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

By Go City Expert
Published: July 18, 2024

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.

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Miami in November

Miami is often underrated in comparison with other big American tourist cities, though it shouldn’t be. With a fantastic blend of nature and urban attractions to take your fancy, the Magic City has a lot to offer for all types of travellers. From can’t-miss cultural institutions and beautiful hiking trails to fab restaurants and shopping opportunities, there’s really an endless amount to see and do here – it's just all up to you to pick your favorites. November is the perfect time to visit, since it’s shoulder season - meaning that the city is less crowded and you’ll be able to find cheaper prices for travel and accommodation. In addition, temperatures around this time of the year are generally cooler than usual, hovering around the mid-70s most days. Still daunted by the prospect of a trip to Miami? Don’t worry! Have a read through our list of the best things to do in the Magic City during the month of November. However you choose to enjoy your time in the Sunshine State, we’re sure it’ll be fantastic. See the Sites Those looking to squeeze a little education into their vacation might appreciate the next item on our list. Whether you‘re travelling with family or exploring the city solo, you should always make time to check out some of Miami’s best cultural institutions. Located in the downtown area of the city, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum is the perfect spot for those who are looking to learn something new. The institute has both an aquarium and planetarium, so there’s a lot to see here. In addition, its permanent exhibits cover everything from the Ice Age and dinosaurs to the most recent scientific discoveries, meaning that there’s a little something for everybody here. The institute also runs hands-on family workshops and mini-me science sessions, making it a great place to take the kids. Perfect for those with curious minds, this spot works to provide an engaging and educational experience to remember. When travelling, it’s always a good idea to explore the local art scene. Though Miami is perhaps best known for its beautiful tropical landscape, the city has much to offer for creative types in the area. Located near the ultra-cool Miami Design District, Wynwood Walls is one of our favorite spots to visit for its fantastic curation of prolific urban artists. Covering over 80,000 square feet of wall space, this attraction stands out as one of the largest of its kind. Walking through the museum, you’ll be able to view works by well-established big-name artists like Shepard Fairey, as well as up-and-coming talents from across the globe. At Wynwood Walls, there are no rules; the pieces range from playful humor pieces and pop culture references to bold political and social statements – each one as impressive as the next. A vibrant hub for freedom of expression, we love this spot for bringing something new to the table. Get in Touch With Nature Famed for its year-round sunny weather and lush tropical greenery, Miami is a total hub for nature enthusiasts. For those who want to discover the natural splendor of Florida, we highly recommend Everglades National Park. Far out from all of the hustle and bustle of the city, this wonderful wilderness reserve is just perfect for a quiet spot of contemplation. Covering over 2,000 square miles of beautiful flatwoods and wetlands, the site is home to many rare plants and protected wildlife species. This place is also well-known for being an entirely unique ecosystem, thanks to its incredibly biodiversity and extraordinary geographic features. Amongst the many activities to do here, you’ll find that hiking, birdwatching, fishing and airboat tours are all popular choices. Even when visiting in November, we recommend bringing sunscreen since it can still be hot during the wintertime in Florida! A treasure trove of natural beauty, this quiet and serene space provides the perfect respite from the city. With its unique tropical landscape, Miami makes a fantastic backdrop for all sorts of wonderful wildlife parks. If you love animals like we do, head over to Jungle Island to see fun and engaging exhibits like no other. We especially love this spot because it’s a great way to see animals living their best life in a suitable and healthy environment for them. Originally founded as Parrot Jungle in 1936, the park still lives up to its former name with an impressive and comprehensive bird collection. Still, that’s not all you’ll be able to see here. From lemurs and kangaroos to lions and white Bengal tigers, this place pretty much has it all. An exciting and educational encounter, this spot is a total crowd-pleaser. But you don’t have to ask us - as one of the oldest and most popular visitor attractions in the city, this attraction has seen many famous visitors over the years, including Winston Churchill, Steven Spielberg and even Jimmy Carter. Have A Blast! If you love animals like we do, you might want to incorporate a zoo visit into your travels. Thankfully, Miami presents a great number of opportunities to get up close with some cute critters – our favorite being Zoo Miami. As one of the city’s most popular visitor attractions, this place is known as the largest zoological garden in Florida and the only tropical zoo in the continental United States. Over 500 species and 3,000 animals in total cover the 750-acre grounds. Visitors can expect to see everything from flamingos and monkeys to vipers and white Bengal tigers. For those who like to get familiar with the animals, this place is perfect, offering cool encounters, live feedings, and a special ‘fun factory’ activity for the kids. In addition, there are informational presentations and talks for those who want to learn more about the animals. A thoroughly fun and educational endeavor, nothing quite unleashes our sense of childlike wonder like the zoo. Miami is a fantastic destination to visit any time of the year. Explore the city to its full potential with GoCity’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
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10+ Things to Do in Miami with Kids to have a Fun South Florida Vacation

Planning a vacation to Miami? Miami is a charming city that has a lot more to offer than nightclubs and high-end shopping. Your kids are sure to enjoy the diversity of activities available for families in Miami, from tours and cruises to aquariums and zoos. Encounter strange and exotic new wildlife, marvel at beautiful historic architecture, and explore all of the wonderful and wacky things at some of the best kids’ museums around. If you’re looking for things to do in Miami with kids, check out this list of our favorite kid-friendly activities, including... Miami Seaquarium Frost Musuem of Science Duck Tours South Beach Lion Country Safari Zoo Miami Miami Children’s Museum Sawgrass Recreation Park Pérez Art Museum and more... Consider adding a few of these kid friendly attractions to your vacation itinerary. Save on Admission to Kid Friendly Attractions Many of these great kid friendly attractions are available on the Go Miami® Card. Choose as you go from dozens of top Miami attractions and save up to 55% off combined admission vs paying at the gate. Or, build your own pass and save up to 20% off. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. Miami Seaquarium Perched on the shores of beautiful Biscayne Bay, this exciting, kid-friendly institution is one-of-a-kind. Dedicated exclusively to marine creatures of the sea, this 38-acre tropical paradise is also known for its extensive rehabilitation efforts. A visit here is a great way to introduce children to the importance of animal conservation and environmental protection. Some of the many creatures you’ll encounter at the Miami Seaquarium include sharks, dolphins, killer whales, seals, manatees, and many more. Educational programs will introduce you to the details of their habitats, history, and current status in the world’s oceans. As a special bonus, you even get to meet TV’s famous dolphin Flipper! Getting In: Miami Seaquarium tickets are included with the Go Miami Card. Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science Another great place the kids will love is the Frost Museum of Science. Located right on the waterfront in Miami's Museum Park (also shard with the Pérez Art Museum -- more on that below), this institution used to be known as the Miami Museum of Science. Renamed and with a whole new perspective on bringing scientific knowledge to the world, the Frost Museum of Science features a three-level aquarium, a planetarium, an interactive indoor/outdoor exhibit on the Everglades, and much more. It's the perfect destination to cultivate your children's curiosity for the world around them. Getting In: Frost Museum of Science tickets are included with the Go Miami Card. Duck Tours South Beach Duck Tours South Beach covers both land and sea and manages to pack a lot of entertainment and exclusive insight about Miami and South Beach into one, fun filled 90-minute guided tour. You'll see all the top sights in Miami, including: South Beach, the Art Deco District, Fisher Island, Millionaire's Row, Star Island, Biscayne Bay, and many more. It's a delightful activity for kids with its combination of street and water level explorations, and you'll all love how refreshing and informative the journey is. Getting In: Duck Tours South Beach tickets are included with the Go Miami Card. Lion Country Safari Visit the African Savannah without ever leaving sunny Miami! You’ll encounter over 900 animals throughout your four-mile drive, including rhinos, lions, zebras, giraffes, and many more. It's a great educational opportunity for kids who love animals, and will truly make you revise your notion of what animal parks can look like! When you’ve finished your Safari, head to the adjacent Safari World Amusement Park, where you can witness animal demonstrations and performances, stop by the petting zoo, help to feed the birds, and enjoy a few classic rides. A visit to Lion Country Safari is a wonderful thing to do with your kids. Getting In: Lion Country Safari tickets are included with the Go Miami Card. Zoo Miami Zoo Miami is another great animal attraction and thing to do for the whole family. Spanning nearly 350 acres, this exotic animal park is home to more than 3,000 animals and over 1,200 plants distributed across stunning, state-of-the-art exhibit spaces. You’ll need several hours to really fully explore this exciting place! Meet many fascinating animals in carefully redesigned habitats, including creatures from Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Amazon. Your little ones will especially love Playworld Playground, designed to be half-jungle, half-waterpark. It's a great play to run around and burn off some excess energy! There are so many exciting things to see and do at this charming zoo, from feeding rhinos to riding a camel, that the kids will never want to leave. Getting In: Zoo Miami tickets are included with the Go Miami Card. Miami Children’s Museum Dedicated specifically to educating and entertaining kids in interactive ways, the Miami Children’s Museum is the perfect stop for families with younger kids. The goal of the museum is inspire a life-long love of learning in your kids, so the exhibits are both engaging and informative. It's the perfect way to develop their minds and social skills. Some of their most popular exhibits and things to do include the 2-story (Sand)Castle of Dreams, the interactive Health & Wellness Center, the fun and fuzzy Pet Center, and the Safety Zone, where kids can dress up as policemen, firefighters, and more. Getting In: Miami Children's Museum tickets are included with the Go Miami Card. Sawgrass Recreation Park Nestled in the Everglades, this exciting wildlife park and touring destination provides the perfect opportunity to explore one of Florida’s natural treasures. Interact with and even feed select animals at the Swampyard Island exhibit, or meet exciting new creatures introduced by the visiting Predators Unlimited folks. As a bonus thing to do, you’ll be able to hop aboard an exciting Airboat Adventure, which will zoom you through the Everglades at speeds of up to 40 mph. This 30-minute tour provides the perfect opportunity for you to capture an image of the famed Florida alligator! Getting In: Sawgrass Recreation Park tickets are included with the Go Miami Card. Rent a Bike Get a full-day bike rental from Bike and Roll Miami and explore the city on two wheels. You'll be able to cover lots of ground and feel like you've gotten to know the city well when you map out your own routes and follow along (or try a suggested route provided by Bike and Roll). It's a fun way for the whole family to get some exercise, and for the kids to explore at their own pace without feeling rushed by a tour. Popular routes include: Miami Design District: this area is a must-see for fans of the fine arts, this hip neighborhood is home to over 130 art galleries, showrooms, stores, antique dealers, restaurants, gardens, and more. The Venetian Islands: this popular route covers six beautiful islands off the coast of Miami crossing over a series of scenic causeways with spectacular views of Biscayne Bay. Little Havana: home to a large, concentrated population of Cuban immigrants, Little Havana is a bustling, epicenter of social, cultural, and political activity in Miami with unique Cuban-American culture. It's known for its vibrant street life, restaurants, music, and more. Insider tip: get a Cubano sandwich for lunch followed by a Cafecito (Cuban coffee) Venetian Pool & Miracle Mile: bike out to the beautiful public pool known as the Venetian Pool, a quarry-turned-Venetian style pool that features vine covered loggias, shady porticos, a Spanish fountain, waterfalls, rock caves, and more. Then, go shopping (be sure to bring a backpack if you want to pick up any souvenirs!) in Coral Cabels at the Miracle Mile. South Beach: ride along a beachfront trail and see the glamorous sights of South Beach, including pristine beaches, Art Deco architecture, Versace's Mediterranean mansion, Espanola Way, Collins Avenue shopping, the Holocaust Memorial, botanical gardens, and more, or, just enjoy a leisurely ride to the beach and relax. Vizcaya, Coconut Grove, & Coral Gables: head out to the beautifully landscaped Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and see the lush tropical forest, mangrove swamps, and 10-acres of gardens (right next door to Madonna's house). Key Biscayne Island: ride along the beautiful bike trails of Key Biscayne, home to some of the best beaches in the US. You'll get stunning ocean views, can stop at the Miami Seaquarium, and head out to see the Cape Florida Lighthouse. Getting In: Miami Bike rentals by Bike and Roll are included with the Go Miami Card. Jet Boat Miami A thrill ride with a guide. Jet Boat Miami is one of the best things to do in Miami with kids--they'll love getting out on the water and seeing the sights of Miami while reaching speeds of up to 45-mph. This cruise takes passengers on a thrill filled ride with 360-degree twists, side drifts, leaps, turns, pivots, and high speed bursts. Kids will feel like they're in one of their favorite action movies, all from the safety of this guided tour. Because it does go so fast, it's probably an attraction best saved for middle grade or older children. Getting In: Jet Boat Miami tickets are included with the Go Miami Card. Pérez Art Museum Get the kids excited about modern and contemporary art at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Miami's flagship art museum. Exhibitions feature art from the 20th and 21st centuries and highlight the role Miami has played in the art world as a geographical crossroads between the Americas. Free tours, led by museum guides, are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 2:30 pm and Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm. Insider tip: Check their calendar of events to see if there are any kid-friendly activities happening during your visit. Getting In: Pérez Art Museum Miami tickets are included with the Go Miami Card. Miami Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour See the sights of Miami at your own pace and get around with a convenient, 1 day pass to Big Bus Miami Hop-On Hop-Off tour. On the open top double-deck bus, you'll get great views of major landmarks. Choose from 2 loops (Beach Loop and City Loop) which are 90-minutes each, or do them all depending on what you want to see, and get entertaining and informative live narration about everything you see. Stay on for the full loops to get acquainted with the city or use the bus as your transportation to all the sights you want to visit. It's an ideal option for families with small children because of its flexibility; you can hop off as soon as the kids get bored, and hop back on when they get tired of walking. This is one of the best things to do in Miami when trying to learn the area, too Getting In: Big Bus Miami tickets are included with the Go Miami Card. Key Largo Glass Bottom Boat Cruise Get the best views of the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the only undersea park in the US, on a fully-guided glass bottom boat cruise. Aboard the Key Largo Princess you'll get panoramic offshore views of the Florida Keys on your way to the underwater park. At the reef, you'll see tons of sea life below the boat, including living coral, sea fans, sea plumes, colorful fish, and more. The kids will love the unique chance to see through the floor of the vessel and down into the clear blue depths below! Getting In: Key Largo Glass Bottom Boat Cruise tickets are included with the Go Miami Card. Key West Day Trip Take the kids across 42 bridges and through 32 islands to reach Key West, the Southernmost city in the continental US, on a full-day, guided trip. When you arrive in Key West you'll have about six hours to explore the sights you want to see. Visit the Hemingway House, take a trolley or train tour, rent a kayak, or poke around the boutique shops and grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants. It's a great way to spend the day on a unique adventure with the whole family. Round-trip transportation from Miami Beach and Downtown Miami hotels is included. Getting In: Key West Day Trip from Miami tickets are included with the Go Miami Card. Let's Recap There you have it. Our list of some of the top things to do in Miami with kids during your vacation. There are pristine beaches and clear waters to satisfy your desire for relaxation, and museums, tours, and cultural attractions to appeal to your intellectual side. Remember, many of these great ideas are included on the Go Miami Card, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Consider adding a few of these kid friendly options to your upcoming itinerary. Enjoy!
Katie Sagal
Is Miami Safe for Tourists to Visit
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Is Miami Safe for Tourists to Visit

Check out our guide to Miami and learn everything you need to know to make your trip safe!
Dom Bewley

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