Things to do in Miami

February 17, 2026|8 min read

If you’re looking for a vacation that offers luxury, natural beauty and an unmistakable cultural pulse, consider Miami. With its subtropical climate, pristine white sand beaches, world-class food and diverse art scene, the city attracts droves of vacationers year-round.

What you’ll learn:

Miami is home to a unique blend of design and culture across neighborhoods like the Design District and Wynwood.
Foodies can enjoy a variety of dining experiences, from homemade pasta to inventive sushi.
Hotels include the luxurious Faena Hotel Miami Beach and the eco-conscious 1 Hotel South Beach.
Eligible cardholders can earn elevated rewards when they use Capital One Travel to book their trip.

Where to explore in Miami

Here are just a few of the best things to do in Miami while you’re visiting.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

For a step back in time, visit Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, a stunning Gilded Age estate on Biscayne Bay with acres of gardens, a mangrove shoreline and a museum. The Main House is an art piece unto itself, a subtropical take on a classic Italian villa offering breathtaking views. It houses collections from a range of eras stretching as far back as the first century.

Vizcaya: 3251 South Miami Ave., Miami, FL 33129; 305-250-9133

Miami Design District

In contrast, the Miami Design District captures the city’s forward-looking energy. In the heart of Miami, it’s an eminently walkable neighborhood and a shopping destination teeming with unique art, design, architecture, fashion, high-end shops and must-try restaurants.

Notable art installations include Dozie Kanu’s jungle-gym-like “Support System,” which snakes through the district, and Buckminster Fuller’s “Fly’s Eye Dome,” a prototypical “autonomous dwelling machine” in Palm Court. The whole area is a feast for art and design lovers alike.

Design District: 140 NE 39th St., Miami, FL 33137; 305-722-7100

Ocean Drive in South Beach, Miami.

Tierra Santa Healing House

For a different kind of immersion, the Tierra Santa Healing House at Faena Hotel Miami Beach offers a sanctuary of global wellness traditions, with everything from healing scrubs to shaman-inspired therapies. The 22,000-square-foot spa boasts a sauna, an ice parlor and one of the largest Turkish baths, or hammams, on the East Coast.

Tierra Santa Healing House: 3201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33140; 786-655-5570

Wynwood Walls

Wynwood Walls is an open-air art museum in one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods. Since its founding in 2009, many of the biggest names in graffiti and street art have made their mark there, and the area now features more than 50 vibrant murals that reflect the city’s global influences. After exploring the city’s cultural side, you could unwind at one of the best beaches in Miami, where turquoise waters complete the perfect day.

Wynwood Walls: 2516 NW Second Ave., Miami, FL 33127; 305-576-3334

Where to eat in Miami

From Michelin-starred restaurants to unassuming neighborhood spots, Miami dining offers flavors that mirror the city’s multicultural roots.

Pao by Paul Qui

At Faena Hotel Miami Beach, you’ll find Pao by Paul Qui, a restaurant that exemplifies Miami’s creative culinary fusion—with stunning ocean views to boot. You could think of it as modern Filipino meets other styles of Asian cuisines and next-level American. A highlight is the tom kha gai rice, consisting of gold rice, tom kha and burrata. There’s also a version with trumpet mushrooms and shiitake bacon. To end your meal on a high note, you could try the mille crepe cake, filled with a light cream cheese mousse.

Pao by Paul Qui: 3201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33140; 786-655-5600

A pink lifeguard tower on South Beach, Miami, with the sea and late-afternoon sky in the background.

A lifeguard tower on South Beach in Miami.

Macchialina

When you’re craving Italian, the quaint and intimate Macchialina on South Beach is highly recommended. Chef and owner Michael Pirolo is one of Miami Beach’s critically acclaimed culinary stars and plays a big role in this beloved neighborhood spot’s success. All pastas are made in-house, and you can pair your meal with one of the Italian wines, spirits or cocktails from Macchialina’s incredible drink list.

Macchialina: 820 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139; 305-534-2124

Uchi Miami

At Uchi Miami, award-winning chef Tyson Cole offers a fresh, inventive take on Japanese cuisine. True to its name (“uchi” means “house”), the restaurant features an elevated sushi menu and extensive wine list, all served in a warm, welcoming setting.

Uchi Miami: 252 NW 25th St., Miami, FL 33127; 305-995-0915

Where to stay in Miami

Miami’s hotels are as stylish and vivid as the city itself. Whether you prefer beachfront glamour or eco-conscious comfort, there’s a stay to match your travel style.

When you’re planning your perfect Miami vacation, consider choosing one of the handpicked premium hotels, resorts or vacation rentals of the Premier Collection or Lifestyle Collection, some of which are featured below. Booking through Capital One Travel gives eligible Capital One cardholders premium benefits with every visit, including an experience credit to use toward activities unique to each stay; room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout when available; and complimentary Wi-Fi. Plus, you’ll earn elevated rewards.

Faena Miami Beach

You likely won’t be surprised to find Faena Miami Beach on this list. Located on Collins Avenue, a historic Art Deco destination, it elevates luxury to decadent levels—the gilded woolly mammoth skeleton in its Mammoth Garden being a case in point. The hotel is the product of a collaboration between Alan Faena, filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and production and costume designer Catherine Martin. The interior is stunning, with rich reds and golds punctuated by experimental art pieces.

Faena: 3201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33140; 305-534-8800. Book through Capital One Travel.

An aerial view of Miami Beach.

1 Hotel South Beach

Across town, the LEED-certified 1 Hotel South Beach is celebrated for its eco-chic design, boasting rooms with reclaimed wood, organic cotton mattresses and sustainably sourced linens. You could relax in a full-service cabana at one of two swimming pools (including an adults-only rooftop pool) or unwind with a signature treatment at the Bamford Wellness Spa. Its combination of shiatsu, meridian and Swedish massage techniques can leave you feeling revitalized and ready for a night out.

1 Hotel South Beach: 2341 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139; 305-604-1000. Book through Capital One Travel.

Shelborne by Proper

The newly reimagined Shelborne by Proper brings fresh energy to Miami Beach’s iconic shoreline. After a $100 million transformation by design studio ADC Atelier, this oceanfront resort blends the city’s mid-century charm with modern luxury—think layered interiors, a palm-framed pool and curated wellness experiences. The culinary program, led by Michelin-recognized chef Abram Bissell, celebrates Latin and Caribbean flavors using locally sourced ingredients and a health-conscious philosophy.

Shelborne: 1801 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139; 305-341-1400. Book through Capital One Travel.

Key takeaways: Miami vacation

Whether you’re there for the food, the design or just to soak up the city’s rhythm, Miami offers endless ways to explore and indulge.

If you’re planning a trip to Miami, you might want to consider taking a travel rewards credit card:

Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights, vacation rentals and activities when booking through Capital One Travel with the Venture X card.
Earn unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, rental cars and activities when booking through Capital One Travel with the Venture card.
Earn 2X miles on all other purchases, at home or away, with the Venture X and Venture cards.

Make travel more rewarding with Capital One

From booking to destination, you can elevate every part of your trip with Capital One:

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit. Venture X and Venture cardholders can receive up to a $120 credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® when they pay for the application fee with their card.
Flexible options for redeeming rewards. Redeem rewards for flights, hotels, vacation rentals, rental cars and activities booked through Capital One Travel.
Travel protections. Cardholders may have access to travel insurance through their credit card. Benefits may include trip cancellation insurance and lost luggage insurance. You can review your guide to benefits for more information on which benefits come with your credit card.
Security features. You’ll also have access to security features like fraud alerts, card lock, $0 liability for unauthorized charges and virtual card numbers.

Footnotes

Learn more about FDIC insurance coverage.

To receive a statement credit up to $120, you must use your Venture, Venture X, Venture X Business or Spark Miles card to either complete the Global Entry application and pay the application fee, or complete the TSA PreCheck® application and pay the application fee. Credit will appear within 1-2 billing cycles, and will apply to whichever program is applied for first. One statement credit per account every four years, and your account must be open and in good standing when the credit is applied. Refer to the Application or Account Terms for additional details.

Capital One Travel bookings include services such as cancel your flight for any reason, price prediction, price watch, price drop protection, and price match guarantee. Additional fees may apply. The availability of these services varies by account, and they may not be available on all bookings. Terms apply. See travel.capitalone.com/terms-of-service/ for details.

15% savings represents the average savings based on price prediction and booking recommendation for flights. Savings may vary. Terms apply.

Claims of unauthorized use and liability for unauthorized charges are subject to investigation and verification.

Some customers will not be eligible to access a virtual card. If you are eligible, you must verify your identity before accessing your virtual card. In some cases, you will not be able to access your virtual card until approximately 30 days after account opening, and you may not have access to your full credit line until your physical card is activated. Web access is needed to manage your virtual card number online or in the Mobile app. Virtual cards may not be accepted by all stores. Virtual cards are not available for debit cards and some credit cards.

Eligible customers can also use virtual cards through Google Pay or via the Eno browser extension. Virtual cards through Google Pay are currently available in Chrome for desktop computers (Mac, Windows and Linux), Chrome for Android, and via merchant apps running in the Android OS. Additional availability may be added in the future, including Chrome for iOS. The Eno extension is available only for certain web browsers and enrollment is required.

Premier Collection
Hotels: Premier Collection hotel experience credit will be applied at checkout by hotel to qualifying charges up to $100 USD or the local currency equivalent. Qualifying charges vary by location, are subject to availability, and must be charged to your room during your eligible stay. Contact hotel directly to confirm qualifying experiences - advance reservations recommended for certain experiences.

In addition to the $100 experience credit, other benefits available to eligible cardholders for Premier Collection hotel bookings include: daily breakfast for two, complimentary Wi-Fi, and (when available) room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout. Benefits applied per room, per stay. Hotel terms and conditions apply; a minimum number of nights may be required by the hotel for booking.

Vacation rentals: Premier Collection vacation rental experience credit will be applied at time of booking the experience by the host provider to qualifying experience charges up to $100 USD or the local currency equivalent. Experiences must be booked with a Capital One credit card. Qualifying experience credit options vary by location and are subject to availability. Contact the host provider directly to confirm qualifying experiences - advance reservations recommended for certain experiences. For certain properties, the experience credit will be provided in the form of a gift card.

In addition to the $100 experience credit, other benefits available to eligible cardholders for Premier Collection vacation rental bookings include: complimentary Wi-Fi, and (when available) early check-in and late checkout. Benefits applied per stay. Back-to-back bookings of the same property within a 24-hour period will be considered one reservation and are not eligible for double benefits. Host provider terms and conditions apply; a minimum number of nights may be required by the host for booking.

Both Hotels and vacation rentals: Premier Collection booking must be made through Capital One Travel in the eligible cardholder’s name, with the cardholder as a member of party traveling, to qualify for benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with other offers unless specified. Participating properties and benefits are subject to change. Offer not intended for commercial use unless otherwise permitted. We may disqualify any cardholder from participation and benefits at our sole discretion. Additional terms apply; see travel.capitalone.com/terms-of-service for details.

Lifestyle Collection
Hotels: Lifestyle Collection hotel experience credit will be applied at checkout by hotel to qualifying charges up to $50 USD or the local currency equivalent. Qualifying charges vary by location, are subject to availability, and must be charged to your room during your eligible stay. Contact the hotel directly to confirm qualifying experiences - Advance reservations recommended for certain experiences.

In addition to the $50 experience credit, other benefits available to eligible cardholders for Lifestyle Collection hotel bookings include complimentary Wi-Fi, and (when available) room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout. Benefits applied per room, per stay. Hotel terms and conditions apply; a minimum number of nights may be required by the hotel for booking.

Vacation rentals: Lifestyle Collection vacation rental experience credit will be applied at time of booking the experience by the host provider to qualifying experience charges up to $50 USD or the local currency equivalent. Experiences must be booked with a Capital One credit card. Qualifying experience credit options vary by location and are subject to availability. Contact the host provider directly to confirm qualifying experiences - advance reservations recommended for certain experiences. For certain properties, the experience credit will be provided in the form of a gift card.

In addition to the $50 experience credit, other benefits available to eligible cardholders for Lifestyle Collection vacation rental bookings include: complimentary Wi-Fi, and (when available) early check-in and late checkout. Benefits applied per stay. Back-to-back bookings of the same property within a 24-hour period will be considered one reservation and are not eligible for double benefits. Host provider terms and conditions apply; a minimum number of nights may be required by the host for booking.

Both hotels and vacation rentals: Lifestyle Collection booking must be made through Capital One Travel in the eligible cardholder’s name, with the cardholder as a member of party traveling, to qualify for benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with other offers unless specified. Participating properties and benefits are subject to change. Offer not intended for commercial use unless otherwise permitted. We may disqualify any cardholder from participation and benefits at our sole discretion. Additional terms apply; see travel.capitalone.com/terms-of-service for details.

We hope you found this helpful. Our content is not intended to provide legal, investment or financial advice or to indicate that a particular Capital One product or service is available or right for you. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consider talking with a qualified professional.

The EMVCo Contactless Symbol and Contactless Indicator, consisting of four graduating arcs, are trademarks owned by and used with permission of EMVCo, LLC.

Capital One does not provide, endorse or guarantee any third-party product, service, information, or recommendation listed above. The third parties listed are solely responsible for their products and services, and all trademarks listed are the property of their respective owners.

By clicking on some of the links provided, you may be taken to a third-party website that is not hosted by Capital One. In those cases, the owner of the website is responsible for the website content. Their privacy practices and level of security may be different from Capital One’s, so please review their policies.