Top 10+ Things to Do in Miami for First Time Visitors

The Miami Seaquarium is a great family attraction if you're planning to head down to Miami with the kids. This 38-acre paradise full of marine animals is right on the water and offers fantastic views of Biscayne Bay and beyond, which makes for a great backdrop as you explore the grounds. The aquarium's mission is to create a fun and interactive way to teach visitors about the best ways to conserve and save our marine life.

There are eight different animal performances, shows, and feedings throughout the day as well as ten different themed exhibition halls that showcase animals from around the world. Head to Penguin Island to see your favorite tuxedo-d creatures, dive under the water to see colorful fish and corals at Tropical Reef, and touch the back of a slimy stingray at the Stingray Tank. 

Getting in: Miami Seaquarium tickets are included on all Go City® Miami passes.

Take a relaxing cruise around Biscayne Bay and soak in the beautiful views of Miami's coastline. This 80-minute tour will take you around the coast and over to the Venetian Islands. You'll enjoy delicious food and drinks on board, listen to live music, and relax aboard one of the double-decker cruise ships. Your tour guide will narrate the entire trip as you pass homes of the rich and famous, iconic Miami landmarks, and picturesque beaches. 

Getting in: Biscayne Bay Sightseeing Cruise is separately ticketed.

You've got to take the family to Miami Zoo when in town! This iconic zoo allows you to travel the entire world all in one place. The 340-acre compound is home to 3,000 animals, 1,200 plants and trees, and seven themed zones with animals from each continent. You can feed camels and giraffes, meet the keepers, listen to scheduled animal talks, and pet familiar farm animals at the petting zoo. Explore each zone and find your favorite animals, both big and small. Watch the elephants, lions, tigers, and jaguars roaming in their habitats.

Don't miss the Florida: Mission Everglades exhibit, a habitat full of animals from the marshlands and swamps across Florida. Come face-to-face with alligators, North American Black Bears, bobcats, and Bald Eagles. 

Getting in: Zoo Miami tickets are included on all Go City® Miami passes.

Need to cool down on a hot day? Try a Jet Boat ride around the waters of Miami. This ride will get your adrenaline pumping as you race across the sea at 45 mph doing twists, turns, and jumps over the waves. You'll be moving at top speed for the most part and get an amazing view of the sights along the coastline. 

Getting in: Jet Boat Miami tickets are included on all Miami passes.

Jungle Island has expanded in recent years to become a wonderful hub of activities and attractions. The eco-adventure park offers famous animal encounters and experiences. Learn more about lemurs, sloths, birds, and more. You can even interact and get up close to them.

One of the newest additions is the Neo Splash Water Park Pop-Up, which is open from June until the end of September. The park boasts 60-foot water slides, wave pools, areas to relax, and more. It's the perfect place to go after exploring all the animal exhibits under the sun. There is still much more to come at Jungle Island, too, so keep your eyes peeled. 

Getting in: Jungle Island tickets are included on all Go City® Miami passes.

You'll cross over 42 bridges and hop over 32 islands to get to Key West, the Southernmost Point in the U.S. It'll feel like you've been transported to a Caribbean paradise once you've arrived! You'll have the entire day to explore the island for yourself. Shop around the local boutiques, dine on delicious cuisine, appreciate the street art, and immerse yourself in the culture of the Keys.

You'll find that the Keys have a very relaxed and 'go with the flow' vibe. Whether you spend the day relaxing on the beach or choose to load up on activities, like kayaking or visiting the Hemingway House, you'll have a blast exploring the island for the day. 

Getting in: Gray Line Miami: Key West Day Trip tickets are available on the Go City® Miami All-Inclusive pass only.

A visit to the Vizcaya Museum and Garden will arouse your cultural senses. With a lush tropical garden and a gorgeous mansion full of artifacts and unique art pieces, it's the perfect place for art lovers and those who want to learn more about Miami's history.

Peruse the museum and find vintage furniture, paintings from years and years ago, and beautiful homemade jewelry. Outside, a walk through the garden will provide unmatched views of Biscayne Bay and its surroundings to sit down and relax for a bit. 

Getting in: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is separately ticketed.

Discover the mystery of the marshlands in the Everglades of South Florida. Everglades Alligator Farm is the oldest alligator farm in Florida and home to over 2,000! Zip through the tall grass over the marshlands and keep your eyes peeled for swamp creatures. You'll see several species of alligators, crocodiles, and snakes from aboard the airboat. Your tour guide will be sure to point them out and describe each species' unique characteristics. 

Getting in: Everglades Alligator Tour & Airboat Ride tickets are available on all Go City® Miami passes.

The Wynwood Art District is home to over 70 galleries, museums, and street art murals. It's considered one of the largest open-air street art installations in the world. The district was founded by Mark Coetzee, who had originally tested out this concept in his hometown of Capetown, South Africa. Miami is already an artsy society as it is, so the Wynwood walls and art district fit in perfectly. Every second Saturday of the month, a public art walk is held where all the galleries and collections open their doors and allow visitors in for free.

If you'd like to take a guided tour of the Wynwood District and make sure you don't miss any of the major pieces, try the Cycle Party Wynwood Miami Insta Tour. Aboard the trolley cart, you'll drive past countless murals and your guide will tell you more about each one and the history of the art that calls the Wynwood District home. 

Getting in: Cycle Party Wynwood Miami Insta Tour is separately ticketed, check for individual galleries.

It's the neighborhood and beach that needs no introduction: famous South Beach. The South Beach area was the first to be developed back in 1910 and is still a hub of activity and sightseeing down in Miami. Here is where you'll find the best restaurants, pool clubs, boutiques, hotels, and nightclubs. There's always something going on in South Beach.

And of course, the beach itself is something you can't skip. The bright blue waters and comfy lounge chairs make for a perfect place to kick back and relax on at least one of your days in Miami.

The Miami Beach Architectural District, also known as the Art Deco District, is another great place for art and architecture lovers to go. Located right in South Beach, this area is most famously known for being the home of Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace's iconic Versace Mansion on Ocean Drive.

It is also very well-known for its vintage-look buildings that light up in fluorescent neon colors at night. With so much to see and do here, you might want to opt for a guided tour to guarantee you don't miss any of the action. Embark on the Official Walking Art Deco Walking Tour and learn more about the history of the area and its iconic buildings. 

Getting in: The Official Art Deco Walking Tour is separately ticketed.