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 epicentres 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 continue reading all the information I have compiled for you and take it into account. That way, the next trip you have planned to South Florida will include most of these places as an excellent stop among all the things 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 to be 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 slightly warmer temperatures than the rest of the East Coast of North America.

So during the summer, and even in the winter, it's packed with surfers up to about 5th Street heading north.

From 6th Street to 14th Street, the atmosphere is already different 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 of South Beach's best streets 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 get around 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 tip of the city is filled with luxury shops that international designers have strategically chosen for the architectural beauty of the area, as well as the large flow of potential shoppers 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 often 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 your sunscreen. South Beach Miami is known for its inclement sunshine, as well as the humid spring and summer air.

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

The recognisable 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 features.

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

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.

It's a rather flattering plan to include in your list of things to do and see in South Beach Miami, as it's an enjoyment on your own terms, in a private boat.

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

Miami Beach, from north to south, is famous for its nightlife. Ocean Drive and Collins Av. 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 favourites of European tourists, but the truth is that within South Beach and its immediate perimeter there are all kinds of places to party properly.

The Palace is one of them, as it's a brunch bar full of Drag Queens to which a wide range of age groups 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's even Nikki Beach, one of the world's most iconic beach clubs, which offers a combination of sea and party, ideal for an entertaining Sunday.

When planning what to do and see in Miami over the course of an entire week, it's not often that a museum is a viable, let alone entertaining, alternative in the context of all there is to see in the city.

However, that couldn't be a more misguided concept, as the Museum of Erotic Art, located on Washington Avenue, offers a rather 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 kilometres further north on the island.

The views are spectacular and you can see the urban shift from the low-rise Art Deco buildings of the south of the island to the large residential towers. These are all the more striking for the fact that they create gigantic shadows on the white sand that always accompanies you on one side or the other of your journey.

South Point Park is another must-see when deciding what to do and see in South Beach Miami, as it is located directly across the street from the entrance to the world's largest cruise port.

That means it has breathtaking views of the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean and every single cruise ship that arrives in the city of Miami on a daily basis. So this corner is filled with tourists who come to exercise in the mornings or 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.

All along its blocks are dozens of shops that cater to different types of customers, from the average pocketbook consumer to those 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 shopping street also has a very well-defined identity with its picturesque balconies and salmon-coloured facades.

Eating here is always a good idea to get everyone on the trip to agree on what to do and see in South Beach Miami. The famous terrace restaurants are open all day long for everything from brunch to fine dining.

This particular reason has confirmed it as a favourite destination among Miami's best food tours.

The murder of Gianni Versace outside his home by a man who had been committing serial crimes across 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 available to you if you wish to dine in its luxurious restaurant or if you are interested in staying in one of the boutique hotel rooms.

Its name has also changed to Villa Barton G and my advice for you to 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 favourite destination for travellers 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 you entertainment that you will not get elsewhere in the city.

Jungle Island 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's such a complete experience that you can even bottle-feed many of the species that are cared for and preserved there.

If you're 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 motorway that connects South Beach with the city centre.

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 fictional supermarket.

The Miami Yacht Club is also located on this small island, and a trip to see the magnitude of the boats on the island is not to be missed.