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

By Go City Expert

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

Image of Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Outdoors, Nature, 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

Image of Bus, Vehicle, Car, Person, Tour Bus, Double Decker Bus, 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

Image of Sign, Symbol, Road Sign, 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

Image of Adult, Male, Man, Person, Car, Vehicle, Helmet, 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
Go City Travel Expert

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Miami in June

There are countless reasons to visit Miami in the summertime. A quintessential Floridian beach city, the area is characterized by its palm-fringed shores, gentle surf and year-round beautiful weather. Still, this place is no one-trick pony. More than 20 million people visit Miami each year, and they all go for something different. For nature lovers, Miami has some of the best botanical and zoological gardens in the United States. If art and culture is what you’re after, you’ll be spoilt for choice with fantastic cultural amenities and architectural sites. After dark, the city comes alive with waterside cocktail bars and rooftop hotspots to be enjoyed. Trust us when we say that the only problem you’ll run into when deciding on fun things to do in Miami is narrowing down your options. So, grab your sunscreen and comfiest walking shoes and get ready to jot some things down! However you choose to enjoy your time in Miami, we’re sure it’ll be just great! See the Sites It’s summertime and you’re in Miami. So, what do you do? Go, to the beach, of course! Stretching for 3 miles offshore of the city, South Beach’s white-sand shores and turquoise waters are famed as some of the area’s most beautiful. If it all seems a little too familiar to you, it’s because this particular outdoor attraction has appeared on just about every movie and TV show set in Miami. Amongst the various things to do here, you’ll find that surfing, longboarding, paddle boarding and sailing are all popular activities. If you’re looking to just relax on the beach, you’ll be able to rent seats and umbrellas and just watch the world pass you by. As one of Miami's most popular tourist attractions, the area surrounding the beach is pretty interesting to explore – we suggest taking a stroll to enjoy the unique Art Deco architecture and fantastic eateries. We also recommend sticking around after dark to experience a taste of South Beach’s legendary nightlife. A quintessential Miami attraction, this one is a total must-see. No matter what your age, seeing animals up close is always a captivating experience. As fascinating as it is fun, Jungle Island offers the chance for you to see and learn about animals from all over the globe in one place. Founded in 1936, Jungle Island is known for being one of the oldest tourist attractions in the Miami area. Walking through the park, you’ll be able to view around 3000 animals, with over 1000 varieties of parrots. Highlights include king vultures, African penguins, alligator snapping turtles, lemurs and more. For those who interact with the animals, this place offers experiences to satisfy this need, including animal feedings and a petting zoo. You'll also catch tours, keeper talks, and educational presentations throughout the park daily. In addition, there are cafes, stores, kid’s playgrounds (and even a waterpark!) to be enjoyed. Combining the beauty of Miami’s tropical landscape with rare and exotic animals, this place provides a fantastic educational experience to remember. Find Interesting Activities If you’re looking to get in touch with Mother Nature, there’s no better place to be than Miami. Aside from its beautiful beaches, the area is home to some wonderful botanical gardens thanks to its unique ecosystem and wonderful weather. Standing out for its expansive collection of rare and exotic plants, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is one of the most interesting parks of its kind to visit in the United States. Covering over 83 acres, this quiet and serene green space showcases much of avid plant explorer David Fairchild’s discoveries which he brought back from his travels. Walking through the park, you’ll be able to enjoy carefully planted flower beds, shrubs, vines, trees, and much more. This landscape is also home to the largest palm collection in America, with over 500 species to see. A treasure trove of natural beauty and wonder, this spot is perfect for those looking for a relaxing way to enjoy the area. Don’t forget to take your phone for this one, since you’ll definitely want to capture some snaps of this outstanding excursion. Though Miami is perhaps best known for its great beaches and tropical greenery, there’s a lot to see here for all types of travellers. Anybody looking for art and culture in the area will be pleasantly surprised by the city’s unique offerings. A peculiar achievement defying all laws of physics, Coral Castle is most certainly one of the city’s most distinctive attractions. Carved out of 1, 100 tons of megalithic stone in a time when no modern construction advances were available, the structure is most notable for the questions it brings up. Over the years, this piece has even become subject to many conspiracy theories, which postulate that the artist might have used reverse magnetism or supernatural abilities to make it. Whatever the case, the final result is well worth the visit for its incredible handiwork alone. Fascinating and beautiful, this unusual work of art tells the artist’s story whilst retaining a little mystery. Relax! June marks the beginning of hurricane season in Florida, making it pretty hot and humid throughout the month. Still, if you’re looking to beat the heat, don’t worry – we've got you covered! Great for those days when you just want to take it easy, the Venetian Pool is the perfect place for spending time with friends and family. Built into an old coral rock quarry and opened to the public in 1924, the pool has been a long-time favorite for visitors and locals alike. Filled with an impressive 820, 000 gallons of water from artesian wells, this is the largest freshwater pool in the United States. The pool starts at four feet, going deeper as you move further on, and there is a two-foot kiddie pool with a lifeguard station for little ones – so nobody is left out! The end wall has a grand waterfall, where you can feel the rush of fresh water over your face. If you’re not much of a swimmer, you’ll find a great sunning area where you can kick back and soak up those summer vibes. Fun, laid-back, and unique too, this place kind of has it all. There’s nothing quite like Miami in the summertime. With a fantastic blend of nature and urban attractions, this place truly has it all. And now, you don’t have to miss out – with our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can find an exhaustive array of things to do, for cheaper. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris
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Miami in July

Forever fun and boasting some of the best beaches in Florida, there are so many great things to do in Miami for every type of traveller! From its fantastic museums and parks to top-notch dining and nightlife, you’re guaranteed to have a blast exploring this wonderful coastal metropolis. Of course, July is prime time to visit, since the weather will be perfect for soaking up the sun and sightseeing. Still, visiting a new city can be a little bit daunting – but don’t worry! That’s why we’re here for. If you’re worried about catching your bearings in a new city, have a read through our list of the best things to do in the area. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveller looking to explore a different side of the city, we’re sure you’ll find something to suit your tastes. However you choose to enjoy Miami, we’re sure it'll be great! See the Sites With its unique ecosystem and climate, Florida makes a fantastic spot for the next item on our list. Founded in 1948, Zoo Miami is known for being the only tropical zoo in the continental United States. With a stellar reputation and distinct traction, this major Miami attraction draws in thousands of visitors each day – and with good reason. As the largest zoo in Florida, the zoo houses over 100 exhibits and 3000 animals over a wide variety of species. Among the different animals you can see at the institution, you’ll find jaguars, warthogs, and spotted hyenas. We recommend checking times online before you visit, so that you can catch animal feedings for some of your favorite furry friends. And for those who are interested in learning more about the animals, you’ll find special programs and tours. For families and solo travellers alike, this place provides an unmissable educational experience to remember. Those searching for great indoor activities to stay cool in Miami will not be disappointed. Located just downtown of the city, the Miami Seaquarium works to foster curiosity in the natural world. Founded in 1955, the institute is known for being one of the oldest oceanariums in the United States. As one of Miami’s top tourist attractions, this place brings in half a million visitors a year – and who are we to argue with that many people? Upon entrance, you’ll be able to go nose-to-nose with a wide variety of colorful reef fish, jellyfish and sharks. In addition to the fish, you’ll find many semi-aquatic animals, including birds, reptiles and manatees. We love this place because it brings out our inner child and sense of wonder. With so much to take in, you could easily get lost spending an entire day here. Find Interesting Activities For those looking for art and culture in Miami, Coral Castle should do just the trick. Merging history, creativity and nature, this famous outdoor sculpture garden is a fantastic visual experience for those of all ages. Created by Latvian-American eccentric Edward Leedskalnin, this unique exhibit is carved out of over 1,100 tons of oolite limestone – however, his working process remains a mystery. Since Leedskalnin worked at night and undercover, and in a time where there were no modern construction advances, this piece remains one of the world’s most unusual accomplishments. With such beautiful handiwork, the park even became subject to many conspiracy theories – some said that lifted the blocks with psychic powers or by singing to them. Others thought that Leedskalnin had secret knowledge of magnetism. Whatever the case, we’re just happy to have the opportunity to see it up close. If you’re looking to get in touch with Mother Nature, look no further than Fairchild Tropic Botanic Garden. Located just south of the city, this wide-open green space offers a paradisial retreat from the city. Established in 1936, the garden showcases the expansive tropical plant collection of David Fairchild, which he brought back from his travels. This avid botanist and plant explorer spent years cultivating the garden, and bringing back over 200, 000 varieties of crops to America. Walking through the park, you’ll be able to enjoy cycads, flowering trees, orchids and vines. In addition, this wonderful landscape is home to the largest palm collection in the United States. Other highlights include Chihuly glass sculptures, gleaming ponds, and outdoor exhibits. Way more than just a great photo opportunity, this exquisite display of wild greenery is one of the most relaxing spots in Miami. Relax! Miami can get pretty hot in the summertime – thankfully, we’ve got the perfect antidote. A pool quite unlike any other, this picturesque aquatic attraction is perfect for kicking back with friends and family. Built into a former limestone quarry, the Venetian Pool was originally opened to the public in 1924. Filled with a whopping 820, 000 gallons of fresh water from artesian wells, this place has most definitely earned its stripes as the best place in the city for a refreshing dip. The pool has a shallower end and a kiddie pool, making it a great spot to take the kids. There is a sunning area for those who just want to lounge and catch some rays, as well as a café serving classic American-style cuisine. For the best way to beat the heat, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend a lazy afternoon in Miami. When it comes to a casual day out, there's nothing quite better than a trip to the mall. Situated just downtown, Bayside Marketplace is recognized as the number one most visited attraction in the city. Of course, die-hard shopaholics will find much to do here, with over 150 stores to choose from. If you’re wondering about food options (and let’s face it, why wouldn’t you be?) Bayside has over 50 carts and kiosks around the center. Still, this place goes way beyond the standard mall experience. More of an entertainment complex than anything else, Bayside offers regular live music, family events and exhibits to be enjoyed. But for those who prefer to take it easy, you’ll find many cafes and restaurants dotted along the waterfront. The perfect crowd-pleaser with a lot to give, there’s absolutely nothing to hate here. Well, what else is there left to say? We love Miami! As one of Florida’s biggest tourist hotspots, the city is known for its great beaches and museums, but there are plenty of lesser-known attractions and local experiences that are definitely worth a visit. Explore Miami to its fullest with Go City’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris
Explore Miami with Go City
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Miami 4th of July Weekend

Visiting sunny Miami during this 4th of July holiday season? If so, you’ll likely be in search of some top local activities, events, and things to do to help celebrate the occasion.
Katie Sagal

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