Summer is finally here! The Miami heat is well-known for its intensity, but summertime has a cool and exciting vibe with many fun and creative things to do. In this post, you’ll find plenty of tips and ideas on the best summer activities in Miami, from family activities to luxury spa deals and lively pool parties.
Miami has something unique for everyone, no matter who or how old you are. And in many ways, there’s no place like Miami to spend your summer months.
If you’re looking for things to do in Miami in the summer, read on for a sampling of our favorite Miami summer activities.
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Is it Good to Visit Miami in the Summer?
Unlike many popular vacation destinations, summer is not the peak season in Miami. While Miami’s beaches are most attractive in the summer, it’s hot and humid, and the active Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th.
And since Miami’s summer weather is a deterrent for most, fewer vacationers mean you’ll find great deals on hotels, spa packages, restaurants, and some activities. So, if you’re looking to save some money, summer is the perfect time to visit Miami. But, be sure to minimize your sun exposure and keep hydrated.
Things to Know About Summer Activities in Miami
Feel like splurging on a luxury Miami resort? Perhaps enjoy a luscious spa and taste Michelin star food? Before we go into the list of Miami summer activities, here are some helpful tips for finding the best summer deals in Miami.
1. Miami Attractions & Museum Months
Miami has terrific attractions and museums for all ages, whether you like to explore the outdoors, take in an art exhibition, or see animals at Zoo Miami.
April and May are Miami Attractions & Museums months where you can save money on various museums and attractions throughout the Greater Miami area.
Save on admissions and even find some BOGO deals while experiencing Miami’s sights and sounds.
2. Miami Hotel Months
June through September are Miami Hotel Months. It is active hurricane season, with high humidity, and fewer tourists. So, you will find plenty of hotel deals at some of the best places to stay in Miami.
Miami Hotel Months are a great time to get discounts on accommodations throughout the Magic City. You will find hotels offering heavily discounted rates and promotional offers, including family packages, complimentary meals, and even earn resort credits, particularly in July and August.
Planning Tip: With plenty of hotel deals floating around the city, summer is the best time for Miami locals to take advantage of staycations. Try a luxury Miami resort or a boutique hotel on the beach enjoying South Florida’s endless amenities.
3. Miami Spa Months
Miami Beach and Greater Miami are known for their spas, with many ranking among the top in the nation. If you’re looking to pamper yourself and get the most bang for your buck, summer is the ideal time to visit Miami.
With Miami Spa Months July through August, you can indulge at some of the city’s best spas at heavily discounted rates.
It is not uncommon to find spa treatments up to 50% off during Miami Spa Months.
4. Miami Spice Months
Eating at the finest restaurants is often the best part of any vacation. Each August and September are Miami Spice months, where many of the city’s most coveted restaurants offer set three-course meals at $30/$35 for lunch or brunch and $45/$60 for dinner.
Save money on meals while sampling the area’s diverse flavors at top Miami and Miami Beach restaurants.
MORE: Here are some tips to help you make the most of your trip with the best South Florida events and activities.
How Do I Have the Most Fun in Miami?
When looking for your next exciting thing to do in Miami, it can be difficult to find where to start, much less what you want. So many people tend to focus on the clubbing scene, which, don’t get us wrong, is great, but that’s not all Miami has to offer.
Here are just a few summer activities in Miami that are sure to satisfy everyone.
5. Miami Water Activities
Since summer in Miami is hot, besides being in, there’s no better place to be than on the water. One of the best things to do in Miami for couples is to take a boat cruise, including Millionaire’s Row Cruise or a Sunset Cruise through Biscayne Bay.
But there are other great water activities, too, such as:
6. July 4th Celebrations in South Florida
Some of the best things to do in Miami in July this year are the 4th of July celebrations. Some of the popular celebrations include:
- Bayfront Park America’s Birthday Bash and Fireworks
- Coral Gables July 4th Fireworks Celebration at the Biltmore Golf Course
- Miami Beach Fire on the Fourth Festival
- Key Biscayne 4th of July Parade
Since Miami summers are the best time for hotel deals, you can plan your vacation for July and attend some festive 4th of July celebrations. Also, many of these areas, like Bayfront Park, have other activities going on throughout the summer.
7. Kayak through Oleta River State Park
If you’re a fan of kayaking, Oleta River State Park offers a chance to kayak through ancient mangroves and escape into a time long past. The journey will take you through dwindling nature sights and opportunities for amazing photographs.
And once you finish kayaking, you can also enjoy one of the many bike trails. It is a perfect Miami outdoor date idea or way to spend the day with friends and family.
8. Take a Scenic Seaplane Tour
One of the most unique summer activities in Miami is a scenic seaplane tour. Fly over Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami to see breathtaking views of the beaches, millionaires’ row, and the city below.
There’s no better way to tour South Beach, Biscayne Bay, and downtown Miami.
9. Enjoy Less Crowded Shores
Not all of us like crowded beaches. And because Miami’s beaches are busy in the summers, Crandon Park and Bill Baggs State Park on Key Biscayne are the perfect beaches to accommodate visitors looking for a bit of privacy.
You can expect the waves to be a little foamier and the beaches to have less shade, so arrive early to find that cozy spot.
And no visit to Bill Baggs State Park would be complete without a stop at the Cape Florida Lighthouse, the oldest standing building in Miami-Dade County. Learn the lighthouse history with guide tours that include the light keeper’s cottage.
If you want to escape downtown Miami and South Beach for a little while, these Miami beaches are the place to go.
10. Enjoy A Dive in Biscayne National Park
If you’re looking to explore the beauty of the underwater world, Biscayne National Park is the place to go. Most of this park is underwater, which gives you plenty of opportunities to snorkel or paddle through its mangrove islands and trail of mysterious shipwrecks.
This National Park in Miami also offers scuba tours, where you can get up close and personal with the coral reefs, sharks, tropical fish, and old boats. It’s a great Miami summer activity for water sports enthusiasts.
11. Visit the Venetian Pool
One of the best things to do in Miami in the summer is to visit the Venetian Pool. This pool was created from a rock quarry and is fed by an underground aquifer.
Take a dip surrounded by tropical plant life with an Italian village flair.
But try to get there early as the Venetian pool staff stops letting people in when they have reach full capacity.
12. Enjoy a Ball Game
The Miami Marlins play throughout the summer, so this is the perfect time for ball lovers to enjoy a good game. The team has proven to be very promising this year, which creates a lot of excitement and a wonderful atmosphere.
You won’t have to worry about the summer heat because Loan Depot Park’s roof is closed most of the time. This means you can enjoy the game without enduring the heat and keep your drinks and food at the perfect temperature.
13. Experience the Nightlife at a Miami Rooftop Bar
Miami has a vibrant nightlife that showcases its diverse culture making it easy to see why it is such a popular destination. You’ll find that visiting one of Miami’s rooftop bars is one of the most fun things to do in Miami at night.
Check out Serena at the Moxy Miami South Beach, a rooftop restaurant and bar complete with delicious food and stunning South Beach views.
Juvia in Miami Beach, Area 31 at Epic Hotel, and Sugar at East Miami are other popular favorites.
14. Take a Day Trip from Miami to Key West
Take a road trip from Miami to Key West for the day to enjoy one-of-a-kind attractions, beautiful beaches, and crystal blue waters.
Stay a night or two in this unique South Florida destination and take one of the spooky Key West ghost tours to learn more about the area’s history.
You’ll also want to check out these 11 hot spots when you visit Key West for a day.
👉 Other great day trips from Miami include:
15. Tour the Art Deco District on a Segway
The Art Deco district in Miami is something you don’t want to miss. It has an energetic vibe that showcases the vibrant culture of the area.
This South Beach segway tour takes you on a leisurely ride through the Miami Beach Art Deco District along Ocean Drive. You’ll get to see the city’s unique architectural style adjacent to spectacular strands of white sandy beaches.
16. Local Comedy Clubs
You might be surprised to discover that stand-up comedy is huge in Miami. Comedians have an endless supply of material to work from in Miami, and believe us, they make the most of it!
Although there are many clubs to choose from, the hottest spots are the Miami Improv and Just the Funny.
Hang out with your friends or family and enjoy the great food and drinks served at these comedy shows. It’s a full night out with plenty of laughs.
17. Visit the Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach
While there are many activities here, one of the most unique things to do in Miami for adults and families is to visit the Ancient Spanish Monastery.
Construction began on the Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux in 1133 AD and finished eight years later. The Cistercian monks occupied it for nearly 700 years until the social revolution of the 1830s, when it was converted into a stable and granary.
In the early Twentieth Century, William Randolph Hearst had this mid-Twelfth Century structure dismantled stone by stone and shipped to the United States. After his death, it took 19 months to reconstruct the edifice. Religious services are held on Sundays and weekdays in English and Spanish.
If you love history or want to show your children a piece of ancient South Florida history, this is the place to go.
18. Miami Summer Events and Festivals
One of the best things about Miami is the reoccurring summer festivals and events. Here are some of the popular summer festivals in Miami:
You can save money registering ahead of time, so check the websites and book in advance to maximize your savings.
19. Visit one of Miami’s many Parks
There are plenty of parks to enjoy summer activities in Miami. Besides the ones we’ve already mentioned, add one or two of these parks to your Miami itinerary:
- South Pointe Park
- Matheson Hammock Park
- Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park
20. Experience a Drive-in Movie Theatre
Although drive-in movies have experienced a comeback, they are still not widely available. However, the concept is a refreshing one and something that can be easily enjoyed without having to push through crowds at a regular movie theatre.
The best one to check out is the Nite Owl Drive-in where you can watch classics while also enjoying delicious food to order. You can watch a great movie from the comfort of your own car.
21. Make Miami a Better Place
There are many volunteering opportunities in Miami this summer. They include cleaning beaches, helping stray dogs, working at a food bank, or helping the local schools. It’s also a great way to meet new people and truly learn more about the community.
Here are some local South Florida organizations with volunteer opportunities.
Other Summer Activities in Miami to Enjoy
There are so many summer activities in Miami and South Florida that it’s impossible to cover them all, but here are some other attractions you might want to try:
- Snorkeling in Key Largo
- Visit Miami breweries
- Miami Seaquarium
- Everglades National Park airboat tours
- Various summer camp programs for kids
- Join a Miami Design District free tour
- Check out Zoo Miami
- Visit the Coral Castle
- Miami slingshot rentals
- Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
- Pinecrest Gardens
- Miami pool parties
- Wynwood Arts District Tour
You’ll find more on some of these places in our comprehensive post on family activities in South Florida.
New Way to Enjoy Summer in Miami
From fantastic beaches to delicious restaurant food, snorkeling, sports, ball games, and fun family activities, there’s a lot to do in Miami in the summer.
Whether you love to experience the culture, or you’d like to get away from the crowd in a more secluded place, Miami always has something for you to enjoy.
Before you get started, check out some of our best tips for preparing for your dream summer trip!
Our Travel Gear Essentials post will help you pack your bags for the Miami heat.
The Travel Tips section will help you prepare for the South Florida culture experience. And, of course, stay tuned to the blog because we’ll be posting new events and travel guides for Miami summer 2023.
Are you traveling to Miami this summer? Let us know in the comments which of the above activities you want to try!
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