Top 10 Things to Do in Miami in October

If you’re looking for a place where you can both enjoy the vibrant city life and have a swim in the turquoise waters even in October, then Miami is a place to be. Endless rows of palm trees, famous South Beach and Ocean Drive, numerous shopping opportunities, museums, charismatic art deco architecture, delicious food, ocean-facing, all that and many more can be found in Miami. To make your experience of Miami even more pleasurable, we have created a list of top 10 things to do in Miami in October. 

A list of top 10 things to do in Miami in October

1. Go on a Millionaire’s Row Boat Tour

Miami is a waterfront city, so taking a boat tour is an absolute must! The boat tours are a great way to see Miami’s highlights from the water and enjoy the guide’s stories about the city. Usually the highlights of the trip include Fisher Island, Brickell Key, the Port of Miami, magnificent homes of the rich along Millionaire’s Row and of course marvelous Miami Skyline.

You can opt for this tour or choose from plenty of offers that you can easily find online.

2. Lounge by the Pool at South Beach

Miami has plenty of hotels that offer excellent pools facing the Atlantic Ocean. At the end of the article, we have listed some of the best hotels with pools that include: Loews Miami, Delano South Beach Hotel, and Hilton Bentley Hotel. Spend at least one day soaking in the sun and gazing at the ocean.

3. Take a Miami City Tour

There are so many things to explore in Miami, that taking a city tour would be an excellent idea. We’d especially recommend this one because it includes seeing the Coconut Grove, the Art Deco District and South Beach, Downtown Miami, and Little Havanna.

From idyllic beaches and tropical gardens, to Miami’s Cuban heart (which is Little Havanna) and most luxurious districts the city day tour will be an excellent option for those who visit Miami only for the couple of days.

4. Spend an Evening at the Ocean Drive

Miami’s most iconic street deserves more than just a quick walkthrough. Ocean Drive is the street which created the image of Miami in the minds of millions. Colorful night lights, signature art deco buildings, fancy cars, and endless rows of palm trees are what Miami is famous for. And it is exactly what you will find on this street. This is probably the best place to feel the city’s spirit and enjoy people-watching while drinking a cocktail in one of the bars.

If you prefer a more active exploration, you can rent a bike at one of the many CitiBike rental stations and enjoy both the views and the fresh ocean breeze. And don’t forget to get a Happy Hour free drink and enjoy some mega cocktails!

5. Spend the Day on South Beach

South Beach is ranked as one of the world’s best beaches, so if you’ve been to Miami and haven’t visited South Beach, you simply haven’t been to Miami! A two-mile-long heavenly sea-shore with white sand and turquoise waves is a place to forget about all your tiny problems and life situations and just celebrate life and be thankful just to be ALIVE.

You can bring your own umbrella and chairs or rent them from one of the many vendors. And you can get a photo of famous Miami lifeguards!

6. Go Shopping

Miami provides an abundance of opportunities for shopping. Here are some of the top spots that shopaholics should explore: 

• South Beach. Visit Lincoln Road Mall, Macy’s, Zara, Madewell, Urban Outfitters, Intermix, Anthropologie, Books & Books, and Alchemist. You can also find Sephora, Beach Bunny, and Club Monaco at Collins Avenue.
• Miami Design District. This is the place for the lovers of luxury and uber-chic things. You can explore more than 60 high-end boutiques, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Versace, and many more in Miami Design District.  
• Wynwood. If you’re interested to get something memorable from your Miami trip, you should visit one of Wynwood’s galleries, gift shops and locally-owned clothing shops. Consider visiting Frangipani (unique gifts), Antigua Collection (beachwear), Shinola, and Warby Parker. 
• Coral Gables Shopping. Go to Miracle Mile street to find excellent apparel for women at My Best Friend’s Closet and Azai. Then stroll the Shops at Merrick Park that offers more than 100 stores and restaurants. 
• Coconut Groove. Here you will find women’s clothing from emerging Australian, European, and Latin American designers. The Bazaar Project and the Golden Bar are not to be missed too! 

7. Admire Art Deco Architecture

Miami is famous for its Art Deco Architecture, as it’s home to more than 800 Art Deco buildings! Of course, we won’t recommend you seeing all of them, but there are certain highlights which will allow you to form an opinion about this architectural style. They include: 

• The Webster (high-end fashion boutique, 1220 Collins Avenue, South Beach) 
• The Carlyle (private residential building, 1250 Ocean Drive, South Beach) 
• Señor Frog’s (restaurant, 1450 Collins Avenue, South Beach)
• The Breakwater (the 99-room boutique hotel, 940 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach)
• Colony Theatre (performing arts venue, 1040 Lincoln Road, South Beach) 
• Miami Beach Post Office (post office, Washington Avenue, South Beach, Miami Beach) 
• Bass Museum (museum, 2100 Collins Avenue, City Center, Miami Beach)
• Essex House (hotel,1001 Collins Avenue, South Beach, Miami Beach)
• The Cadillac Hotel (hotel, 3925 Collins Avenue, Mid-Beach)

8. Visit Museums

Miami is not just for those who like to soak in the sun and go shopping. There’s also plenty of exciting things to do in Miami in October for museum-goers.  Here’s our list of recommended museums to visit: 

• Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). The museum’s building itself is worth seeing, but so is the thought-provoking contemporary collection on international art that you can find inside.
• ICA Miami. Visit this museum if you want to have a taste of Miami culture. Admission is free, and you can find a collection of cutting edge contemporary art related to Miami. 
• Bass Museum. This museum is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has modern art and several permanent timeless collections that are worth your attention.  
• The Wolfsonian Museum. The best place to learn about the history of Miami and indulge in the exploration of modern art. 
• History Miami Art Museum. It has more than 37,000 artifacts that date back to pre-Colombian times.
• Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. It was once a private waterfront estate that belonged to a millionaire. Now you can easily visit it as a tourist and enjoy the manicured gardens that will make you feel like you’re in Versailles. Rooms are styled after different Italian cities, and the whole place feels more like a palazzo in Venice. 
• Coral Castle. A beautiful and mysterious 1,100-ton castle site with coral sculptures. Coral Castle is surrounded by many legends. 

9. Visit Villa Casa Casuarina (former Versace Villa)

This place still reflects the opulent lifestyle and glamorous designs of Versace. You can gaze at the ocean from the rooftop, swim in the luxurious pool, or try to sleep on gigantic double-king-sized beds.

10. Celebrate Halloween

Since it’s October, there’s no way that you can omit Halloween celebrations in Miami if you happen to be there at the end of the month. Just maintain social distancing, and you can still enjoy all the spooky mazes, ghosts, and costume parties. Here are the top 5 events that will make your Miami Halloween unforgettable:  

• HalloWyn: Wynwood’s Block Party – October 31, 2023, from 7 PM onwards.
• Pumpkin Patch at Pinto’s Farm – Weekends in October 
• Stranger Wharf at the Wharf Miami – October 31,2023
• Spooky Science Monster Mash at Frost Museum – October 28, 2023
• Halloween on Lincoln Road – October 31, 2023, from 6:00 pm

Top 3 Recommended Miami Tours 

1. Wynwood Art District 1-Hour Street Art Tour. Maybe you’ve seen the Wynwood art district murals while swiftly passing on a car, but that’s not the kind of attention that they deserve. This tour will give you a unique opportunity to get as close to these murals while enjoying a cool breeze on your face. That’s a real treat for any urban lover. 
2. Miami: Half-Day Open-Top Bus & Millionaire’s Row Boat Cruise Discover the beauty of Miami with an open-top bus tour and a boat cruise through Millionaire’s Row. See the city in style from both land and sea and learn more about the city’s rich history.
3. South Beach Food Tour. If you’re a foodie, then being in Miami and not taking a food tour would be a big mistake! Take this tour, and you will be able not just to find out but also to taste the history and magic of South Beach. Seeing top South Beach Miami landmarks and eating excellent food, what else could you ask for?! A great thing about this tour is that it considers allergies and dietary restrictions.    

Top 3 Places to Eat in Miami

Fish Called Avalon. This restaurant sets the seafood dining standard not just in Miami but also in South Florida for three decades. There’s really not much sense in talking about it. You have to experience it yourself. Chances are that you can have your best meal in the United States there. 

Havana 1957. You can easily relieve the glamour and glory of old Cuba during the 1950’s if you visit Havana 1957. This is the place when you can also find the famous Mojito Bar that has over 120 varieties of rum from all around the world. Buen Provecho! 

Ghee Indian Kitchen. If all you find that all those Western dishes are not tasty and spicy enough for you, your soul is thirsty for a nice and spicy Indian dish. Chef Niven Patel grows most of the products on his farm in Homestead. Everything is tasty there (abundance of curries!), but there are several things we especially recommend you to try: the cheddar naan, smoked lamb neck, green millet and date cake topped with ginger ice cream. Namaste!

Top 5 Places to Stay on South Beach Miami 

1. Loews Miami. This hotel is located in the heart of South Beach’s vibrant Art Deco District. It’s pure luxury with chic rooms, an impressive lobby, an oceanfront pool deck with direct beach access, and SOAK Daybeds and Cabanas. Their restaurant is also great.  
2. Delano South Beach Hotel. If you’re a lazy tourist, then Delano South Beach Hotel can become a self-contained destination itself. It has everything you need for an unforgettable vacation. Delano South Beach Hotel features the first Indoor/Outdoor Lobby in the USA, which creates a cozy feeling of a village where you almost can’t separate between what’s indoors and outdoors. The hotel has a private beach, an awe-inspiring pool, a beautiful Orchard, elegant guestrooms, and the renowned wellness center. It’s an excellent place to unwind and recharge your batteries.
3. Hotel Victor. Another great hotel where you can get a stylish boutique accommodation. Like other impressive hotels on the list, it features an excellent pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and perfect rooms with tropical views. Being a guest of this hotel, you can enjoy Turkish-style baths and use bike rentals to explore South Beach.
4. Metropole Suites. This is probably the best option for those who are looking for an extended stay in Miami because Metropole Suites offer one and two-bedroom suites with full stainless-steel gourmet kitchens. There are daily, weekly and monthly rates, so you can choose what fits you best. It’s located only a few steps from the beach on famous Collins Avenue. Very convenient!  
5. Hilton Bentley Hotel. An excellent place to stay with the family if you’re looking for rest and rejuvenation. It’s located near famous landmarks, great restaurants, and cafes (Rosetta Bakery, Front Porch Cafe, and Pinocchio Italian Deli, to name a few), and it will allow you to enjoy the best of Miami Beach!

See you in Miami! 

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