21 Hidden Secrets & Things to do in Miami, USA
These are my carefully selected 21 hidden secrets & best places in Miami which I've visited 4x times and includes gems like Scuba diving, Jet-skiing, Eating Alligator, Lock & Load and tips for the neon Miami nightlife.
- Why: Most epic city in the United States
- YouTube channel: Reformatt Show
- Accommodation: Stay near Wynwood or at Miami Beach (Booking.com)
- Weather: Great weather throughout the year, November is my favorite month.
- Notes: Get inspired by watching all my episodes from the USA.
- Tip: If you want an all-in-one experience, book the Miami SUPER tour ONLY $59 USD!
- Extra: Do you need tips for the Miami Nightlife?
Buy Tickets for Miami
Too many boring travel guides are available these days for Miami and sadly are mostly all the same, that's why I dug deep into this city to bring you the best hidden spots.
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Best Places for Travel in Miami
1. Panther Coffee
Start off with the best hand roasted coffee in Miami and browse through the nearby Wynwood Art District. Map
2. Suviche Wynwood
Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant with affordable lunch or dinner tapas. Map
3. Scuba Diving
Miami is famous for its gorgeous dive sites like Molasses Reef & Neptune Memorial and starts around $600 for a PADI open water license. Map
4. Eating Alligator
Florida is famous for its alligators, in Miami you can even eat them. Order the alligator bites from KUSH restaurant in Wynwood. Map
5. Jetskiing
Rent a jetski for $80 per 30 minutes at the Mondrian hotel to explore the Miami bay & Star island. Map
6. Mondrian Hotel
The best swimming pool in the city can be found at the Mondrian hotel with its incredible views of Miami bay and its sunsets. Map
The places featured in my detailed video above are organized from the morning, afternoon towards the evening and nightlife so you can make the best out of your days in Miami.
7. Spa Standard Hotel
Another gorgeous pool located on the Venetian islands, I was able to get to the pool for free. Map
8. Lincoln Road Parking Deck
Take the elevator to the top floor for mesmerizing views of Miami South Beach, great for selfies and sunsets. Map
9. Art Deco
Tour around Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive to witness its historic Art Deco architecture, world's largest collection like the Breakwater, Delano and Colony Theatre. Map
10. Ocean Drive
Grab a freshly cut coconut on the boulevard and go people watching on Ocean Drive, not quite a secret but still a great walk! Map
11. Wet Willies
The most unique bar on Ocean Drive for its wild alcoholic slussies like the famous Call-A-Cab and Attitude Improvement. Map
12. Lock & Load
Shoot heavy machine guns at Lock & Load, the largest gun range downtown Miami with the widest selection of weapons. Map
Miami can be very expensive if you don't know what you are doing but luckily there are some FREE things to do as well, like the Lincoln Parking deck view or sneaking into the Mondrian or Spa Standard Hotel to observe their gorgeous pools.
13. Stone Crab Claws
Famous in Florida are the delicious stone crab claws, a must-try in Miami and combine it with a slice of Key Lime pie. Map
14. Soho Beach Club
Instead of staying on the touristy beaches near Ocean Drive, head north to Soho for its seclusive gorgeous beaches and celebrity spotting. Map
15. Hyde Beach
If you prefer the pool over the beach than head over to Hyde Beach, the best pool party in Miami with lots of sexy people. Map
16. Sylvanos
Don't get ripped off on Ocean Drive for dinner thus head towards the most affordable places uptown like Sylvanos. Map
17. Espanola Way
Little Spain in Miami, grab dinner at their trademark restaurant: Hosteria Romana. Map
18. 4D Gelato
Having a sweet-tooth? Grab the best gelato in town at 4D Gelateria on Lincoln Road. Map
I personally recommend going all out because there are so many amazing things to do you do not want to cheap-out, saving up a few months extra will be worth every penny in the end. A very-rough budget for 1 awesome week per person would be around a $500 flight, $500 AirBnB and $1500 for Uber, shopping, food, events, museums & night time party = around $2500 to start.
19. NaiYaRa
Famous Thai-Japanese fusion restaurant and voted best restaurant in Miami. They even fly in their fish from all over the world. A must-try in Miami! Map
20. Ocean Drive Neon Nightlife
When the evening approaches go to Ocean Drive for its fascinating 80's feel & neon lights. Great bars are the new VooDoo and Clevelander. Map
21. Miami Nightlife
Miami has the best nightclubs in the USA ranging from Bodega, Rickies, Ora, LIV, Hyde, Story & e11even. Map
Miami very widespread with many districts from Miami South Beach, which is its own peninsula, to the Wynwood Art District. Split up your days by having 2 days in Miami South Beach to visit Ocean Drive, Espanola Way and Lincoln Road. Spend the other days on day trips to downtown Miami, Wynwood, the Florida Keys and the incredible Everglades.
My favorite way to explore a city is by jogging, you'll be surprised as to what you may find. A few of these photos where taken at places I randomly walked into, places you will never see on a guided tour.
Besides great hidden attractions; Miami also offers amazing restaurants like Sylvanos, great Italian cuisine at afforable prices and NaiYara, voted the best restaurant in Miami South Beach offering Thai-Japanese fusion cuisine with dishes like freshy made beef jerky, salmon tacos and ultra fresh Sashimi. Try a piece of Ootoro (Blue fin tuna belly) sashimi before leaving! You won't regret it.
Miami has many incredible pools but the ones that truly stand out is the infinity pool at the Spa Standard Hotel and the pool at the Mondrian Hotel visit these pools in combination with doing an Art Deco tour of Miami South Beach with places such as the Delano, Colony Theatre, the Carlyle and Breakwater.
I would love to know if my article was helpful and if so, please leave a comment below and let me know which place seems most interesting to you? Or let me know if you want more information about a specific place I mentioned.
Do you want more travel tips for Miami?
- Swim with Dolphins at the Miami Seaquarium.
- Take a day trip to the Everglades National Park and jump on an Airboat to see hungry alligators.
- Additional tips in my 2012 Miami Guide.
- Feast on the best burger in town at Shake Shack.
- Do not miss a Miami Heat basketball game at the American Airlines Arena, one of the most popular sports in the USA.
- Avoid touching the blue looking jelly fish on the beach, these are Portuguese man o' war and poisonous.
- Sriracha House, for the best after party food in Miami.
- or Pizza Rustica, Miami's #1 pizza in town.
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