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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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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Outdoor Activities Miami

Miami has very warm weather and a lot of sunshine, making it the perfect place for outdoor activity. In fact, even if you choose to visit in the wintertime, the temperatures should still be great for those who like to get out in the open air. Trust us when we say that there’s a lot to do here. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, something educational, or just to kick back with a book at the beach, you’re sure to find something for you. If you’re not quite sure where to begin, don’t worry – we've done all the heavy lifting for you! So, if you’re planning a visit to the Magic City, have a read through our list of the best outdoor activities in the area. See the Sites When travelling, visiting the zoo is a great idea for a day out. Honestly, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend a sunny day in the city. Ranking high up on our itinerary, Zoo Miami is a total crowd-pleaser, merging the beautiful backdrop of the area with some wonderful wildlife. What makes this place a little different is that it’s the only tropical zoo in the continental United States. The park houses over 3, 000 animals and has over 100 exhibits in total – so if you’re an animal lover, this is the place to be. Prepare to see everything from river otters and ostriches to Asian elephants and Bengal tigers. The coolest part about this spot is probably its animal encounters, feedings and rides that it offers. In addition, the zoo has several spacious play areas for kids. A fantastic educational excursion, you won’t want to miss out on this one. For those who are looking for something a little different, we’ve got you covered! Merging history, architecture, and art, Coral Castle is a fantastic historical attraction that’s sure to keep you guessing. Carved out of over 1,100 tons of oolite limestone in a time where no modern construction advances were available, this one-of-a-kind outdoor exhibit stands as both a curious scientific anomaly and jaw-dropping testament to the artist’s handiwork. Because of its mind-bending backstory, the structure has been featured in countless books, magazines and television shows since its conception. In fact, the piece is so well-recognized that Billy Idol even wrote a song about the place, entitled ‘’Sweet Sixteen.’’ So, what can you expect? Well, upon entrance visitors can see awe-inspiring sculptures in a wide variety of shapes, as well as a stunning fountain and sundial. For history lovers and art enthusiasts alike, this world-famous structure is not to be missed. Get Some Fresh Air If you’re looking to spend some time in nature, look no further than Everglades National Park. An average of one million people visit the park each year – and with good reason! Covering over 2, 000 square miles of tropical wetlands and flatwoods, this place is the third largest national park in the United States. Characterized by its unusually rich biodiversity, the Everglades’ ecosystem is completely unique to this area of Florida. Walking through the park, visitors are sure to notice the area’s wonderful greenery and the protected species which thrive there. Amongst the many activities to do here, you’ll find that hiking, birdwatching, airboat tours, and kayaking are all popular choices. Quite possibly one of the most beautiful areas in America, this place is sure to blow you away. Seated along the southeastern coastline, Miami is well-recognized for its year-round tropical weather and all of the greenery that comes along with it. If you’re looking to discover the true natural beauty of the area, there’s no better place to be than Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Founded and designed in 1936 by Robert H. Montgomery, this place works to house the expansive plant collection of avid botanist David Fairchild. Covering over 83 acres, this wonderful space has over 10, 000 species of exotic and native flora to show. Those looking to escape all the hustle and bustle of the city will find solace in this sensational space. Soak up the Sun Miami can get pretty hot and humid, especially around the summertime. If you’re looking for a place to cool off, we recommend checking out the Venetian Pool. An aquatic attraction unlike any other, this spot provides an idyllic escape from the hectic pace of city life. Built into an abandoned coral rock quarry in 1921, the pool’s unique Mediterranean Revival style sets it apart from other attractions of its kind. Filled with 820, 000 gallons of fresh water from artesian wells, this is the largest freshwater pool in the US of A. This place is great for a relaxing day with the family, with a kiddie pool for the little ones. For those who just want to soak up the sun, there’s an area with beach chairs where you can take some time for yourself uninterrupted. Fun, refreshing, and luxurious, too, we love this spot because it just has so much to offer. It goes without saying that one of the best things to do in Miami is hit the beach. The city is home to countless great seaside tourist hotspots, but our top pick has got to be South Beach. With its clear waters and pristine shores, this picturesque place is pretty much perfect for catching some rays. Visitors can rent out lounge chairs and umbrellas for a small fee for a great relaxing beach experience. Still, this stop is no one-trick pony. For those who like to stay active, there are a wide array of water sports, including surfing, paddleboarding, longboarding and sailing – it's just up to you to decide! We also recommend taking some time to explore the surrounding area. There’s a wonderful boardwalk, beautiful Art Deco architecture, and many cafes and stores to be enjoyed. Set aside a whole day for this to take some time away from the sprawling city. Boasting perennial warm weather and clear blue skies, Miami is the perfect place to take things outdoors. 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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