Miami Beach, Florida: 5 Must-Visit Spots for First-Time Visitors

First things first: You’ve got to spend some time at the beach. Dotted with amenity-filled parks and colorful lifeguard stands, Miami Beach's sandy white shores are ideal for a picture-perfect vacation. Take a stroll on the 14-kilometer Beachwalk for unending ocean views and occasional waterfront green spaces. Stop at North Beach Oceanside Park, Lummus Park and South Pointe Park for playgrounds, picnic tables and people-watching. Miami Beach’s lifeguard towers are another highlight, a nod to the city’s Caribbean culture and art deco architecture. Spot these colorful structures primarily between South Point Beach and 86th Street, especially around Miami Beach’s premier shoreline, South Beach. Don’t miss the rainbow-striped lifeguard tower at 11th/12th Street Beach, the city’s semi-official gay beach.

Embrace Miami Beach’s vintage-chic architecture with a visit to Ocean Drive and the surrounding Art Deco Historic District. Filled with geometric shapes and bold colors, these buildings make up the largest concentration of art deco architecture in the USA. They’ve likely made it onto your screens, too, thanks to the neighborhood’s features in popular TV shows and movies including The Birdcage (1996) and Miami Vice (1984-1990). To truly soak up their beauty, take your time: Stroll past the eye-catching buildings, popping into charming boutiques and tasty eateries along the way. For a more in-depth look, stop by the Art Deco Museum, where you can view interactive exhibits and archival photographs and learn about the talented architects and designers who shaped the area. You can also take one of the daily walking tours with the Miami Design Preservation League.

Nearly everywhere you look in Miami Beach, you’ll see art – from galleries and museums to murals and sculptures. Many of the latter are created in partnership with The Bass, the local contemporary art museum, through a program known as Art Outside. Some of the most beloved pieces in the program include Ugo Rondinone's “Miami Mountain” sculpture in Collins Park and Tom Sachs’ “Codependent Fountain Tableau” at the W South Beach. Of course, if you’d like to add even more creativity to your Miami Beach itinerary, you can visit The Bass' indoor exhibits, where you’ll find rotating collections of contemporary art from around the world.

Ditch the car (or the Miami Beach Trolley, if you’re sticking to public transportation) and head to Miami Beach’s two main walking thoroughfares. On car-free Lincoln Road, find over 200 shops, restaurants and galleries, as well as public art installations, a weekly farmers market and other exciting events. Two blocks away, the Spanish-inspired Española Way boasts incredible international dining options and a slew of weekly events, like morning yoga classes and flamenco and salsa music nights.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle with a visit to the free Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Located in the Miami Beach City Center Campus near picturesque Pride Park, this lush retreat is filled with native plants, blooming orchids and over 100 species of palms. In particular, the serene Japanese Garden and the foodie-focused Edible Garden are crowd favorites. If time allows, consider participating in one of the on-site programs like a yoga class or a nature-focused workshop. Don’t forget to pop into the lovely gift shop before you head out.

Fly into Miami International Airport (MIA) in Florida. Rent a car, rideshare or take the express Metrobus to Miami Beach. The Miami Beach Trolley provides free daily service on several city loops.