Things to Do in Miami When it Rains

UPDATED NOVEMBER 2024
By Katie Sagal
perez art museum Miami

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.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

vizcaya-museum-gardens

You will want to sneak a little time outside to explore the lush tropical gardens at the historic Vizcaya estate, but the interior of this gorgeous mansion has plenty for you to explore away from bad weather. This early twentieth-century masterpiece was inspired by classical European architecture. Inside, you’ll find hundreds of works of art, from paintings and sculptures to antique furnishings. The mansion is filled to the brim with treasures that introduce visitors to the height of America's Gilded Age.

Pérez Art Museum Miami

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Another one for art lovers, the Pérez Art Museum in Miami offers amazing collections of contemporary and modern art. The building itself is an impressive structure, offering beautiful views of Biscayne Bay and its own hanging gardens. The exhibitions highlight Miami's diverse community and pivotal geographic location at the crossroads of America.

You can take advantage of the free daily tours that are led by museum guides. These 45-minute tours cover the entire museum and will enhance your visit. There are also frequent special programs for kids and rotating exhibits, too, so there’s always something different going on at this museum.

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.

Enjoy some Shopping

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Another fun way to keep yourself occupied indoors is with some quality shopping time. A few popular malls in the Miami area include Dadeland Mall (with the largest Macy’s in the entire state), the eclectic Lincoln Road, and the massive Aventura Mall.

You could also check out the Shops at Midtown Miami, pictured above. If the weather clears up and you want to stroll a bit outside, then Bayside Marketplace is a must, offering shopping alongside dining and sightseeing opportunities galore.

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!

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

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Visit the home of many of mankind's greatest accomplishments: Kennedy Space Center. This NASA space center is the only place on Earth where you can tour launch areas, meet real astronauts, see giant rockets, and train in a spaceflight simulator.

If you time your visit well, you might even see a launch yourself. The Kennedy Space Center tour is a perfect rainy day activity. The kids will love the chance to feel like a NASA astronaut.

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
Go City Travel Expert

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Things to do in Miami During the Day

Miami may be known for its non-stop nightlife, but that doesn’t mean that you should just sleep the day away! From interesting cultural amenities and historical sites to wonderful hidden gems, the city is bursting with fantastic attractions for you and your loved ones. Of course, the city is a haven for beach bunnies and seaside lovers - if you’re looking to soak up the sun, head over to South Beach where you can enjoy a wide array of water sports or simply kick back with a book. For nature enthusiasts, Miami is a great place to be, with some wonderful botanical gardens to be enjoyed – we recommend Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for its expansive collection of exotic plants. Or, if you’re looking for art and culture, why not check out Pérez Art Museum? With so much to see, do and experience, there’s no way you’ll be bored in the Magic City. So, if you're planning to make the visit, have a read through our list of the best things to do during the day in Miami. Keep scrolling to learn more! See the Sites If you’re looking to fit some culture into your travels, one of the best things you can do is make a stop at the local art gallery. Standing out for its comprehensive collection of contemporary international pieces, the Pérez Art Museum has been a long-time favorite for locals and visitors alike. The institution itself is beautiful and spacious, having been redesigned in 2013. Upon entrance, visitors can enjoy an impressive repository of over 2,000 works coming from the Americas, Western Europe, and Africa. Take a good look at Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s colorful works, then stroll out through the grand staircase to enjoy the magnificent waterfront view. A fantastic educational experience for those of all ages, we love this space because it’s impossible to leave without having learned something new. Whether you’re a fine art aficionado or a crafting geek, you’re sure to enjoy this attraction. Though Miami may best be known a fun beach town, there’s still plenty to see here for architecture buffs. Located on Biscayne Bay in the picturesque neighborhood of Coconut Grove, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is one of Miami’s most popular visitor attractions – and it’s not hard to see why. The impressive historic building, surrounded by 50 acres of gardens is truly not to be missed. Built in the early 20th century, this stunning Gilded Age estate retains much of its original grandeur. The villa’s breathtaking façade, (adapted from traditional Mediterranean architectural elements) still impresses to this day. Upon entrance, visitors can explore the idea of what a luxury home meant in a different time. The museum is well-restored, and there are exceedingly opulent and curious pieces dotted around the building. In addition, the house is circled by extensive Italian Renaissance gardens with fountains, sculptures and other decorative design objects most definitely worth seeing. With its exquisite beauty and historical backstory, this attraction should rank pretty high on the itinerary. Get Some Fresh Air For those who want to take in the natural beauty of Miami – don't worry, we’ve got you covered! Situated just downtown of the city, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a historical 83-acre green space featuring plants from all over the world. The garden is named after famous botanist David Fairchild and showcases much of his collection which was brought back from his travels many decades ago. No doubt one of the most beautiful spots in the city, there’s a little something for everybody here – and in every season. Walking around the park, you’ll be able to enjoy America’s biggest palm collection, as well as the largest collection of tropical bamboo in the world, with 125 species to be enjoyed. To put the icing on the cake, the garden also has a small butterfly emporium bursting with color and life. A true urban jewel, this wonderful attraction should the keenest of nature lovers. Those who are travelling with family might enjoy the next item on our list. The perfect stop for all animal lovers, Jungle Island merges the tropical backdrop of Miami with wonderful exotic animals for an awesome day trip to remember. We love this attraction because it offers the chance to see animals close up without affecting them or their habitat. The park was first founded under the name ‘’Parrot Jungle’’ in 1936. To this day, their collection largely features rare and unusual parrots and other birds species. Still, that’s not all there is to see here. From alligators and snakes to tigers and lemurs, Jungle Island has a lot to offer for everybody. The park is also home to Parrot Cove Beach, Miami’s only private beach. Naming this place a beach might be a bit of a misnomer – this place is more of a fantastic waterpark, with obstacle courses, rides, slides, and a climbing wall. Providing a great educational opportunity for all the family, this place is one of our favorite spots in the city. Hit the Beach! No Miami vacation is complete without a trip to the beach. If you’re looking for the ultimate Floridian seaside experience, look no further than South Beach. Known for its turquoise waters and palm fringed shores, this picturesque attraction more than lives up to the image it brings to mind. Walking along the shores, you might find this spot all too familiar – which is because it’s a pretty popular filming location for movies and shows shot in Miami. Among the various things to do here, you’ll find that surfing, paddleboarding, jet skiing and sailing are all popular activities. But for those who just want to relax, you can rent beach chairs and an umbrella for a small charge. Aside from the beach itself, the surrounding area is well worth exploring. Venture just a little off from the shores to find an eclectic mix of world-class eateries, waterside cafes, fashion boutiques, galleries, and much more. Offering a paradisial break from city life, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend a sunny day in Miami. There are countless things to do in Miami. It’s all up to you to pick your favorite! To find out how to save money on your trip, check out our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass. For more details, make sure to connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris
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Miami in May

These days, visitors are downright spoiled with things to do in Miami. As one of the most popular tourist hotspots in America, the city continues to surprise us with new attractions and events cropping up each day. Spring is a great time to visit, since the weather should be warm enough to enjoy all of the area’s fantastic outdoor attractions without being too hot to function. Enjoy the natural beauty of the area at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Have a blast at Zoo Miami. Or simply explore the boardwalk at South Beach. No matter where your interests may lie, you’re sure to find something to suit your style. If you‘re not quite sure where to start, we’re here to help! Use our guide as a starting point to plan your perfect vacation. No matter how you choose to enjoy the Magic City, we’re sure it’ll be great. See the Sites With lots of sunshine and little rainfall, May is great for spending time outdoors. Those looking to learn more about the background of the city might enjoy Coral Castle for its unique history. Built single-handedly over the course of 28 years, this mysterious sculpture garden is perhaps best known for the questions that it brings up. Constructed out of 1, 100 tons of oolite limestone in a time when no modern construction advances were available, the piece is somewhat of an anomaly. Walking around the site, there’s no doubt you’ll be mind-blown by the intricately hand-carved pieces telling the story of artist Edward Leedskalnin’s heartbreak. A mysterious mindbender and true testament to the artist's innovation, Coral Castle is an attraction quite like no other. Undoubtedly one-of-a-kind, this place is a total must-see for any first-time visitor to the Miami area. Looking to discover a different side of the city? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Standing out as the oldest building in Miami by a long shot, the Ancient Spanish Monastery is a total treat for architecture buffs and history aficionados alike. Parts of the structure date as far back as 1133 AD, long before America was even established. Apparently, the monastery was originally built in northern Spain around this time, but later bought, shipped to New York, and dismantled stone by stone. In 1953, two entrepreneurs bought the stones to build a tourist attraction – and the Ancient Spanish Monastery was born! As such, Time Magazine characterized the building as ‘’the biggest jigsaw puzzle in history’’. Today, the structure stands as a fine example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The interiors are incredibly preserved, showcasing a number of captivating architectural and religious details. Walking around the space, you’ll notice impressive hand-carved columns, sweeping arches and beautiful shrines from the original structure. Rich in history and most certainly unique, this place should rank right at the top of your itinerary. Get in Touch with Nature No doubt, Miami is the perfect haven for all nature lovers. Standing out for its unusual and expansive display of exotic flora, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a fantastic place to spend a sunny spring afternoon in the area. Established way back in 1936, this historical attraction works to showcase the unique collection of avid botanist David Fairchild, which was brought back from his travels. Thousands of varieties thrive here, including many rare species you’d never expect to find in the United States. Bursting with color, scents and spectacular views, the gardens are an absolute joy to wander. Walking through the park, you’ll be able to see the birds, fish, lizards, and crocodiles which call the site home. Don’t miss the butterfly emporium, with too many species to count. We suggest setting a few hours aside for this, since it can take a while to get around the entire place. Remember to bring lots of sunscreen and wear your comfiest walking shoes! A total treat for the senses and educational, too, this place is not to be missed. If you’re anything like us, a visit to the zoo would be right down your alley. Luckily for you, Miami is home to some fantastic nature reserves to bring out that sense of childlike wonder. Combining the natural beauty of the area with incredible exotic wildlife, one of the most popular tourist attractions for animal lovers has got to be Zoo Miami. In fact, this place is recognized as the only tropical zoo in the United States. Featuring over 3, 000 animals and around 100 exhibits to be enjoyed, there’s a little something for everybody here. Expect jaguars, warthogs, spotted hyenas, hippos and much, much more. You’ll need a whole day at the zoo to make the best of it - we suggest heading off pretty early so you can fit as much in as possible! A fantastic educational opportunity, we love this place because it’s impossible to leave without having learned something new. Try Something Different Though the city is perhaps best known for its palm-fringed beaches and exotic greenery, there’s plenty to see here for those looking for art and culture. Open to the public and free of charge, Wynwood Walls is a trendy outdoor street art museum shining a spotlight on some of the world’s best urban artists. Carefully curated and periodically transformative, the exhibit works to showcase a wide variety of styles; at Wynwood Walls, you’ll be able to enjoy the work of old school graffiti artists and the newest innovators in the game all in one space. For those who are interested in learning more about the creatives, different styles, and history of the art form, we recommend booking a guided tour. Aside from the museum itself, the surrounding area is great to explore, with lots of cool shops and eateries to check out. The perfect stop for all creative types, this place provides the perfect taste of the city’s art scene. Few places are as exciting and energetic as the Floridian hotspot of Miami. May is great time to visit, since the temperatures are warmer but it's not as busy as the summer months. 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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