Here's What to do in Miami in Winter - Top 7 Activities
With so many fun attractions and things to do, Miami has something for everyone, year-round. Keep reading and discover what to do in Miami in Winter, and make this trip to Florida one for the books!
Table of Contents
- What to do in Miami in Winter
- See the City
- Taste Delicious Miami Cuisine
- Hop Aboard a Boat Tour
- Go Fishing
- Explore the Everglades
- Helicopter Tour
- Take a Day Trip
- Spending the Holidays at the Beach
What to do in Miami in Winter
With an average high of about 75 degrees in the winter, it’s not uncommon to see shorts and flip flops in Miami during the winter months
Winter is actually one of the best times to visit Miami, as there are less crowds, less traffic, and amazing weather! In December, January, and February, the average high temperature in Miami is in the upper 70’s, and the low rarely ever reaches below 50 degrees. In 1977, however, there were reports of snow flurries at the beach, but one day of winter in 40 years isn’t too bad of a track record!
With average temperatures like these, hitting the beach and trading in snow for sand in the winter is still achievable. Miami also offers so much more than just beautiful beaches, and the winter is the perfect time to explore this amazing city. From delicious Cuban cuisine to zooming across the Everglades on an airboat, the options are practically endless!
See the City
South Beach, pictured above, is just one of the many interesting neighborhoods to visit when in Miami
With so much to see and do, and so little time, it can be easy to miss something. This is why taking a city tour with a knowledgeable guide is one of the best ways to see Miami! And with so many different city tours to choose from, finding the one perfect for you is a cinch! Below are popular types of city tours that provide incredible sights and insight into Miami’s way of life:
- Culture, Fashion, and History Tours
- City Segway Tours
- City Seaplane Tours
- City Tours with Transportation Included
- Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus Tours
...and that’s just to name a few! Rest assured that whichever delightful city tour of Miami you choose, or however else you decide to explore this exciting and eclectic city, you’re in for a treat!
{Read Reviews & Book Miami City Tours Online}
Taste Delicious Miami Cuisine
Try a signature Cuban sandwich, like the one pictured above, on a food tour with Miami Urban Adventures
If you’re wondering what to do in Miami in winter, one of our favorite things to do here is… eat! Miami itself is a cultural melting pot, and this has a direct impact on the popularity of certain dishes. For example, the strong Latin and Caribbean influence in the area yields some of these iconic Miami dishes:
- Chicharrón
- Stone Crabs
- Arepas
- Ceviche
- Cuban Sandwich
- Key Lime Pie
- Fried Snapper
If you came to Florida with the goal of filling up on some fresh fish, Miami has that, too! With easy access to delectable species such as Mahi Mahi, Amberjack, Sailfish, and Tuna, fresh fish is not hard to come by! Check out these popular Miami restaurants for fresh fish, and treat your tastebuds:
- Captain Jim’s Seafood | 305-892-2812
- Casablanca Seafood Fish Market | 305-371-4107
- Estiatorio Milos | 305-604-6800
- Garcia’s Seafood Grille & Fish Market | 305-375-0765
- Joe’s Stone Crab | 305-673-0365
- Mignonette | 305-374-4635
No matter how you decide to dine in Miami, your stomach will be happy that you did!
Hop Aboard a Boat Tour
According to a recent Traveler Story, their favorite part of taking a Miami boat tour is seeing all of the celebrity mansions
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with an unforgettable Miami boat tour! One of the best ways to explore the city, boat tours allow you to see Miami from a completely different perspective. With so many different types of boat tours to choose from, there is something to accommodate every schedule:
- Speedboat Tours
- Combination Tours
- Duck Boat Tours
- Glass Bottom Boat Tours
Zooming across Miami’s beautiful blue water on a boat tour is a blast on its own, but what you take away from the cruise is even better! With informative narration, awesome animals like dolphins swimming nearby, and stunning scenic views, you’ll never want to head back to the docks! Popular landmarks and scenery you may encounter while cruising the coastline include:
- Star Island
- Port Miami
- Biscayne Bay
- Fisher Island
- South Beach
- Monument Island
- Haulover Sandbar
{Read Reviews & Book Miami Boat Tours Online}
Go Fishing
A group of anglers proudly display their catch after a day out at sea on a fishing charter through Gray Line Miami
With access to Biscayne Bay, Everglades National Park, and the Atlantic Ocean, Miami is a fishing mecca. Add Miami’s mangroves and coral reefs into the mix, and you’ve got a wide variety of fish to target. You never know what you’ll reel in! With that being said, below are a few of the popular species of fish to target when in Miami, to bring home a delicious winter meal:
- Tuna
- Grouper
- Amberjack
- Mahi Mahi
- Shark
- Sailfish
- Marlin
- Permit
- Tarpon
The species of fish you can catch and keep does depend on a few things like the size and season. If you’re wanting to target a certain species of fish, it is recommended to visit https://myfwc.com/ for a full list of rules and regulations.
Explore the Everglades
Image of beautiful Egrets in the Everglades taken by Rasmus Bogeskov Larsen via Flickr
Still searching for what to do in Miami in winter? Well, right in Miami’s backyard lies the Everglades, 1.5 million acres of marshes, mangroves, and wetlands. Everglades National Park is the only subtropical wilderness in the country, and is protected by federal law. It’s easy to see why, as this part of the world is home to at least 60 endangered species! Below are some interesting animals you may encounter when visiting the exciting and enchanting Everglades:
One of the best ways to see the animals of the Everglades up-close-and-personal is by airboat! Airboats do not have a motor, but a giant fan they use to quickly glide across the surface of the water. Fast and fun, Miami airboat tours will get your adrenaline pumping as you search for alligators, egrets, and more!
{Read Reviews & Book Miami Airboat Tours Online}
Helicopter Tour
Catching this scenic view with your sweetheart from a helicopter tour is the perfect romantic Miami activity for any age or interest
Take a high-flying helicopter tour above magnificent Miami for an experience you will never forget! Just imagine soaring high in the sky with nothing around you but the helicopter, blue skies, and maybe a seabird or two! This is probably the one time where you will WANT to look down, because you may just see one, or all, of the following:
- Dolphins
- Sea Turtles
- Stingrays
- Sharks
- Miami’s Coastline
- Key Biscayne
- Star Island
- And MORE!
With different durations and other customizable options available, you can’t go wrong when flying high in Miami’s skies! The views are unparalleled, and truly something you have to see to believe!
{Read Reviews & Book Miami Helicopter Tours Online}
Take a Day Trip
Day trips to Key West are popular excursions for those vacationing in Miami
Wanting to head further south for the winter? Why not try a day trip to Key West from Miami! Just over 160 miles away from Miami, Key West is just a scenic drive away, but once you’re there, you will feel as if you’ve been transported to a tropical island paradise!
Day trips and excursions also make for the perfect romantic outing with the one you love. With some even including seaplane charters to beautiful Islamorada, day trips from Miami are the perfect combination of romance and adventure!
{Read Reviews & Book Miami Day Trips and Excursions Online}
Spending the Holidays at the Beach
Make everyone who is back home and in the snow jealous with a beach picture like the one above
If you’re heading to Miami to spend the holiday at the beach, then you are definitely in for a treat! Just picture the beautiful and scenic Miami that you know and love, but decorated with sparkling lights! From Christmas parties where bathing suits are acceptable attire, to Santa Claus himself on a paddleboard, you never know what you’ll see when spending the holidays at the beach!
No matter when you decide to visit Miami, Florida, or for whatever reason, your vacation is sure to leave lasting memories with everyone in your group. From exploring the natural wonder of the Everglades, to reeling in a Sailfish against the city’s skyline, and everything else in between, Miami is a truly special vacation destination to be enjoyed year-round.