12 Top Things to do In Miami Beach
June 28, 2016There is more to Miami Beach than just the beautiful white sand and aqua blue water. It’s actually known for having much more to it, from the excellent cuisine to the incredibly nightlife. The area is full of culture and fun things to do that you won’t enjoy doing just anywhere. Of course celebrity sightings are common at some of the area restaurants and nightclubs.
While the beach is great for getting a tan, you’ll find most locals using it to keep their bikini body in shape. When it comes to Miami Beach, there is so much more to do than just enjoying the sunshine and the ocean waves. Take a look at the top 12 things you’ll want to do in Miami Beach.
Eat great food
A great way to enjoy Miami Beach is to eat local restaurants that will make you feel that you’re traveling around the world. Start with a taste of Cuban, the most popular cuisine in the area, and then head to Europe for some Spanish and French cuisine.
You’ll love Tapas y Tintos on Espanola Way, as well as the French café A La Folie. Get a taste of Hawaii at Sunny’s at the Hall South Beach for your favorite beach dishes including the Hawaiian poke bowls and Italian fritto misto. Go to Pubbelly’s or Barceloneta for Asian and Latin-inspired small plates while Joe’s Stone Crab will give you the local flavors of Miami’s strong seafood game.
Hang by the beach
Of course hitting the beach is one of the best ways to enjoying Miami Beach. You’ll likely want to make it a short day because the sun will be blazing and the crowds can get overwhelming. You’ll find families hanging by the South of 5th area and the tourists and rowdy groups from 5th Street to 20th Street where South Beach is. Mid Beach is where you can find the dreamy Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
See a celeb
Celebrities love Miami Beach just as much as we do. You’ll spot favorite celebrities enjoying this luxurious area because it’s a playground for the rich and famous. Look for celebs at Fountainebleau Miami Beach or the area of beach adjacent to Soho Beach House.
Soho is a members-only club that features a celeb favorite, Cecconi’s, for Italian cuisine. The Forge at Mid Beach and Prime 112 at South Beach is often a celebrity hangout, as well as at the nightclubs of LIV and Story, a regular stop for Miley Cyrus and the Kardashians.
Enjoy the nightlife
If you want to party the night away, you go to Miami Beach for the best nightlife. It’s similar to enjoying the Strip in Vegas – it’s a must. Doors will open at 10pm but the real party isn’t until after midnight. You’ll find EDM at clubs like LIV and Story where Calvin Harris is usually dj’ing. Get your hip-hop fix at Rec Room.
Take in the local culture
If you want to get to know the area and its culture, you can do so by taking an Art Deco walking tour on Ocean Drive. Stop into the Bass Museum of Art to see old paintings and a real mummy. You’ll learn all about Miami Beach art and history.
Work it out
Sometimes laying by the beach doesn’t cut it when you want to use the beach for a good workout. You can break a sweat at Miami Beach by doing yoga at sunrise on 3rd Street and Ocean every morning at 7am, try paddleboarding at Standard Spa Miami Beach, or ride a bike or jog along the shoreline at sunset.
Shop until you drop
You can count on Miami Beach to have the latest fashion trends. You’ll want to shop and people watch at open-air shopping like Sunset Harbour Shops where local retailers can be found, as well as the Lincoln Road Mall for name brands like Gap, lululemon, and Alchemist.
Relax at the Spa
What better way to enjoy the area than to enjoy spa treatments at the beach? You can rest all weekend at the Standard Spa in Miami Beach where you’ll find views of the Biscayne Bay, a saltwater infinity pool, and relaxation away from the crowds. There is an outdoor mud bath, massage table, waterfall Jacuzzi, and a meditation garden with daybeds and a fire pit.
Lazy Sunday brings a barbeque and DJs for a sunset party. Of course Fontainebleau also offers one of the best swimming pools in Miami to lounge by, a state-of-the-art gym inside the hotel, and the Lapis Spa to enjoy some Zen.
Sip on cocktails
If you want to spend your time at Miami Beach drinking delicious cocktails, you’ll love a stop at the Broken Shaker. You’ll find handcrafted cocktails made of premium spirits and homemade infusions. This stop really changed the bar scene here and offered something new. You’ll find this stop in a high-end hostel serving favorites like the Broken Shaker Rum ‘N’ Cola.
The Silent Disco
Miami Beach has a silent disco when you go to Basement Miami’s Basement Bowl & Skate on the third Tuesday of each month. You’ll be able to rent wireless headphones and switch between resident DJ Myke Dilla and special guests. That means you and your friends can enjoy your own favorite tunes while seeing who can knock over the most pins.
Movies under the Stars
Have you ever wanted to try an outdoor movie under the stars on date night? You can in Miami Beach over at Soundscape Park. They do a weekly cinema series projected onto the wall of the New World Center building for no charge.
End it with dessert
If you don’t have much time in Miami Beach or want something fun to do in between things, you’ll want to get dessert at fun stops around the area. Go to Dylan’s Candy Bar for some of the best candy in the largest variety or the Sugar Factory American Brasserie for dining and a dessert bar. The Argentine ice cream stop Freddo is a favorite for gelato panini fans.
Related: How to Enjoy South Beach as a Family
Miami Beach is so much more than just a beach. Enjoy all of this and more for the best of the area.
