What to Do in Miami in Winter: Your Guide to High Season
December through April is when Miami is at its best. The humidity drops, the skies stay clear, and the city fills up with visitors who know exactly what they're doing. Temperatures sit between 65°F and 80°F most days — warm enough for the beach, cool enough to actually enjoy walking around.
If you're planning a winter trip to Miami, here's what's worth your time.
Hit the Beach — Without the Summer Crowds
South Beach is the obvious starting point, and for good reason. In winter the water is still warm enough to swim, the sand isn't scorching, and the famous Ocean Drive strip is actually enjoyable to walk. Get there in the morning before the crowds build and grab breakfast at one of the cafes on Collins Avenue.
For something quieter, head north to Surfside or Bal Harbour. The beaches are just as good and the vibe is more relaxed. Crandon Park on Key Biscayne is another excellent option — a long stretch of calm water, picnic areas, and far fewer people than South Beach.
Art Basel and the Miami Art Scene
Art Basel Miami Beach takes place every December and draws galleries, collectors, and art lovers from around the world to the Miami Beach Convention Center. Even if you're not attending the main fair, the city comes alive with satellite events, pop-ups, and free exhibitions throughout Wynwood, the Design District, and beyond.
Outside of Art Basel week, Wynwood is worth a visit any time of year. The murals change regularly, the galleries are free to browse, and the neighborhood has some of the best coffee and brunch spots in the city.
Explore the Neighborhoods
Brickell is Miami's financial district and one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the city. The Brickell City Centre has great dining and shopping, and the waterfront along Brickell Key is a nice spot for an evening walk.
Coconut Grove is one of Miami's oldest neighborhoods — tree-lined streets, independent boutiques, and a relaxed pace that feels very different from South Beach. The Coconut Grove Arts Festival in February is one of the best outdoor events in the city.
Little Havana is a short drive from Brickell and worth an afternoon. Calle Ocho is the main strip — Cuban coffee, cigars, domino players in Maximo Gomez Park, and some of the best Cuban food in Florida.
The Design District sits between Wynwood and Miami Beach and is home to high-end boutiques, art galleries, and some excellent restaurants. It's a good spot for an afternoon if you want something more polished than Wynwood.
Eat and Drink Well
Miami's food scene has grown up considerably in the last decade. A few places worth knowing:
For Cuban food, Versailles on Calle Ocho is the institution — open since 1971, always busy, and the Cuban sandwich is as good as advertised. For something more contemporary, Zak the Baker in Wynwood does excellent bread and a simple, honest lunch menu. On the water, La Mar by Gastón Acurio at the Mandarin Oriental serves Peruvian food with views of Biscayne Bay that are hard to beat.
For drinks, the rooftop at the Pérez Art Museum on a clear winter evening is one of the better spots in the city. The bar at the Faena Hotel on Miami Beach is worth a visit for the atmosphere alone.
Get Out on the Water
Winter is the best time to be on Biscayne Bay. The water is calm, the light is clear, and you can see straight to the bottom in the shallows. Rent a kayak or paddleboard from one of the outfitters near Coconut Grove, or book a boat tour out to the sandbars and mangrove islands east of the city.
A day trip to the Florida Keys is also very doable from Miami. Key Largo is about an hour south and has some of the best snorkeling in the continental US at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
Day Trips Worth the Drive
Everglades National Park is about an hour from Miami and winter is the best time to visit — the dry season means wildlife concentrates around the remaining water sources and mosquitoes are far less of a problem. An airboat tour is the easiest way in, but the Anhinga Trail is a short, flat walk with remarkable wildlife viewing.
Fort Lauderdale is 30 minutes north and has its own beach, a network of canals you can explore by water taxi, and Las Olas Boulevard for dining and shopping. It's a good half-day option if you want a change of scene.
Stay with UNE Homes in Miami
Miami hotels fill up fast in high season and prices reflect it. A vacation home or apartment gives you more space, a kitchen for the mornings when you don't want to go out, and a base that actually feels like somewhere to come back to at the end of the day.
UNE Homes has properties in Brickell and across Miami — well-located, properly equipped, and managed by a local team available around the clock. Whether you're coming for a week with family or a long weekend with friends, there's a right-sized option for your trip.
Book directly with us and save up to 15% compared to booking through third-party platforms.
