15 Best Things to Do in Miami Springs (FL)

Located just inland along south Florida’s Atlantic coast, Miami Springs is a small city set amidst the state’s largest metropolitan area that’s home to more than six million residents.

Miami Springs is south of Fort Lauderdale and bordered by Miami and Miami Beach to the east and south.

Though they’re not listed here, both Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve are easily visited by day-trips for those staying in Miami Springs, and the area is particularly well-known for its Latin and Cuban influenced food, amazing beaches, and hot nightlife.

Below are 15 things to do in and around Miami Springs.

1. Miami Springs Golf Club

For nearly a century, the Miami Springs Golf Club has been a popular destination for golfers from all over the country.

The course plays just more than 6,700 yards and is a par-71 from the blue tees.

For the young, elderly, and minimally experienced, there are other, shorter tee options, and the course is home to a pleasant mix of water and sand hazards.

Previous guests have noted that the course is both scenic, fun, and challenging, and that it’s surrounded by varied natural environments that makes it feel farther away from civilization than it really is.

Book your tee time in advance during peak times.

2. Miami Springs Aquatic Center

Aquatic centers are just about as popular in the Sunshine State as golf courses and botanical gardens. For those visiting Miami Springs, the Miami Springs Aquatic Center is convenient, inexpensive, and packed with cool amenities.

The center features both indoor and outdoor portions, and the staff offer a variety of swimming lessons for children as young as six months old.

The pool includes dedicated lap areas for adults, and areas for open play as well. If you’re planning a birthday party or family reunion, many of the facilities are available for rent, but you’ll need to make arrangements in advance.

3. Glenn Curtiss Mansion

The Curtiss Mansion was built in 1925 and was originally the home of Glen Hammond Curtiss and his wife, Lena.

Curtiss was a famed pilot and pioneer of the country’s aviation industry, and the home offers historical insights into his life and work.

The home has been lovingly restored to near-original condition and is full of period art, furniture, and housewares. It was built in the Pueblo Mission-style of architecture more common in the Southwest.

Mansion tours are offered by knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides, and many guests consider it one of the most memorable experiences and best values of their trip to the area.

4. Old Tom’s Sports Bar

Florida has always been big football country, and for those who find themselves in Miami Springs during the season, there’s no better place than Old Tom’s Sports Bar to catch a game, enjoy some great food, and rub elbows with locals.

Tom’s is part sports bar and part restaurant, and their menu features a variety of classic American and Tex-Mex dishes, like burgers, ribs, and fajitas.

They’ve got an extensive beer selection and even samplers for those who’d like to taste small amounts of a variety of different beers.

Tom’s is located on NW 36th Street and is near many hotels popular with out of state visitors.

5. Miami International Mall

Located on NW 107th Avenue in nearby Doral, Miami International Mall is one of South Florida’s premier retail destinations and has been around since the early ‘80s.

It’s an indoor, air-conditioned mall that’s a favorite escape spot when the weather isn’t conducive to outdoor activities. With more than 120 shopping, dining, and entertainment attractions, it’s been known to occupy visitors for hours on end.

The mall features retailers like Macy’s, Kohl’s, and Victoria’s Secret; there’s a movie theater, and kids play area with rides too.

Dining options are plentiful, come in at a variety of price points, and include sushi, steaks, burgers, and Italian food, to name a few.

6. Los Bobos Cafeteria and Deli

South Florida is a culinary hotspot that features lots of fresh ingredients like local produce and seafood, as well as a variety of international influences, many of which are from Cuba and Latin America.

Los Bobos Cafeteria and Deli is located on NW 79th Avenue in Doral and is the perfect place for harried travelers on the go to pick up a Cuban sandwich or two without wasting valuable time and spending an arm and a leg.

Though traditional Cuban sandwiches are the deli’s main attraction, they feature a full menu of similarly delicious items.

It’s really a grab and go business, and they only accept cash, so stop at an ATM before heading over.

7. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Located on Key Biscayne Island, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is one of Miami-Dade County’s premier natural attractions. It’s also home to the Cape Florida Lighthouse, which is one of the oldest continually standing structures in the area.

In addition to exploring the lighthouse and grounds by guided tour, the park offers guests the chance to spend the day on a gleaming sandy beach, do a bit of surf-fishing, or just explore on their own and take in the amazing scenery.

Lighthouse tours are offered twice daily from Thursday through Monday, and a range of equipment is available for rent, like bicycles, umbrellas, and beach chairs.

8. Garden of the Arts

Hialeah has experienced an art renaissance in recent years, and the Garden of the Arts on West 76th Street is one of the art district’s prime attractions.

Like a hybrid between a park, art gallery, and botanical garden, it’s a big draw for artists, art lovers, and those who just enjoy the Bohemian lifestyle.

The gardens are full of sculptures and large murals, and there’s even an amphitheater that offers a variety of live entertainment as well.

Garden of the Arts is open daily from 7 AM until 8 PM. If you’d like to make sure you don’t miss a live event or festival, it’s best to check their website periodically to see what’s on their calendar of events.

9. Coral Gables Merrick House

The Coral Gables Merrick House was built in 1906 and bears the name of the architect who designed it and the name of the city’s founding father, both of whose last names were Merrick.

George Merrick is Coral Gables’ founding father, and the home is both architecturally unique and full of authentic art and housewares that were considered swanky and expensive by the standards of the day.

The house has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973. Guided tours are offered twice weekly and are led by knowledgeable local docents, whose input adds a lot of color and value to the experience.

10. Divino Ceviche

For those who’ve never tried it or even heard of it, ceviche is a Peruvian dish that’s prepared with a variety of fresh seafood; but instead of being cooked with heat, the seafood is steeped in lime juice, and the acid does all the work.

It’s a delicious, healthy, and refreshing meal, and for those in the area, there’s no better place to enjoy it than Divino Ceviche on NW 79th Avenue in Doral.

Their menu also includes a wide variety of traditional South and Latin American dishes consisting of both seafood and land-based fare, and they’ve got a full bar too.

11. Leah Art District

Hialeah’s Leah Art District is located on East 15th Street and is the perfect place for art and culture minded travelers to spend a few hours.

The district extends for about six blocks, and most of the outdoor walls are covered with giant murals done by local artists.

The area’s businesses include galleries, coffee shops, restaurants, and trendy retail shops, and the whole area features a hip and Bohemian vibe that most visitors just love.

The district hosts live entertainment, free art events, and there are often a number of food trucks around offering lots of tasty, reasonably priced, and internationally influenced eats.

12. Coral Gables Museum

Coral Gables Museum is located inside the city’s old municipal police and fire department building, and the scenic grounds include both indoor and outdoor attractions.

The museum’s buildings feature unique, pink coral construction, and recent expansions have added additional gallery space that displays items relating to the area’s original inhabitants, founding, history, and development.

Regularly scheduled guided tours are available, and for those who’d rather show themselves around, cellphone audio tours are a big hit as well.

The cost of admission and tours are both relatively inexpensive, and the museum’s entrance is conveniently located on Aragon Avenue near downtown Coral Gables.

13. Deering Estate

In the early 1900s, the Deering Estate was the winter escape for a wealthy Midwest industrialist who was one of the founders of the International Harvester Company.

The man’s name was Charles Deering, and visiting his former home and property on Miami’s scenic coast is like taking a step back in time.

The estate is now open to the public, and guided tours are the preferred method of taking it all in. In addition to the opulent and historic home, the estate includes outdoor grounds, historic buildings, and even sections dedicated to examining prehistoric fossils and tools for which the area is known.

14. The Tropical Audubon Society

With such a massive wave of development over the last century, it’s no wonder that many naturalists are concerned about the state’s rapidly disappearing natural environments.

The Tropical Audubon Society is located on Sunset Drive in Miami and is dedicated to preserving Florida’s vital ecosystems, especially the birds and wildlife that call the Sunshine State home.

The Audubon Society’s attractions include the Steinberg Nature Center and the Doc Thomas House, both of which give visitors unique insight into the area’s natural wonders, in addition to those who dedicated their lives to preserving it.

The site includes more than two scenic acres that are an oasis from Miami’s hustle and bustle.

15. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Spread across more than 80 picturesque acres in Coral Gables, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is known for its incredible beauty and serenity. It’s also a center for education that’s focused on enlightening the public to the wonders of the natural world, and the absolute necessity of protecting the environment for future generations.

The garden consists of multiple cultivated areas that are distinct and individually themed. Each area is connected by well-marked and easily traversed paths that include plenty of informative plaques so you’ll learn about the things you’re seeing.

The facility hosts many annual events, so check their calendar before making the trip.