Looking for Hidden Gems In Miami?
Miami is a typical vacation city located in Florida. Whether it is for Spring Break or just a family vacation in the summer, many people come to this coastal city for some rest and relaxation and to have some fun.
There are many places to visit within the city limits of Miami as well as in the area surrounding the city. From spending time in the ocean to visiting one of the many attractions located throughout the city, there are many opportunities for some fun in the Florida sun.
With many options for activities in Miami, it may be difficult to decide what the best places to visit with your family or on your own are. While you can stick to the obvious attractions Miami has to offer, there are some hidden gems the city holds that serve as great attractions to visit and experience.
Continue reading to learn more about some of the hidden gems you can experience during your time in Miami.
19 Hidden Gems In Miami (And Secret Spots!) From a Local
Miami Beach Cinematheque
If you are around South Beach and consider yourself to be a lover of movies, the Miami Beach Cinematheque is definitely a place to visit. The Miami Beach Cinematheque is located at 1130 Washington Avenue and is known for showcasing indie films as well as classic films. One of the best indoor activities in Miami for sure.
You are able to attend live performances held here which are hosted here alongside many art exhibitions. Once you are inside the Cinematheque, you can find many places to visit, such as a coffee shop, library, and art gallery. Some live performances held are “Aftersun”, My Policeman”, “Decision to Leave”, and “Meet Me In The Bathroom”.
This is a great place to visit year-round, but you want to get your tickets early as this is a popular destination and is only allowed to sit 50 people. If you are a cinephile, this is definitely one of the top places you should have on your list to visit.
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Las Olas Cafe
When you are visiting South Beach, you may find many different eateries that catch your eye. Some may be chain restaurants that you find back where you live, and others may be local restaurants that offer some homestyle cooking. If you want some of this homestyle cooking, you want to visit the Las Olas Cafe.
At the Las Olas Cafe, you can find more food than you could eat, and the prices are not going to completely empty your budget for your trip. The Las Olas Cafe is a cafeteria-style restaurant that has some rotating options. There are also some classic foods that are offered, such as empanadas and pastelitos. The main cuisine type offered at Las Olas Cafe is Cuban cuisine, so it is a great place to try some if you would like.
Miami Beach is often known for its party life at happens after the sun goes down, and Las Olas Cafe can offer the perfect cure for any hangover you may have after a wild night.
Las Olas Cafe/ Flickr
Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Tropical flowers are an amazing sight to see. The color and beauty of the flowers help to take you away from the hustle and bustle of the city. If the idea of being surrounded by various tropical plants fills you with joy, then the Miami Beach Botanical Garden is the perfect place for you to visit.
Located in the heart of South Beach, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden is an amazing getaway that makes you forget you are in the heart of the city. The Miami Beach Botanical Garden consists of 2.6 acres which you can explore and literally smell the roses. You can visit the garden any day from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.
The botanical garden also includes a tranquil Japanese garden. Here you can watch dragonflies and butterflies travel from one plant to another in a confined space. This little slice of paradise is the perfect place to find relaxation.
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South Pointe Pier
If you plan on visiting one of the most relaxing piers you will ever find, then South Pointe Pier is the exact place you are looking for. What makes South Pointe Pier so relaxing is the fact that there is often a lack of crowds at the pier.
If you are interested in fishing, South Pointe Pier is considered to be one of the best spots for fishing. There is even a place to cut bait and a place to wash fish. There is also plenty of seating, so you can cast out your line and relax while taking in the beautiful scenic views that the pier has to offer.
The pier is open every day from 7:30 in the morning until 6 in the afternoon. You can enjoy both some adventure and relaxation at South Pointe Pier. You can also stroll down the walking paths and have a photoshoot during your visit.
PAMM Museum
Located a mere 11 minutes from Miami Airport, the Perez Art Museum of Miami or PAMM features some of the best international contemporary art. The PAMM is a great place to visit for anyone who enjoys viewing beautiful works of art or anyone who takes joy in visiting art museums.
The various artworks displayed in the PAMM were created during either the 20th or 21st century and range from various parts of the world. Here you are able to admire contemporary works by various international artists, and you can learn more about the African diaspora and United States Latino culture.
The exhibitions displayed in the PAMM highlight Miami’s diverse community and highlight the pivotal geographic locations at this crossroads of the Americas. You can visit the PAMM any day other than Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You will need to purchase tickets in order to tour the museum, and adult tickets are priced at $16.
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Wynwood Art Walk Block Party
This hidden gem is only available on the second Saturday of every month, so you want to take a visit here if that time falls during your vacation in Miami. With live music, cocktails, and delicious food, Wynwood puts on an amazing party that breaks out all the stops. You also get the chance to visit some fantastic local markets while being surrounded by some of the coolest and most amazing street art that you can find in Miami.
While enjoying some of the local art and food, you can also play some fun games while taking part in the block party. From Jenga to Beer Pong, the Wynwood Art Walk Block Party offers many activities for anyone who comes to the party.
You can enjoy the fun in the outdoors and spend some time with your family and friends. While the event is free, you can RSVP ahead of time and receive a free drink once the party has started.
Everglades Tour
This hidden gem takes you out of the city of Miami, but it is still a great experience to visit if you are in the South Florida area. If you head west inland from Miami, you can take a tour of the Everglades. There are many companies that offer tours of this area, but one of the best and most informational is the Everglades Tour with Buffalo Tiger.
William “Buffalo” Tiger was the last traditional chief of the Miccosukee people who have called the Florida Everglades home for millennia. With this tour, you are given a lesson about the history of the Everglades area and about the traditions of the Miccosukee people.
You are also given a lesson about a special area of the Everglades that is only accessible to the Miccosukee people. You are given the opportunity to get up close to the natural habitat of the Everglades along with the animals, such as alligators, that call the area home.
Flagler Memorial Island
If you love participating in activities that truly get your adrenaline pumping, then this is the perfect place and activity for you. Flagler Memorial Island is an amazing area to have a picnic with friends, family, or your significant other. The only way to get to this area is by taking a boat or jumping on a jet ski and zipping your way around to the area.
This getaway is an amazing area where you can experience one of the less popular and less crowded beaches. You can either use your own jet ski, make a friend who owns a jet ski that lets you borrow one, or you can rent a jet ski from Miami Watersports to get around to Flagler Memorial Island. While you are riding a jet ski in this area, you want to be aware of where cruise ships and other boats travel as it is best to avoid these areas for your safety.
Stiltsville
Stiltsville is another area that is only accessible by boat. You can find this hidden gem only 5 miles off the shoreline of Miami’s Key Biscayne. This area is very unique from many of the other hidden gems on this list.
The area is known as Stiltsville because it is comprised of various houses that are located on stilts in the waters of Biscayne. You can book a boat tour that will take you throughout the area, and you can enjoy the view of the houses there. You can also imagine what it is like to live in the houses in Stiltsville while you learn about the rich history of the area and the houses.
You can visit this area year-round, and you do not have to pay a fee in order to visit. This is a great place to take a look at while you are in or around Miami.
Giralda Plaza
Giralda Plaza is located at Giralda Avenue in Coral Gables, Florida. You can get to Giralda Plaza by taking either the subway or a bus. If you want to avoid crowds, Giralda Plaza is definitely a place to visit. Giralda Plaza is considered to be a pretty great relaxing spot in Miami.
There are plenty of shops around the plaza where you can buy some amazing souvenirs from your time in Miami. While you are in Giralda Plaza, you can enjoy the view of some amazing art installations and enjoy live musical performances.
If you are visiting with your family, you can enjoy an outdoor screening of a family-friendly movie in the plaza. Giralda Plaza offers something for everyone who visits. It is probably best to visit this area on the weekends, and Giralda Plaza is a definite stop for those who are traveling with their family.
Palace Bar
Palace Bar has been a great place for people to visit along Ocean Drive for over thirty years. With a drag show every night starting at 7 pm and drag brunches every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Palace Bar is a fun place to visit.
You can watch some amazing drag queens perform in some amazing shows, and these queens show off some dance moves that many of us can only dream of being able to pull off. Palace Bar is the perfect place to start your evening or your day in South Beach.
Wet Willie’s
The typical vacationer in Florida wants to enjoy some relaxing time on one of the various beaches. If you find yourself around South Beach, you may want to pay a visit to Wet Willie’s.
Wet Willie’s offers some of the most delicious drinks you can find around South Beach. You can enjoy one of their many alcohol slushies. These slushies range from classic drinks, such as Sex on the Beach, or some of their more specialty drinks, such as their Supermans.
Once you have your drink, you can head up to the second floor and enjoy the view of the beach while you soak up some sun.
Otentic
Miami is a city that has many places to dine. Many of the locations have various themes to their foods, such as Cuban cuisine or French cuisine. Otentic is one of the locations that serves some delicious French cuisine.
There is an intimate vibe to this cozy French bistro, and they have a strong focus on fresh foods. Everything that you find on the menu at Otentic is caught, prepared, and baked daily. It is amazing to think that this cozy bistro was at one time Miami’s first bus terminal.
If you do plan on eating at Otentic during your time in Miami, it is best to make a reservation as spots can be taken up quickly, and it may be hard to find a seat at this popular eatery.
Wat Buddharangsi Buddhist Temple
You can find Wat Buddharangsi Buddhist Temple at 15200 SW 240th Street in Homstead, Florida. To get here, you can either take the 36-minute ride via the Ronald Regan Turnpike or the 49-minute ride via Krome Avenue when you leave from Miami International Airport.
This tranquil place is considered to be one of the most unusual attractions to visit in Miami. It is also an ideal place to go if you want to get away from the feel of the city. Sitting on an area of approximately 5 acres of rural land, the Wat Buddharangsi Buddhist Temple features some of the most impressive southeastern Asian architecture. The design of the architecture mainly includes horn-like spires known as “chofas”. These chofas tend to shine golden when the sunlight falls upon them.
Inside the temple, you will find a massive 23 ft. tall image of Buddha which was professionally sculpted in Thailand and was later shipped to Miami.
Jaguar in Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove is Miami’s original neighborhood. Coconut Grove is known to be a laid-back neighborhood, and you can find Jaguar in the middle of this neighborhood. Jaguar is a restaurant that offers many options to eat.
At Jaguar, you have to try ceviche. Ceviche is a Peruvian dish that is typically made from fresh raw fish cured in fresh citrus. Jaguar is known to serve some of the best ceviches in town. There are many different ceviches to choose from, such as Nuevo Shrimp ceviche, Peruano ceviche, and Tiradito Oriental ceviche. Jaguar also offers plenty of non-seafood items that are perfect for people who are vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free.
This is a great place to visit with a group. With the variety available on the menu, everyone can get something different, and everyone can get a taste of foods that they have possibly never tried before. They also serve dulce de leche which is completely delicious.
Brickell
If you are looking for a place to dance or party, Ocean Drive is not the only place to do this in Miami. You may want to pay a visit to Brickell. Brickell is known to be South Florida’s main financial district that turns into a party place once the work day is done.
To get to Brickell, you will need to take a journey south of Miami’s downtown. Here you can find many different restaurants to visit and many different bars where you can grab a drink. The great thing about the bars in Brickell is that they are not as expensive as many of the other bars in the area.
Some of the best places to visit when you are in Brickell are Baru, Blue Martini, and Blackbird Ordinary. Each of these places has unique foods and drinks to try, and you can enjoy the nightlife vibe of the area.
Soundscape Park
You can find Soundscape Park adjacent to the New World Center Concert Hall located at 400 17th Street in Miami Beach. Known as an urban oasis, Soundscape Park offers open green spaces, towering palm trees, and some walkways. The design of the park is meant to be soothing to anyone who takes a trip to visit the park, and it is here where you can enjoy a nice calming experience while you are at Miami Beach.
There are often events hosted at the park, including exhibitions and live musical performances. You can spend some time relaxing with your family in the park, and you can take some amazing photos while you are just hanging out.
Haulover Beach
You can find Haulover Beach between Bal Harbor and Sunny Isles Beach. It is easy to take a taxi or a bus in order to visit this hidden gem. Haulover Beach is one of the less explored areas in Miami that features abundant parking, concessions, rentals, and restrooms.
The best feature of Haulover Beach is the sandy beach that is along the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. This is also one of the top nude beaches, so it may not be the best place to take children if you are traveling with them. You can also engage in watersports on this beach as well as try deep-sea fishing.
Crystal River
Crystal River is a hidden gem that is actually located in Citrus County. You can get to Crystal River easily if you are near the Tampa International Airport. Crystal River is actually a beautiful spring located in Florida. The network of natural springs here originate from King’s Bay and empty out into the Gulf of Mexico.
Crystal River is known as a paradise for water lovers. There are many activities you can do around Crystal River. You can take a walk on one of many nature trails or take a walk along one of the boardwalks. You can also enjoy the beautiful scenery of the natural habitat as well as see a variety of wildlife, including swimming with some manatees.
Final Thoughts
Miami is one of the best cities to live in or visit when you go on vacation. While there are many well-known and well-trafficked places to visit, you can also enjoy visiting and taking part in some of the hidden gems located around Miami.
Whether you are a party-goer or a beach bum, there is something for everyone to do in this coastal city. These hidden gems are perfect to visit on your own, with friends, with family, or with that someone special.
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