Overview
Downtown Miami is a district in Miami, steel-and-glass buildings have sprung up around downtown, the heart of the city. By day there's plenty of activity downtown, as suited lawyers and bankers share the sidewalks with Latino merchants wearing open-neck, intricately embroidered shirts called guayaberas. But it's still pretty quiet when all the merchants close up Miami shops for the night.
Downtown Miami includes the Central Business District (CBD) and Brickell. The border between them is the Miami River. Within Bricknell, Broadway splits Upper and Lower Brickell apart.
Brickell, which includes the Financial District, is home to the majority of the major corporations and large businesses in Miami. Along Brickell Avenue, you will find headquarters for major banks, real estate companies and law firms. In contrast to South Beach, Brickell tends to be more "buttoned-up" during the day. However, there are plenty of places to eat and relax by beautiful Biscayne Bay.
8 sights · 6 things to do · 4 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Downtown
Miami Circle
An archaeological site — a 38 ft circle of holes and wood claimed to date back somewhere between 1,700 and 2,000 years old.
Jungle Island
Formerly Parrot Jungle, it's a lush tropical garden that features animal shows and exhibits. Animal encounters are available for an additional charge.
Miami Seaquarium
This 38-acre tropical island paradise features marine shows and marine life exhibits. Expect to stay around 2-3 hours touring the large aquarium. 10 minutes from downtown Miami and directly adjacent to Fairchild Tropical…
Miami Children's Museum
Parking available for $2/hr.
Gesu Church
Historic Roman Catholic church, built in 1896.
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Built in 1925, this is the cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Nov–Apr. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 61°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Sep. (climate data from nearby Miami)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MIA Miami International Airport, Miami — 6 mi away (major hub). Directions
- OPF Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, Miami — 11 mi away. Directions
The Miami Metrorail offers convenient transportation from stops throughout Miami as well as Miami-Dade County, with connections to Tri-Rail to Miami International Airport, all Miami-Dade County bus lines, Tri-Rail and Amtrak. There are two main downtown Metrorail stops: Government Center station and Brickell station.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $119–$119 a night (typical $184), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$160, mid-range ~$260, comfortable ~$280.
Options are grouped as Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Bayfront Park, Bayside Marketplace, Kaseya Center
- Lunch La Estacion Cafe
- Afternoon Museum Park (Miami), Miami Circle
- Dinner Novecento
- Evening Blackbird Ordinary
Day 2
- Morning Miami Seaquarium, Simpson Park Hammock
- Lunch Cajun Boil Brickell
- Afternoon Alice Wainwright Park, Gesu Church
- Dinner The River Seafood Oyster Bar
- Evening Rosa Sky
Day 3
- Morning Jungle Island, Miami Children's Museum
- Afternoon Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
This particular area is bustling with tourist and "white collar" workers during the day. It is pretty desolate and quiet at night. Due to downtown's previous shady reputation, for many years locals and tourists avoided the Downtown area in general. Today Brickell is one of Miami's hot spots for good restaurants, dynamic nightlife, and luxurious hotels.
There are plenty of fine Miami restaurants in Brickell with the best menus by outstanding chefs. Beneath the towering architectural masterpieces that rise along the eastern edge of Brickell you will find quiet, shaded streets that offer a charm and relaxed atmosphere that is unheard of among major metropolitan areas. And accompanying the resurgence of this diverse Miami neighborhood is a substantial growth in the amenities available to its residents. Nowhere is this more notable than in the area of dining and entertainment. Whether you're looking for a sandwich at a sidewalk cafe or a sumptuous gourmet meal, you'll find something to satisfy your palate on the streets of Brickell.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Better known as Miami’s finance district with a great variety of international banks, Brickell is also home to many of the best Miami vacation rentals. These are mainly preferred by tourists who want to enjoy a relaxing vacation away from the hectic Miami nightlife yet close enough to Downtown Miami and a 15-minute drive to South Beach. Business travelers from all over the world also prefer the Miami hotels in Brickell for their convenient location.
As of 2026, alarmingly large sections of downtown are completely abandoned at night. Sometimes you will come to a section of multiple blocks of vacant storefronts.
Get in
The Miami Metrorail offers convenient transportation from stops throughout Miami as well as Miami-Dade County, with connections to Tri-Rail to Miami International Airport, all Miami-Dade County bus lines, Tri-Rail and Amtrak. There are two main downtown Metrorail stops: Government Center station and Brickell station.
Most intercity buses terminate at the airport, from where you can take Metrorail to downtown.
The MiamiCentral train station has Brightline service from Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, further north in the greater Miami area.
Get around
Public transportation in the downtown area is used more than in any other part of Miami and is a vital part of downtown life. The Metromover free of charge train system runs 3 lines through downtown (the downtown loop, the Omni loop, and the Brickell loop), and the Metrorail, Miami-Dade County's heavy rail system, makes 3 stops in the downtown area at the Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre Station, Government Center Station, and the Brickell Station. The MetroMover Brickell Branch has a stop at the MetroRail station as well as a few other stations in the area, and goes to Downtown Miami . Brickell Village, as it has come to be known, is a constantly evolving collection of not only brasseries and bistros, but also unique shops and services that reflect the wonderfully eclectic nature of Miami. The growth of office and residential space has also brought with it new supermarkets, pharmacies, dry cleaners and video stores to meet the needs of its residents. But Brickell Village's greatest assets are surely the natural beauty that surrounds it and the friendliness of its people.
See
See Bayfront Park
This park has two amphitheaters (one large and a one smaller) and hosts live performances. This park also has memorials for the astronauts who perished in the Challenger spaceship accident, former president John F. Kennedy (the JFK Torch of Friendship), and a fountain dedicated to Claude Pepper, a distinguished US congressman.
See Brickell Key (Claughton Island)
An island community, attached to Brickell by a pedestrian friendly bridge. It is home to the famed Mandarin Oriental hotel. Strollers along Brickell Key often spot one of the many giant iguanas that make the island their home.
Do
Do Museum Park (Miami) (Bicentennial Park)
Learn
Place New World School of the Arts
This institution offers conservatory education to talented high school and college students. It's very selective in its admissions, and highly intensive in its education. Alumni of New World have gone on to successful careers in Hollywood, on Broadway, and in other prestigious arts venues around the world. In addition, many of today's top talents in commercial arts, advertising, public relations and architecture got their creative foundations at this highly ranked school. Offers programs in theater, visual arts, dance and music for high school students and college, with joint degrees offered between Miami-Dade Public Schools, Miami-Dade Community College and the University of Florida.
Buy
Shop Bayside Marketplace
Despite having several chain stores such as the Hard Rock Café, the Gap, Sketchers and Victoria’s Secret attached to it, this mall is noted for its gorgeous views of Biscayne Bay. The only downside is that traffic is bad at Bayside when Bayfront Park is having a concert nearby. Connected to public transit via Metrorail and Metromover.
Eat
This particular area is bustling with tourist and "white collar" workers during the day. It is pretty desolate and quiet at night. Due to downtown's previous shady reputation, for many years locals and tourists avoided the Downtown area in general. Today Brickell is one of Miami's hot spots for good restaurants, dynamic nightlife, and luxurious hotels.
There are plenty of fine Miami restaurants in Brickell with the best menus by outstanding chefs. Beneath the towering architectural masterpieces that rise along the eastern edge of Brickell you will find quiet, shaded streets that offer a charm and relaxed atmosphere that is unheard of among major metropolitan areas. And accompanying the resurgence of this diverse Miami neighborhood is a substantial growth in the amenities available to its residents. Nowhere is this more notable than in the area of dining and entertainment. Whether you're looking for a sandwich at a sidewalk cafe or a sumptuous gourmet meal, you'll find something to satisfy your palate on the streets of Brickell.
Budget
Mid-range
Eat Novecento
A very popular Argentinian-style restaurant and bar. There is a variety of casual and fine dining options.
Eat Cajun Boil Brickell
Seafood dishes.
Splurge
Eat The River Seafood Oyster Bar
Drink
Drink Blackbird Ordinary
Cocktails and culturally inspired food.
Drink Rosa Sky
A lively rooftop lounge.
Sleep
There are many hotels in this area, especially luxury hotels. Many celebrities and A-Listers choose to stay in Brickell hotels because it is centrally located in Miami (15 min from South Beach) yet it's away from all the noise and partying that is South Beach.
Mid-range
Splurge
Stay Four Seasons Hotel Miami
Has a large pool deck at the seventh-floor lobby level with a view of Biscayne Bay. This hotel takes more on an arty approach to impress you, having some rare paintings and the decor to go with it. Expect everything you will from any other Four Seasons. In your expectations include that the staff will have the "Miami-tude".
Nearby
Miami Beach
City / town · 2 listings · 5 mi away
Coral Gables
City / town · 29 listings · 5 mi away
Key Biscayne
City / town · 7 listings · 6 mi away
Hialeah
City / town · 14 listings · 9 mi away
Surfside
City / town · 6 listings · 9 mi away
Bay Harbor Islands
City / town · 2 listings · 9 mi away
Doral
City / town · 8 listings · 10 mi away
Biscayne National Park
Park · 1 listings · 11 mi away
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