The bustling district of Downtown Miami brims with activity night and day, with no end of opportunities for unique fun and adventure.
An eye-catching piece of art outside the Pérez Art Museum Miami (Photo: Phillip Pessar via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Retail therapy, international dining, live sports, arts and culture, or simply watching the world go by – the world is your oyster in Downtown Miami, which pulsates with energy thanks to the throngs of locals and visitors who assemble here to partake in its myriad of activities and attractions. And while throwing yourself in feet first is always an option, for those who like to plan their time, we’ve compiled a list below of the 12 most unique ways to spend your time Downtown.
Soak up some culture at a top-class museum
One of the city’s most prestigious cultural venues, Pérez Art Museum Miami attracts admirers even before they enter its vast confines. Designed by acclaimed Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, the impressive building catches the eye of all who pass it. But the real treasures are to be found inside, with the museum home to a huge assortment of art spanning the 20th and 21st centuries. While both national and international works are well-represented, a keen focus is given to Miami’s ethnic groups, including its Latin America, Caribbean and African communities. Visitors can also venture outside to the museum’s lush gardens that are dotted with eye-catching sculptures.
1103 Biscayne Boulevard / Thurs 11am-9pm Fri-Mon 11am-6pm Closed Tues-Weds
Another renowned cultural venue, HistoryMiami Museum is located Downtown where it shines a light on Miami’s rich history through a huge collection of artefacts and exhibits dating from the city’s origins through to the current day. Highlights include a selection of prehistoric archaeological finds, a display of 20th-century Afro-Cuban folk art, more than two million historical images and a permanent exhibition called ‘Tropical Dreams’ that charts the evolution of South Florida over 10,000 years.
101 West Flagler Street / Weds-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 12pm-5pm Closed Mon-Tues
Admire the local architecture
Among the cutting-edge attractions of Downtown Miami are a smattering of architecturally significant buildings and landmarks that offer a glimpse into the past. Miami’s only remaining Art Deco skyscraper, the Alfred I DuPont Building was constructed at the tail end of the 1930s as a symbol of hope following the travails of the Great Depression that had ravaged America for the previous decade. Originally it served as the Florida National Bank’s official headquarters, but today it is primarily used as an upscale events space. Nonetheless, the building’s original façade, including several distinctive Art Deco touches, endures as a reminder of the classic architectural styles and principles of a bygone era.
Hit the shops at an open-air retail complex
The almost year-round sunshine enjoyed in Miami means there’s rarely a time that you need to take refuge in a soulless shopping mall. But for those keen to indulge in some retail therapy, Bayside Marketplace combines an open-air setting with plenty of character and scenic charm. Situated in Biscayne Bay along the Miami harbourfront, the vibrant outdoor complex is packed with shops, restaurants and bars, as well as local artists selling their wares. For shoppers, nearly every national brand can be found here, together with an extensive choice of international names, ensuring plenty of opportunity to find yourself a pair of trainers, some apparel or any number of other goods that you can take home as a memento from your Miami adventure.
401 Biscayne Boulevard / Mon-Thurs 10am-10pm Fri-Sat 10am-11pm Sun 11am-9pm
A giant sign welcomes visitors to the Bayside Marketplace (Photo: Bob B. Brown via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Explore the city by hop-on hop-off bus
One of the most convenient and time-efficient ways to see Miami is by hop-on hop-off bus, which lets you board and disembark at designated bus stops at your own pace. Stops are lined along a specific route that will put you close to many of the city’s main attractions, including the Downtown district, and while onboard you can listen to audio commentary about Miami’s most notable landmarks and places of interest via headsets provided. Miami hop-on hop-off tours are run by Big Bus and tickets are valid for a choice of 1 or 2 days. You can also add a Biscayne Bay boat cruise and an Everglades airboat ride onto your package for an extra charge.
You can book a hop-on hop-off Miami bus tour at GetYourGuide
Catch a live Basketball game
As in almost every city in the US, sport is taken seriously in Miami – and none more seriously than Basketball. The city’s home NBA team is the Miami Heat, who play their home games at the Kaseya Center on Biscayne Bay, and unlike at so many sporting temples in Europe, it’s actually not that tricky to land tickets for a live game, if you know where to look. If successful, you’ll be treated to a truly quintessential American experience, complete with glamorous cheerleaders, bombastic music, lashings of fast food and drink, and, if you’re lucky, some top-quality on-court action.
Kaseya Center, 601 Biscayne Boulevard
You can book Miami Heat tickets at GetYourGuide
Fans watch a Miami Heat basketball game at the American Airlines Arena (Photo: Guillaume Capron via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Head to the beach
Positioned on the fringes of Downtown, Hobie Island Beach Park draws large numbers of visitors throughout the year who come to enjoy the park’s long stretch of sandy shore and array of recreational opportunities. The Atlantic waters off the coast are particularly popular for both windsurfing and kayaking, with several local vendors offering equipment rentals for those who don’t have their own gear. For less energetic pursuits, there are also plenty of spots for sunbathing and picnicking, with ample shade provided by trees to stave off those oppressively hot Miami days.
Old, Rickenbacker Causeway / Mon-Thurs 6.30am-8pm Fri-Sun 6.30am-9pm
Take a cruise around the bay
The area around Biscayne Bay lagoon is pleasing on the eye from any vantage point, but perhaps none more so than from its coastal waters. There are a number of daily organised boat tours on offer that take passengers around the bay, serving up gorgeous views of the Downtown skyline. Along the way, your onboard guide will offer stories and facts about this famed section of Miami, as well as pointing out some of the impressive celebrity homes located on the water’s edge. Cruise boats typically include a bar serving both soft and alcoholic drinks. Sunset cruises are also available.
You can book a Biscayne Bay boat cruise at GetYourGuide
A boat cruises past Downtown Miami (Photo: GetYourGuide.com)
See the city from up high
Once a mere fairground attraction, Ferris wheels are now commonplace across the world as a way to see a city from up high. Soaring nearly 200 feet into the sky, Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel offers visitors the chance to do just that by boarding one of its 42 enclosed Gondolas that performs a full rotation over the course of around 12-15 minutes. The reward for passengers is gorgeous views over Downtown and the rest of the city, as well as across the bay towards the ocean’s horizon. The attraction stays open throughout the evening, enabling the chance to take a ride during one of Miami’s memorable sunsets.
401 Biscayne Boulevard / Mon-Thurs 1pm-10pm Fri-Sun 12pm-10pm
Soar above the clouds on a private flight
If a ride on a Ferris wheel isn’t enough to satisfy you appetite for heights, then how about treating yourself to a bird’s eye view over Miami from above the clouds? Thrill-seekers can book private airplane tours that transport you high above the city where you’ll get to peer down and marvel at the ant-like activity down below in Downtown and beyond. Tours can be tailored to your preferences and needs and headsets are provided so you can communicate with your pilot during the flight. Complimentary water is also provided and you can arrange hotel pick-ups/drop-offs for an extra charge.
You can book a Miami Downtown airplane tour at Viator
Miami airplane tour guests pose for a photo (Photo: Sky Tours Miami / Courtesy Viator.com)