If you’re planning a destination wedding, visiting Miami for a few days together, or simply looking for something different to do on date night, I’ve gathered some of my favorite experiences around the city.

Miami has no shortage of things to do — and while a quick Google search will hand you dozens of restaurant recommendations, there’s so much more here than dinner reservations.

When I first moved to Miami, I made it a point to explore it slowly and intentionally. To find the spots that felt memorable, not just popular. The places that made a night feel like an experience.

This list isn’t your typical “top things to do” roundup — it’s a curated collection of the kind of dates that help you actually enjoy the city (and each other).

1. Frost Museum – you can easily spend the day here, then walk past the Kaseya Center to Bayfront Park for dinner and to walk around and enjoy the views. https://www.frostscience.org/
2. Vizcaya Mansion – the grounds are gorgeous and it’s a beautiful spot for engagement photos. Is also a wedding venue. Tour the mansion for the history then walk the gardens and property. Bring a blanket and sit in the gardens for a while, it’s so peaceful. https://vizcaya.org/
3. Versace Mansion – now called the Villa Casa Casuarina, the previous Versace mansion was transformed into a restaurant and its truly beautiful. https://vmmiamibeach.com/
4. Miracle Mile Coral Gables – the vibe of this strip is one of my favorites. You can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants. Hillstone (very popular), JohnMartin’s, and Cebada (a rooftop bar and restaurant with cleverly named drinks just a few blocks away).
5. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden – truly a gem! I want to say it’s a hidden gem but I don’t think it’s that hidden. Even the trees on the drive there are a bit magical. The grounds are stunning and there’s so much to see, you can easily spend a whole day here too! Every year they host a chocolate Festival in January and a Mango Festival in the summer, they’re both great! https://fairchildgarden.org/
6. Coconut Grove – a cute area to walk around and lots of restaurants to pop in (Chug’s Diner). Walk along the parks and the water on Bayshore Drive, stop for a bite to eat and end with some ice cream at Salt & Straw.
7. Wine Garden (where we had our first date!) – a cute little outdoor/indoor nook with delicious pasta, wine, and charcuterie boards, and just a few blocks from the beach. https://www.wineandgarden.com/
8. Lagniappe – a place I never would’ve discovered if Adriano hadn’t taken me on a date here, but a very popular spot! We love the vibe (and apparently everyone else does too!). Make your choices for a large charcuterie board and pick your wine, and enjoy a lovely evening in what feels like a big backyard. Just trust us, you’ll love it here! http://www.lagniappehouse.com/
9. Glass blowing classes – something that’s still on our date bucket list and we can’t wait to try this! I love watching the videos on Sarah’s Instagram, and you can find classes here.
10. Take the Brightline to West Palm Beach for a day. Make sure to get the tickets that include food and drinks so you can enjoy beer or wine on the ride. We had brunch at Pistache French Bistro, loved walking around CityPlace, and wandering down Worth Avenue. The Flagler Museum is on our list of places to visit here next.
11. Calle Ocho – every time someone new comes to visit, Calle Ocho is a must on the list of iconic places to see. Domino Park and Ball & Chain bar are famous on this strip. There are plenty of great restaurants to choose from (Mofongo is our fav!), and don’t miss the Havana wall mural. Just a few short blocks away, there’s also a Willie Colon and Celia Cruz wall mural at the corner of Tamiami Trl and SW 19th Ave (across from Chase Bank) that is beautiful. If you can’t find parking on Calle Ocho, look near the Willie Colon mural and start your date there.
12. A night of salsa dancing – this is always a fun choice no matter where you are! If you’re new to dancing, take a class together. Dancing is a great way to bond, shake off the week’s stress, and just have a lot of fun. There are a ton of dance studios here to choose from depending where you’re staying. One of my favorite dance events is Rooftop Salsa- the dance floor isn’t your typical ballroom, but the views and the whole vibe are a lot of fun! And if you live in the area, join the North Salsa Crew, it’s full of down to earth people who just love to dance, and they’ll share where upcoming dance events are.
13. Rooftop movie – at Rooftop Cinema Club South Beach. This one has been recommended to us from some friend’s who had a great time here. It’s still on our bucket list and I can’t wait to try it out, I know you’ll have a great time too! Drive in movie theaters are hard to find these days but I love the idea of watching a movie from a rooftop near the beach. So romantic, right?
14. Take a pizza class at Mister o1! Whether you make pizza at home or not, this class is a fun night of learning and entertainment!
15. Eataly is a new experience in Aventura with a fun mix of restaurants, cooking classes, wine events, and more. Check them out here: https://www.eataly.com/us_en/stores/aventura

I also had Board and Brush in Sunrise on my list, but unfortunately this particular location permanently closed. I still want to mention it because there are other locations in Florida, including north Florida, and this event was one of our favorite date nights. It’s like a paint and sip but better (IMO). I love that the process is so much more involved and it’s a rustic piece of art you’ll want to hang on your wall! You’re set up with raw pieces of wood already cut, you sand and scuff them, stain them (your choice of color), then use a stencil to paint the design you’ve chosen. If you’re near a location, this is another great date choice!