Things to Do in Miami for Adults

South Beach Ideas for Couples & Groups of Friends

By Katie Sagal
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Miami is an ideal destination for adult-only trips. With so many fun and exciting things to do in the city or at the beach, you can easily stay busy whether you're here for a week or only a weekend. If you’re looking for things to do in Miami for adults, check out our favorite attractions for couples and groups of friends to enjoy, including...  

  • Biscayne Bay Sightseeing Boat Cruise 
  • Vizcaya Museum & Gardens 
  • Miami Art Deco Walking Tour 
  • Key West Day Trip from Miami 
  • Key Largo Glass Bottom Boat Cruise 
  • Explore Little Havana 
  • and more... 
South Beach Miami

Tour the City on a Double Decker Bus or Duck Boat 

Big Bus Tour Miami

Explore Miami by way of a convenient Hop On Hop Off Big Bus tour that lets you customize your day (and decide how much sightseeing you really feel like doing!) Or, choose a fun Miami Duck Boat Tour that indulges your inner tourist. The Duck Tour in particular is a delightful option if you'd like the explore the city on multiple fronts. It's a fun way to combine land and water excursions.

Soak up the art scene

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Miami is one of the most beautiful cities in the country, so it's no surprise that it inspires people to make more beautiful things. Art lovers will find much to appreciate in this highly creative city, from world-renowned film festivals to fine art museums. One of the most popular institutions is the compelling Pérez Art Museum, which primarily features collections of modern and contemporary international art. There's even a beautiful hanging garden for sitting and sipping a latte.

If you're looking to see artistic inspiration on a large scale, the must-see Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is a surefire hit. Stunning, European-inspired architecture combines historical furnishings and significant works of art to make for a truly inspiring visit. Don't forget the luxurious gardens that surround the estate! Both of these suggestions are great things to do for couples.

Get up close with the animal world

Miami zoo giraffes

You don't have to be a kid to enjoy meeting some of the world's most fascinating creatures at a top-notch zoo! Head to Zoo Miami, where you'll meet critters large and small that hail from around the globe. This 340-acre expanse features diverse habitats that mimic the animals' natural surroundings, with exhibits like Africa, Asia, the Amazon, and Australia. "Amazon and Beyond" is a popular choice, featuring jaguars, snakes, and a tropical rainforest. 

Or, if aquatic creatures are more your style, head to the admirable Miami Seaquarium. They're renowned for their conservation work, and their marine animal shows are truly a sight to behold. 

Take an airboat ride through the Everglades

Airboat through the Everglades

We all know Miami has some excellent outdoorsy things to do, but many of us don't think beyond the beaches and boardwalks. If you're looking to see more of South Florida than some (admittedly very beautiful) sand, try an always entertaining airboat ride in the Everglades. You'll get to see large swathes of Everglades National Park and plenty of iconic Florida gators.

Head to South Beach 

South Beach Miami

South Beach is probably the most popular beach in Miami, but don’t let that turn you off from visiting what many call the Surf Capital of Miami. If you’ve never seen surfers before, South Beach is an excellent spot for seeing these impressive athletes in action.

The people-watching at South Beach is also ideal, you may see A-list celebrities on any given day. Spend some time at South Beach and enjoy a relaxing day of sunbathing, rollerblading, shopping, dining, and swimming. You won’t be disappointed!

For the architecture buffs, there's also the Art Deco Architectural Historic District, which is a rare, diverse collection of buildings in this signature style. Take a Miami Art Deco Walking Tour of the neighborhood and snap those perfect Instagram photos.

Head down to Key West

Key West

You can't come this far south into Florida without venturing just a little bit farther. Spend an entire day exploring and soaking up the Caribbean atmosphere. When you get to Key West, there are plenty of great shops and unique attractions to explore, from the house where Ernest Hemingway lived to a lush botanical garden. Be sure to head to Mallory Square around sunset for some gorgeous photos.

Enjoy a Key Largo marine life sightseeing cruise 

Key Largo marine life

Another great option for exploring the vivid blue waters around Miami is to hop aboard the Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat Cruise. This boat offers a relaxing and engaging cruise around the Florida Keys that both couples and groups of friends will love.

On your two-hour cruise, you'll get to enjoy the cool sea breeze, the gorgeous waters, and most importantly, observe the marine life below you. See the many vibrantly colored inhabitants of the Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the country's only underwater State Park. You'll love this unique chance to see them without getting wet! 

Ride a Bike Around South Beach 

South beach bike ride

Get active and explore South Beach and beyond via bicycle. Just hop aboard a rented bike and you're ready to roam around this cycling-friendly beach region. Rentals from Bike and Roll come with a map, too, so you're not left just exploring on your own without guidance. Of course, you can feel free to go wherever the spirit moves you! 

Soak up the Cuban flair of Little Havana

Little Havana

Miami’s Latin Quarter, also known as Little Havana (or La Pequeña Habana), is a quaint neighborhood where you’ll find art galleries, shops, restaurants, live music, and more. Full of authentic Cuban restaurants and shops, Calle Ocho is the hub of life in Little Havana. You and your friends will have a blast here.

You may even have the chance to see an exciting cultural event like Carnival Miami, Cultural Fridays, and the Three Kings Parade.

Save on admission to top Miami attractions with Go City®

That should do it! We hope our list helped you discover some of the best things to do in Miami for adults. These vacation ideas are great for couples or traveling with a group of friends. Miami does have just about everything that you could possibly wish for on an adults-only vacation — food and drink, shopping, exploring, and relaxing.

Planning to visit lots of Miami attractions? With Go City® you won't miss a thing. Plus, with a Miami attraction pass, you can save up to 50% compared to buying individual entry to everything you want to do. Win-win.

☀️Compare Miami passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a 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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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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10+ Things to Do in Key West & the Florida Keys

Heading to Miami, but hoping to explore the lands and waters further south? You’re not alone – many people begin their journeys in South Beach but travel down the Florida Keys to Key West for some more excitement and adventure.
Katie Sagal

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