animal displays and interactive experiences. The park is home to a variety of animals from around the world, including tigers, gorillas, lemurs, kangaroos, and large birds. In particular, the rare albino jaguars and colorful tropical birds are favorites of tourists. Visitors can get up close and interact with some of the animals, such as feeding parrots or taking photos with lemurs.

In addition to animal displays, Jungle Island also offers a variety of exciting live performances and educational activities to raise public awareness of wildlife protection and ecological environment. There are multiple theme areas in the park, each of which creates a different ecological environment, such as tropical rainforests and desert areas, giving visitors a rich adventure experience.

Jungle Island is strategically located near downtown Miami, making it convenient for tourists to visit. There are dining facilities and souvenir shops in the park to provide convenient services.

12. Art Deco District

The Miami Art Deco District is a historic neighborhood in Miami Beach known for its well-preserved Art Deco architecture. Stretching approximately one square mile, the area features more than 800 buildings built between the 1920s and 1940s, showcasing unique Art Deco, Streamline Moderne, and Eclectic styles.

These buildings attract a large number of tourists with their bright colors, geometric patterns and unique decorative details. Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue are the most representative streets in the area, lined with historic hotels, restaurants and boutiques. At night, these buildings are particularly charming under the neon lights.

Miami’s Art Deco District is not only a haven for architecture lovers, but also a vibrant social and entertainment hub where visitors can visit Art Deco museums, enjoy beaches, experience a vibrant nightlife, and attend cultural events and festivals, such as the Miami Art Deco Weekend every January.

13. Bay Market

Bayside Marketplace is a popular shopping and entertainment center located on the waterfront in downtown Miami, Florida. This outdoor shopping center is located beside Biscayne Bay, close to the Port of Miami and the American Airlines Arena, home of the Miami Heat, and is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

With over 150 stores and restaurants, Bayside Marketplace offers a variety of shopping and dining options. From well-known brand stores to unique local boutiques, visitors can find fashion, jewelry, souvenirs and more. There are also many dining options within the market, including seafood restaurants, fast food restaurants and cafes to satisfy all tastes.

In addition to shopping and food, the Bay Market is also a great place for entertainment and leisure. Live music performances and various cultural activities are often held here, creating a lively atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy live music in the open-air square or participate in special events organized by the market.

The market is ideally located near the water, where visitors can take a sightseeing cruise to explore Biscayne Bay and the surrounding islands and enjoy the beautiful sea views. There is also a water taxi service to make it easy for visitors to explore other attractions in Miami.

14. Little Havana

Little Havana is a vibrant neighborhood in Miami known for its strong Latin American cultural atmosphere. Located west of downtown, this neighborhood is mainly populated by Cuban immigrants and is named for its close ties with Havana.

The heart of Little Havana is Calle Ocho, which is lined with brightly colored buildings, traditional Cuban restaurants, cafes and cigar shops. The walls on both sides of the street are decorated with colorful murals that showcase the history and culture of Latin America. Visitors can taste authentic Cuban food such as coffee, sandwiches and candies here, and watch locals hand-roll cigars.

The community’s Maximo Gomez Park, also known as “Domino Park,” is a popular spot for local residents to gather to play dominoes and socialize, reflecting the community’s social culture.

Little Havana is also known for its lively festivals, with the annual Calle Ocho Festival in March attracting thousands of visitors to celebrate Latin American music, dance and food.