10 Things to Do in Miami in Summer
Summer in Miami offers several options to have fun with friends or family. Attend cultural events, tour paradisiacal natural spaces and enjoy beautiful land and aerial views.
If you are an enthusiast of walking through the streets under the radiant rays of the sun, while admiring a panoramic view of the ocean and enjoying the culture in its different expressions, then your must-see tourist destination is Miami during the summer season. You will live a unique experience in this lively coastal city.
You won't have to wonder what to see and do in Miami, as you have plenty of options for fun. You can get up close and personal with the natural beauty of this region, attend concerts, fashion shows, ballet festivals and other annual events held in the city.
1. Enjoy the beautiful beaches of Miami
Miami' s beautiful beaches are a must-see destination during your visit to the city, especially during the summer season. You will enjoy beautiful scenery, crystal clear waters and radiant sunshine. A true paradise on earth, which will allow you to rest from the routine.
If you are in South Beach, you can go to Lummus Park Beach which is one of the most crowded beaches or go to South Pointe Park, which is a little more secluded. Other options are North Miami Beach on 46th Street and, in the metropolitan area, Crandon Park. Both are family beaches.
In addition to these beaches there are many more alternatives for you to have fun on the sand or in the sea enjoying the best water activities in Miami. One proposal to disconnect from the lively streets of Miami is to participate in a yoga class in South Beach. You can relax and meditate on the sand of the beach for an hour guided by an expert instructor.
2. Take advantage of the summer season to visit Key West from Miami
Summer is a good time to take one of the excursions to Key West from Miami, since during this season the temperature reaches 32 ºC, the sky is clear and there is no danger of precipitation. In addition, prices are usually lower.
This type of water activities usually starts with a pick-up at the hotel or at a previously agreed meeting point. Afterwards, you will be transferred by bus to Key West:
- You will travel along US Highway 1, which will give you a privileged view of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
- You will board a catamaran for an approximately three-hour cruise in the Caribbean Sea.
- You will have the opportunity to snorkel for an hour and see some tropical fish. For this, you will have the necessary equipment and the help of a professional instructor.
After this adventure, you will have free time to explore Key West' s gift stores and do some quick shopping before returning to Miami.
Practical information
- Where: Miami - Key West.
- When: The tour takes place during the summer months due to good weather conditions. However, during the other months of the year some excursions are available.
- Price: Adults from $135 and children from 3 to 17 years old pay an average price of $125. Children under 3 years of age generally participate for free in this adventure.
3. Celebrate the 4th of July on Ocean Drive Miami with a fireworks show
Join the 4th of July celebration during your visit to the city of Miami and experience a fun day in the Ocean Drive district. There, you will enjoy the usual fireworks show , family activities and a live orchestra.
This is a traditional activity that you should incorporate in your itinerary if you don't know what to do in Miami in a week.
You can approach the famous Ocean Drive in the morning and start enjoying the celebratory atmosphere with craft markets, face painting for adults and children, stilt walkers in American flag costumes, street food and much more.
In addition, you can take the time to contemplate the beauty of this area, characterized by its Art Deco architecture.
Starting at 8:30 p.m., you will listen to approximately 50 pieces of music performed by the official orchestra of the Miami Classical Music Festival. Afterwards, the fireworks show begins, which you can admire without inconvenience from the cafes, restaurants and bars of Ocean Drive.
Practical info
- Where: The activities take place on Ocean Drive in Miami South Beach in Miami Beach.
- When: The event takes place on the 4th of July every year.
- Price: This is a celebration that does not require an entrance fee.
4. Visit Little Havana: A Miami neighborhood with color, flavor and aroma of the Caribbean
The Little Havana neighborhood is considered by many as a little piece of Cuba in the city of Miami.
Its color, flavor and aroma of the Caribbean will capture your attention from the first moment. In addition, if you visit this district in summer you will experience a temperature of 30 ºC, similar to that of the island of Cuba, so you will feel like you are really walking through its streets.
You will spend an entertaining day tasting delicious Cuban coffee and smoking a cigar. In addition, you will be able to connect with one of the best gastronomic tours in Miami to taste some dishes with the authentic Cuban seasoning.
Arriving at Miami's famous 8th Street, you will get many tourist activities at your disposal:
- Start the morning with Cuban coffee and the traditional cakes with guava center. A delight that will surprise your taste buds.
- Walk through the streets of Little Havana while admiring its buildings and the vibrant colors of its facades.
- Walk along the Cuban walk of fame and take a picture next to one of the stars.
- Check out Little Havana's Latin American art gallery.
- Visit the Máximo Gómez Park and take part in an interesting game of dominoes.
- End the night at a Latin music club.
5. Get close to the famous Wynwood Arts District and celebrate Pride
If on your trip to Miami you want to enjoy a party full of color, art exhibitions, good music, exquisite dishes to taste and drag, then your destination should be the Wynwood Arts District. Come to this neighborhood in June and celebrate Pride with the LGBTQ+ community.
You will be able to admire a series of art installations and murals referring to Pride, enjoy the musical talent of surprise artists and guest DJs. You will also have the opportunity to admire an amazing drag show.
Undoubtedly, this series of activities organized in the Wynwood Arts District are a good option for you, who do not know what to see and do in Miami in 1 day.
Practical Info
- Where: The Wynwood Arts District is the place chosen to celebrate Pride month.
- When: Wynwood Pride is celebrated during the month of June.
- Price: General admission for this celebration starts at 50 euros. However, the activities planned for Sunday are usually free.
6. Join the Rolling Loud Miami edition and enjoy the best hip-hop in Miami
If you have decided to travel to Miami during the summer and you are an enthusiast of the hip hop genre, you can't miss the Rolling Loud. This is a famous music festival held every July in the city. So, stop wondering what to see and do in Miami in 3 days and attend this massive show.
At Rolling Loud you will be able to see a selection of artists who have significantly influenced the hip hop music scene: Snoop Dogg, Ye, Future, Lamar, among others. It is a show with a unique party atmosphere that for three days will allow you to enjoy more than 100 rappers.
Practical info
- Where: Over the years the festival has been held at Bayfront Park and Hard Rock Stadium.
- When: Rolling Loud Miami edition takes place during the second half of July each year.
- Price: You can find tickets for Rolling Loud Miami edition starting at 349 euros per person.
7. Attend the Miami International Ballet Festival in July & August
If you are in Miami during July or August you should enjoy the International Ballet Festival held in this city for more than 20 years.
You can attend free and other paid events in which you will see art exhibitions , films inspired by dance, performances of national and international dancers, contemporary dance, among others.
The festival takes place in late July and early August, lasts approximately 20 days and is considered a traditional event that promotes cultural diversity.
This is because the dances performed and the art exhibits presented are artistic representations from different parts of the world. Definitely a good option if you don't know what to do in Miami with kids during the summer.
Practical info
- Where: The venue selected for the art exhibition is the Hispanic Cultural Arts Center of Miami. Meanwhile, performances and film screenings are held at Miami Dade College North Campus, Lincoln Road South Beach, Lehman Theatre Miami Dace College North Campus, Manuel Artime Theatre, Seminole Theatre and Amaturo Theatre.
- When: All activities related to the Miami International Ballet Festival take place during the months of July and August.
- Price: Ticket prices for the different activities can be consulted on the Miami International Ballet Festival website. However, many of the events are free and others require an invitation.
8. Participate in the Afro-Cuban Dance Festival in Miami and celebrate cultural diversity
Afro-Cuban dance takes place during the annual July celebrations in the city of Miami.
It is a colorful festival that can be attended by professional dancers, amateurs or anyone who wishes to learn about the spread of these ancestral rhythms.
The Afro-Cuban Dance Festival takes over the city of Miami, so you can head to Little Havana and, in Domino Park, witness a majestic parade. Also, at the Miami Central Library, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a conference, where some renowned scholars will take you through the past, present and future of Cuban dance.
In addition, you will be able to attend a couple of workshops in which the main dance steps are explained in detail, according to the traditional roots of African dance, fused with those of some of the ethnic groups present in South Florida. All this, with a live musical accompaniment.
Practical information
- Where: The festival activities take place in the Little Havana neighborhood and at the Miami Central Library.
- When: July is the month of July for the Afro-Cuban Dance Festival in Miami.
- Price: The price of tickets to participate in the events starts at 20 euros. However, many activities are usually free of charge.
9. Be part of the Mango Festival in the city of Miami
Mango is a very popular fruit in Miami, as more than 200 species are grown in the city. Therefore, it is not surprising that there is a festival in honor of this exquisite fruit. Be part of this celebration throughout the month of July and enjoy the summer during your trip.
The calendar of activities is quite varied:
- Culinary classes, taught by professional chefs.
- Lectures about the history and importance of mangos.
- Preparation of mangococktails.
In addition, a picnic day is organized in several points of the city and every Saturday of the month you will find a mango market, where you can taste desserts, drinks and other delicacies.
10. Go to the Miami Swim Week, a fashion event held annually during the month of July
Those who enjoy beach fashion will be delighted to attend Miami Swim Week, held during the month of July. This is a fashion event that annually brings together a number of veteran and emerging designers to showcase their summer collections.
The show lasts four days, during which you can see men's and women's fashion: swimwear, hats, accessories and beachwear.
In addition, most of the exhibits are characterized by being made with recyclable materials, a trend adopted in recent years by some designers to defend the environment.
Finally, at Miami Swim Week you will enjoy a fashion show by students in their last year at the Miami International University of Art and Design. These young talents present some of the garments from their undergraduate work.
Practical Info
- Where: The event is usually held at the Faena Forum, an event venue in the city of Miami.
- When: Swim Week is held every year in July.
- Price: Tickets for Miami Swim Week start at 55 euros.
Weather in Miami in summer
The weather in Miami during the summer months usually has a significant variation in terms of temperature, humidity and rainfall, which you should keep in mind before embarking on your trip.
For example, in the month of June the average temperature reaches 27ºC, which means that the city is just beginning to warm up. Meanwhile, humidity is on the rise and rainfall lasts only one day.
Meanwhile, in July the thermometers reach 31ºC, the water temperature on the beaches rises to 29ºC, humidity continues to rise and rainy days increase to 15. Finally, in August you will find sultry weather due to the combination of sunny mornings and rainy afternoons, giving rise to the hurricane season.
Summer Tourist Flow in Miami
The months of June, July and August in Miami register the highest volume of tourists from Latin America, so summer is considered high season in the city. However, in winter this phenomenon is repeated, due to the fact that the Americans themselves are the ones who move to Miami to escape the cold.
In any case, you should be cautious and book in advance both airline tickets and lodging in the hotel of your choice. Also, check the availability of tickets to some of the attractions or activities you plan to do during your visit.