Famous TV Shows Filmed in Miami

Many first impressions of Miami are made through its iconic depictions on TV, from fun 1980s hits that defined the era, like Golden Girls and Miami Vice, to modern and moody crime dramas like Dexter and Burn Notice. Here’s a look at some of the most memorable Miami TV filming locations, including information on how to visit and which scenes you probably remember them from.

Ballers 

El Pub

Appeared in: Ballers Season 1, Episode 10. It’s the backdrop for a phone call from Jason Antolotti (Troy Garity) to Spencer Strasmore (Dwayne ”The Rock” Johnson) in which they’re discussing a client. 

Why visit: El Pub is quintessential Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street), the perfect place to sit down with a cortadito and an empanada and watch the scenes of Little Havana unfold. Its corner location on the vibrant street is why it was chosen for the scene, giving the show a strong sense of place.  

Burn Notice

Gold Coast Railroad Museum

Appeared in: “Tipping Point,” Season 7 Episode 11, in which Michael Westen and associates try to kidnap Rufino Cortez and return him to Venezuela.

Why you should visit: Miami’s history is inseparably linked to railroads, and you can learn all about it at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum in Kendall. The museum sits on the former site of the Naval Air Station Richmond and holds over 40 historic rail cars, including FDR’s traveling car, the Ferdinand Magellan. 

Miami Marine Stadium

Appeared in: Season 3 Episode 10, “A Dark Road,” in which Michael Westen is shot at several times while investigating the abandoned stadium.

Why visit: Miami Marine Stadium in Virginia Key is one of the most cherished structures in all of Miami, hosting concerts on the water, speedboat races and multiple music festivals in its former life. The stadium has been abandoned since 1993 and become a popular spot for local graffiti artists to showcase their skills.

Decades of preservation effort led to the Miami Marine Stadium being placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018, and plans for restoring it continue to this day.

Dexter

Bay Harbour Club

Appeared in: Exterior shots of Dexter’s scenic apartment. Interior shots were filmed on a soundstage in Los Angeles.

Why you should visit: If you’re from Miami, you’ve undoubtedly watched Dexter, seen the view from his apartment and wondered, “Where exactly is that?” It’s one of only a handful of Dexter locations that’s actually shot in Miami, at the Bay Harbor Club on 103rd Street in Bay Harbor Islands.

The residences are still privately owned, so you can’t do much but check out the view from outside. 

Bayfront Park

Appeared in: One of the show’s most famous scenes, in which a decapitated body – the victim of the pilot season’s villain, the Ice Truck Killer – is found in a fountain. The crime scene is the iconic fountain at Bayfront Park, which recently reopened after a major restoration.

Why visit: Bayfront Park is the best place to relax by the water in Downtown Miami, with unfettered views of Biscayne Bay and 32-acres of green space to explore. The fountain has gotten a big upgrade from its Dexter days, displaying nightly water and light shows that showcase its 800 jets and 500 lights. 

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Crandon Park

Appeared in: Season 3 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, in which it was used as the beachy backdrop for establishing shots of the city.

Why visit: Crandon Park in Key Biscayne is one of the destination’s most tranquil beaches, where soft white sand abuts the calm, shallow waters of Biscayne Bay. From parts of the beach park, the skyline disappears, and you get the feeling of laying out on a deserted tropical island.

The park is also popular for barbecues and family gatherings, with abundant picnic shelters. You can rent kayaks and paddleboards onsite, if the shimmering water is too much to resist. 

Fontainebleau Miami Beach

Appeared in: Much of Season 3 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, as a tour stop for the now-famous Midge, Susie and Shy Baldwin. The hotel’s Art Deco design fit seamlessly with the show’s trademark midcentury aesthetic.

Why visit: It’s an architectural masterpiece from Art Deco deity Morris Lapidus, steeped in history as a hangout for the Rat Pack and other celebrities.

Miami Ink

Love/Hate Tattoos

Appeared in: The setting for the Miami Ink reality show, which aired on TLC from 2005 to 2008.

Why visit: Love/Hate is still a working tattoo shop in South Beach, and if part of your Miami experience is going home with a souvenir you’ll keep forever, there’s not a better place to get one. Many of the show’s characters aren’t there any more, but owner Ami James remains. 

Miami Vice

Crandon Park

Appeared in: It played a starring role in several episodes of Miami Vice, including the Season 1 “Calderon’s Return,” in which it hosted a Bahamian Junkanoo parade.

Mac’s Club Deuce

Appeared in: Miami Vice several times. The bar was so beloved by the cast and crew that when the series wrapped in 1990, they threw the farewell party there. 

Why visit: Mac’s Club Deuce – or simply “The Deuce” to locals – is the most iconic dive bar in South Beach, a place with a happy hour that starts at 8 a.m. Inside, you’ll find a cross section of the people who make the beach so special, from wealthy European investors to off-duty bartenders and everyone in between. It’s been on pretty much every list of America’s best dive bars, and if you’re a fan of unpretentious places with inexpensive drinks, the Deuce is a must-visit.  

Versace Mansion (Casa Casuarina)

Appeared in: The famous Miami Vice pilot episode, “Brother’s Keeper.” This is where Crockett and Tubbs first team up to find out who killed Tubbs’ brother. The building, which was an Ocean Drive apartment building at the time, is where his brother was living. 

Why visit: To say the building has changed a bit in the 40-plus years since Miami Vice filmed there would be an understatement. In the years between, it was the residence of fashion icon Gianni Versace, then after his death transformed into The Villa Casa Casuarina – an event space, hotel and restaurant. It’s among the most recognizable buildings in South Beach, and worth a visit for the photo ops alone.

The Sopranos

Fontainebleau Miami Beach

Appeared in: In The Sopranos, Tony steps out onto a Fontainebleau balcony in Season 4, Episode 11, as he and Paulie attempt to “lay low” in Miami.

Why you should visit: No hotel in Miami is as big an icon as the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in  Mid Beach. Beyond Mrs. Maisel and Sopranos, it has appeared in countless movies as well. It’s also home to LIV Nightclub and a dozen dining options, including Hakkasan and Mirabella. 

Discover places in Miami where movies have been filmed.