Better known by the names Gateway to America, The Mega City, and the 305, Miami is the charm of Florida. It’s best known for its lively nightlife, striking beaches, and cozy warm weather. It surely doesn’t end here! Its top-notch hotels, lavish shopping malls, mind-blowing skyline, and splendid Art Deco architecture also contribute to making this alluring city worth visiting.
Give this travel guide a quick read to learn all that you should know about Miami! From where it’s located to how you can get there, the best time to visit, and the things you must do there. Without further delays, let’s dive right into it!
What to Know about Miami?
Miami is Florida’s second most populous city and boasts a population of 439,890, according to the 2021 statics. With over three hundred high-rises, this adventurous city has the 3rd largest skyline in the United States.
In 2021, Miami welcomed 24.2 million people from around the globe; this was more than double the number of visitors in 2020, i.e., 11.6 million. As English is the most spoken and official language in Miami, tourists don’t face any language issues.
How to Get to Miami?
Several airlines fly direct to Miami from major European cities, Paris, London, etc. Depending on your needs and budget, you can opt for a direct or connecting flight to reach this destination.
Miami boasts several airports, out of which Miami International Airport is the major, receiving most of the international flights. Over 80 airlines work for this airport, giving access to around 150 destinations worldwide. Other airports include Miami Executive Airport, Homestead General Aviation Airport, Miami-Opa-Locka Executive, and more.
The Best Time to Visit Miami
March to May is considered the best time to visit Miami. It’s when weather conditions are ideal, and hurricanes are nowhere off the coast. Carnaval Miami, Miami Fashion Week, Ultra Music Festival, Miami Beach pride, etc., are some of the key events held in this span.
However, if you want to visit Miami in the cheap season, mark January to May, obviously excluding spring break and summer months. If we had to choose the cheapest month, it would have been January!
5 Must Things to Do to Make the Most of Your Miami Excursion
You will get so much to explore in Miami, from its top tourist attraction and buzzing marketplaces to striking beaches and lavish must-dine-in restaurants. This immense variety may leave you wondering what to add to your bucket list. If that’s the case, we have got you covered!
In this section of our Miami travel guide, we will walk you through what the must-things you should do in Miami. Let’s explore them!
1. Unwind at the Iconic Miami Beach
The first things that come to mind when thinking of Miami are its long-stretching sandy beaches and scorching sun rays. Although the area boasts more than a dozen beaches, each with its own particular vibe, the best one to visit is, undoubtedly, Miami Beach.
Technically, Miami Beach is located outside the Miami municipality on a nearby island. Still, it’s the main attraction for Miami visitors. Here, you can hook yourself up for several adventurous activities, including camping, clubbing, playing different watersports, or just lay back to unwind when intaking the scenic views of waves reaching the shore.
2. Explore Zoo Miami
Next on the list is the visit to Zoo Miami! This spacious zoo is home to over 3000 animals representing over 500 species. What adds to the popularity of this zoo is the animals are not kept in cages, giving them the freedom they usually dire for. Just moats are placed to separate them from visitors.
Mild rides, giraffe feeding, and several edutainment programs are the main attractions for children and adults, making this place a must-stop for family trips. As the zoo is spacious, expect to walk more and wear comfy sneakers if you don’t want to end up with painful feet.
Essential Tip: To skip the crowd, visit Zoo Miami right when it opens, i.e., at 10 AM!
3. Go for a Walking Tour in Little Havana
Let’s explore Cuban culture in Miami! Seems unreal? But it’s actually not, as the Little Havana walking tour will let you dive into Cuban life when touring Miami. This place features several lavish Cuban restaurants, specialty food shops, and open-air social areas.
Here, you can get a chance to feast upon traditional Cuban cuisine dishes like Cuban Cigars, Flan Ice Cream, Chicken Plantain Cups, Guava Pastries, and more. With street art depicting renowned Cuban figures and listening to lively Latin music, you will feel immersed in Cuban culture. The best thing about this tour is that this tour is wheelchair accessible.
4. Capture Photos at Wynwood Walls
A heaven for art lovers and photography enthusiast, Wynwood Walls are where you will come across striking open-air street art installations. Covering over 80000 square feet of abandoned warehouse walls, Wynwood Walls are a kind of outdoor art museum.
These were founded back in 2009 and received immense appreciation and love from locals and tourists. Even the lot adjacent to the walls was named Waynwood doors. The vibrant artwork on the walls is by 50 artists from 16 countries.
These walls are accessible Sunday through Thursday from 11 AM to 7 PM. And Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM. You can also book a guided tour to learn more about the walls when exploring them.
5. Go Shopping at Bayside Marketplace
Lined with over 150 tourist and specialty shops, restaurants, and cafes, Bayside Marketplace has something to please everyone. Just get lost in the maze of shops, and you will surely find something of your interest to purchase. You will come across several live performers dedicated to keeping the shoppers entertained.
As the name suggests, it’s a vibrant waterfront mall in Downtown Miami. Besides the huge tourist crowds, several locals also visit this spot to admire the bay and soak in the lively atmosphere.
