Out of the Bar: Activities for LGBTQ Travelers in Miami

Sure, Greater Miami & Miami Beach’s LGBTQ bar and nightclub scene is famous around the world, but going out at night isn’t the only thing that should be on your itinerary when you visit the destination. There are beaches, free and fun things to do, multicultural cuisine and a variety of neighborhoods representing Miami’s history and the waves of people who’ve put down roots and made this wonderful place home. To further fire up your curiosity, check out these top cool, beyond-the-party-scene activities … sometimes out of the box, often out of the closet, and in all ways reflecting aspects of the Miami spirit that make it such a draw for the LGBTQ community.

Art That’s Deco, Art That’s Trans and Art That’s Transformed a Neighborhood

Take A Walking Tour of Art Deco Miami

Miami Beach is famous for its pastel-colored Art Deco architecture. Gain a unique overview of these 1930s-era geometrically striking structures with a historic tour by Tours R' Us. Founded and led by George Neary—a renowned community leader, Miami historian, and proud member of the LGBTQ community—these tours offer expert insight into the city’s vibrant architectural heritage. One of his tours, Pride Stroll Miami Beach, explores the gay and lesbian history of Miami Beach and the LGBTQ community’s lasting contributions to life in Miami. Tours are available upon request.

Explore The Art of Trans Artist Leslie Martinez

As part of its permanent exhibit, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) in Downtown Miami features the paintings of trans artist Leslie Martinez. Born in the Rio Grande Valley of the South Texas-Mexico border and with art degrees from New York’s Cooper Union and Yale University, Martinez creates large-scale pieces from non-traditional materials, typically involving tactile layers of upcycled fabrics, scraps of dried paint and even ashes. Colorful and exuberant, Martinez’s work radiates joy while delving into serious and timely issues such as climate, the physical environment and socio-political topics, such as border crossings, migration and gender identity.

Explore Miami’s Wet & Wild Side

Take A Queer Swamp Walk In The Everglades

Two of Miami’s greatest natural assets are its clear, warm ocean water and rugged and exotic Everglades National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site about an hour west of Downtown Miami. You can explore the Everglades with an organization founded by a “two-spirit,” openly queer Miccosukee artist and conservationist: Houston Cypress is one of the founders of the Love the Everglades Movement (LTEM), an organization eager to educate people about “the river of grass” and its fauna from the unique perspective of Native Americans who have lived there all their lives. LTEM offers a variety of activities, including queer swamp walks, meteor-watching camping nights, Native American culture, art and spirituality workshops, and preservation and clean-up meetups, all especially welcoming to the LGBTQ community and black and indigenous people of color. Follow LTEM on Instagram to find out about their events.

Dive Into The Sea With Miami’s LGBTQ Community

A deeper, so to speak, eco-tourism experience can be found just about a hundred yards’ swimming distance off the shore of South Beach: a vibrant reef alive with schools of bright, tropical fish, colorful coral, turtles, manatees and other marine life. Patrick & Dave, members of the nonprofit Urban Paradise Guild (UPG), are your go-to guides to immerse yourself in the Miami Beach Marine Park, an under-the-radar natural attraction they are working to protect and a side of Miami most people – not even Miamians – know exists. As volunteers, they lead weekend scuba and snorkel dives from March to October, sharing their passion for this special area and UPG’s mission to preserve it. These resourceful members of Miami’s LGBTQ community will help you navigate everything from when to go to what to wear.

Discover The Sporty Side of LGBTQ Miami

Go Skateboarding With The Skate Nymphs

Whether you’re an am (amateur) or experienced skater or skateboarder, you’ll be stoked to learn that Skate Nymphs provides the opportunity to roll or ride with a crew that embraces women and LGBTQ skaters. Skate Nymphs offers meetups and safe spaces for people to connect and do something they love. The group meets at various skateparks around Miami, welcoming skaters of all ages.

Get Your Kicks And More with HotMess Sports

Does a bunch of queer folks playing sports sound like your idea of a good time? Then join a HotMess Sports league event. Priding themselves on offering a safe, inclusive and fun experience, HotMess Sports brings together the LGBTQ community and other marginalized identities for healthy competition that forges kinship and connections. Play kickball, dodgeball, and indoor or grass volleyball at parks throughout the destination, and make sure you stay for the after-game food, drinks and good times.

Go For A Run With The Miami Gay Run Club

If you love running, lace up your running shoes and join the Miami Gay Run Club for a casual group run every Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the southwest corner of Lincoln Road and Bay Road in South Beach. This social running group welcomes runners of all abilities for a fun and inclusive workout. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner looking to achieve new goals or just starting out and looking for motivation, you’ll find a strong sense of community and camaraderie and a supportive environment where you can meet fellow runners, share your passion for running and achieve your fitness goals.

Give Back To The Community With Men In Pink

Devote a few hours to doing something good for Miami’s women and children in need. Men in Pink, a nonprofit organization open to everyone and whose members are primarily gay men, celebrates the joy of giving back by connecting people with volunteer groups. It organizes monthly events that you can volunteer for and enjoy the collective power of social philanthropy with a friendly, like-minded group.

Looking for more ways to enjoy Miami beyond the bars? Dive into the vibrant gay sports scene and bask on Miami's iconic gay beaches. Adventure and community await.