Romantic Things to Do in Miami for Valentine's Day

Published: July 18, 2024
Couple in Miami

Miami is an incredibly romantic city. Warm weather, breezy beaches, great nightclubs, delicious food – you name it, Miami’s got the perfect date night in store. If you’re going to be spending Valentine’s Day in sunny South Beach, or on another romantic occasion, then you’re probably searching for a few ideas.

Fortunately for you, we've got a few suggestions in mind:

  • Enjoy a day trip to Key West
  • Tour the city's Art Deco district
  • Peruse the Pérez Art Museum
  • Tour Florida's Everglades
  • Dine on world-class cuisine
  • And more!

Embark on a Day Trip to Key West

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Got a whole day to kill? Take a day trip to Key West for an unforgettable adventure on the open ocean. Once you arrive, this remarkable little island has plenty of fun and excitement to offer the adventurous couple. Literary and culture lovers won't want to miss out on the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, where the iconic author once lived and wrote.

Fans of wildlife should also pay a visit to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which includes a wide variety of natural attractions from real shipwrecks to a large barrier reef. And of course, there are also some charming dining and shopping options available in the Mallory Square area.

Explore the City's Architecture

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If you and your partner love arts and culture, you’ve come to the right city. From architecture to fine art and everything in between, Miami oozes creativity and beauty.

Love old buildings? Take a walking tour of Miami’s famous Art Deco district to see amazing sites like historic homes, hotels, office buildings, and more. The tour itself takes about 90 minutes, so it's a nice complement to a larger itinerary.

Miami is actually home to one of the largest collections of Art Deco architecture in the country, so a visit here is a nice opportunity to fully explore the nuances of this distinctive architectural style.

Soak Up Artistic Inspiration

Prefer paintings and sculptures? The Pérez Art Museum is a must-see for you. It’s filled with amazing, internationally and internationally-inspired artwork from predominantly modern and contemporary styles. They often have rotating special exhibits, too, like this year's "On the Horizon," featuring contemporary Cuban art.

Or, if you love architecture and artwork, then you will not want to miss out on a visit to the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, one of the most magnificent buildings in the entire state and truly the most beautiful estate as a whole. Depending on when you take your romantic vacation to Miami, there are also likely to be a number of film or art festivals floating around – like the Coconut Grove Arts Festival that happens annually in February.

Indulge Your Love of the Animal Kingdom

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Is your loved one a huge fan of animals? There’s hardly a better place to indulge your love for all things furry and scaly than Miami. From the lush wilderness of the Everglades to the expanses of a Saharan-like safari, you can find just about everything for the animal lover in your life.

For those who love aquatic animals, a visit to the Miami Seaquarium is both a great way to show them their favorite critters and to help support their conservation efforts. If you're looking for something particularly special, pay an upgrade fee to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim with their dolphins!

If you prefer dy land, then Lion Country Safari is another great option for those who’ve always dreamed of encountering the animals of Africa in a natural habitat outside of conventional zoo boundaries and enclosures. You're sure to get truly amazing photos of the animals here, as they often get quite close to the vehicles.

Enjoy the Beauties of Nature

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Florida is full of natural beauty. From the vast expanses of the exotic Everglades to the warm sandy shores of South Beach, there is a lovely scenic vista to enjoy practically wherever you are. Whatever you do, don't forget to keep your camera or cell phone charged!

Of course, if you just came to Florida to get a taste of gator country, then an Everglades tour is probably your best bet. You'll get to visit South Florida's oldest alligator farm and explore the amazing world of these fascinating creatures. This is also a very family-friendly attraction, so if you're trying to celebrate this romantic holiday with kids in tow, then this is a great option to make everyone happy.

Roam the Beaches

It may seem like a no-brainer, but spend some time outside while you’re in Miami this February! The weather is going to be lovely (and possibly much warmer than where you’re used to), so take advantage of its temperate climate and enjoy a little beach time.

South Pointe Beach and Key Biscayne are typically recommended as having the best views, but there are a ton of other options, too. If you want to be out but the beaches sound too touristy for you, try a walk along the very romantic pedestrian walkway on Lincoln Road. Or, opt for something more active with a bike ride around South Beach.

Hop Aboard a Cruise

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Hand-in-hand with Miami’s fabulous beaches come Miami’s fantastic waterways. With weather this nice, you have no excuse not to embark on a relaxing (or exciting!) maritime adventure during your trip.

Try a glass-bottom boat cruise to get a glimpse of the luxurious wildlife of the Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Or, opt for a leisurely sightseeing cruise through Biscayne Bay. Whichever style of cruise you prefer, you’ll be able to get a taste for the beauty of the natural world in Miami, plus the fun and exciting architecture you can see from the ocean.

There are also a number of private cruise options that offer the ultimate in romance. One of our favorites is the Island Queen Millionaire's Row Sightseeing Cruise which combines city skyline views with celeb-spotting.

Take a Nighttime Tour of the City

If you're new to Miami and want to see a bit of the city, but hope to do so in a more romantic way, then a night tour seems like a good fit. This option from Big Bus will highlight the sexy and sultry aspects of Miami at night - including the evening illuminations that distinguish Miami's skyline.

Of course, it's also a smart sightseeing opportunity, too, because the tour will showcase Miami's best landmarks and hotspots. It will give you some ideas for what to do the next day, too!

Enjoy World-Class Dining

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With its decidedly international flair and cosmopolitan vibes, Miami is known for delicious cuisine that’s anything but boring. So while you’re in town, be sure to sit down and enjoy a romantic meal at any of the city’s sumptuous restaurants, whether you’re looking for fresh-caught seafood or some tasty Cuban street food.

If you’re in town nearer to the end of February, check out the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, hosted each year by the Food Network and the Cooking Channel. It’s a fun opportunity to try new things.

Remember to Save on Attraction Admission

So there you have it. Our list of some romantic things to do in Miami, just in time for Valentine's Day. Remember, some of these great options are included on the pass for Miami by Go City®, where you can save on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Please note, the special events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with your pass.

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Best Art Galleries in Miami

Miami is well known across the globe for its pristine beaches and exciting nightlife. Still, if you’re already a seasoned visitor to the Magic City, we won’t have to tell you already that the area has far more to offer. To get a fuller sense of the city, we think it’s pretty important to check out the local art scene – and what better way to do it than by stopping by the galleries? Holding some of the best collections and exhibitions in the state, these attractions are well worth the visit. From contemporary art and sculpture gardens to graffiti and technological exhibitions, there’s a little something for everybody here. If you’re not quite sure where to start, don’t worry! We’ve spent a lot of time in Miami and are listing all of our favorites below. No matter which place you choose, there’s no going wrong here. See the Sites The Rubell Museum undoubtedly makes the list for its private collection of world-class contemporary art. This sprawling museum complex is made up of six former industrial buildings and features forty galleries to be explored. Inside, visitors can enjoy over 7, 000 works by more than 1, 000 artists. Works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Barbara Kruger, and Cindy Sherman are all shown in the museum, so it’s hard to spotlight just a few masterpieces, but perhaps the most famous pieces are Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroee, 1967 and Damien Hirst’s Dance Naked, 1997. If you’re looking to see pieces which truly changed the history of art, this is the ticket. If you’re anything like us, then the art gallery is the perfect way to spend the day. For those who are particularly interested in contemporary art, we recommend checking out Pérez Art Museum. Formerly known as the Miami Art Museum, the establishment was relocated just downtown in 2013, and is currently the most popular establishment of its kind in the city. The institute provides a fantastic visual experience with a focus on 20th- and 21st-century work from around the globe. Though its collection is on the smaller side, it packs a lot of punch, featuring artists such as Dan Flavin, Hernan Bas and Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Great for those of all ages, we love this spot because it’s impossible to leave without having learned something new. Get Cultured Habitually waxing and waning, art has a powerful effect on the way we view the world. For those who like to keep in touch with what’s new on the scene, the David Castillo Gallery might just be your jam. With a focus on current working artists, this small yet sparky gallery is a great stop for all art lovers. Its impressive and forward-thinking collection largely features women, queer artists, and artists of color in order to present a different point of view. A total treat for postmodern art enthusiasts, this place is practically bursting open with all things unique. Inside, you’ll find everything from abstract and mixed media paintings to surreal videography and floating installations. A little out there and a lot of fun, this place most certainly knows its audience. If you're looking to quench your thirst for quirky art, this is the right choice. Another one of our favorite places to visit in the city is the Bass Museum. Located right in the heart of Miami Beach, this is a great spot for anybody with an interest in contemporary art. The institute’s program embraces all styles of work – from paintings and photography to fashion and installation, this place has it all. Walking through this beautiful and intimate space, you’ll no doubt be wowed by the bold pieces and the work behind them. Although the majority of these works are not from world-famous names, the work is well worth seeing for the innovation and creativity which they display. A fantastic cultural jewel, this popular attraction would make the perfect low-key day out. Try Something Different Miami may well be known for all of its glitz and glam, but there’s a quirky side of the city just waiting to be discovered. Located in the coolest neighborhood of Miami, Wynwood Walls is a trendy street art destination bringing all of the best creatives together from around the globe. Covering over 80,000 square feet of abandoned warehouse walls, this is one of the largest open air street art installations in the world. The brainchild of community revitalizer Tony Goldman, this unique space works to give street art credit where credit is due. From evocative political messages and ideas of resistance to fantastic humor pieces and fun pop culture references, the walls tell their own story. Whether you’re an alternative artist yourself or just looking for that perfect selfie backdrop, this is the place to be. We recommend sticking around to explore the surrounding area, which has some great eateries, bars and fashion boutiques. For those who are looking for something a little different, Artechouse Miami offers a fantastic experimental experience like no other. Standing out from all the other creative attractions in the city, the institute works to showcase the future of art through dazzling technology-driven exhibitions. As the nation’s first institute of its kind, this place truly delivers something special. Inside, visitors can enjoy trippy digital artworks from a wide range of up-and-coming artists. Prepare for bold colors, pretty patterns and captivating imagery. Most certainly, you’ll be blown away by what this place has in store. Undoubtedly unique and thoroughly hypnotic, we love this spot for bringing something new to the table. So, there you have it! Six great galleries in Miami that are sure to blow a day at the beach out of the water! Whether you’re looking to learn something new or mix it up for date night, the Magic City is brimming with awesome galleries to check out. From fun contemporary collections and quirky intimate spaces to outdoor street art exhibits, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes. 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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