Have a piña colada at Bayside Marketplace
Nothing says Miami like Bayside. It may sound like a tourist trap, but this is a rite of passage! Order a piña colada from the smoothie bar, and edge into the tropical vibe of this marketplace with a bayfront view of tourist boats and nightly live music. (You can even take a few salsa lessons from the crowd.)
Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Blvd R106, Miami, FL, USA, +1 305 577 3344
Piña Colada | © Ivan Mateev / Shutterstock
Watch a Miami Heat game at the AmericanAirlines Arena
It’s still a “Heat Nation” even with LeBron James gone. Catching one of their playoff games comes at a high price tag, but it’s worth it!
AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL, USA, +1 786 777 1000
AmericanAirlines Arena | © Songquan Deng / Shutterstock
Have Cuban coffee and croquetas
Order a powerful cortadito and crunchy, delicious croquetas at any Cuban café window. The tiny espresso fools the eye with its cap size, but beware because it packs a punch! Croquetas may have originated in Spain, but these fried ham and breadcrumbed rolls are a Miami favorite.
Play dominoes in Little Havana
You don’t have to speak Spanish to play dominoes at the Maximo Gomez Park. Known unofficially as the domino park, this is the place to come and enjoy the local Cuban crowd on Calle Ocho. Get your game on with the elderly Cubans!
Maximo Gomez Park, 801 SW 15th Ave, Miami, FL, USA, +1 305 859 2717
Enjoy Wynwood’s street art
Admire the urban graffiti art at Wynwood. An array of uninterrupted art covers the walls of restaurants and other venues in this area. The artsy enclave is a hot spot for hipsters, bloggers and tourists alike, complete with plenty of opportunities for that perfect Instagram photo!
Courtesy of Wynwood Walls
Go to ULTRA
If you’re an EDM fan, there’s no excuse for not going to the Ultra Music Festival. The three-day electronic dance music concert takes place every year in March at the Bayfront Park in Miami. The lineup’s amazing, the stages spit fire, and the unicorn-inspired outfits never disappoint!
Get drunk and dance at the Clevelander Hotel
Smack dab in the middle of Ocean Drive, this hotel’s patio is world famous for its epic nightlife. Its outdoor pool and no dress code mean you can come in a bathing suit and party like it’s spring break any time of the year. Order drinks and dance along with the friendly Miami crowd that’s always in the mood for a good time.
Clevelander Hotel, 1020 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL, USA, +1 305 532 4006
Eat a cinnamon roll at Knaus Berry Farm
You may find yourself in line for over an hour, but these cinnamon rolls are the best. This sticky, gooey goodness is soft and warm, and the topping is actually not a glaze but rather the melting of cinnamon and sugar that oozes out of the bun. These babies are worth the wait (and the drive to Homestead).
Knaus Berry Farm, 15980 SW 248th St, Homestead, FL, USA, +1 305 247 0668
Gawk at the mansions on Star Island
Catch a boat from Bayside for a water tour of the iconic Star Island that showcases the luxurious homes of celebrities such as Paulina Rubio, Julio Iglesias, Lenny Kravitz and Madonna. Or you can drive yourself through the island’s bridge and tell the security at the gate you just want to peep through.
Explore Downtown Miami
Get your camera ready and wander through the streets of Downtown Miami’s historic neighborhood. Visit the Gesu Church on NE 2nd Avenue to see the beautiful stained-glass windows of the oldest Catholic church in Miami. Check out the Ingraham Building that showcases the elegance of the 1920s. You can also take the free Metro Mover and ride through the city to get another perspective.
Go on a cruise
Miami is the cruise capital of the world, so why not take a mini-vacation and jump on a cruise from the Port of Miami?
Party at LIV
You’re young, and you’re beautiful—why not party with the rich and famous at LIV nightclub? While $1,000 bottles of champagne are flowing, you may randomly catch a glimpse of Kanye and Drake in their natural habitat.
LIV, 4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL, USA, +1 305 674 4680
Hit Nikki Beach
Miamians like to party and then some, but so do foreigners. Mingle with people from all over the world at the infamous Nikki Beach while you sip on a fruity cocktail and watch the scandalous rowdiness that happens when someone orders a bottle.
Nikki Beach, 1 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL, USA, +1 305 538 1111
Courtesy of Nikki Beach
Stroll through Española Way
Go on a date on Española Way. The pink Spanish-style buildings and the twinkling lights are seductive on a hot summer night.
Watch the sunset from a rooftop bar
Whether it’s Area 31 or Sugar in Brickell, there’s a long list of sexy rooftop bars from which to enjoy a view of the city and the skies. Miami sunsets are a beautiful thing of nature.
Jet ski on South Beach
Grab a life vest and take to the beach! There’s no better way to have fun in Miami than riding a jet ski, even if you do topple over.
Watch a Marlins game at Marlins Park
Even if you’re not that into baseball (or you’ve heard how rarely the Marlins win a game), the Marlins Park stadium is still a must-see modern marvel where you can pig out on hot dogs and popcorn all while wearing an embarrassing foam finger. The baseball park features a beautiful glass window view of the city’s skyline and a retractable roof. Plus, you might even make it on the Kiss Cam!
Marlins Park, 501 Marlins Way, Miami, FL, USA, +1 305 480 1300
Courtesy of Marlins Park
Eat shrimp at Monty’s Sunset
Have some crunchy shrimp, fries, and beer as you swim in a pool to the beat of Caribbean live music at Monty’s Sunset restaurant. Famous for its tropical vibes, Monty’s sits right on the docks of the Miami Beach Marina. Sunset view? Check. Waterfront? Check. Pool? Check. What’s not to love?
Monty’s Sunset, 300 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL, USA, +1 305 672 1148
Do Critical Mass
Grab a bike and cycle with a massive group all over Miami. Critical Mass is a cycling event held every last Friday of the month.
Learn some Spanish
You can’t go through Miami in your twenties without learning a few Spanish words. Practice with the friendly locals or pick up Spanish for Dummies. But really, the easiest way is to learn some words is by eavesdropping on conversations on Calle Ocho.