Most people that cruise out of the Port of Miami come from far and wide to board their ships. If you’re one of them, you’ll likely have some time to pass before and after you get on your cruise and take to the high seas. When planning a cruise, it’s a smart move to allow some buffer time both before the sail date and when you fly back home again, so you don’t catch yourself in a snafu at the airport.
Your arrival time depends on when your specific ship is scheduled to leave. Check with your cruise line for more information. PortMiami recommends all passengers arrive at the port no fewer than two hours before departure to allow ample time for check-in and security screening.
That being said, Miami is an amazing place to find yourself with time on your hands, brimming with food, culture, fun, shopping, beaches, and adventure. What should you do? Try out one of these things to see some of the Magic City!
Start at Bayside Marketplace
Whether you’re in town for a couples’ getaway or have the kids along to cruise, Bayside Marketplace is a good place to start. Right on the water, you’ll find over 150 places to shop and some truly tasty restaurants to try, too. Grab some Miami-style clothes or souvenirs, or simply enjoy a refreshing drink while watching the boats moving in and out of the harbor.
Stick Your Toes in the Sand
One thing you must do, even for just a short while, is head to the white sand beaches of Miami Beach. The Art Deco District is also there where you can see the legendary architecture Miami is famed for, but ideally, you can take a moment to relax and watch the waves roll in.
Try Little Havana’s Most Famous Restaurant
Little Havana is where you’ll want to go for a taste of authentic Cuban food. And while there are countless little cafés, Versailles is the most famous of them all. It’s been a landmark for over 40 years, the perfect place to get Cuban coffee, pastries, and sample original Cuban dishes.
Make the Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round
Miami is so vast and there’s so much to see, so you and your cruising crew might have trouble deciding where you should go. The Bus Tour makes it easy and gives your aching feet a rest too. These allow you to hop on and off and places of interest. You can go to Coconut Grove, see Art Deco street, stop at the beach, and visit Little Havana without getting lost and asking for directions. Plus, they’re air-conditioned, something that you will come to appreciate in the heat of Miami.
See Life Under the Sea
When traveling with kids, the Miami Seaquarium is a must-see attraction. You’ll find dolphins, manatees, whales, sharks, and sea lions, plus brilliantly-hued fish. Food tends to be pricey here, so pack snacks and eat somewhere unique afterward.
Discover How the Night Comes Alive on
South Beach
South Beach has a pulsating vibe of its own. With trendy clubs, pricey restaurants, and glamorous oceanfront resorts, it’s the place to be seen. Keep your eyes open for celebrities, as you're bound to run into a few. Hit the beach, join in on a resort pool party, or dance all night long. You can even shop on Lincoln Road, an open-air space that’s fun to walk through, visit the famed Design District, or stop by Gianni Versace’s former mansion, now a luxury boutique hotel and restaurant called The Villa Casa Casuarina.
Indulge in History, Luxuriously
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is one of the most beautiful historic landmarks in all of Miami. This gorgeous mansion and immaculate grounds feature the most impressive treasures from the rich that span from the 15th to 19th centuries.
Take In Some Outdoor Art
The Wynwood neighborhood is where the trendy go for a beer at the many gastropubs, but it also has plenty of art to behold. Even outdoors, the Wynwood Walls make a fantastic canvas for arts of local and international fame.
Go Wild at The Jungle
Jungle Island, that is! This massive park on Watson Island is home to some of the rarest animals on the planet. The tropical setting is one of pure paradise, where you’ll see bird and wild cat shows. And if you get too hot, you can jump right into the water park portion, where you’ll find water slides too!
See an Ecosystem Unlike Any Other
You can do many things in Miami, and while some of those things you can do elsewhere (just without that amazing Miami flair!), you will never find anything else like the Florida Everglades. At the Everglades National Park, you can see the bounty of Florida’s true nature. The protected swamps offer many experiences, including half-day adventures, boardwalk tours, airboat rides, and plenty more.
Make a Stop at The Zoo
Zoo Miami is one of the best zoos in the entire state. It’s the kind of place that will delight any animal fan, with over 3,000 animals. The habitats are carefully created to look just like the habitats they live in when they’re in the wild. Feed giraffes, see the whirlwind of brilliant hues at the aviary, and enjoy the chance to learn about all kinds of animals.
Take a Food Tour
The good thing about Miami is that there are so many wonderful places to eat. That’s also a bad thing when you’re only in town for a short time. That’s why you should take a food tour. This way, you’ll get a chance to try all the different types of cuisine that make Miami a culinary melting pot. You’ll taste things like Cuban sandwiches, stone crabs (when in season), ceviche, fresh fish sandwiches, churrasco, and of course, the state pie…key lime pie.
Now that you know a few things nearby the Port of Miami to stop and see, make plans to add them to your itinerary. You’ll be able to add to your vacation of a lifetime by making the best of this world-famous destination!
