Southeast Florida has become a playground not just for kids but also for adults. For years, snowbirds have been flying south for the winter to take advantage of Florida’s good weather, active lifestyle, and fun cities like Mami, Palm Beach, Boca, and Delray.
During my recent visit to Florida, I had the chance to explore several towns to scout out some of the best things to do. Many of the cities in Southeast Florida are close together, making it easy to drive from one town to the next. So, whether you are partying it up in Miami, looking for a family outing, or just relaxing on vacation, here are my recommendations for the most exciting activities in Southeast Florida.
15 Best Things to Do in Southeast Florida: Palm Beach to Miami
Go for a Bike Ride in Southeast Florida (South Beach, Miami, and the Islands)
One of the best activities we did while visiting Southeast Florida was a bike ride from South Beach to Miami. The Bike Miami map shows several different bike paths, some of which interconnect. We choose the Venetian Islands route, which takes riders from South Beach through beautiful neighborhoods on tiny islands. You ride over bridges and get a glimpse of incredible waterfront homes and impressive yachts. Your ride will take you to Bayfront Park in Mami, where you can usually see enormous boats docked near the Pérez Art Museum.
If you are feeling up to it (and we were), continue your ride across Brickell Avenue and the large drawbridge. For a California girl like me, seeing the large drawbridge in action was a treat. Once you clear the bridge, continue to Brickell City Centre for shopping and a bite to eat. We had a delicious meal at Casa Tua Cucina inside Saks Fifth Avenue. The open-style Italian kitchen offers ten individual food stations with an impressive selection of Italian food. Casa Tua Cucina was the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing meal and a glass of wine before getting on our bikes and riding back to South Beach.
Shop Till Drop on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach
The main street in Palm Beach is the famous Worth Avenue featuring luxury boutiques specializing in clothes, accessories, art, and home furnishings. The stores along Worth Avenue pride themselves on personalized service.
The closest comparison I can draw to Worth Avenue would be Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Both streets are home to high-end shops, galleries, and restaurants. However, Worth Avenue is a bit more low-key. Don’t get me wrong though, the prices can still be sky-high.
What I love about Worth Avenue is how you feel transported to the Mediterranean. I enjoy meandering the cobblestone corridors that open into beauitful courtyards filled with retailers. You can spend a fun afternoon shopping (or window shopping) on Worth Avenue, topped off by lunch at one of the many local restaurants like Ta-boo’ Restaurant that has been serving customers for over 60 seasons.
- Pro Tip:
Park on Hibiscus Avenue, where there is plenty of parking in an open surface parking lot.
Hit the Road and Go for a Drive on A1A in Southeast Florida
One of the most iconic things to do in Southeast Florida is driving A1A through coastal towns, often near the Atlantic Ocean’s edge. The incredibly scenic drive offers ocean views along several beaches, glimpses of stunning estates and compounds on one side, and mega yachts on the other. In Southeast Florida, an excellent place to drive A1A is from Miami-Dade County to Palm Beach County, where you will pass through Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood. Anyone of these towns is a great place to stop for lunch.
- Pro Tip:
Even if you don’t set aside time just to drive A1A, you might still be able to enjoy part of the scenic drive on route to your next activity. When you look for directions to your next stop, see if an alternate route available along A1A. In some cases, the drive time is similar to taking the highway, but the experience is better on A1A.
Take a Boat Ride on the Intercoastal
Floridians love their boats. Whether you are in Fort Lauderdale, Boca, or Miami, you will quickly notice the popularity of the boating life. The sheer number of marinas with mega yachts is impressive.
Boating in Southeast Florida is popular partly because boaters can take their boats out to the Atlantic Ocean or navigate the Intercoastal. Florida’s protected Intercoastal waterway runs for hundreds of miles throughout the state. The calm waters of the Intercoastal give boaters the option of enjoying a relaxing day on the water without heading out to sea.
If you don’t own a boat, that’s okay. Several websites, like Boatsetter, will let you rent a boat for a couple of hours on the Intercoastal. You can charter a yacht with a captain and a crew for the day. On my next trip to Southeast Florida, one thing at the top of my list is to take a boat out on the Intercoastal. Boating on the Intercoastal has been on my list of things to do in Southeast Florida for some time now. However, I always seem to run out of time to make it a reality.
Enjoy a Day at the Beach in Southeast Florida
Floridians and visitors alike love their beaches which makes beachgoing a top activity in Southeast Florida. The soft sand and Florida sun invite visitors to relax on the beach, while the warm, clear water is like a siren song calling your name.
It’s easy to camp out on land too. Unlike other parts of the country (California, I’m looking at you), you can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas right on the beach. The ability to rent chairs and umbrellas is fantastic for visitors. No one wants to have to run to the store to get these items while on vacation. Plus, many of the hotels in South Beach have their own section on the beach just for their hotel guests. You know what this means – you can get room service on the beach!
A couple of popular beaches in Southeast Florida include Miami Beach, South Beach, Delray Beach, and Hollywood Beach. In Hollywood Beach, there is a Broadwalk that reaches nearly two and a half miles along the Atlantic Ocean.
To be honest, there are a couple of things that are not so great about Southeast Florida beaches. The beaches seem to have far more people. I don’t know that there are actually more people. It’s just that some of the beaches tend to be narrow so it seems like more people are in a smaller area. Also, it’s common to see rows and rows of beach setups. As a Southern California native, the crowded beaches and rows of beach chases took a little getting used to for me. On the bright side, you might get to know your neighboring beachgoer.
- Pro Tip:
Unlike California, beach access is more challenging in Florida. So, once you are on the beach and have everything you need, head a block or two in one direction or another, and the beach will be far less crowded. As with all beaches, people tend to gather in the areas right off the parking lot.
- Pro Tip:
The sun is intense in Florida, so you might want to consider a Coolibar shirt, hat, and good sunscreen. Here are a few suggestions.
Visit the City of Delray Beach for Sun, Fun, and Dining
Known as “Florida’s Village by the Sea,” the coastal town of Delray Beach will satisfy your need for fun in the sun and satiate your appetite. Delray Beach offers beachgoers 2-miles of wide sandy beaches where you can choose from relaxing on the sand, renting chairs and cabanas at Delray Beach Municipal Beach, or spending time playing in the crystal-clear warm water.
Delray Beach is a walkable town that I tend to visit every time I am in Southeast Florida. I enjoy walking along Atlantic Avenue, shopping in the local boutiques, art galleries, and stopping in one of the local bars for a drink. I generally meet friends and family at Jonnie Brown’s, a low-key open-air bar with live music and trivia. It’s always busy despite being right next to the train tracks.
Restaurants and bars line Atlantic Avenue, ready to serve every taste, from high-end seafood dinners to those looking for a casual burger and pint of beer. When your sweet tooth is calling, Kilwins Chocolates has fantastic ice cream and decadent treats. If you are looking for a quick meal, the new Delray Market food hall offers numerous delicious food stalls, craft cocktails, and many Instagram-worthy spots.
If you are looking for a little bit of culture to wind out your day, the Pineapple Grove Art District is also drawing crowds. Stop by and explore the Cornell Art Museum, where you can view the contemporary art exhibits near the Creative Arts School and the Ford Fine Art gallery that focuses on art from Latin American artists. There are so many things to do in Delray Beach that I had to include this city in my list of the top things to do in Southeast Florida.
Stop in Fort Lauderdale and Explore the New River
Fort Lauderdale offers its own set of activities that are sure to delight visitors. In addition to the beaches, Fort Lauderdale has three major attractions: the New River, the Riverwalk, and Los Olas Boulevard.
The New River
The New River is a tidal estuary that runs through Fort Lauderdale and connects to the Everglades through a series of man-made canals. Boaters cruise the New River for fun and to access the Atlantic Ocean. If you don’t have a friend with a boat on the New River, you still have a couple of options to enjoy a day on the water.
What looks like the most fun option is to rent a floating tiki bar. Picture yourself with several friends on a small circular tiki bar cruising the New River. Aptly named Crusin’ Tikis, this looks AMAZING! I have not tried it yet, but I want to.
Another way to enjoy the New River is to take a taxi from one end of the river to the other, rent a boat, or kayak and enjoy the river at your own pace.
- Pro Tip:
If you take a taxi, make sure you know when the last water taxi leaves and which direction the water taxis run. If you don’t pay attention, you can end up without a water taxi to get back to your car.
The Riverwalk
The Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale is flanked by multiple parks with the New River in the center, making it an excellent place for a walk. A walk along the river will give you a chance to check out the boats of all sizes on the busy waterway or stop for a bite to eat and admire the view. While in the area, many people head over to see Daniel Popper’s interactive public art installation, Thrive, which features a 30-foot-tall woman gently pulling open her chest to reveal a walk-through passageway lined with lush green ferns.
Las Olas Boulevard
Las Olas Boulevard is a famous street in Fort Lauderdale lined with shops and restaurants. While I wouldn’t make a special trip to Las Olas Boulevard, you cannot go wrong here if you are in Fort Lauderdale and looking for a place to eat.
Visit Little Havana
A top activity in Southeast Florida is a visit to Little Havana, which is just outside Miami. In Little Havana, you will find Cuban-inspired restaurants, bakeries, rum bars, cigar shops, music venues, and art galleries on and around Calle Ocho (Southwest Eighth Street). Calle Ocho is also home to the Walk of Fame stars in the sidewalks honoring Cuban and Latin cultural figures and artists.
Places to Eat
On our last visit to Florida, we stopped in Little Havana for lunch. My friend Alyson @mermaidjourneys recommended we try Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina, and I’m glad we did. The food is legit, and that is why people keep coming back. Pre-revolutionary era décor covers the walls on the cute back patio. Roosters freely roam the patio adding to Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina’s authenticity. A Cuban mojito is the drink of choice while in Little Havana. When Old’s Havana is busy, try Versailles Restaurant, which is another famous restaurant in Little Havana.
After lunch or dinner, think about heading to Azucar Ice Cream Company to try the artisanal ice cream and sorbet. For coffee, head to the ventanita at El Pub Restaurant for café Cubano (strong coffee with caramel foam) and a pastry filled with guava and cream cheese. While at El Pub, don’t forget to stop for a picture with the two large painted roosters out front.
Things to Do
Calle Ocho is home to several cigar shops where you can buy hand-rolled cigars. You can stop in to see the hand-rolling process and if you are a cigar enthusiast, pick one up for later. Next, stroll over to Máximo Gómez Park (Domino Park), where you will see people playing dominos and talking about the news of the day.
When visiting Little Havana at night, a trip to the famous Ball & Chain for a drink and dancing should also be on your list. Sadly, Ball & Chain was closed due to COVID during my visit, but I cannot wait to check it out next time I am in Florida.
You can roam Calle Ocho yourself or set up one of the many different types of Little Havana tours.
Take an Airboat Tour in the Southeast Florida Everglades
I have always wanted to take an airboat tour in the Florida Everglades, and I finally did! An airboat tour is a perfect way to see the Everglades because you coast on top of the water, making it easy to spot wildlife in grassy marshes and mangroves. The Everglades are home to hundreds of animal species, including alligators, the Florida panther, and the West Indian manatee.
Airboat Tour Options
There are a lot of different airboat tours you can take that leave from the same location. Our tour started at the Sawgrass Recreation Park, which is about 25 minutes from Fort Lauderdale. I learned that there are several options available when booking an airboat tour. An Everglade tour can be as short as 30-minutes or as long as you want on a private airboat.
We decided to try the 30-minute introductory tour for a couple of reasons. I wanted to see what the tour was about, if I would get bored, and wondered if I’d like more time to spot animals. In a 30-minute tour, you don’t go very far, but we did see an alligator!
On another trip, I might try a more extended tour to explore the Everglades to look for elusive animals like the Florida panther. However, my husband was thrilled we did the 30-minute tour, and I didn’t subject him to a longer outing.
A short tour likely means you will be on a larger airboat rather than one of the small airboats you see whipping through the Everglades on T.V. Our tour was on a larger boat that could hold 40 or so people. However, since there were COVID restrictions in place during our tour, the operator could only take half of the usual number of tourists. Our boat was not even half full, so we sat on the front side, making it easier to take pictures.
We also took a few minutes to see the animals at the Sawgrass Recreation Park. It is good for kids, but as an adult, you might take a quick walk-through or skip it altogether.
- Pro Tip:
If you are going with more than two people or plan to spend more than 30 minutes on an airboat, I suggest booking a private airboat tour. The private airboats are much smaller and fit about 4 to 10 people. Otherwise, you will likely be with 40 or so people on a bigger airboat, kind of like a ride at Disneyland. If you are looking for a quick peek at the Everglades, the 30-minute tour is the perfect option.
- Pro Tip:
When booking an airboat tour, call the tour operator and confirm the type of airboat and how many people can fit on the airboat. By calling ahead, you know if your tour will be a large group. Sometimes, the pictures can be misleading.
Take Advantage of Southeast Florida’s Extensive Art Scene
Southeast Florida has an active and impressive art scene. Whether you are in Miami or visiting one of the small coastal towns, you have an opportunity to enjoy different forms of art, no matter where you are in Southeast Florida.
Art in Miami
If you are in Miami, head to the Pérez Art Museum Park in Downtown Miami, Florida. The Pérez Art Museum Miami features modern and contemporary international art highlighting Miami’s diverse community. The Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami, features over 500 sculptures, paintings, and works on paper.
Miami also hosts the incredibly popular Art Basel once a year. Art enthusiasts from around the world gather to view works of art, attend panel discussions, and immerse themselves in all things art.
There are multiple art districts in Miami, including the Design District, which is popular with artists and interior designers. Wynwood (close to the Design District) is famous for its mural street art. Little Havana is also home to several murals.
Palm Beach Art Scene
If you are in Palm Beach, I recommend you stop by the Norton Simon Museum, home to Norton Simon’s enormous private art collection. The collection includes masterworks from the Renaissance to the 20th century, modern works from around the world, and Dale Chihuly’s 693 handblown pieces of glass mounted to the ceiling. Letters from well-known artists that range in date from 1619 to 1972 are also on display. These letters give us a glimpse into the artists’ lives and, in some cases, the inspiration for their works of art. During your visit, I suggest you step outside and visit the sculpture garden, which has interesting works of art and pretty gardens.
Art in Boca Raton
If you visit Boca Raton, you might find yourself in Mizner Park, home to the Boca Raton Museum of Art. The Boca Raton Museum of Art houses thousands of pieces of art, including a well-known photography collection.
Fort Lauderdale Art Village
Flagler + Arts + Technology Village, or FATVillage, is a small area in Fort Lauderdale dedicated to promoting contemporary artists. FATVillage encourages experimental, immersive, and non-traditional media. As you can see, art is extremely popular in Southeast Florida, which is why it makes my list of the best things to do.
Play a Round of Golf in Southeast Florida or Stay for Golf School
Southeast Florida is a mecca for golfers, especially in the winter months when the temperature is mild and the winds are calm. There are over 45 golf courses between Palm Beach and Miami that are either open to the public or resort guests. Southeast Florida is also home to several private golf clubs, plus many golf communities where residents often play golf a couple of times a week. Due to the overwhelming demand for golf in Florida, golf schools at places like The Breakers Palm Beach have also become increasingly popular.
When playing golf in Florida, remember, NEVER attempt to retrieve your ball from a lake or pond, no matter how close it is to the edge. Alligators are prevalent in Florida, and it’s not uncommon for an alligator to take up residence in a pond on the golf course (at least in the short term).
- Pro Tip:
If you plan to visit Southeast Florida for a golf vacation, consider sending your golf clubs ahead of time or renting clubs through your golf school.
Indulge at one of Southeast Florida’s World Renown Spas
A vacation is a perfect time to pamper yourself and enjoy a sense of tranquility at one of Florida’s luxury resorts and day spas.
Luxury Resort Spas
Luxury resort spas offer interesting and dreamy treatments. For instance, the Rose Quarts Collagen Facial at Bamford Wellness (1 Hotel South Beach) activates your heart chakra for self-love and compassion through anti-aging techniques that reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tones, and dark circles.
You can also relax and rejuvenate at the 20,000 square foot Acqualina Spa by ESPA, awarded Five Stars by Forbes Travel Guide and Named the Best Hotel Spa in the United States by USA Today. Acqualina Spa offers unique treatments such as a sound healing massage or the balancing massage with volcanic stones to help restore your balance and help you destress. For the ultimate experience, you can reserve the Royal Spa Suite and enjoy the entire spa in total privacy and true luxury.
The Mandarin Oriental, Miami takes an innovative approach to its spa treatments combining the elements of life and the ancient traditions of Chinese, Ayurvedic, European, Balinese, and Thai cultures. Several spa suites overlook Biscayne Bay, providing a sense of calm even before the start of your treatment. Choose from special treatments like the detoxifying wrap and lymphatic massage designed to detox, slim, and sculpt the body or indulge in a traditional Thai massage to revitalize the mind, increase flexibility, and release muscle tension.
Day Spas
Boca Raton also offers a plethora of day spas. Almost every other corner houses a day spa, facialist, nail shop, or reflexology center. I could never understand how they can all stay in business, but year after year, these day spas continue to thrive.
Spend the Day Deep-Sea Fishing in Southeast Florida
Deep-sea charters are extremely popular in Florida because of Florida’s good weather, varied marine life, and an opportunity to hook big game fish. A day on the water can be fun, even if you end up cruising the ocean for a few hours. However, for avid fishermen and women, a day of fishing in Florida could yield an excellent day when fishing for yellowfin tuna, sailfish, tarpon, mahi-mahi, grouper, or even a shark.
Visit Southeast Florida for the Food
Restaurants in Southeast Florida consistently exceed the high bar for excellent food. Chefs draw from Florida’s diverse culture to bring patrons innovative and exciting meals. Plus, celebrity chefs like José Andrés and Top Chef and James Beard Award winners are taking up residence in and around Miami, elevating the restaurant scene.
We indulged in an incredible meal at the Mediterranean-inspired Outdoor Grill at the Setai Hotel on a recent trip to South Beach. Between the delicious food, open-air oceanfront location, and impeccable service, there is a good reason the restaurant was full of patrons.
During our visit, we also found a couple of low-key quick-service restaurants. On Collins Avenue, close to our hotel, The Ritz Carlton, South Beach, there are two delicious Italian bakeries, steps from each other (Rosetta Bakery and I.T. Italian Trattoria) that we visited multiple times. The focaccias, pizzas, and fresh-baked pastries were divine. We generally took the food back to our hotel room and ate on our balcony so we could enjoy the spectacular oceanfront view.
As I mentioned above, we also loved Casa Tua Cucina at Brickell City Centre. I look forward to eating at Casa Tua Cucina again!
Up and down the east coast of Florida, you will find restaurants packed every night of the week because the restaurants are exceptional. For a delicious meal, check websites like Eater and Thrillist for current dining hot spots in Miami, Palm Beach County (Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Jupiter), and Broward County (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Deerfield Beach).
Take a Day Trip to the Bahamas
South Florida is only an hour’s flight from Miami to the Bahamas International Airport. So, while you are visiting South Florida, why not take a day and head out to the Bahamas? Bahamas Air Tours offers an incredible action-packed day with a private charter from Miami to Staniel Cay Airport and a boat trip to some of the best places to visit in the Bahamas. On your Bahamas adventure, you can spend the day:
- visiting the famous swimming pigs at Pig Beach
- snorkeling at James Bond Thunderball Grotto and the infamous plane wreck
- visiting the Bahamas Rock Iguanas
- swimming with sharks at Compass Cay, and
- enjoying the AMAZING sand bars in the Exuma Cays.
On my last trip to the Exumas, I signed up for this tour but unfortunately had to cancel due to awful weather. While I was in the Bahamas, I was lucky enough to snorkel at the drug smuggling plane wreck (the drugs on board were too heavy causing the plane to crash), spend time with the iguanas (which are not afraid of humans), and explore the sandbars during our six-day sailboat charter around the Exumas. All of these activities are a must-do while visiting the Exumas.
Instead of flying private, visitors can also take a commercial flight or a ferry to the Bahamas. Ferries leave from Miami or Fort Lauderdale and give you time to explore or just relax on the soft talcum powder-like sand beaches. The TravelCrog wrote a helpful breakdown of several different ways to enjoy a cost-effective one-day trip to the Bahamas.
I hope you enjoyed my list of incredible things to do in Southeast Florida. I’d love to hear if there is an activity you love that did not make the list.
If you are looking for a beach vacation you might also like visiting the South Bay in Southern California or visiting the Maldives.
I love Florida! What great tips and I have always wanted to go to the Bahamas I need to plan a trip now! =)
I hope you get to visit soon! The Bahamas are gorgeous.
Great article! Very in-depth, and I love the photos! I have never been that far south in the state of Florida, but you make it look very inviting!
Thank you! I hope you get to visit soon.
You have listed everything I would need to know about before going to Miami. Thank you for the tours, food insight!
Happy to help!
You’re so welcome!
Love Florida! Thanks for the tips!
Thank you!
What great suggestions! We were on A1A this time last year! so fun!
Thank you!
I’m a florida newbie and I love these ideas! Made me want to get traveling and trying these places out. Thanks for sharing 🙂
You’re so welcome Liz!
So many wonderful tips of what to do while in SE Florida. Now, the floating tiki bar is one thing I didn’t realize they had down there that I’ve been wanting to do for sure. Noted. Great article!
Thanks so much!
This reminded me of our trip in Southeast Florida. We did a food tour in Little Havana that was amazing! There really is so much to do there.
I totally agree! I hope to visit again and spend a little bit more time exploring.
I’m ready to go to Florida now, thank you for all the tips 🙂
Happy to help!
Wow! There are so many great places I’d love to check out. Hollywood Beach sounds like lots of fun, and I had no idea the Bahamas were that close! Adding a ton of your ideas to my bucket list!
Teriffic! I hope you get to check some of these activities off your bucket list soon!