Things to do in Downtown Miami and Brickell

Situated on sparkling Biscayne Bay, the towering high-rises of Downtown Miami and Brickell are separated by the Miami River for stunning panoramic views as far as the eye can see. As Greater Miami & Miami Beach’s financial district, this bustling city center is also home to a thriving cultural arts scene, exciting restaurants, nightlife, outdoor shopping and picturesque bayfront parks, all ripe for exploration.

Dive Into a Thriving Art & Culture Scene

In Maurice A. Ferré Park in Downtown Miami, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science are the area’s premiere museums. PAMM focuses on contemporary art with a focus on the Americas with stunning architectural design and outdoor interactive public art, while Frost Science is one of the only science museums that’s home to both an aquarium and a planetarium. Also in Downtown Miami, HistoryMiami Museum is a prestigious Smithsonian Affiliate institution celebrating Miami’s unique position at the crossroads of the Americas through its permanent exhibit “Tropical Dreams: A People’s History of South Florida.”

A cornerstone of Miami’s thriving cultural arts scene, the Adrienne Arts Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is a destination for the performing arts and home to the Ziff Ballet Opera House, Knight Concert Hall and Carnival Studio Theater. Check the Arsht Center’s calendar before your visit to find out about the latest touring Broadway shows as well as productions by local companies, like Zoetic Stage, Miami City Ballet, New World Symphony and Florida Grand Opera.

Shop, Stroll & Explore

Downtown Miami & Brickell is filled with shopping choices, most notably Brickell City Centre, an upscale open-air mall that’s home to everything from Saks Fifth Avenue to Apple, Sephora and so much more. There are also plenty of dining options, like Casa Tua Cucina, Tacology and Pubbelly Sushi as well as indoor Puttshack mini golf course and CMX luxury movie theater with reclining chairs and dining.

Situated in Downtown Miami overlooking Biscayne Bay, Bayside Marketplace is a shopping, dining and entertainment mecca. Home to dozens of shops and restaurants, it’s also the embarkation point for boat tours, like Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures and Island Queen Cruises & Tours. You can also enjoy free live music performances and a whirl on the Skyviews Miami observation wheel with views from high above.

Dine In A Flourishing Culinary Destination

The Brickell dining scene has heated up in recent years. Rosa Negra is a new Latin American steakhouse hot spot from Mexico with a festive atmosphere, while Sexy Fish has become a go-to for over-the-top, under the sea-themed opulence, serving pan-Japanese fare with a side of DJ beats.

Meanwhile, in Downtown Miami, Tâm Tâm, helmed by local chefs Tam Pham and Harrison Ramhofer, is a buzzy Vietnamese spot that grabbed the attention of the MICHELIN Guide. And Torno Subito, by acclaimed international MICHELIN three-star chef Massimo Bottura, is a playful-yet-upscale restaurant for all things pasta, wine and Italian.

Party All Night or Just Kick Back

Downtown Miami and Brickell’s nightlife scenes tend to fall into one of two categories: high-energy mega-clubs or low-key local hangouts. For the former, look no further than E11EVEN Miami, an ultra-club in Downtown Miami with headliner DJs, musical acts, live performances and dancers. For the true Downtown Miami night owls, Club Space is famous for its DJ sets that go well into the morning. For a more-laidback evening out with the locals, check out bars like Lost Boy, Mama Tried and The Corner.

In Brickell, Komodo and Gekko both have late-night lounges with upscale scenes, and Sugar, 40 stories high atop EAST Miami hotel, serves panoramic views with its creative cocktails and buzzy vibe.

Catch A Game or a Concert at the Kaseya Center

The Kaseya Center, in the heart of Downtown Miami, home to the NBA championship-winning Miami HEAT, is a 20,000 seat arena that also hosts major recording artists, touring acts and live performances. It has featured concerts by Dua Lipa, Katy Perry, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Madonna and many more.

Enjoy A World of Urban Greenspaces

With Biscayne Bay hugging the shoreline, there are many scenic greenspaces where you can soak up iconic Miami views. In Downtown Miami, Bayfront Park offers sweeping bay views, public art, an amphitheater, a landmark fountain and a whole host of community events.

In Brickell, The Underline is a novel 10-mile long linear park and greenspace developed beneath the elevated Metrorail line, with plans to expand to South Dade. You’ll find an urban trail for pedestrians and cyclists surrounded by native plants and public art. Nearby Brickell Key, just off the mainland, features a scenic walking trail that encircles the island and connects to the River Walk Trail in Brickell Park. On the trail, you can access a fascinating archeological site you might not expect to find amidst Brickell’s high-rises. Dating back to the area’s indigenous Tequesta Indians, the Miami Circle is an unearthed 38-foot stone circle that’s now preserved as a National Historic Landmark at the mouth of the Miami River.

Getting Around Downtown Miami & Brickell is Easy

One of the best parts about exploring Downtown Miami and Brickell is Miami’s infrastructure of free public transportation. There’s a network of free citywide trolley routes that not only connect Downtown Miami and Brickell but also Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Wynwood, Allapattah and more. They generally run from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. In Downtown Miami and Brickell, there’s also the free elevated Metromover people mover, which runs on several loops that you can track in real time and route your trip using the Go Miami-Dade Transit app.

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