Things to Do in South Beach (Miami Beach)

The reality is that deciding what to do and see in South Beach Miami is not a challenge, let alone a chore. This area is one of the most important tourist epicenters in the entire United States and at the same time, an iconic place for global tourism.

So the best advice I can give you is to keep reading all the information I have compiled for you and take it into account. So, the next trip you have scheduled to South Florida will include most of these places as an excellent stop among everything you can see and do in the city of Miami:

As the name suggests, South Beach is the southernmost corner of what is known as Miami Beach.

This area is actually an independent city on an island separate from downtown Miami, but is considered a fundamental part of the identity of the entire Miami Dade County metropolitan area.

In turn, this long stretch of white sands and ocean waters is usually the first stop for any tourist visiting the area. Or, at least those who have enough time to explore it in all its dimensions, because the surf is distinguished by having a little warmer temperatures than the rest of the East Coast of North America.

So, during the summer, and even in the winter, it fills up with surfers up to approximately 5th Street heading north.

From 6th Street to 14th Street the atmosphere is already perceived in a different way and what abounds is a strong sun on the picturesque huts that everyone quickly identifies when thinking of Miami Beach.

Getting to know this beach landscape with a tour that goes through the best streets of South Beach is also an excellent idea if you want to get in touch with the beach, but without having to spend several hours on it. There are walking tours, bike tours and Segway tours, a comfortable and fun way to tour the area.

Another iconic aspect when thinking about what to do and see in South Beach Miami is shopping.

Much of the geography of this southern end of the city is full of luxury stores that international designers have strategically chosen for the architectural beauty of the place, as well as for the large flow of potential buyers that circulate there daily.

So planning a tour of these exclusive streets, either with a tour guide or on your own, is an excellent idea.

Likewise, seeing this section of Miami from the air on a helicopter ride is usually an even more memorable experience for those who choose this alternative.

What I can recommend, whatever you decide to do, is to take plenty of hydration with you and don't forget the sunscreen. South Beach Miami is known for its inclement sun, as well as the humid environment of spring and summer.

Touring the Art Deco Historic District is another must when deciding what to do and see in South Beach Miami. With a simple walk through the area you will realize that the architecture of many buildings has a very particular and identifiable style.

The recognizable style is Art Deco, which is a trend that was in vogue over 100 years ago in the early 1900s. Specifically, South Beach has the largest number globally of perfectly preserved buildings with these decorative and ornamental characteristics.

If you wish, you can book a guided appointment or consider a completely independent tour. If you choose the second option, I advise you to prioritize the stretch of Ocean Drive located between 6th and 7th Streets, as it has the most important buildings in the entire neighborhood.

If you want to enjoy the best water activities in Miami in a different way than the conventional, you can rent a boat to go to one of the Sand Bars that abound throughout Vizcaino Bay.

This is a very flattering plan to include in your list of things to do and see in South Beach Miami, as it is an enjoyment on your own terms, on a private boat.

Clearly, this is a plan that can be joined by the other people on the trip without any inconvenience. It will become one of the best memories of your week touring this important American city.

Miami Beach, from north to south, is famous for its nightlife. Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue are full of establishments that have become obligatory stops over the decades for those looking for something to do in Miami at night.

Salsa and Latin music clubs are the favorites of European tourists, but the truth is that within South Beach and its nearby perimeter there are all kinds of places to party properly.

The Palace is one of them, as it is a brunch bar full of Drag Queens to which groups of all ages come to enjoy a meal with unconventional entertainment.

There are also other iconic spots on the Miami party circuit, such as LIV, a nightclub a little further north on South Beach. There is even Nikki Beach, one of the most iconic beach clubs in the world that offers a combination of sea and party, ideal for an entertaining Sunday.

When planning what to do and what to see in Miami over the course of a whole week, it is not often thought that a museum is a viable alternative, much less an entertaining one in the context of all there is to see in the city.

However, that could not be a more erroneous concept, since the Museum of Erotic Art, located on Washington Avenue, offers a quite unique experience. Which can even be considered profoundly educational depending on your perspective.

The Museum has a large inventory of erotic toys, art and artifacts that have been part of human history since the beginning of our civilizations.

Brought from Africa, Asia and Europe, each and every object on display here is an honest look at the history of sexuality as a sociological factor.

Just where Lummus Park ends , heading north, is the Miami Beach Boardwalk.

Basically, it's a pedestrian path that combines stretches of pavement and wood to take you from the edge of South Beach to a few miles further north on the island.

The views are spectacular and there you can appreciate the urban change between the low Art Deco buildings of the south of the island to the large residential towers. These are even more striking for the fact that they create gigantic shadows on the white sand that always accompanies you on one side of your journey.

South Point Park is another corner that you cannot forget when deciding what to do and what to see in South Beach Miami, as it is a space located right in front of the entrance to the largest cruise port in the world.

That means that it has breathtaking views of the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean and each and every one of the cruise ships that arrive in the city of Miami daily. So this corner is filled with tourists who come to exercise in the mornings or to enjoy a warm and refreshing evening walk after sunset.

Lincoln Road is the perfect blend of an urban area in which to live, but at the same time serves a very commercial purpose.

Along all its blocks are dozens of stores that cater to different types of customers, from the consumer with an average pocketbook to those customers who aim for goods that have more to do with luxury than usability.

In fact, this is one of the most important shopping streets in the entire United States. For this reason, it is a formula that has been replicated by direct or indirect inspiration in other corners of the country such as Aspen or South Hampton.

Española Way is another place that stands out for its own charm, as this commercial street also has a very well-defined identity with its picturesque balconies and salmon-colored facades.

Eating there is always a good idea to reach a consensus among everyone on the trip about what to do and what to see in South Beach Miami. The famous restaurants with terraces are open all day long to enjoy from a good brunch to an excellent dinner.

This particular reason has confirmed it as a favorite destination among the best gastronomic tours in Miami.

The murder of Gianni Versace at the gates of his home by a man who had been committing serial crimes all over the United States for a couple of days marked a before and after in the history of this property.

To be fair, it also changed the tourist identity of this entire section of South Beach.

In turn, Casa Casuarina is the name of that mansion where Gianni lived, located at 1116 Ocean Drive. Today it is at your disposal if you wish to dine in its luxurious restaurant or if you are interested in staying in some of the boutique hotel rooms.

Its name has also changed, as it is known as Villa Barton G and the advice I give you so that you can guarantee your visit to the place is to book in advance at the restaurant. Especially, if your visit to South Beach is being planned for the busy summer months or late spring.

Although to be frank, Miami's excellent weather makes it a favorite destination for travelers from all over the world no matter what time of year it is.

If you take the Macarthur Causeway towards downtown, at some point you will cross a relatively small island.

There you will find several places that do not represent the most typical of South Beach Miami, but at the same time can offer entertainment that you will not get elsewhere in the city.

Regarding Jungle Island, it is a relatively small zoo that has been in operation since 1936.

There are daily shows that can be very entertaining for your family if you are visiting Miami with young children.

It is even such a complete experience that you can bottle-feed many of the species that are cared for and preserved there.

If you are already on Watson Island, you can also take the opportunity to visit the Miami Children's Museum, located on the other side of the island. The island is separated by the freeway that connects South Beach with downtown.

It's a fun plan not only for the younger members of the group, as adults willing to experience different things can check out the facility' s many interactive exhibits. These include a television studio and a fictitious supermarket.

The Miami Yacht Club is also located on this small island, and it wouldn't hurt to take a tour to be impressed by the magnitude of the boats there.