Are you in search of some culture and exploration? Downtown Miami has plenty to offer! From museums to restaurants and exciting nightlife spots, there’s something here for everyone!
Bayside Marketplace is the perfect destination for a day of shopping and dining. Situated overlooking Biscayne Bay, this open-air mall boasts an array of stores and restaurants to suit any taste or budget.
Bayside Marketplace
Bayside Marketplace, situated between Bayfront Park and American Airlines Arena on Biscayne Bay in Downtown Miami, is the ideal spot to experience all that downtown Miami has to offer. It boasts an array of activities and attractions like exotic restaurants and daily live entertainment, plus you’ll find a wide variety of national brand name stores here too!
This shopping center is renowned for its two-story open air structure, filled with shops selling everything from local goods to well-known chain items. Plus, there’s a large food court offering everything from healthy juices to Cajun cuisine.
Tourists love this shopping mall, but locals also flock here for a fun day of shopping and dining. Don’t forget to take advantage of all the shops offering student, senior and military discounts!
Visitors should plan to arrive at the mall early in the morning when it’s less crowded, and avoid visiting during peak season (April through October) since it can get very crowded. It would be beneficial to bring a map or guidebook with you since navigating around can be tricky without one.
If you’re searching for something fun while in town, why not try out a virtual reality game or take a bike tour around the city. Or simply dine at one of many sit-down restaurants?
It’s worth remembering that if you’re visiting Bayside Marketplace during a holiday, it is best to book your hotel ahead of time. Our website offers plenty of hotels near Bayside Marketplace for you to choose from.
Perez Art Museum
If you appreciate art, the Perez Art Museum should not be missed. Situated downtown Miami at Museum Park since 2013, this modern, contemporary museum offers an unforgettable experience.
PAMM boasts an impressive collection of paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, installation art, video and photography. Additionally, it hosts various temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Even its building itself is a work of art in itself with stained glass windows and columns that bring in natural surroundings.
In addition to admiring the permanent collections, visitors can engage in a range of activities and attractions during their stay. For instance, they could take part in a free art-making session inspired by Christo’s Drawings: A Gift from Maria Bechily and Scott Hodes Collection as part of Free Second Saturdays event or explore beautiful waterfront gardens.
The museum is an exciting showcase of modern and contemporary art from around the world, including pieces from North America, Europe and Asia. Its exhibits showcase the city’s diverse population as well as its strategic geographic position at the crossroads of Americas.
Make the most of your visit by booking a guided tour of the museum. This will maximize your enjoyment and allow you to focus on each piece of artwork individually.
For a more relaxed atmosphere, PAMM offers Verde cafe – open all day long. Situated on an impressive outdoor terrace overlooking Biscayne Bay, this restaurant serves Mediterranean dishes and mouthwatering pizzas.
Visit the museum shop for a selection of souvenirs. Additionally, there’s an elaborate sculpture garden that makes for a relaxing break after exploring the galleries.
Freedom Tower
Freedom Tower is an iconic building in Miami with a colorful past. Previously the home to the Miami Daily News and Cuban Refugee Center, which helped over half a million Cuban refugees start new lives in America, it has since been transformed into Miami Dade College Museum of Art + Design to serve as a cultural hub for its community.
Experience breathtaking views of New York from the 100th, 101st and 102nd floors of Freedom Tower. Visitors are sure to take in breathtaking panoramas during their trip.
David Childs of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill designed this 104-story tower, which rises with isosceles triangle-shaped edges and tops off with a 408-foot spire.
From here, you can take in the entire skyline – especially during sunsets and sunrises. Plus there’s a Sky Portal: an expansive 14-foot wide translucent disk that offers an unparalleled perspective of the city below.
One unique feature of the building is its Art Deco Lobby, featuring beautiful ceiling murals and a 3-D image of the tower on the wall above its front desk. Plus, there’s a small visitors’ center here where you can purchase tickets to the observation deck!
The museum is free and perfect for kids to learn about the tower’s history as well as other aspects of New York. Additionally, those interested in understanding more about the World Trade Center attacks should visit this attraction.
Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park is a beloved destination in downtown Miami and offers visitors an array of activities. This park features open lawn spaces, wide bay walks, winding walkways, a sandy beach area and performance venues with special event lighting and VIP seating areas.
This popular Miami attraction boasts a tropical rock garden, waterfall that dates back to 1926 and many other attractions. It’s ideal for family outings in Miami!
This park hosts a range of events, such as outdoor concerts, free yoga classes and holiday parties. The amphitheater often plays host to prominent headliners and music festivals.
Right across the street from YVE Hotel, this Miami park provides stunning views of Biscayne Bay and downtown skyline from tree-lined paths and open areas. Additionally, it hosts movie nights and other fun activities for guests to enjoy.
The park also features several monuments created by Isamu Noguchi, a world-renowned sculptor. One of the most striking is the Challenger Memorial which resembles both human DNA helixes and space shuttle itself. Another popular piece is Slide Mantra – an 80-foot high marble spiral.
At this Miami attraction, there are plenty of enjoyable activities for all ages to enjoy, like Flying Trapeze School. Additionally, there’s a kid’s playground and fishing pier.
The park is packed with restaurants, ranging from grab-and-go fast food options to upscale haunts and dive bars. Plus, it’s only a short walk away from Freedom Tower and Bayside Marketplace – two of Miami’s most iconic sites. Take a ride on the Skyviews Miami observation wheel for spectacular views of the area!
HistoryMiami Museum
HistoryMiami Museum is a Smithsonian affiliate that preserves and shares Miami stories to encourage learning, foster an appreciation of place, and build an active community. They organize exhibitions, city tours, boat tours, walking-tours, cultural events to examine Miami’s past as well as its present.
The museum features both permanent and temporary displays that showcase Miami’s history. Visitors can explore topics such as the Seminole Wars, sponge diving, the railroad boom and tourism’s impact on Miami.
Additionally, the museum provides curriculum-based children’s and family learning programs that span over 10,000 years of Miami history. Furthermore, several exhibits showcase the region’s influence from different cultures.
For fans of handicraft-related work, be sure to visit History Miami Museum where you can view clay pots from various cultures. These ceramics give insight into the lifestyles of ancient inhabitants.
While at the museum, be sure to explore its Research and Archive center which houses an impressive collection of historic photographs and documents that can be studied. It serves as an invaluable resource for scholars, distance learners, and industry professionals alike.
HistoryMiami Museum, situated in Miami-Dade Cultural Plaza, provides an intriguing look into Miami’s rich cultural and historical legacy. Spread across 70,000 square feet over two buildings, its interactive exhibits will teach you about both Miami’s culture and heritage.
On the second Saturday of each month, the museum offers free family fun days with a range of activities for everyone to enjoy. Hip hop birthday parties and graffiti murals, breakdancing, crafts and story time are just some of the options on offer – making this an ideal way to spend a day in Miami with all your loved ones!
