Things to Do in Miami for Adults

South Beach Ideas for Couples & Groups of Friends

By Katie Sagal
Published: July 18, 2024
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Miami is an ideal destination for adult-only trips. With so many fun and exciting things to do in the city or at the beach, you can easily stay busy whether you're here for a week or only a weekend. If you’re looking for things to do in Miami for adults, check out our favorite attractions for couples and groups of friends to enjoy, including...  

  • Biscayne Bay Sightseeing Boat Cruise 
  • Vizcaya Museum & Gardens 
  • Miami Art Deco Walking Tour 
  • Key West Day Trip from Miami 
  • Key Largo Glass Bottom Boat Cruise 
  • Explore Little Havana 
  • and more... 
South Beach Miami

Tour the City on a Double Decker Bus or Duck Boat 

Big Bus Tour Miami

Explore Miami by way of a convenient Hop On Hop Off Big Bus tour that lets you customize your day (and decide how much sightseeing you really feel like doing!) Or, choose a fun Miami Duck Boat Tour that indulges your inner tourist. The Duck Tour in particular is a delightful option if you'd like the explore the city on multiple fronts. It's a fun way to combine land and water excursions.

Soak up the art scene

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Miami is one of the most beautiful cities in the country, so it's no surprise that it inspires people to make more beautiful things. Art lovers will find much to appreciate in this highly creative city, from world-renowned film festivals to fine art museums. One of the most popular institutions is the compelling Pérez Art Museum, which primarily features collections of modern and contemporary international art. There's even a beautiful hanging garden for sitting and sipping a latte.

If you're looking to see artistic inspiration on a large scale, the must-see Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is a surefire hit. Stunning, European-inspired architecture combines historical furnishings and significant works of art to make for a truly inspiring visit. Don't forget the luxurious gardens that surround the estate! Both of these suggestions are great things to do for couples.

Get up close with the animal world

Miami zoo giraffes

You don't have to be a kid to enjoy meeting some of the world's most fascinating creatures at a top-notch zoo! Head to Zoo Miami, where you'll meet critters large and small that hail from around the globe. This 340-acre expanse features diverse habitats that mimic the animals' natural surroundings, with exhibits like Africa, Asia, the Amazon, and Australia. "Amazon and Beyond" is a popular choice, featuring jaguars, snakes, and a tropical rainforest. 

Or, if aquatic creatures are more your style, head to the admirable Miami Seaquarium. They're renowned for their conservation work, and their marine animal shows are truly a sight to behold. 

Take an airboat ride through the Everglades

Airboat through the Everglades

We all know Miami has some excellent outdoorsy things to do, but many of us don't think beyond the beaches and boardwalks. If you're looking to see more of South Florida than some (admittedly very beautiful) sand, try an always entertaining airboat ride in the Everglades. You'll get to see large swathes of Everglades National Park and plenty of iconic Florida gators.

Head to South Beach 

South Beach Miami

South Beach is probably the most popular beach in Miami, but don’t let that turn you off from visiting what many call the Surf Capital of Miami. If you’ve never seen surfers before, South Beach is an excellent spot for seeing these impressive athletes in action.

The people-watching at South Beach is also ideal, you may see A-list celebrities on any given day. Spend some time at South Beach and enjoy a relaxing day of sunbathing, rollerblading, shopping, dining, and swimming. You won’t be disappointed!

For the architecture buffs, there's also the Art Deco Architectural Historic District, which is a rare, diverse collection of buildings in this signature style. Take a Miami Art Deco Walking Tour of the neighborhood and snap those perfect Instagram photos.

Head down to Key West

Key West

You can't come this far south into Florida without venturing just a little bit farther. Spend an entire day exploring and soaking up the Caribbean atmosphere. When you get to Key West, there are plenty of great shops and unique attractions to explore, from the house where Ernest Hemingway lived to a lush botanical garden. Be sure to head to Mallory Square around sunset for some gorgeous photos.

Enjoy a Key Largo marine life sightseeing cruise 

Key Largo marine life

Another great option for exploring the vivid blue waters around Miami is to hop aboard the Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat Cruise. This boat offers a relaxing and engaging cruise around the Florida Keys that both couples and groups of friends will love.

On your two-hour cruise, you'll get to enjoy the cool sea breeze, the gorgeous waters, and most importantly, observe the marine life below you. See the many vibrantly colored inhabitants of the Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the country's only underwater State Park. You'll love this unique chance to see them without getting wet! 

Ride a Bike Around South Beach 

South beach bike ride

Get active and explore South Beach and beyond via bicycle. Just hop aboard a rented bike and you're ready to roam around this cycling-friendly beach region. Rentals from Bike and Roll come with a map, too, so you're not left just exploring on your own without guidance. Of course, you can feel free to go wherever the spirit moves you! 

Soak up the Cuban flair of Little Havana

Little Havana

Miami’s Latin Quarter, also known as Little Havana (or La Pequeña Habana), is a quaint neighborhood where you’ll find art galleries, shops, restaurants, live music, and more. Full of authentic Cuban restaurants and shops, Calle Ocho is the hub of life in Little Havana. You and your friends will have a blast here.

You may even have the chance to see an exciting cultural event like Carnival Miami, Cultural Fridays, and the Three Kings Parade.

Save on admission to top Miami attractions with Go City®

That should do it! We hope our list helped you discover some of the best things to do in Miami for adults. These vacation ideas are great for couples or traveling with a group of friends. Miami does have just about everything that you could possibly wish for on an adults-only vacation — food and drink, shopping, exploring, and relaxing.

Planning to visit lots of Miami attractions? With Go City® you won't miss a thing. Plus, with a Miami attraction pass, you can save up to 50% compared to buying individual entry to everything you want to do. Win-win.

☀️Compare Miami passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Visiting Miami on a Budget - A Simple Way to Save on Your Vacation

When it comes to a South Florida vacation, there’s one destination you can’t beat! Miami is a top destination for families from all over. Whether you have young children or teenagers, you’ll be able to find fun activities and attractions your whole family will love. Miami can be a great choice for budget-minded travelers, especially when you use a Go Miami Card, which makes visiting Miami on a budget a breeze. Save on Admission to Tourist Attractions Admission to many of these Miami tourist attractions and are included on the Go Miami Card. Go Miami Cards give you the flexibility to choose as you go from dozens of top attractions to create a vacation tailored to your family's interests. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. A few of the attractions include: Miami Seaquarium Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour Key West Day Trip from Miami Duck Tours South Beach and more! Top Attractions to Visit for a Budget Friendly Trip Miami Seaquarium If you have kids, you absolutely have to go to Miami Seaquarium. Regardless of age, everyone loves Miami Seaquarium. As soon as you walk in your kids will begin learning about fishes, sea mammals, and other sea animals. You and your family can enjoy the fun and educational shows! But beware! If you’re sitting in the front 3 rows, you’re bound to get wet! Luckily, your kids will LOVE THAT! Getting In: Miami Seaquarium tickets are included on the Go Miami Card. Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour Forget about sitting on a tour just “looking” at all of the Miami, instead, EXPERIENCE Miami! Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour will drive to and tell you about some of the most exciting places in Miami. The bus also stops and gives you, your family, and all tour guests to get down and enjoy sightseeing. Getting In: Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Miami Bus Tour tickets are included on the Go Miami Card. Key West Day Trip If you haven’t been to the Keys yet, you’ve been missing out! Key West Day Trip will take you and your family from Miami out to Key West and you’ll get to spend most of the day sightseeing and experiencing everything Key West has to offer. Along with the trip ticket, you can upgrade and go on a glass-bottom boat, go snorkeling, or go parasailing! Getting In: Key West Day Trip from Miami tickets are included on the Go Miami Card. Biscayne Bay Sightseeing Boat Cruise If you’ve had an adventure-filled vacation and want a little time to relax and enjoy the sights (without having to walk around the city), Biscayne Bay Sightseeing Boat Cruise is the perfect attraction for you! You’ll get to tour around the beautiful Biscayne Bay and the Venetian Islands all while enjoying some refreshments and delicious food. Along with seeing the beautiful sights of Miami, you’ll also get to see some celebrity homes! Getting In: Biscayne Bay Sightseeing Boat Cruise tickets are included on the Go Miami Card. Duck Tours South Beach Duck Tours South Beach is unlike any tour you’ve ever been on! You and your family will get to see the sights of South Beach on land AND on water! The Duck Tours vehicle has 4 wheels to drive on land and is also a boat, which makes these tours double the fun. You and your family will be blown away, especially your kids. Getting In: Duck Tours South Beach tickets are included on the Go Miami Card. These attractions are all a must-see, so don’t let your family miss out! Fun Options to Visit During Your Trip: There are delicious restaurants, historic sites, and museums, and the weather is almost always perfect for a day out! Here are a few other family-fun ideas you can enjoy with your family: Everglades National Park - If you and your family love nature, Everglades National Park is a perfect place for all of you! This national park has hiking paths, biking paths, picnic areas, fishing areas, and so much more. Your family will get to enjoy the beautiful scenery; they’ll get to see a wide variety of birds as well as other wildlife. Lion Country Safari - Lion Country Safari is the only drive-through safari in all of Florida. You and your family can have close encounters with over 900 animals of various species! It’s the type of experience your kids will always remember. There’s even a petting zoo that younger kids LOVE! Along with the petting zoo and drive-through safari, Lion Country Safari has a walk-through amusement park that the whole family can enjoy! Free Activities for a Budget Friendly Vacation The Beaches - If you’re visiting Miami on a budget, you can’t forget to take advantage of the free activities! There are beaches you can go to and soak up the Florida sun. Biscayne National Park - You could also head to Biscayne National Park and take a boat out to the offshore barrier reefs. Big Night in Little Haiti - If you’re in Miami during the 3rd Friday of any month, head to Big Night in Little Haiti and enjoy a family-friendly environment with food, art, music, and culture! If your family loves art, head over to Wynwood and enjoy their public art. Enjoy the Downtown Public Art - If you go to Wynwood during the second Saturday of any month you’ll get to experience Art Walk and see artists creating art live for free. Please keep in mind some Wynwood art may not all be family-friendly. South Pointe Park - South Point Park is also a great place to enjoy for free. Located in the Southernmost part of Miami Beach, South Point Park features a beautiful family-friendly beach, a small interactive kid’s water area, and has walking paths. No matter what activities or attractions you decide to experience, just remember the most important thing, have fun with your family! How to Save Money When Visiting Miami on a Budget Going on a family vacation can get costly quick, but it doesn’t have to. Here are a few tips that will help you save money next time you are visiting Miami on a budget: Plan Ahead - If you’re visiting Miami on a budget, make sure you plan ahead. That will allow you to make the most out of your time and vacation budget. Determine how many days you’ll be there, then give yourself a budget for each day based on your vacationing budget. *Side note: Always leave a little money for emergencies. Make a List – Put together a list of all of the attractions and activities your family wants to explore. Use this list to determine where you have time to visit and coordinate so that you can go to more than one place per day. Use a Go Miami Card – A Go Miami Card allows you to visit dozens of popular attractions all for one low price, so you know you won't be going over your budget. Pack Your Own Lunches – If your family is on a tight vacation budget you may want to consider packing your own lunches instead of eating at restaurants. Sandwiches can stay in a lunchbox for most of the day without going bad and you can even freeze a bunch of juice pouches to keep them cold all day long, and use them to keep other food in your cooler cold. By following these tips you can spend money time enjoying your vacation, instead of worrying about how much money you have left in your bank account. Let's Recap on Visiting Miami on a Budget There you go - a few great recommendations for things to do when visiting Miami on a budget. Remember, many of these great budget friendly attraction options and more are included on the Go Miami Card, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. So when you are planning your trip, consider including some of these options to your Miami vacation itinerary.
Go City Expert
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Things to Do in Miami When it Rains

Miami is a fabulous city all year round, with warm tropical temperatures and sunny days. Of course, that doesn’t mean there’s no chance of rain here and there, especially on humid days. If you run into a rainy day in Miami and are looking for ways to fill up your time, check out our best suggestions for top things to do in Miami when it rains. A few of our favorite rainy day activities include... Pérez Art Museum Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Miami Children’s Museum Big Bus Miami Tours And more! Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Miami If you want to tour the city on wheels without the hassle of driving, then a Hop On Hop Off Big Bus tour is an excellent option. An enclosed double-decker bus keeps you dry, and the narration will guide you around the city's sights. Choose from the Beach Loop or the City Loop and pass by popular landmarks and attractions like Biscayne Bay, Jungle Island, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, and the Wynwood District. This is a hop-on hop-off option, so if the weather clears up (or if you’re feeling adventurous), feel free to disembark and explore at your leisure. Big Bus Miami: Night Tour See Miami come alive in the nighttime with a 90-minute Big Bus Miami Night Tour past the most popular Miami landmarks. Your tour will start on iconic Ocean Drive in South Beach. You'll pass by all the most popular clubs and restaurants as the night is just heating up - all the neon lights will be on and flashing! Your guide will teach you all about the city's history and culture as you zip by the Art Deco District and beyond. It's the perfect way to get to know the Magic City after dark. Miami Children’s Museum The hardest part about a rainy family vacation is occupying the kids. Solve that problem with a visit to the Miami Children’s Museum. It’s one of our favorite kid-centric institutions, offering dozens of interactive (and bilingual!) exhibits for children of all ages. You'll find everything from interactive bank and supermarket exhibits to rock-climbing walls and a massive model cruise ship. The kids will love climbing through the Castle of Dreams, a two-story sandcastle, and learning about how to care for animals at the Pet Clinic. It's the perfect way to make the best of a dreary day. Orlando Attractions If you have access to a car and want to make the trip up to Orlando, then there are plenty of additional attraction options to enjoy indoors, from the iconic Kennedy Space Center to kid-favorite WonderWorks. There's even a Ripley's Believe it or Not! in Orlando. Pick up a Go Orlando pass and make the most of a trip to this city of theme parks and wonder! WonderWorks This bizarre arena of oddities is another great place to visit if you're spending the day in Orlando. Everything inside WonderWorks will make you feel like your world has been flipped upside down. With over 100 interactive exhibits that will have you questioning everything, it's like an amusement park for the mind. At one exhibit, you'll be blown away by 71 MPH winds in a hurricane simulator, in another you'll experience an earthquake of massive proportions, and in another you can put yourself inside a bubble and elevate. There's nowhere else like it! Ripley's Believe it or Not! Orlando The Ripley's Believe it or Not! Orlando building is quite literally slanted, so you know you're in for an unbelievable visit from the start. Enter the sinking building and feast your eyes on hundreds of quirky exhibits. Within the walls of the 16 unique galleries, you'll find shrunken heads, dinosaur bones, a micro-sculpture room, a tribute to Robert Wadlow (the World's Tallest Man) and plenty more. You can't find this kind of stuff anywhere else. Theatrical Performances Culture buffs will love the opportunity to take advantage of Miami’s diverse theater scene. You’ll find everything from classic opera or ballet to indie performances. There are many well-regarded venues in the city, like the Adrienne Arscht Center for the Performing Arts, the Olympia Theater, and the Tower Theater. Several of these venues are historical, too, so it's a chance to view beautiful architectural styles as well. Rainy Day Recap Looking for some fun things to do indoors? Admission to many of the below rainy day activities are available on the Go Miami pass. Choose as you go from a number of fun attractions and save on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices. We hope you'll add a few of these rainy day attractions and landmarks to your Miami to-do list. We promise these attractions will make even the dreariest of vacation days much better. To save money and make your planning easier, consider picking up an all-inclusive Go Miami pass. It includes admission to many of the attractions on this rainy day list.
Katie Sagal
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10+ Things to Do in Key West & the Florida Keys

Heading to Miami, but hoping to explore the lands and waters further south? You’re not alone – many people begin their journeys in South Beach but travel down the Florida Keys to Key West for some more excitement and adventure.
Katie Sagal

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