Miami Explore Local With RVshare

Miami draws visitors for all sorts of reasons: its beautiful beachfront, its exciting nightlife, its delicious cuisine. But there are enough places to explore in Miami to keep anyone busy for a whole lifetime, whether you’re a solo adventurer, one side of a couple, or a member of a big family. Before you go, make sure to read up on driving in Miami to familiarize yourself with major highways, toll roads, scenic drives, and more.

Read on to learn our favorite picks from this city’s endless array of opportunities!

*Note: Some of the suggestions may not be doable due to coronavirus closures, but keep this list handy for when things start opening back up more! Be sure to check individual pages for specific operation details.

While there’s no shortage of fun things to do in Miami, the city, don’t forget that you’re also tucked away in subtropical paradise… which means you’ve got tons of outdoor recreation opportunities, too. There is a variety of state and even national parks in the greater Miami area, perfect for afternoons spent hiking, biking, kayaking, and more.

• Oleta River State Park  is the largest urban park not only in Miami but in the greater state of Florida, covering 1043 acres. It’s a great place to feel like you’ve gotten away from it all without even leaving the city, reachable in a drive of just about 30 minutes.

• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park  is relatively small, at 400 acres, but is home to the historic Cape Florida Light, the oldest standing structure in the greater Miami area. Along with the lighthouse, this park is also home to some award-winning beachfront just waiting to be relaxed and walked on by visitors.

• Biscayne National Park is comprised of more than 170,000 acres… but unlike many of the other national parks in the register, the majority of these are submerged! A world-class destination for SCUBA divers, snorkelers, and even those who like to appreciate the ocean from the shore, you can’t miss a visit to Biscayne if you consider yourself a water lover.

• Everglades National Park offers Floridians a whole new perspective on their ecosystem: rather than white sand beaches, visitors will experience what some call the real Florida, complete with marshlands, swamps, mangroves, and pine flatwoods. Take an airboat ride and encounter a real, live alligator, or tackle one of its many unique hiking opportunities. And don’t forget to stay for the best part: the after-dark show, where you’ll see some of the clearest starry skies anywhere in the state.

Along with the state and national parks, there are a variety of other hiking trails in the Miami area. Here are a few of the best.

Bal Harbour Trail

Quite famous among Miami hiking trails, the Bal Harbour Trail spans four miles round trip and offers stunning ocean views along the beach. During the right seasons, you’ll also encounter wildflowers along the way, and its lack of elevation gain means it’s suitable for almost all fitness levels.

Matheson Hammock Park

One of the best hiking trails in Miami is tucked into Matheson Hammock Park, which offers a combination of serene waterfront and scenic Miami skyline. Along with the beaches along the waterfront itself, visitors can also wander the 1.4-mile trail that winds through the park’s tropical, lush vegetation, brimming with flowers and other plant life.

Shark Valley Trail

In the mood for a longer adventure? The Shark Valley Trail spans for more than 15 beautiful miles, though its lack of elevation gain means it’s still a relatively easy stroll. Along with walking, it’s also a prime location for running, road biking, and bird watching. It’s also a great place to see alligators, birds, and turtles, so be sure you give yourself extra time for all those wildlife photo opps!

Once you’ve taken a few hikes — and before you hit the bars and dance floors — it’s time to drum up some energy. Good thing Miami has one of the most vibrant food scenes in the entire country!

Although there are an endless array of restaurants and cafes to choose from, here are a few not to be missed.

Bombay Darbar

You might be thousands of miles from India, but there are some excellent Indian restaurants in Miami — and one of the very best is Bombay Darbar. Using fresh, top-quality ingredients to craft authentic dishes with just the right amount of spice, you can find all of your favorites at this intimate eatery.

Prime 112

There are a variety of steak restaurants in Miami — enough so that it’s hard to pick which one is the best. But Prime 112 is a great stop to put on your list if you’re after a prime cut (pun intended), and also has a variety of other dishes to please everyone in your party, from salads to seafood to heaping sides of hash browns.

Billy’s Stone Crab

Listen, it’s literally impossible to talk about which are the best of the many seafood restaurants in Miami, and we’ll admit that this suggestion is a bit of a cheat since it’s not actually in Miami proper. But if you’re willing to make the drive about forty-five minutes north to Hollywood (the writer’s hometown!), you should definitely plan to stop by this waterfront location featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. Billy’s Stone Crab is so famous for its signature dish, the company actually owns the domain crabs.com — and they also ship their crabs nationwide by the pound.

La Locanda

Italian might not be the first type of cuisine that comes to mind when you’re scoping out the Miami scene, but there are plenty of excellent and authentic eateries serving up favorites from the old country — and La Locanda is, as its name suggests, one of the options best-loved by locals. Its refined-but-casual setting and fresh-from-the-kitchen dishes combine to serve up a one-of-a-kind dining experience, whether you’re after a simple weeknight dinner or a Saturday night date. Buon appetito!

Las Vegas

If there’s one kind of cuisine you simply _must _eat while you’re in Miami, it’s Cuban food… and again, you’ll have no shortage of options.

That said, there’s a good argument that Las Vegas should be the stop you make if you only make one. It’s not as famous as, say, Versailles, but neither is it as touristy, and it guarantees its customers authentic Cuban eats served up in a family-friendly atmosphere.

You’re fed and watered and ready to party — or partake of Miami’s unique culture with your whole family. Either way, there’s enough to see and do in Miami to keep you occupied for a lifetime; here are just a few of our best suggestions.

For Couples

Looking to create some romance? There are plenty of places to get cozy in Miami.

Wynwood Walls

Miami is well known for its bustling art scene and is even the host city for the famous Art Basel festival. But one easy (and affordable) way to get involved in the artsy part of Miami is to meander amongst the Wynwood Walls, a section of the larger Wynwood neighborhood covered with outdoor murals.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

This stunning building and the attached gardens are gorgeous to view even from the streetside, but if you really want to bring your sweetheart somewhere special, we recommend venturing inside. You’ll step right back into Miami’s gilded age when you enter the Vizcaya, and have the opportunity to view not only the stunning architecture but also the art that decorates the building.

For Kids

It’s not always known as a family-friendly town, but there are plenty of fun things to do with kids in Miami. Here are three to get you started!

Coral Castle Museum

Florida is nothing if not weird (which I get to say because, again, I’m a native). One perfect encapsulation of the weirdness of this state: the Coral Castle, which was hand-built by one man, named Ed Leedskalnin, back in the 1940s.

Today, the property has been turned into a museum and opened to the public, giving you and your family the opportunity to explore Ed’s labor of love in person. The Coral Castle Museum is privately owned and thus does require a ticket purchase for entry, but the prices — $18 for adults and $8 for kids over the age of 6 — are reasonable for the experience.

Monkey Jungle

Monkey Jungle turns the traditional zoo experience on its head: the animals run wild, but the humans are caged! During your visit, you’ll encounter monkeys (of course), but also tropical birds and other citizens of the rainforest. There’s even a gorilla forest!

Miami Seaquarium

While Florida’s most famous sealife zoo might be further north in Orlando, visitors can still get up close and personal with dolphins, manatees, and other local favorites at Miami Seaquarium. The whole family will learn about different species, their habitats, and the importance of conservation — not to mention the opportunity to see and experience high-flying antics at one of the scheduled shows or take to the waters themselves in an interactive animal experience.

At Night

Okay, you caught us: pretty much everyone knows that nightlife and Miami go together like peanut butter and jelly (or maybe, more accurately in this case, beans and rice). But there are more things to do in the Magic City than simply go clubbing… not that that’s a bad idea, either!

Sunset Cruise

If you want to get a breathtaking overview of the cityscape as dusk falls, try the Miami Sunset Cruise, which is both scenic and informative. Along with seeing the colors reflect on the shiny downtown buildings, cruisers will also get the opportunity to see celebrity homes, sip on a beverage, and feel the cool sea breeze on their faces.

Wynwood Art Walk

Yes, we’re bringing you back to Wynwood yet again — but this time, after dark. If you happen to catch it, there’s a once-monthly art walk that takes place in the neighborhood that’s absolutely unmissable. Think less meandering stolidly around art galleries and more out-and-out block party.

Wynwood Art Walk features a range of live events, which rotate each time it’s held, and it’s open to visitors of all ages. Perhaps best of all, it’s totally free to the public… though there’s a good chance you’re going to encounter something beautiful you might want to purchase!

On the Weekend

Wake up on a Saturday or Sunday wondering what to do with yourself? Here are some things to keep in mind for a Miami weekend.

Legion Park Farmers Market

Meandering the farmers market is a go-to weekend activity in most large American cities, but the Legion Park Farmers Market does it right.  Held every single Saturday year-round, this market is attended by more than 40 vendors offering fresh produce, artisan breads, ready-to-eat food, juices, and so much more.

The Biltmore Culinary Academy

Maybe you had dreams of becoming a chef — or maybe you just want to up your game in your kitchen at home. Either way, taking a cooking class at the Biltmore Culinary Academy is a great way to feel like a little bit of a gourmand… or at least learn a few workable dishes to impress your family.

Spas in Miami

What better way to take care of yourself than to kick back and enjoy a massage, facial, or other spa service? As you might have guessed, there are a metric ton of spas in Miami; here are some of our top picks not only in the city, but in the entirety of the state of FL.

Lapis Spa

Tucked into the famous Fontainebleau hotel on Miami Beach, Lapis Spa is considered one of the best day spas in Miami — and not only because it’s one of the most extensive. It features 30 treatment rooms including two couple’s massage suites with waterfront views, as well as other spa suites which include Vichy showers, tubs, and relaxation areas. Along with traditional treatments like massages, Lapis also offers a range of hydrotherapy treatments as well as a hammam.

Bellisima Magic Touch Spa

You’d be forgiven for assuming all the spas in this city are on Miami Beach, but it’s simply not true Bellisima Magic Touch Spa is tucked a bit further inland, but offers the same range of indulgent and relaxing treatments as many of its beachside counterparts… for a fraction of the cost.

Best Gyms & Yoga Studios

Miami is known for its beautiful people, so it’s no surprise you feel motivated to hit the gym. Here are some places to feel strengthened and grounded in the Magic City.

Ferrino Sports Fitness Club

All-inclusive and offering a full range of equipment as well as personal training opportunities, group classes, and more, it’s plain to see why Ferrino Sports Fitness Club is considered one of the best gyms in Miami. Zumba and kickboxing are two great opportunities for getting a sweat going while having some Miami-themed fun.

Legacy Fit 

If you’re of the no-pain, no-gain mentality when it comes to fitness, Legacy Fit is on your level: they don’t believe in days off, and they create the kind of atmosphere that’ll motivate you to get stuff done. Legacy Fit has a number of studios located across the greater Miami area, including locations in Wynwood, Coral Gables, Doral, and even Fort Lauderdale.

Skanda Yoga Studio

If you want to feel strong, aligned, and ready to take on whatever life throws your way, adding a yoga practice to your day is a great way to do it. Skanda, a homegrown Miami yoga studio focuses on recreating traditional poses in a soothing atmosphere and keeping an eye on the 13-moon calendar to synch students’ movements with Nature’s cycles.

It would be easy to stay busy in Miami for a lifetime… but there are also some excellent day-trippable destinations within an easy drive. Here are a couple to consider.

The Florida Keys

The Florida Keys offer the kind of beachy getaway that’ll make you feel like you flew to Aruba — without the TSA line. Just a few hours’ drive from Miami, this string of islands off the southern tip of Florida is as diverse and beautiful as the state itself, with an extra helping of relaxation.

Orlando

Every Floridian knows — as do a whole host of others — how much excitement there is to be found in central Florida. Whether you’re after thrilling rides, once-in-a-lifetime live entertainment, fine dining or just a change of city scenery, Orlando is well worth a visit (as are the many springs and wilderness areas that dot the state’s interior).

As a final reminder, some of these activities may need to wait until businesses fully reopen from coronavirus closures. However, there is still much to see and experience in Miami that you can enjoy today! What are your favorite spots in Miami? Send them our way to [email protected] or by tagging us on Instagram @rvshare and using the hashtag #rvsharelocal.