15 Best Things to Do in West Miami (FL)

The city of West Miami is located just inland from the coast, between Miami Beach to the east and Hialeah and Coral Gables to the north and south respectively.

West Miami is one of the area’s smallest municipalities and has a population of about 6,500 residents. Though it’s its own distinct city, to most locals, West Miami is more of a neighborhood that’s characterized by a high percentage of Latino and Cuban residents, as well as young professionals and families with young children.

Below are 15 things to do in and around West Miami, Florida, that rank high on many travelers’ itineraries.

1. Aromas Del Peru

Miami’s culinary scene is brimming with international influences, and many of them come from Cuba and Latin and South America.

Primarily featuring Peruvian dishes, Aromas Del Peru prides itself on using fresh ingredients and preparing many of its traditional items with a contemporary twist.

Ceviche is one of their menu’s most popular offerings and features an abundance of fresh seafood and vegetables steeped in lime juice.

The restaurant offers beer, wine, and cocktails, is accessible to those in wheelchairs, and has both indoor and outdoor seating. They’re open every day from 11:30 until late, with slightly longer hours on the weekends.

2. Miami International Mall

Located just a few blocks away from downtown West Miami, Miami International Mall is one of South Florida’s premier retail destinations and offers guests a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

The mall is anchored by large national retailers like Macy’s and Kohl’s. It’s a favorite attraction when the weather isn’t conducive to outdoor activities.

The stores and shops range from pricy and exclusive to affordable and traditional; you’ll find everything from shoes, books, and jewelry to art, housewares, and clothes.

There are a variety of restaurants and coffee shops too, and it’s all located on NW 107th Avenue in Doral.

3. Granada Golf Course

Though golf is one of the Sunshine State’s biggest draws, not every visitor has time to dedicate four or five hours to playing a complete round.

Regardless of whether you’ve got ample time to spend on a full 18-hole round, Granada Golf Course offers two options; one is the 6,700-yard, par-71, 18-hole Biltmore Course, and the other is the short 9-hole Granada Course.

Both courses are known for their well-maintained greens and fairways. They wind their way through both developed and undeveloped areas, and depending on which you choose to play, your round should take between two and five hours.

4. White Rose Coffee

Located on SW 8th Street in West Miami, White Rose Coffee is a popular new coffee shop that’s only been open since mid-2017.

In that short time, however, they’ve attracted quite a loyal following. In addition to their wide variety of hot and cold coffees, there are fresh-baked goods that are delivered from local bakeries daily.

Cold-brew, iced Americano, and Cuban-style espresso are ever-popular menu items. Previous guests have commented that they appreciated the shop’s contemporary and comfortable interior, reasonable prices, and attentive servers.

White Rose has free WI-FI and is a popular place for students and remote workers.

5. Time Out Market Miami

Time Out Market Miami is one of South Florida’s most unique and appealing culinary concepts because it offers guests more than a dozen international cuisines prepared by chefs from different countries.

A few of Time Out’s most popular cuisines include Peruvian, Vietnamese, and Cuban. There’s a full bar featuring beer, wine, and cocktails galore too.

Former visitors have raved about the food, ambient music, convenient parking, and the funky projected art that’s periodically flashed across the market’s northern wall.

It’s a cool concept that’s taking the area by storm, and a pleasant diversion from more traditional restaurants.

6. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens — Vizcaya Museum And Gardens

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens are situated on more than 40 scenic acres in nearby Coconut Grove. The grounds include cultivated gardens, a sprawling waterfront lawn, and a historically and architecturally significant home that’s one of South Florida’s most photographed attractions.

The museum houses one of the region’s most extensive collections of art and antiques, many of which are of European origin and are centuries old.

In addition to a variety of guided tour options and permanent exhibits, the facility hosts an array of special events throughout the year, including art shows, live entertainment, and even Zen-inducing waterfront yoga classes.

7. Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

Spread across hundreds of thousands of square feet of space in four buildings, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is the area’s premier destination for those who want to be engaged, entertained, and educated without spending hours in the car traveling between attractions.

The museum features a mind-numbing variety of interactive exhibits touching on everything from art, science, and culture to aviation, space exploration, and history. It’s been known to keep visitors occupied for hours on end.

Regularly scheduled laser shows and the massive Gulf Stream Aquarium are perennial favorites, and tickets are reasonably inexpensive.

8. Zoo Miami

Zoo Miami is home to thousands of animals of nearly every description that come from all over the world.

Unlike most of its counterparts, Zoo Miami strives to give animals the most natural environment possible; they mainly do this by using water barriers to contain them as opposed to concrete or metal ones.

The zoo’s staff offer a variety of tour and educational programs; though many of them are geared toward kids, most adults enjoy them as well.

Zoo Miami can really draw crowds during peak times, so if that’s a scene you’d like to avoid, consider visiting in the morning when they first open.

9. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

A large portion of the island of Key Biscayne is covered by Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, and for those staying in West Miami, it’s a relatively easy drive south.

One of Miami-Dade County’s most scenic and natural state parks, it’s popular with beach-lovers, anglers, and history aficionados.

Many guests choose to spend a portion of their day on the park’s beach and a few hours exploring the historical sites, including one of the region’s oldest lighthouses – the Cape Florida Lighthouse.

Guided historical tours are available during the week, and beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent on-site as well.

10. Deering Estate

Charles Deering was a wealthy Midwestern industrialist and philanthropist who was the owner of one of South Florida’s most opulent homes in the ‘20s.

Deering’s estate is located along the coast in Miami and is one of the area’s most historic and well-preserved attractions, giving visitors a unique look into the lives of the ultra-wealthy more than a decade ago.

The estate includes a palatial home full of art, furniture, and housewares that were considered the height of luxury by the standards of the day. Guided tours are available regularly, and there are often special events and programs offered.

11. Coral Gables Museum

Located on Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables Museum is found inside the city’s old police and fire stations and is mainly constructed of locally mined coral and rock.

The museum is known for its quirky exhibits that include items not often found in more traditional museums, like knitting and contemporary photography. Many visitors find it both enlightening and refreshing.

Regularly scheduled guided tours are popular options for those who’d like additional insight from an informed local, and there are a variety of special programs and events frequently offered as well.

Admission is inexpensive, and much of what’s on display was created by local and regional artisans.

12. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

South Florida’s fertile soil, abundant sun and rain, and year-round growing season are perfect for cultivating a variety of native and exotic plants, flowers, and trees.

Located on Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is one of the area’s most visited attractions and is spread over nearly 90-acres that are full of uniquely themed gardens, walking paths, and fountains.

Throughout the year, the gardens host a number of festivals and activities; many of them are focused on education and the importance of conservation. The International Chocolate Festival and International Orchid Festival are also held on the grounds every year.

13. Little Havana

Located along Calle Ocho – or 8th Street in English – Little Havana is one of Miami’s most unique and vibrant neighborhoods. It’s the epicenter of Cuban music, art, culture, and cuisine in Florida.

Little Havana is full of traditional and trendy clubs, bistros, cafes, and galleries; there are more live entertainment venues per capita than in the surrounding neighborhoods.

A variety of guided food, culture, and history tours are offered, but for those who’d rather hit the streets and see things at their own pace, it’s a welcoming and easily-walked neighborhood that’s close to other city attractions.

14. Matheson Hammock Park

At nearly 700 acres, Coral Gables’ Matheson Hammock Park is one of the largest urban parks of its kind in the area.

Matheson Hammock Park is adjacent to the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden and features a scenic humanmade pool that rises and falls with the tide in nearby Biscayne Bay.

The park’s entrance is located on Old Cutler Road. Its amenities include beaches and covered seating and picnic areas. Fishing, biking, and hiking are popular activities. For outdoor lovers and families traveling on a budget, it’s a great place to spend a day enjoying Florida’s nature.

15. Key Biscayne

Key Biscayne is one of the most scenic of Florida’s Keys and is the most convenient to visit for those staying in West Miami.

For visitors with access to a car, the drive from Miami to Key Biscayne is nothing short of stunning. The island is known for its unspoiled ocean views, abundant palm-lined beaches, and plentiful restaurants that feature fresh seafood year-round.

The island is home to a number of state parks; many of them offer beach access, and the cost of admission is inexpensive.

Those who’d rather explore the island’s historic side will find plenty of sites, including lighthouses and other historic buildings.