Miami / Places

Places to visit in Miami

Restaurants

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Restaurants

Ariete

Chef Michael Beltran's Michelin-starred flagship in leafy Coconut Grove serves contemporary New American food deeply rooted in his Cuban heritage, from refined tasting plates to a beloved weekend brunch. It's intimate, personal, and one of the city's best fine-dining values. Practical note: open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner with weekend brunch; reservations recommended.

Restaurants

Boia De

A tiny, Michelin-starred Italian spot tucked into a Buena Vista strip mall, run by chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer, serving inventive pasta and small plates. Despite the humble location, it's one of Miami's most sought-after tables. Practical note: reservations open on Resy 30 days out at noon and vanish instantly, but walk-ins can sometimes snag a bar seat at the 5:30pm opening.

Restaurants

COTE Miami

America's first Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse, where diners grill premium cuts at the table; the Butcher's Feast tasting is the signature way to go. The sleek Design District room pairs the meat with banchan and a strong wine and soju program. Practical note: it's a splurge and a high-energy scene, so book ahead and arrive ready to cook at your own grill.

Restaurants

Garcia's Seafood Grille & Fish Market

A nearly half-century-old, family-run seafood shack and fish market right on the Miami River, serving ultra-fresh grilled and fried catch, conch fritters, and fish sandwiches. The open-air upstairs deck overlooking the working river is pure old Miami. Practical note: it's casual and cash-friendly with riverfront views, a great low-key lunch away from the tourist crowds.

Restaurants

Joe's Stone Crab

A South Beach legend operating since 1913, Joe's is the definitive Miami seafood destination, famous for its chilled stone crab claws served with mustard sauce and key lime pie. The vast, old-school dining room buzzes with energy and waiters in tuxedos. Practical note: Joe's doesn't take reservations and waits can run hours, so go early or use the takeaway counter; stone crab is at its peak during the October-to-May season.

Restaurants

KYU

A wood-fired, Asian-inspired restaurant in the heart of the Wynwood arts district known for bold sharing plates like the signature smoked-then-grilled short rib and roasted cauliflower. The industrial-chic space matches the neighborhood's creative energy. Practical note: dishes are designed for the table to share, so come with a group, and reservations are strongly recommended on weekends.

Bars

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Bars

Bar Kaiju

A neon-drenched, monster-themed cocktail den hidden on the second floor of the Citadel food hall in Little River, and Miami's most internationally decorated cocktail bar. The inventive, boundary-pushing drinks and bold design have landed it repeatedly on North America's 50 Best Bars. Practical note: it's tucked upstairs and only open evenings (closed Mondays), so it can fill up fast on weekends.

Bars

Broken Shaker

The bar that helped ignite Miami's craft-cocktail movement, set in a lush, plant-filled courtyard inside the bohemian Freehand hotel. Cocktails lean on fresh herbs and house-made ingredients, and the relaxed garden vibe draws an even mix of locals and travelers. Practical note: it's poolside and casual, so come early evening for a calmer scene before the night crowd arrives.

Bars

Café La Trova

A love letter to Havana's cantinero cocktail tradition, where bartenders shake and flair to live Cuban music seven nights a week. Sit at the bar for master cantinero Julio Cabrera's classic daiquiris and mojitos, or grab a table for contemporary Cuban dishes; it consistently ranks among North America's 50 Best Bars. Practical note: it gets loud and lively, especially weekends after 9 p.m., so reserve ahead if you want a table.

Bars

Mae's Room

An intimate mid-century cocktail bar in Coconut Grove from the Ariete Hospitality team, focused on flawlessly executed classics under veteran bartender Tom Lasher-Walker. Go for a perfect martini, spirit-forward old-fashioned, or crisp daiquiri in a warm, conversation-friendly room. Practical note: it's small and grown-up by design, a welcome calmer alternative to Miami's louder party bars.

Bars

Mama Tried

A late-night downtown staple with 1970s gold-and-red decor, a twilight-painted ceiling, and a solid handcrafted cocktail program. It's the kind of place that stays lively until 5 a.m. and rewards both early happy-hour drinkers and after-midnight crowds. Practical note: daily happy hour runs from open until 8 p.m., a good value before the late-night energy builds.

Bars

Panamericano

A hidden second-floor speakeasy in Mary Brickell Village, reached via an unmarked door and a doorbell, serving inventive cocktails built around spirits from across the Americas. The sleek, modern space and rotating guest-bartender nights make it a standout in Brickell. Practical note: closed Sunday and Monday, and seating is limited, so it's best for a small group or an intimate drink.

Parks

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Parks

Bayfront Park

A 32-acre waterfront park in the heart of downtown Miami on Biscayne Bay, with open lawns, a fountain, sculptures, and an amphitheater that hosts concerts and the city's New Year's Eve celebration. It's a convenient green break between downtown sights and a launch point for the adjoining Maurice A. Ferre Park and its museums. Practical note: open daily roughly 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; free to enter.

Parks

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

A 400-plus-acre state park at the southern tip of Key Biscayne wrapping a wide Atlantic beach around the historic 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse, Florida's oldest standing structure. Go for the calm, uncrowded sand, lighthouse climbs, paved bike paths, and seaside dining at the Lighthouse Cafe. Practical note: open 8 a.m. to sundown 365 days a year with an $8 per-vehicle entry fee, and it can hit capacity on weekends, so arrive early.

Parks

Crandon Park

A sprawling Key Biscayne county park anchored by a two-mile barrier-island beach repeatedly ranked among the nation's best, with calm, shallow water shielded by an offshore sandbar that makes it ideal for families. Beyond the sand there's a marina, golf and tennis, picnic areas with grills, and a nature center with shoreline boardwalks. Practical note: the beach opens around sunrise to sunset and parking fills fast on weekends.

Parks

David T. Kennedy Park

A breezy 20-plus-acre bayfront park in Coconut Grove with open lawns, shade trees, a waterfront running and exercise track, beach volleyball, and one of Miami's most popular dog parks. It's a local favorite for sunset views over Biscayne Bay and weekend picnics. Practical note: free to enter; daytime is best as the park effectively closes after dusk.

Parks

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

An 83-acre tropical botanical garden in Coral Gables renowned for its world-class collections of palms, cycads, flowering trees, and a butterfly conservatory, all laid out around scenic lakes. It's a serene, shaded escape and one of Miami's premier outdoor cultural attractions, with rotating art installations and seasonal festivals. Practical note: open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; tickets are required, so consider booking ahead.

Parks

Matheson Hammock Park

A historic 1930s Coral Gables park where a man-made atoll pool flushes naturally with Biscayne Bay tides, creating a sheltered lagoon that's safe for young swimmers and offers postcard skyline views. Surrounded by mangroves and tropical hardwood hammock, it also has a marina, trails, and picnic areas. Practical note: hours run roughly 9 a.m. to 5:30-6:30 p.m. depending on season, with a per-vehicle entry fee.

Museums

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Museums

HistoryMiami Museum

A Smithsonian-affiliated museum and the largest history museum in Florida, telling the 10,000-year story of South Florida from the Tequesta and Seminole peoples through Cuban exile and modern Miami. It's the best place to understand the city's multicultural roots. Practical note: located in the downtown Cultural Center plaza; check hours, as it currently operates Thursday through Sunday.

Museums

Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA Miami)

A cutting-edge contemporary art museum in the Miami Design District showcasing emerging and under-recognized artists in a striking metal-faced building with a sculpture garden. Admission is always free, making it one of the best art values in the city. Practical note: closed Monday and Tuesday; pair a visit with the District's luxury shopping and dining.

Museums

Jewish Museum of Florida–FIU

Set in two restored historic synagogue buildings on South Beach, this is the only museum dedicated to over 250 years of Florida Jewish history, arts, and culture. The stained-glass-lit former sanctuary and the immigration-story exhibits are standouts. Practical note: closed Monday and Tuesday; the building itself is a piece of Miami Beach Art Deco-era history.

Museums

Lowe Art Museum

The University of Miami's art museum, with a wide-ranging encyclopedic collection of more than 19,000 works spanning ancient, Asian, European, Native American, and Latin American art. It's a quieter, scholarly alternative to Miami's flashier contemporary venues. Practical note: located on the UM campus in Coral Gables; closed Monday and Tuesday, and parking is on campus.

Museums

Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

A sprawling science complex in Museum Park with a three-level aquarium, a state-of-the-art planetarium, and hands-on STEM exhibits that are great for families. The Gulf Stream aquarium tank and the planetarium dome shows are the highlights. Practical note: it sits right next to PAMM, so the two pair well in a single day, and timed planetarium shows can sell out.

Museums

Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)

A waterfront contemporary art museum on Biscayne Bay focused on 20th- and 21st-century art with a strong emphasis on Caribbean and Latin American artists. Frank Gehry-collaborator Herzog & de Meuron designed the airy building, whose hanging gardens and bayfront terrace are worth the visit alone. Practical note: it's closed Tuesday and Wednesday, and easily reached via the free Metromover.

Landmarks

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Landmarks

Art Deco Welcome Center (Miami Design Preservation League)

The gateway to South Beach's famous Art Deco Historic District, the world's largest concentration of 1930s-40s Art Deco architecture along Ocean Drive. Stop here for self-guided audio tours or guided walking tours of the pastel hotels. Practical note: located right on Ocean Drive at 10th Street; mornings are best for photographing the facades before crowds build.

Landmarks

Ball & Chain

A historic Calle Ocho nightspot dating to the 1930s, now a lively bar and Cuban restaurant with live Latin music and salsa dancing. Go for mojitos, the open-air Pineapple stage and an authentic taste of Little Havana's nightlife. Practical note: open daily from 11 a.m. into the early morning hours; busiest and most fun on weekend evenings.

Landmarks

Bayside Marketplace

A two-story open-air waterfront mall on Biscayne Bay with shops, restaurants, live music and departure points for bay cruises and boat tours. Go for the lively harbor atmosphere and as a launch pad for sightseeing on the water. Practical note: open daily (generally until 10-11 p.m.); it is touristy but central, and adjacent to Bayfront Park.

Landmarks

Máximo Gómez Park (Domino Park)

A small but iconic Calle Ocho plaza where locals gather daily to play dominoes over Cuban coffee amid Latin music and animated banter. Go to soak up the everyday culture of Little Havana and watch the spirited games. Practical note: open daily roughly 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; it is a quick stop best paired with a stroll along SW 8th Street.

Landmarks

Venetian Pool

A whimsical 1920s public swimming pool carved from a coral rock quarry, with caves, waterfalls, stone bridges and Venetian-style architecture. Go for a one-of-a-kind historic swim on a hot day. Practical note: closed Mondays with seasonal hours, and the pool periodically closes for draining/refilling, so confirm it is open before visiting.

Attractions

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Attractions

Art Deco Historic District

The pastel-hued heart of South Beach packs the world's largest concentration of 1920s-40s Art Deco architecture along Ocean Drive, Collins, and Washington avenues. Stroll the neon-lit hotels and grab a drink, or take the official Miami Design Preservation League walking tour to learn the design stories. Practical note: guided tours depart daily at 10:30 a.m. from the Art Deco Welcome Center at 1001 Ocean Drive.

Attractions

Zoo Miami

Florida's largest zoo spreads 750 acres of cageless, open-habitat exhibits home to roughly 2,000 animals across Asian, African, Australian, and Amazonian zones. It is excellent for families, with a tram, monorail, and aviary to cover the distances. Practical note: open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; arrive early to beat the midday heat as much of the walking is in the open.