31 Best Things To Do in Miami Beach Right Now (2024)

Ice cream cone pastels,geometric lines and curves, chrome accents and decorative fountains are just a few characteristics that distinguish the iconic buildings ofMiami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District.Miamihas the highest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world, and their preservation has saved the South Beach skyline from becoming a canyon of condos. Amazingly, these buildings werenearly destroyed by developers in the early 1970s. Today, a number of the bestMiami hotels, and even some South Beach clubs,have maintained their beautiful façadesand historical designation.

The centerpiece of Collins Park’s cultural campus (which includes the adjacent Miami City Ballet), this recently enhanced and enlarged contemporary art museum includes more exhibition space, four new galleries, a gift shop, café by Thierry Isambert and a new educational facility called the Creativity Center.
With the revamp also came a series of fresh acquisitions and gifts from New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

South Pointe Park occupies the southernmost tip of Miami Beach. There's beach access (with a great view of massive cruise ships rolling in and out of Miami), a walkable pier and also some green space to spread a blanket and chill out. If you can wake up early enough (or stay awake late enough), the sunrises from this vantage point are seriously out of this world.

This classic Spanish street functions as an elegant, picturesque cousin to nearby Lincoln Road, replete with Mediterranean flair and adorable sidewalk cafes. Following an ambitious restoration project, which completely replaced the street's existing pavement and sidewalk, Española Way has been restored to its original grandeur as a true pedestrian-only strip. You won't find big-box stores nor large hotels, just quaint small shops and cozy, bilevel hotels that whisk you away to far-flung places.

The Top Chef-winning toque wows the city's foodies with his creativity and meticulousness. Stubborn Seed—which received a Michelin star in 2022—is Ford’s first solo restaurant, and he’s every bit the fixated parent fussing over his new baby—in a good way. The tasting menu (courses and pricing vary depending on the season) is a sign of a chef who’s poured over every detail of the culinary experience.

This indoor/outdoor watering hole sums up the city’s drinking culture down to its poolside seating and shareable punch bowls, which change seasonally. Not sure what to sip? Close your eyes and point to the menu. Everything is good. The pool is also open to customers, so feel free to grab a drink and take a dip.

South Florida’s most famous restaurant turned 100 in 2013 and is as much a Miami must-see as Ocean Drive. The best time to visit is October through May, when the seasonal stone crabs are served with a “secret” sauce, garlic creamed spinach, fried sweet potatoes, coleslaw and hash browns. Joe’s takes limited reservations, so be prepared for a horrendously long wait. Or head straight to Joe’s Take Away next door, where you get the same fresh claws at the same price without the long lines.

This sprawling 74-acre parkwith a beachfront path takes you through some of South Beach's most recognizable territory: along classic Ocean Drive architecture (hello, Versace Mansion), past muscle hunks doing pull-upson the sand and right up to some prime ocean views. Rent bikes or skates to best take it all in with theocean breeze in your hair. Lummus Park is also home to a number of major annual events including the Hyundai Air & Sea Show and the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

While most activities in this city require driving, Basem*nt solves your transportation woes by grouping your favorite nighttime activities (and even some daytime things) into one super fun location. The underground space offers bowling under neon lighting and indoor ice skating, plus features a full bar and a dance floor.

This 99-acre waterfront green space features picnic pavilions, offers easy parking and beach access and hosts a fun food truck festival every Tuesday from 5 to 10pm. It’s also a tan-line-free zone: Haulover has one of the few nude beaches in the county. It’s also home to probably the best of Miami’s few dog-friendly beaches.

Part of the Faena chain of luxury hotels, this architecturally stunning set of buildings sprinkled across mid-Beach plays hosts some of Miami’s best public gatherings, from cabaret shows to interactive art installations and more. The floor inside the Faena Forum looks like a massive kaleidoscope, while Faena Theater hosts a Jazz Series featuring a rotating cast of award-winning musicians from around the world.

Simply put, LIV is the most famous club in South Beach. A 2017 million-dollar renovation added more LED screens that generate greater light spectacles to highlight its usual star-studded lineup—everyone from Travis Scott and Skrillex to Justin Bieber has held court at LIV. Come for LIV’s popular weekly Sunday night party (LIV on Sunday), where you’ll see no less than five famous rappers.