Rent a car in Miami today

Interesting places to visit in Miami - things to do, sights, and attractions

Sunlit beaches, bold art, and Latin rhythms set the tone in Miami, a city where ocean breezes meet cutting-edge culture. From pastel Art Deco facades in South Beach to street murals in Wynwood and the tropical calm of Coconut Grove, this coastal metropolis rewards curiosity at every turn. To move freely between neighborhoods and hidden corners, many travelers choose car rental Miami options, giving themselves the flexibility to chase sunsets on Key Biscayne, café-hop in Little Havana, and still make it to a late show in Brickell.

Overview

Miami blends Caribbean energy with American innovation. Expect sun-drenched coastlines, ultramodern museums, elegant gardens, and neighborhoods where food and art drive the scene. The city sprawls across islands and mainland districts linked by scenic causeways, so a flexible plan-ideally with rent a car Miami-lets you pair a beach morning with a museum afternoon and a rooftop dinner, all in one day.

While Metromover and Metrorail cover central areas, many highlights sit a short drive apart. With car hire deals in Miami, it’s simple to zigzag from Wynwood’s murals to Coral Gables’ tree-lined boulevards, then finish with sunset views from Rickenbacker Causeway.

Top tourist attractions and must-see places

South Beach and the Art Deco Historic District

Ocean Drive’s neon glow, soft-sand beaches, and pastel hotels make South Beach one of the city’s most iconic settings. Stroll Lummus Park for sunrise, snap photos of lifeguard towers, and spot 1930s architecture on Collins Avenue. Parking garages are convenient, and arriving by car makes beach-hopping to quieter stretches near South Pointe effortless.

Wynwood Walls

A living canvas of large-scale murals anchors this creative district. Galleries, craft breweries, and boutiques cluster on pedestrian-friendly blocks that change with each new installation. Drivers can easily combine Wynwood with the nearby Design District and Midtown on the same outing, especially with a handy cheap car hire Miami plan.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

This Italianate villa on Biscayne Bay wraps sculpture-filled gardens around a glamorous 1916 mansion. It’s peaceful, photogenic, and best reached by car, opening the door to a full day that might also include Coconut Grove cafés and the waterfront parks of Key Biscayne.

Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) and Frost Museum of Science

Side by side on the bayfront, PAMM showcases global contemporary art while Frost delivers an aquarium, planetarium, and interactive science exhibits. The skyline views from the outdoor terraces are reason enough to visit. If you’ve chosen car rental Miami, tack on nearby Bayfront Park or a meal on the Miami River with ease.

Bayside Marketplace and Bayfront Park

Live music, boat tours, and breezy harbor vibes keep this waterfront area lively day and night. It’s also a good jumping-off point for cruises around the islands. Parking structures nearby simplify a quick stop even during peak hours.

Quick distances to key sights

Times vary with traffic, but having car hire deals in Miami makes quick hops between these sights straightforward, especially if you plan morning beach time and evening galleries or dining.

Best neighborhoods or areas to explore

• South Beach: Art Deco hotels, sun-soaked promenades, and late-night energy. Park at municipal garages to avoid circling during busy hours.
• Wynwood: Murals, indie boutiques, and breweries. A fun pairing with Midtown’s shops and cafés.
• Design District: Luxury boutiques, sculpture-filled plazas, and chef-led restaurants. Compact yet best enjoyed with quick drives between stops.
• Little Havana: Cafecito windows, salsa rhythms, and Domino Park on Calle Ocho. Street parking is doable mid-morning; afternoons buzz with locals.
• Coconut Grove: Leafy streets, bayfront parks, and historic sites near Vizcaya. A relaxed base for those who picked rent a car Miami to roam further south toward Coral Gables.
• Brickell & Downtown: Sky-high rooftops, riverside dining, and cultural venues. Easy garage parking, walkable clusters, and quick causeway access.
• Key Biscayne: Quiet beaches, lighthouse views, and scenic bike paths. The short drive over Rickenbacker Causeway feels like a mini escape.

Museums, parks, and entertainment options

Museums

• Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM): Contemporary art with waterfront terraces.
• Frost Museum of Science: Walk-through aquarium, planetarium shows, and hands-on exhibits.
• HistoryMiami Museum: Stories and artifacts tracing the city’s evolution.
• The Bass: Contemporary art in Miami Beach with rotating exhibits.

Parks and nature

• South Pointe Park: Green lawns, pier views, and cruise-ship watching at sunset.
• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: Rare palms, butterfly garden, and serene lakes.
• Oleta River State Park: Kayaking through mangroves and mountain bike trails.
• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park: Lighthouse hikes and calm Atlantic waters on Key Biscayne.

Entertainment

• Adrienne Arsht Center: Broadway tours, classical concerts, and dance.
• Miami Heat at Kaseya Center: Game nights by the bay add big-league buzz downtown.
• The Wharf & River venues: Open-air lounges with live DJs and food trucks.

With car rental Miami, it’s simple to string together a museum morning, a botanical garden stroll, and dinner with skyline views, making the most of your time without waiting for transport connections.

Local cuisine and restaurants worth trying

Miami’s dining scene leans global: Cuban classics, Peruvian ceviche, stone crab feasts, and inventive tasting menus. Reserve ahead for prime spots on weekends.

• Joe’s Stone Crab (South Beach): Seasonal favorite for claws and key lime pie.
• Versailles (Little Havana): A landmark for Cuban comfort dishes and cafecito.
• Café La Trova (Little Havana): Nightly music, cocktails, and Cuban flavors by James Beard–winning talent.
• Coyo Taco (Wynwood): Street-style tacos and a buzzy courtyard.
• La Mar by Gastón Acurio (Brickell Key): Elevated Peruvian plates with bay views.
• Rusty Pelican (Key Biscayne): Sunset vistas over the skyline-ideal for special occasions.
• Azucar Ice Cream Company (Little Havana): Tropical scoops like Abuela Maria and mamey.

Driving between dining districts is straightforward, and valet stands are common. If you opted for cheap car hire Miami, it’s easy to taste your way across neighborhoods in one day-brunch in Coconut Grove, snacks in Wynwood, and dinner by the bay.

When to visit: climate at a glance

Expect warm weather year-round, with balmy summers and dry, pleasantly warm winters. Afternoon showers pop up in the wet season, usually brief. Pack sun protection and light layers for cooler evenings by the water.

Nearby day-trip destinations (easy by car)

With car rental Miami, spontaneous escapes become part of the itinerary. These destinations sit within an hour or so of Downtown, traffic permitting:

1. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park (Key Biscayne): Lighthouse climbs and quiet beaches just across Rickenbacker Causeway.
2. Everglades, Shark Valley: Airboat tours nearby and a 15-mile loop for wildlife viewing from the observation tower.
3. Key Largo: Gateway to the Keys; snorkel coral reefs at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
4. Hollywood Beach & Broadwalk: Classic seaside promenade with bike rentals and cafés.
5. Coral Castle (Homestead): Curious hand-carved stone structures; pair with fruit stands or the Fruit & Spice Park.
6. Fort Lauderdale (Las Olas & Riverwalk): Canals, boat tours, and a polished dining scene.

Accessing these spots is straightforward when you rent a car Miami. Pack water, charge your phone, and enjoy scenic causeway drives along the way.

Practical travel tips - parking, driving, navigation

• Parking: Municipal garages in South Beach, Brickell, and Downtown are reliable. Miami widely supports the PayByPhone system for meters-look for zone numbers on signs.
• Tolls: Causeways and expressways often use electronic tolling. Most rental companies offer a SunPass or plate-based program; consider this when comparing car hire deals in Miami.
• Rush hours: Weekday peaks concentrate on I‑95, Dolphin Expy (SR 836), Palmetto Expy (SR 826), and causeways. Plan beach runs early and museum visits mid-morning.
• Street smarts: Mind scooters, bikes, and pedestrians in dense districts like South Beach and Wynwood. Give yourself extra space and time.
• Navigation: Apps work well; check live traffic and events. Some bridges and causeways bottleneck around sunset-worth factoring into dinner plans.
• EV charging: Brickell, Design District, and many garages provide Level 2 chargers; confirm availability before arrival.
• Safety: Don’t leave valuables in view; lock doors and use well-lit garages at night.

Choosing cheap car hire Miami with clear toll policies and included GPS or app mirroring streamlines every leg of your journey.

Conclusion: see more with the freedom of four wheels

Miami rewards explorers-beachcombers, art lovers, and foodies alike. With rent a car Miami, sunrise at the lighthouse, a gallery crawl in Wynwood, and a waterfront dinner all fit into one seamless day. Flexible pacing, easy access to lesser-known parks and neighborhoods, and spontaneous day trips are the perks that turn a good visit into a great one. Compare car hire deals in Miami, choose the size and style that suits your group, and unlock the full sweep of sights from Key Biscayne to the Everglades. The city is ready-just start the engine.