If you plan to spend a week in Miami (or maybe longer!) here’s 12 things you need to check out.
We all know it from movies and postcards, but Miami is exactly how I expected it to be. And possibly even better. I visited last October, with my best friend (Truth: We flew there to see a Christina Aguilera Concert – no regrets!)
I was also working in my company’s Miami office for most of the days I spent there. But I still found enough time to explore to.
Miami is more than just beaches and palm trees, although it does have a lot of that too. There are so many fun things to do, it’s so colourful, and the people are incredibly welcoming. If you’re spending one week in Miami, you have plenty of time to see all sides of this diverse city.
Naturally, like most cities, there are less picturesque and less safe parts of the city. But we stuck to the main tourist spots and had an incredible time.
So, this is my ultimate list of things to do during one week in Miami.
Things To See During One Week in Miami
South Beach
No list of things to do in Miami for a week would be complete without the iconic South Beach.
South Beach was more beautiful and less tacky than I had expected. For the majority of the beach there are fences or trees separating the strips of hotels and the sand. This means that while you’re on the beach, you feel like you could be anywhere, and certainly not in a major cosmopolitan city.
As well as topping up your tan and rolling your eyes at the many Instagram photo shoots happening along the shore, be sure to check out as many unique lifeguard hut as you can. They are all different colours, shapes, sizes. (And the life guards themselves come in super handy when you get a jellyfish sting, haha!)
Ocean Drive
Another icon of Miami, is Ocean Drive. The strip runs parallel to the beach and feels a little bit like you’ve been transported back into the 50’s.
Walking along Ocean Drive should be part of your one week in Miami intinerary at least once. If you have the time, try to visit it during both the day and at night.
During the day, there are tourists and locals eating and drinking on the sidewalk, enjoying the sunshine and some retail therapy.
At night, Ocean Drive comes alive in neon lights, DJs and the restaurants become bars. If nightlife is on your list of things to check out during your week in Miami, Ocean Drive is the place for you.
Everglades tour
No, this is not technically in the city. But it’s still a perfect way to fill one of your days during your week in Miami.
There are a number of Everglades tours, that depart from the South Beach area either in the morning or afternoon, and take you out for a few hours on a boat tour to explore the more natural side of Florida.
I’m not usually a big fan of organised tours, or animal tourism. But this is by far the best way to see the Everglades in a short period of time. You can see alligators in their natural habitat swimming among the marsh, and enjoy the surprisingly thrilling experience of an Airboat.
Book in advance onto one of the many tours available on Viator.
Paddle Boarding
If you follow me on Instagram, you already know that I love paddle boarding. I recently discovered it in the last few years, and it’s my favourite thing to do while travelling to hot places.
Paddle boarding in Miami allows you to see a different part of the water.
It’s the best way to explore the harbour area, while gazing longingly at the incredible mansions surrounding the bay.
Pool Day
Miami has some of the best weather all year round. As a sun worshipper, and Scottish person, I couldn’t come to Miami without spending a day by the pool soaking up the sun.
Whether your team pool or team beach, there is definitely benefits to both. And a pool day is the perfect way to relax, enjoy Miami is weather and avoid all the hassle that comes with lying on the sand.
Brunch
If America does one thing well, that’s brunch. And Miami is no exception. Check out hundreds of gorgeous bunch spots around Ocean Drive, Brickle and Downtown.
I didn’t try enough to write a blog of my own about it. So here’s a list of Culture Trip’s best Miami Brunch spots.
Wynwood Walls
Another iconic Miami thing to do, is to spend an afternoon admiring the Wynwood area, and the streets and streets of art. Check out my full blog here for Wynwood wall in pictures.
Be sure to go while there is still lots of daylight, for your own safety and also for optimal picture taking opportunities.
Little Havana
Little Havannah is a fun neighbourhood in Miami that’s well worth a visit. Wondering through the streets in this area you’re transported to the nearby (but challenging to reach) Cuba. The local restaurants serve traditional Cuban cuisine, and at night the bars come alive with music and dancing.
Brickell
Now it’s possible that if you’re not in Miami for a business trip, you may never enter Brickle. But don’t overlook it. Brickle is predominantly the business zone, but boasts some gorgeous waterfront bars and restaurants. It’s also the shopping hub, if you want to get your retail therapy on.
Bayside
I had no idea this little gem existed until I got to Miami. Bayside is just beyond Brickle and is a harbour area, shopping mall and great place to grab some food. We enjoyed sitting in a Cuban restaurant and eating lunch whilst enjoying the boats and the ocean view.
This is also the place to come if you fancy a bit of a thrill. There are plenty of speedboat tours and party yachts departing from here to take you out on a tour.
Sunset Point
Right at the very end of South Beach, lies sunset point. This harbour area is, as you would guess, the perfect place to enjoy Miami’s sunset. Standing on the dock, you can enjoy the picture perfect scene of the yachts silhouetted on the backdrop of Miami’s Downtown and Brickle areas.
An absolute must do during your week in Miami for all romantics and sunset lovers.
Biscayne Bay
Separated by a bridge from the main strip of Miami, lies Biscayne Bay. Accessible by bus or taxi (we used Uber a lot in Miami because it was pretty cheap and things are quite spread out). Biscayne Bay is a wonderful thing to do in Miami if you’re staying for a few extra days.
The vibe is very different to the buzz of South Beach. Lying on the sand surrounded by palm trees, you truly feel like you’re at the edge of the world. There is a gorgeous lighthouse at one end of the bay. And while we were there we witnessed a beautiful beach wedding on the stunning backdrop.
There aren’t many food outlets or things to do on Biscayne Bay, so pack supplies before you go and enjoy the beauty of doing nothing.
And there you have it! 12 things to do in one week in Miami (or maybe even longer!)
