10 Things to Do in Miami in Summer

If you are an enthusiast of walking the streets under the radiant rays of the sun, while admiring a panoramic view of the ocean and enjoying culture in its different expressions, then your must-see destination is Miami during the summer season. You will have a unique experience in this bustling seaside city.

You won't have to wonder what to see and do in Miami, as there are plenty of options for fun. You can get up close and personal with the natural beauty of this region, attend concerts, fashion shows, ballet festivals and other annual events held in the city.

Miami' s beautiful beaches are a must-see destination during your visit to the city, especially during the summer season. You will enjoy beautiful scenery, crystal clear waters and radiant sunshine. A true paradise on earth, which will allow you to take a break from your routine.

If you are in South Beach, you can go to Lummus Park Beach which is one of the busiest beaches or head to South Pointe Park, which is a little more secluded. Other options are North Miami Beach on 46th Street and, in the metropolitan area, Crandon Park. Both are family beaches.

In addition to these beaches, there are many other alternatives for you to have fun on the sand or in the sea enjoying the best water activities in Miami. One suggestion to disconnect from the bustling streets of Miami is to participate in a yoga class in South Beach. You can relax and meditate on the sandy beach for an hour guided by an expert instructor.

Summer is a good time to take one of the Key West excursions from Miami, as during this season the temperature reaches 32ºC, the skies are clear and there is no danger of precipitation. In addition, prices are usually lower.

This type of water activities usually starts with a pick-up from your hotel or a pre-arranged meeting point. Afterwards, you will be transferred by bus to Key West:

• You will travel along US Highway 1, giving you a privileged view of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
• You will board a catamaran for an approximately three-hour cruise in the Caribbean Sea.
• You will have the opportunity to snorkel for an hour and see some tropical fish. You will be provided with the necessary equipment and the help of a professional instructor.

After this adventure, you will have free time to explore the gift shops of Key West and do some quick shopping before returning to Miami.

Useful information

• Where: Miami - Key West.
• When: The tour takes place during the summer months due to good weather conditions. However, there are some tours during the other months of the year.
• Price: Adults from $135 and children from 3 to 17 years pay an average price of $125. Children under the age of 3 are generally free.

Join the 4th of July celebration during your visit to the city of Miami and experience a fun day in the Ocean Drive district. There, you'll enjoy the customary fireworks display , family activities and a live orchestra.

This is a traditional activity to incorporate into your itinerary if you don't know what to do in Miami in a week.

You can head to the famous Ocean Drive in the morning and start enjoying the celebratory atmosphere with craft markets, face painting for adults and children, stilt walkers in American flag costumes, street food and much more.

You can also take the time to take in the beauty of the area's Art Deco architecture.

From 8:30 p.m. onwards, you will listen to approximately 50 pieces of music performed by the official orchestra of the Miami Classical Music Festival. This is followed by the fireworks display, which you can admire from the cafés, restaurants and bars along Ocean Drive.

Practical info

• Where: The activities take place on Ocean Drive in Miami South Beach in Miami Beach.
• When: The event takes place on the 4th of July every year.
• Price: This is a non-ticketed celebration.

The Little Havana neighbourhood is considered by many as a little piece of Cuba in the city of Miami.

Its colour, flavour and aroma of the Caribbean will capture your attention from the very first moment. Moreover, if you visit this district in summer you will experience a temperature of 30 ºC, similar to that of the island of Cuba, so you will feel like you are really walking through its streets.

You will spend an entertaining day tasting the delicious Cuban coffee and smoking a cigar. You can also connect with one of Miami's best food tours to sample some authentic Cuban dishes.

Arriving at Miami's famous 8th Street, you will get plenty of tourist activities at your disposal:

• Start the morning with Cuban coffee and the traditional guava-centred pastries. A delight that will surprise your taste buds.
• Walk through the streets of Little Havana while admiring its buildings and the vibrant colours of its facades.
• Stroll along the Cuban Walk of Fame and take a picture with one of the stars.
• Check out Little Havana's Latin American art gallery.
• Visit the Máximo Gómez Park and take part in an interesting game of dominoes.
• End the night in a Latin music club.

If your trip to Miami is all about a colourful party, art displays, great music, delicious food and drag, then the Wynwood Arts District should be your destination. Come to this neighbourhood in June and celebrate Pride with the LGBTQ+ community.

You'll be able to admire a series of art installations and Pride murals, enjoy the musical talents of surprise artists and guest DJs. You will also have the opportunity to admire an amazing drag show.

Without a doubt, this series of activities organised in the Wynwood Arts District are a good option for you, who don't know what to see and do in Miami in 1 day.

Practical info

• Where: The Wynwood Arts District is the chosen place to celebrate Pride month.
• When: Wynwood Pride is celebrated during the month of June.
• Price: General admission for this celebration starts at 50 euros. However, the activities planned for Sunday are usually free.

If you have decided to travel to Miami during the summer and you are a hip hop enthusiast, you can't miss the Rolling Loud. This is a famous music festival held every July in the city. So, stop wondering what to see and do in Miami in 3 days and attend this massive show.

At Rolling Loud you will be able to see a selection of artists who have significantly influenced the hip hop music scene: Snoop Dogg, Ye, Future, Lamar, among others. It's a show with a unique party atmosphere that will allow you to enjoy more than 100 rappers over three days.

Practical info

• Where: Over the years the festival has been held at Bayfront Park and Hard Rock Stadium.
• When: Rolling Loud Miami edition takes place during the second half of July each year.
• Price: You can find tickets for Rolling Loud Miami edition from €349 per person.

If you are in Miami during July or August you should enjoy the International Ballet Festival held in this city for more than 20 years.

You will be able to attend free and paid events where you will see art exhibitions , dance-inspired cinema, performances by national and international dancers, contemporary dance, among others.

The festival takes place in late July and early August, lasts approximately 20 days and is considered a traditional event that promotes cultural diversity.

This is because the dances performed and the art exhibitions presented are artistic representations from different parts of the world. Definitely a good option if you don't know what to do in Miami with kids during the summer.

Practical info

• Where: The venue selected for the art exhibition is the Miami Hispanic Cultural Arts Center. Meanwhile, performances and film screenings take place at Miami Dade College North Campus, Lincoln Road South Beach, Lehman Theatre Miami Dace College North Campus, Manuel Artime Theatre, Seminole Theatre and Amaturo Theatre.
• When: All activities related to the Miami International Ballet Festival take place during the months of July and August.
• Price: Ticket prices for the different activities can be found on the Miami International Ballet Festival website. However, many of the events are free and others require an invitation.

Afro-Cuban dance takes place during the annual July celebrations in the city of Miami.

It is a colourful festival that can be attended by professional dancers, amateurs or anyone who wants to learn about the spread of these ancient rhythms.

The Afro-Cuban Dance Festival takes over the city of Miami, so you can head to Little Havana and, in Domino Park, witness a majestic parade. Also, at the Miami Central Library, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a conference, where renowned scholars will take you through the past, present and future of Cuban dance.

In addition, you will be able to attend a couple of workshops in which the main dance steps are explained in detail, according to the traditional roots of African dance, fused with those of some of the ethnic groups present in South Florida. All of this is accompanied by live music.

Practical information

• Where: The festival takes place in the Little Havana neighbourhood and at the Miami Central Library.
• When: July is the month of July for the Afro-Cuban Dance Festival in Miami.
• Price: Tickets to participate in the events start at 20 euros. However, many activities are usually free of charge.

Mangoes are a very popular fruit in Miami, as more than 200 species are grown in the city. It is therefore not surprising that there is a festival in honour of this exquisite fruit. Be part of this celebration throughout the month of July and enjoy the summer during your trip.

The calendar of activities is quite varied:

• Culinary classes, given by professional chefs.
• Lectures about the history and importance of mangoes.
• Preparation of mangococktails.

In addition, a picnic day is organised at various points in the city and every Saturday of the month you will find a mango market, where you can taste desserts, drinks and other delicacies.

Those who enjoy beach fashion will be delighted to attend Miami Swim Week, held during the month of July. This is an annual fashion event that brings together a number of veteran and emerging designers to showcase their summer collections.

The show lasts four days, during which you can see men's and women's fashion: swimwear, hats, accessories and beachwear.

In addition, most of the exhibits are made from recyclable materials, a trend adopted in recent years by some designers to defend the environment.

Finally, at Miami Swim Week you will enjoy a fashion show by students in their final year at the Miami International University of Art and Design. These young talents present some of the garments from their degree work.

Practical information

• Where: The event is usually held at the Faena Forum, an event venue in Miami.
• When: Swim Week is held every year in July.
• Price: Tickets for Miami Swim Week start at 55 euros.

The weather in Miami during the summer months tends to vary significantly in terms of temperature, humidity and rainfall, which you should be aware of before you set off on your trip.

For example, in June the average temperature reaches 27ºC, which means that the city is just beginning to warm up. Humidity is on the rise and rainfall lasts only a day.

Meanwhile, in July, thermometers reach 31ºC, beach water temperatures rise to 29ºC, humidity continues to rise and rainy days increase to 15. Finally, in August you'll find sultry weather due to a combination of sunny mornings and rainy afternoons, giving rise to hurricane season.

The months of June, July and August in Miami see the highest volume of tourists from Latin America, so summer is considered peak season in the city. However, in winter this phenomenon is repeated, as Americans themselves are the ones who move to Miami to escape the cold.

In any case, you should be cautious and book your airline tickets and hotel accommodation in advance. Also, check the availability of tickets to some of the attractions or activities you plan to do during your visit.