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What to do in Miami

Miami holidays tick all the boxes for a fabulous cultural city break or longer beach stay. From edgy art galleries and beautiful Art Deco architecture to a mini slice of Cuba and an interactive mega zoo, it's packed with things to see and do.

Art Deco District

With hundreds of colourful Art Deco buildings to admire, a stroll around the Art Deco District is a must-do Miami activity. Many of the pastel buildings dating back to the 1930s face the waterfront and have pleasingly symmetrical designs combined with whimsical flourishes.

The Art Deco Welcome Center is a good place to start if you want to explore Miami’s architectural history, and it has self-guided and guided tours. Whichever you choose, be sure to visit the most famous buildings including The Carlyle Hotel, the Colony Theatre and fashion boutique The Webster.

Beaches

Miami has miles of white sands dotted with swaying palms and colourful lifeguard towers. Running alongside the Art Deco District, South Beach is a playground for the rich and famous. For high-end beachside hotels and an eclectic range of restaurants, this is the place to be.

With fewer crowds, North Beach is more serene, offering green parks, walking trails and open spaces ideal for picnics. Haulover Park Beach even has its own nudist area.

Art galleries and museums

Among the many galleries and museums in Miami, Perez Art Museum is worth a visit. It displays modern and contemporary art from around the world and runs tours, lectures and workshops. Or you can simply wander through Wynwood and the neighbouring Design District, popping into studios and art warehouses to see works from local artists.

Meanwhile, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science has a world-class planetarium and three-level aquarium.

Little Havana

Declared a national treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Little Havana was created by Cuban exiles in the 1960s. Walk down Calle Ocho to see locals playing dominoes in the park, or stop in colourful cafés for a café con leche (coffee with hot milk) or lime-and-rum mojito cocktail.

Visit the Walk of Fame to spot famous Cubans Gloria Estefan and Celia Cruz (the singer known as the ‘Queen of Salsa’), then check out the Tower Theatre, an Art Deco gem dating back to the 1920s.

Animal encounters

Zoo Miami has more than 3,000 animals roaming around its almost 750 acres of greenery. The interactive exhibits and attached children's zoo make it one of the best Miami activities for visiting families.

At Gator Park, a 40-minute drive away in Everglades National Park, you can have an alligator adventure. Hop aboard an airboat to spot the reptiles in their natural habitat, as well as turtles, snakes and birds. Feeling brave? There’s also the chance to hold a baby gator. Don’t forget to snap a photo.

Where to stay in Miami

For families

On an island just south of Miami, Key Biscayne has a family-friendly vibe and plenty of attractions. This is one of the greenest neighbourhoods in the area, between Crandon Park on one side and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on the other.

The sheltered beaches have calm waters and golden sands, and you’ll be close to the Miami Seaquarium on neighbouring Virginia Key if you fancy a day out of the sun. Here, you can stay in high-end hotel chains or self-catering apartments.

For travellers on a budget

Miami Beach is known for its glitz and glamour, but it also welcomes more frugal travellers. Cheap backpacker hostels and budget hotels run right up the coastline, so you’ll be close to all the action. Even better, you won’t have to spend money on taxis or public transport from the mainland to the island.

You can spend your days relaxing on the beach or exploring neighbourhoods such as Little Havana or the Art Deco District. There are also plenty of cheap eats and drinks around here, especially if you take advantage of happy-hour deals.

For food and drink

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining out in Miami, but Brickell, just south of downtown, is fast developing a reputation as one of Miami’s coolest culinary areas. The up-and-coming neighbourhood has loads of rooftop restaurants and lively pubs alongside its skyscraper office buildings. You can stay in contemporary hotels with bay views from your room or rooftop patio.

On Miami Beach, the Mid-Beach area is home to some of the flashier restaurants, often making the most of their stunning beachside settings. Many of the high-end hotels here have their own on-site fine dining, too.

For nightlife

Miami is a city that knows how to throw a party and, if you fancy joining in, South Beach is the place to experience the city’s buzzing nightlife. Here, you’ll be able to start the evening with sundowners on the beach and finish it on a rooftop dancefloor. Waterfront hotels have a hedonistic vibe, with on-site pools and beach access. Buffet breakfasts help the recovery from the night before.

For a different spin, a night out in Little Havana focuses on live music in steamy salsa clubs and cooling off with the most famous Cuban cocktail, the mojito.

For culture

To experience the city’s culture, stay in the Design District. This part of downtown is home to galleries and museums including the Pérez Art Museum Miami and Institute of Contemporary Art. You’ll find plenty of loft-style accommodation and self-catering apartments as well as hotels with pools and spas.

For a taste of Cuban culture, head to Little Havana where the Latino community has thrived for more than 50 years. Expect to hear music at all hours and Spanish as the common language. Stay in charming guesthouses with outdoor gardens and courtyards.