Loved as a getaway for spring breakers, a haven of relaxation for tired businessmen and women, and a Mecca of nightlife, gastronomy and gorgeous beaches for all, South Beach has made quite a name for itself as the sun-soaked, crown jewel of Miami Beach. While Miami itself is home to plenty of amazing vacation rentals and adults-only hotels, those planning to stay close to the renowned South Beach or “SoBe” will enjoy a vacation in one of the liveliest neighborhoods in the country, and arguably the world. Want to know how to make the most of your time in SoBe? Take a look at these fun things to do in South Beach, Miami.
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1. Join an Art Deco walking tour (from USD 40.0)
Don’t know what to do in South Beach, Miami? A fun way to spend two hours here is simply walking its streets with an expert guide! This walking tour takes you to the city’s Art Deco buildings and landmarks, with narrations of the neighborhood’s rich history and stories about Hollywood and even mobsters.
South Beach sure has its fair share of juicy secrets and scandals, and you’re about to have a front-row seat to all of it! Some of the places you’ll stop by are the Versace mansion and renowned film locations like The Carlyle Hotel.
Miami South Beach Art Deco Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours
2. Cruise along Venetian Islands and celebrity homes (from USD 29.0)
When you decide to cruise Biscayne Bay, why not make it an eventful trip by booking this 90-minute Viator tour? This excursion takes you around the wonderful Venetian Islands and some of the breathtaking houses of celebrities and other well-known figures.
Some of the places you’ll pass by include Star Island and Hibiscus Island, where you’ll find Al Capone’s mansion and other elite homes, along with Skyviews Miami and Bayside Marketplace. Get ready for an inside look at Miami’s most prestigious spots, and sign up for one of the best South Beach activities now!
Miami Cruise Tour Launching From Biscayne Bay
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
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3. Take a stroll down Lincoln Road Mall (from USD 69.0)
Merely a few blocks from the beach and world-famous Ocean Drive is Lincoln Road Mall – a famous SoBe shopping area, lined with trendy boutiques, upscale restaurants and plenty of places for travelers to take pictures and bask in the lively, yet laid back South Miami culture. This mile-long pedestrian promenade is a must-see when in South Beach.
Miami Beach: Art Deco Segway Tour
Duration: 2.0 hour
4. Enjoy the art-deco buildings of Ocean Drive (from USD 40.0)
Merely walking on Ocean Drive is an irreplaceable Miami experience. The iconic Ocean Drive is the centerpiece of Miami’s Art Deco District and contains over 900 art-deco, 1950’s-style buildings, like the Colony Hotel, a South-Beach landmark, built in 1939. Walking down Ocean Drive is like walking through a time capsule, one where the past and present of Miami intersect. This is the perfect spot to people watch, take pictures and watch the nightlife of Miami unfold.
Facebook:Ocean Drive
Miami South Beach Art Deco Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours
5. Attend a pool party at one of the area’s most famous hotels
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Delano Beach Club on Monday, December 9, 2019
South Beach is home to a plethora of iconic, world-class hotels, who all love a good party. During peak tourist season, from March to October, many of these hotels hold unforgettable, can’t-miss, pool parties. Best of all, at most hotel pool parties, you don’t have to be a guest to attend, though guests often receive free admission. Looking for the best hotels to make a splash in during pool party season? Be sure to check out the pool parties at the Delano, the Fountainebleau, and the Clevelander to name a few.
6. Party by the beach at Miami’s famous Nikki Beach (from USD 99.0)
Loved by tourists and locals alike, this famous Miami restaurant turns into a lively beach club at night. Filled with beautiful people, tiki bars and torches, Nikki Beach makes the perfect venue for a night of dancing, drinks and tapas.
Website: Nikki Beach
South Beach Nightclub Party Package
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
7. Have authentic Latin street food at Taquiza (from USD 96.0)
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
In a city known for its Latin flair, Taquiza is some of the best Mexican street food found, without venturing south of the border. This trendy eatery also has an outdoor patio, perfect for enjoying tacos outdoors on a gorgeous Miami evening.
Website: Taquiza
Little Havana walking food tour
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
8. Rent out some rollerblades and skate along Collins Avenue (from USD 15.0)
Rollerblading is a South Beach pastime that never goes out of style. SoBe’s plethora of pedestrian walkways make it easy and enjoyable to throw on some rollerblades and skate along the main streets of Miami Beach.
Rollerblade Rental in Miami Beach
Duration: 1 to 12 hours
9. Get a taste of Spanish architecture, food and culture at Espanola Way (from USD 57.0)
Just a few blocks from the hustle and bustle of Ocean Drive is a street reminiscent of the romance and culture found in Spain. Not only is Espanola Way a great place to stop and take pictures, it is also the perfect place to have dinner and drinks after a long day at the beach. The gorgeous European-style buildings and traditional cafes and restaurants will have you confusing this sunny city with Barcelona.
More Information: Espanola Way
Miami: Food Tasting and Art Deco District Walking Tour
Duration: 3 hour
10. Have a seafood lunch at Joe’s Stone Crab
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Over a hundred years old, this Miami restaurant has a reputation as South Florida’s most famous restaurant. Joe’s Stone Crab attracts locals, tourists, and celebrities with its famous seasonal stone crabs with a “secret” garlic sauce. Be prepared for a wait, but one that is worth the while.
Website: Joe’s Stone Crab
11. Have a Cuban Cafecito at Las Olas Cafe (from USD 69.0)
Cuban culture is alive and well in Miami, and the best way to soak it all in is by starting your day with a cup of Cuban coffee, or a cafecito.
Facebook: Las Olas Cafe
Miami: South Beach Food Tour
Duration: 2.5 hour
12. Dance the night away at LIV
A five-star hotel by day, the Fountainbleu Hotel turns into a renowned bustling nightclub at night, called LIV. Without a doubt the most high-profile and exclusive club in SoBe, LIV is frequented by celebrities, supermodels, Miami elite and tourists with plenty of cash. Does it live up to the hype? DJs like David Guetta, and socialites like Kim Kardashian sure seem to think so. This South Beach attraction has a strict dress code and a hefty cover fee, but once you’re in, the party goes on until 5 a.m.
Website: LIV
13. Attend Art Basel
Each December, South Florida’s art scene comes alive in the form of Art Basel, an international art festival that comes to Miami and Hong Kong once a year. While any reason is a good reason to make a trip to Miami, those fortunate enough to be in town during Art Basel can experience world-class art, meet artists and art aficionados from around the world, and attend some of the best art-related parties in Miami, and arguably the world.
Website: Art Basel
14. Rent jet-skis and take to the ocean (from USD 99.0)
Miami is known for its boat-life and water culture, so it’s no surprise a local favorite on a day off is renting jet-skis and heading out into the ocean! There are plenty of companies in the area that rent out jet-skis, and some even offer lessons for beginners.
Jet Ski Rental 60 Minutes
Duration: 1 hour
15. Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is a hidden gem - nearly 95% of the park is underwater, making this a must-see when in southern Florida!
The National Park is located just twenty miles south of Miami which means that travelers can leave the busy city and submerge into a whole new world. Biscayne Bay is a marine sanctuary home to manatees, turtles, exotic fish, and a shipwreck or two! The best way to explore Biscayne is through a guided eco-adventure with Biscayne National Park Institute! These eco-adventures offer deeper connections with the history and habitats of the park, taking visitors through the park on boats, paddleboards, snorkeling, or scuba diving adventures!
The drive to the park can be a little taxing, but Biscayne National Park Institute offers a NEW Coconut Grove Snorkel Adventure that picks visitors up from Dinner Key Marina (literally on the dock right next to Miami City Hall) and takes them through the bay and right into Biscayne National Park.
Biscayne National Park
Address: 9700 SW 328th Street, Sir Lancelot Jones Way, Homestead, FL 33033
Website: Biscayne National Park
Opening hours: Dante Fascell Visitor Center: 9am - 5pm (daily) / Convoy Point grounds: 7am - 5:30pm (daily) / Navigable waters: Open 24 hours a day / Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key: Open for camping / Adams Key: 9am - Official sunset (daily)
Price: 25 USD camping fee / No fee for park entrance
16. Rent a boat in Miami
One thing you must add to your list of things to do in South Beach is to rent a boat or charter a yacht with a local Miami captain to take you around!
GetMyBoat, a boat rental company with over 900 options in Miami and around South Beach, offers charter yachts and boat rentals for visitors. Also available on a mobile app, the rental is sometimes known as the “Airbnb of Boats”.
Find boat rentals for as cheap as $50/hour, or book a luxury yacht with a captain and crew to provide an unforgettable experience. You can cruise to islands like Pace Picnic Island, Haulover Sandbar, Star Island, and more, and admire seeing all of South Beach from the perspective of the water and your boat. Soak up the sun, stop and go for a swim, and so much more while enjoying your time in Miami. Rent a boat right on your phone with the GetMyBoat app.
Rent a boat in Miami
Website: Rent a boat in Miami
Price: Starting at 65 USD per hour
17. Sugar Factory American Brasserie
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Sugar Factory American Brasserie, named “The Most Instagrammed Restaurant in the United States,“ by Food & Wine Magazine, offers a sweet escape with a fun-filled location on Miami Beach’s Ocean Drive.
The family-friendly, high-energy, celebration destination known for its Insane Milkshakes, colorful rainbow dishes, and smoking goblets recently introduced all-new incredible, photo-worthy eats for brunch, lunch, and dinner. For brunch, guests can find all new insane pancake stacks, waffles, french toast, omelets, spiked mimosas, insane iced coffees, and more.
With an emphasis on colorful dishes and whimsical desserts, highlights of Sugar Factory’s lunch and dinner menu include over-the-top burgers, pasta, seafood, steak, and more. The Ocean Drive restaurant is a one-stop-shop of fun for the entire family featuring instagrammable, photo-opp walls and large flower murals, neon art, a video wall, and a candy retail store, which is home to Sugar Factory’s signature floor-to-ceiling candy wall.
Sugar Factory American Brasserie
Address: 1060 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
Website: Sugar Factory American Brasserie
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 12am; Fri: 11am - 1am; Sat: 9am - 1am; Sun: 9am - 12am
Art, beaches, food and more!
Making your way to the party city of South Beach, Miami? From unbeatable art to gorgeous beaches to delicious food – this vacation city is the perfect place to put your life on pause and soak up the sun. Find the best beach resorts and vacation apartments, and start planning your trip now!
Frequently asked questions about the best things to do in South Beach, Miami
1. What are the top attractions to visit in South Beach Miami?
You definitely can’t pass up the chance to spend a day at South Beach, but if you’ve already added that to your itinerary, other attractions you can’t miss are South Pointe Park, Espanola Way, and the stunning Art Deco buildings at Ocean Drive.
2. What are the best outdoor activities in South Beach Miami?
Besides lounging on the beach, some outdoor activities you can enjoy in South Beach include biking or joining a Segway tour at South Pointe Park and taking a stroll down the world-famous Ocean Drive.
3. What are the best day trips from South Beach Miami?
While in Florida, a must-visit is definitely Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. From South Beach, it takes about four hours on the road via Florida’s Turnpike, so be sure to head out early so you’re in front of the gate as soon as the park opens!
4. What are the most popular things to do in South Beach Miami with kids?
If you want foolproof fun with your kids in South Beach, you can take them on a helicopter ride to see the Golden Beaches or invite them to spend the afternoon rollerblading down Collins Avenue.
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