Exciting 10 Best Outdoor Things to Do in Miami (on a Budget!)

Updated: January 1, 2026

Endless sunshine. Warm temperatures. Summer in any season. 

There are tons of reasons to visit Miami, and the city’s gorgeous weather is easily one of the most popular reasons to vacation here. In fact, it’s one of the major reasons why I decided to move here back in 2017, and the weather 100% keeps me here now.

Even despite the city’s rising cost of living and overall expensiveness.

Fortunately, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to take advantage of the good weather down here — I definitely don’t. In this article, I’ll be showing you 10 of my favorite Miami outdoor activites you can enjoy for little or no cost. (Spoiler: Think lots of nature preserves and parks!)

1. Bike along the Boardwalk.

It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting Miami for the first time or this is your seventh trip to the city — you’ll probably find yourself on Miami Beach at some point during your vacation. 

While this part of Dade County is home to some incredible beaches, biking the Boardwalk is one of the best outdoor things to do in Miami. This pedestrian-friendly (and bike-friendly) path runs parallel to the shoreline, and you’ll have to cross it if you want to make your way to the sand. 

I used to live on Miami Beach, and one of my favorite things to do in the early mornings was head to the Boardwalk. I even learned to skateboard out here during my first years in the city.

If you don’t have your own bike, no worries. You can easily rent a Citi Bike, as there are plenty of stations along the pathway. I’ve never rented one in Florida, but I did try them out on a recent trip to New York. They’re easy to use and connect to your Lyft account, but make sure you dock them properly when you’re done so you won’t be charged after you return them.

Aside from some palm tress offering shade, this is a pretty sunny path, so you’ll have plenty of time to get your Vitamin D as you travel through North, South and Mid Beach. The Boardwalk is also super family-friendly, so feel free to bring the kids along on your day of adventure.

Visit: Miami Beach Boardwalk

Price: Free to visit, bike rental varies by time spent on bike, parking ($3-4/hour for street parking)

2. Study Black history at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

If you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity in Miami that’s equal parts beautiful and educational, head down to Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. According to the park’s website, Virginia Key was once the unofficial “colored only” beach for Black and Brown vacationers and residents in Miami. 

Today, everyone is welcome. 

The only way to get here is to drive over the scenic Rickenbacker Causeway, which is worth the trip in itself. During your drive, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and Miami Beach as you head toward Virginia Key. 

This is easily one of my favorite scenic drives in Miami, but be careful if you’re visiting in a rental car. This is a toll rode, so you’ll need a SunPass to make the journey even easier.

If you’re traveling with nature lovers, this is an excellent part of Miami to visit — plus, you’ll have incredible views of Miami Beach to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Virginia Key is home to some endangered wildlife and fauna, so look but don’t touch when you’re spending the day in this historic spot. 

Visit: Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

Price: Free to visit, but you’ll pay for parking ($8) and tolls ($3.25 each way if you pay with SunPass, $6.50 each way if you pay with Toll-By-Plate)

3. Kayak through Oleta River State Park.

Visiting Oleta River State Park is one of my favorite outdoorsy things to do in Miami because there’s so much you can see here. I’m originally from West Virginia, and disappearing beneath the park’s canopies reminds me of my childhood in Appalachia.

Oleta, as it’s most often referred to by locals, sits on the waterway that shares the same name. Here, you’ll find plenty of ways to escape into nature — all without ever truly leaving the hustle and bustle of Miami. 

Oleta River State Park is home to several miles of off-roading bicycle trails, plenty of places to fish and rustic cabins you can rent for the ultimate escape. I’ve spent hours hiking here, and I’ve still only seen a fraction of what the park has to offer.

But besides the awesome pathways, this is one of the coolest places to go kayaking in Miami. There are places to launch your own vessel, but you can also rent some from the shop onsite, Oleta River Adventures.

Be warned, though: Before you head out on the water, this area is full of jumping fish. If you’re like me and are afraid one of these creatures will flop its way into your kayak, head out with a friend or choose a different spot. 

Visit: Oleta River State Park

Price: $8 per vehicle (2-8 people) to visit or $4 per vehicle (single visitors and motorcycles), kayak rentals (approx. $40 for a tandem kayak for one hour or $60 for two hours)

4. Tour Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.

Mediterranean-style architecture, sweeping bay views and beautiful gardens — all of these are yours to enjoy when you visit Vizcaya. Exploring this historic home is often listed as one of the best things to do in Miami travel guides, and for good reason. 

It’s absolutely gorgeous.

With your entry ticket to Vizcaya, you’ll have access to the house and the expansive grounds it sits on. And while the mansion itself is well worth exploring, I’m always most enchanted by the landscape surrounding the structure. 

It’s easy to spend hours wandering through the hedge mazes, gazing at flowers and sitting in the shade of trees that frame the property, but my favorite photo spots are closest to the bay. 

Perched in the water, you’ll find a boat that looks like it’s half sunken in the water. And if you turn around and walk along the northern perimeter of the house, you’ll see elegant steps and a pool that look like they’re straight out of a fairytale. 

Like a Local: If you’re visiting friends in Miami who have a library card, you might be able to visit Vizcaya for free. The city’s Museum Pass offers free entry for groups (two adults and two children) to different museums around the city. Availability varies, but this is how I usually visit Vizcaya. According to their website, the Museum Pass is available June-September.

Visit: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Price: $29-35 per person

5. Explore the Unusual Ancient Spanish Monastery.

The Ancient Spanish Monastery was one of the first attractions I visited when I moved to Miami nearly a decade ago. But for some reason, most tourists don’t include it on their travel itineraries.

Which is an absolute shame because this is a fantastic place to visit and learn about an obscure part of Spanish/Floridian history.

Construction on this monastery began nearly a thousand years ago in Spain, and, after a lot of mishaps, it made its way to Florida in the 20th century. Now, it’s a church with cloisters and gardens you can stroll through during your day in the Miami sunshine. 

While this is a popular wedding spot and photo shoot location, touring the grounds is also one of the best outdoor things to do in the city — especially if you’re looking to spend a quiet afternoon in nature. 

Visit: The Ancient Spanish Monastery

Price: $10 per adult, $5 for children, students and seniors

6. Spend an afternoon at Bayside Marketplace.

Popular among tourists and locals, this breezy outdoor market is full of shops and restaurants that are worth checking out when you visit Miami. You’ll know you’re in the right spot when you see the towering ferris wheel standing proudly against the skyline. 

This place is home to plenty of stores like Victoria’s Secret, Foot Locker and Bath & Body Works. It’s also where you’ll find restaurants like Benihana, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Margaritaville.

While you can easily spend a few hours meandering among the shops in the warm Florida air, Bayside is also a great jumping-off point if you want to explore some other outdoor attractions nearby. 

You’re only a few steps away from everything Downtown Miami has to offer, and many different boat and bus tours kick off from Bayside, like the Miami Millionaire’s Row cruise. I took this with my godsons over spring break one year, and it was so fun to sail around Biscayne Bay looking at some of the city’s most expensive properties.

Visit: Bayside Marketplace

Price: Free to visit, stores cost money, parking rates vary, but you’ll find cheaper prices if you don’t park in the Bayside lot

7. Window shop on Lincoln Road.

Whenever I want to feel like a tourist, I go to Lincoln Road — and I mean that in the best way possible. If you’ve ever seen photos of an outdoor Miami shopping strip, it was probably taken here. 

This pedestrian walkway stretches nearly the width of South Beach from Alton Road to Collins Avenue, and visiting is one of my favorite free things to do in Miami.

I like to walk it sometimes just to get some fresh air, but it’s also lined with restaurants, cafes and stores you can dip into if you need a break from the midday sun. Some of the most popular spots include Apple, Cheesecake Factory, Gap, H&M and Häagen-Dazs.

On Sundays, the road is overtaken by vendors selling any sorts of goodies, antiques and vintage finds — so if you’re looking to sample some delicious mango with vinegar and spices or are want an extra special souvenir to take home, Sunday is your day to go. 

Like a Local: Parking can get pretty expensive on South Beach. However, if you’re staying in a hotel in Miami Beach, you can easily take the free trolley to Lincoln Road and save on parking costs. The Collins Express can get you here from most popular spots on North, South or Mid Beach.

Visit: Lincoln Road

Price: Free to visit, parking costs vary (city garages are usually cheaper), shopping prices vary

8. Wander around the Wynwood Walls.

In the past decade, the Wynwood Walls have exploded in popularity — and for good reason. The colorful murals have become ubiquitous with Miami, and exploring them is one of my favorite artsy (and affordable!) things to do in Miami.

When you start researching things to do in Miami and the Wynwood Walls pop up, most sites will direct you to the paid museum you can visit. While the murals are striking and definitely worth a look, visiting them can get pricey — especially if you’re traveling in a group or with kids.

But there are free murals you can see in Wynwood that are just as beautiful.

In fact, spend a few minutes walking around the neighborhood, and you’ll quickly find more murals than you can count. Some are more popular than others, but you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one worth a photo op. 

Like a Local: There’s no set route to follow if you want to see some impressive artwork — but you’ll find most of the murals between North Miami Avenue and NW 5th Avenue (east to west) and NW 29th Street to NW 22nd Street (north to south). 

Visit: Wynwood

Price: Free to explore the neighborhood, official Wynwood Walls tickets cost $12 (adults), $10 (seniors), $5 (youth 6-17), and they have plenty of other discounts for residents and professionals, parking varies (generally $3-4 per hour for street parking)

9. Climb the lighthouse at Bill Baggs.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is located at the southern tip of Key Biscayne, and you’ll have to travel over the Rickenbacker Causeway and pass Virginia Key to get here. 

But once you do, it’s well worth the view.

The state park itself is full of history, kayaking opportunities and walking paths you can explore, but the real gem of the key is the lighthouse. 

The 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse served as a (literal) beacon for sailors for years. And now, you can climb to the top for unbeatable views of Miami, Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. While I’ve been to Bill Baggs before, I haven’t climbed the lighthouse before, so it’s still on my Miami bucket list.

If you want to learn more about the lighthouse’s history, make sure you join one of the tours. They’re included with your entrance to the park, and they’re available Wednesday-Monday at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Visit: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Price: $8 per vehicle (2-8 people) to visit or $4 per vehicle (single visitors and motorcycles), and tolls ($3.25 each way if you pay with SunPass, $6.50 each way if you pay with Toll-By-Plate)

10. Explore Amelia Earhart Park.

Amelia Earhart is a true local’s park, and you’re not likely to find as many tourists here as you would in other parts of Dade. This is a great place for scenic walks, and I have a lot of friends who love to come here for picnics or family reunions.

There’s so much to see and do here, especially if you’re visiting with children or have an adventurous spirit. The park is full of trails, workout equipment and picnic areas, but the real gem of this space is the Miami Watersports Complex (MWC). If you’re searching for something fun things to do in Miami with teens who can’t get enough of adventure, stop here. 

The MWC is a boat and cable park where you can learn to wakeboard on a freshwater lake, and all skill levels are welcome. Thanks to my fear of fish, I haven’t done this yet, but all my friends who have gone here said it was a blast.

Like a Local: If you want to visit the park and don’t want to do any of the water activities, plan your trip on a weekday. Parking is free.

Visit: Amelia Earhart Park

Price: Free parking on weekday, $8 on weekends and holidays, half-hour wakeboarding session costs $165 per person (not exactly a cheap thing to do in Miami, but could be worth it if you’ve always wanted to try the sport)

BONUS: Visit 2 National Parks.

South Florida is home to two National Parks, and they’re both an easy drive from Miami. 

The first is the Everglades National Park, and it’s located west of Miami proper. The other is Biscayne National Park, and the majority of it’s in the water. 

If you want to take an airboat tour into the marshy grasslands and have a chance to spot alligators, head to the Everglades. And if you’re craving a day on the water — whether by snorkeling or going on a glass-bottom boat tour, head to Biscayne. 

Visiting either of these parks is super fun, but I especially love the Everglades. The kids and I have really enjoyed our airboat tours there, and it’s cool to see such a different landscape here in the United States.

Visit: Everglades National Park | Biscayne National Park

Price: $35 per private vehicle (Everglades), free to visit the visitor center (Biscayne), activities cost extra at both