Miami is a little slice of heaven, a gorgeous tropical haven for artists, musicians, and beautiful people. But if you’re visiting our fair city, don’t make the typical tourist mistake of thinking it’s all about getting sunburned at the beach - there are other local flavors to be enjoyed! Check out: 10 Fun & Quirky Things to Do in Miami That Have Nothing to Do with the Beach or Kids!

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens - Tour one of the most opulent estates of the Gilded Age, when wealthy industrialists built lavish homes inspired by European aristocracy. Designed to look like an ancient, palatial Italian villa, the Main House was built between 1914 and 1922, on the shore of Biscayne Bay. This lavish estate features an incredible collection of artwork, exquisite furniture, statuary, and native plants - take a leisurely tour and get some eclectic home and garden inspiration. 

Pearl Miami Beach - This exclusive VIP club has a stunningly pearlescent modern design and a mouth-watering selection of some of the world’s best Champagne. Located directly on Ocean Drive, the Pearl Lounge at Nikki Beach is home to the best Sunday night party in South Beach, featuring the country’s hottest DJs and live burlesque shows.

Coconut Grove - The oldest continually inhabited neighborhood in Miami, Coconut Grove was the counterculture hub of South Florida in the 60’s. Not far from the Vizcaya estate, this leafy green waterfront paradise is full of galleries, shops, gourmet restaurants, and vibrant arts-district nightlife. Coconut Grove is home to a plethora of events, such as free weekly yoga, Fashion + Art + Music Nights, wine tastings, art festivals, and concerts. 

MicroTheater Miami - Located on Biscayne Blvd, Microtheater Miami is part of a worldwide movement for accessible, affordable theater. This innovative and intimate performance venue features several short plays a night by wildly diverse playwrights, a lively bar area, and tasty local snacks and food trucks.

Hamburger House Party & the Burger Museum - Presented by the Burger Museum, America’s only museum dedicated to comfort food, this yearly festival is a celebration of all things burger. Featuring dozens of artisan burgers in fierce competition, the happening Hamburger House Party also has live music, vintage arcade games, and offerings from several local breweries. 

Bottle & Bottega  - Not your average paint & sip place, Bottle & Bottega offers a huge variety of art classes for the public in a casual, wine-friendly atmosphere. Discover wood pallet painting, glass painting, mixed media, and even nude figure drawing if you want to get bohemian. Bottle & Bottega is also a unique venue for private events.

Deering Estate Ghost Tour - The sprawling Deering Estate, perched at the edge of Biscayne Bay, is an environmental, archaeological, and historical preserve that’s also a hotbed of paranormal activity. Fossils dated to over 50,000 years ago have been unearthed here, and no wonder - Deering Estate is known as Miami’s most haunted property! Book a private tour or if you’re feeling brave, an overnight ghost hunting adventure! 

Villain Theater - Known as the coolest little bar in Wynwood (an eclectic neighborhood in Midtown Miami), Gramp’s boasts unbelievably cold AC, cheap drinks, and plenty of atmosphere. Along with live music, Gramp’s also hosts trivia contests, karaoke, and drag queen bingo, and the Villain Theater - Miami’s best improv comedy experience. Villain offers classes in long-form improvisational theater as well as hilarious, professional improv shows. 

Room Escape Miami by Fox in a Box - Escape games are all the rage these days, and Fox in a Box is the #1 escape room experience in Miami. In case you’ve been under a mossy rock for a while, escape rooms offer a live-action experience similar to video games or your favorite murder mystery novel. Fox in a Box has several different rooms - want to experience the zombie apocalypse or hunt for a serial killer? This is the place for you! 

The Electric Pickle - The Electric Pickle calls itself a “liquor-fueled love machine,” and it’s awesomely weird. Featuring some of the best DJs, the Electric Pickle is known as one of Miami’s best places to shake your booty. There’s an impressive menu of wicked, hand-crafted cocktails but watch out - the bartenders here are super sassy!

We could go on and on - there’s a dizzying amount of kick-ass events every single night, with exciting innovations opening regularly. Be sure to check back for even more wild, wacky, and unusual shenanigans going on in beautiful Miami!

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Cover photo from the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District Facebook page