16 Fun Things to Do in Miami This Spring

© Photo courtesy of Tortuga Music Festival The snowbirds are returning home and all is back to normal in South Florida. With perfect 85-degree days and fewer rain showers than the summer months will drown us in, every day is ideal during springtime in Miami.

Fewer tourists and temperate days make it the perfect time to hang at one of Miami’s gorgeous beaches, but if you’re looking for a bit more action, the Magic City is full of exciting things to do this spring. Between the event-filled weekend surrounding Formula 1’s return, outdoor activities like kayaking through Oleta State Park, and parades galore for Miami Beach Pride, there’s a lot going on in the city right now, so clear your calendar and get out there. © baileyc1/Shutterstock

Party with pride during the 15th Annual Miami Beach Pride

This year’s festivities will span the first two weeks of April with parties, picnics, and, of course, the parade down Ocean Drive on April 16. From family-friendly gatherings over Easter weekend and an art showcase at the Moxy to late night parties and a Miss Miami drag pageant, the events this year are bigger than ever. Plus the 2023 Celebrity Grand Marshals are Jonathan Bennett (aka Mean Girls' Aaron Samuels) and his husband Jaymes Vaughan. Find the full calendar of events here. © Photo by Phillip Talleyrand, courtesy of Beach Polo World Cup

Hold your horses and head to the Beach Polo World Cup

The largest and best-known beach polo event in the world is making its way to South Beach’s Collins Park from April 21 to 23. Think high goal polo matches featuring some of the best players in the world along with a series of offsite, mostly complimentary, general admission events that fuse polo, fashion, and luxury. The action packed weekend will feature eight international teams with players from 10-plus nations and more than 120 horses. While the matches are free to watch, VIP tickets are needed if you’re hoping for shaded lounge areas, full bar, and catered food. © Photo courtesy of Tortuga Music Festival

Jam out at Tortuga Music Festival

Celebrating its 10th year, this three-day music festival draws crowds of country music lovers, with a hint of pop and rock on the set list. On the sands of Fort Lauderdale beach from April 14 to 16, the line-up features headliners Eric Church, Shania Twain, and Kenny Chesney, plus dozens of other artists across three stages from noon to 10 pm each day. Not a big country fan? Wiz Khalifa and The Wallflowers are standouts who will add a little something different to the sounds. You can feel good about rocking out all weekend long because the event benefits Rock the Ocean, an organization that focuses on ocean conservation. © motorsports Photographer/Shutterstock

Fuel your need for speed at Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix

Back for its second year, the adrenaline rush of Formula 1 will be taking over Miami May 5 to 7 at Hard Rock Stadium. With plans to welcome nearly 60,000 fans, the 19-turn custom track features 11 grand stands, a marina and beach, tons of brand activations and restaurant pop-ups, several fan zones, and stadium seats to catch the race in all its glory. Snag a ticket that allows you access to the campus or go all in with grandstand and club tickets. In true Miami fashion, once the race hits town there will be countless unofficial parties and events taking place all over the city.

Catch the Blue Angels at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show

Gather the family and head to the beaches of Fort Lauderdale for a day of sonic booms and all American pride as dozens of military show planes make their way to our skies. This all-day affair will include drills by the US Navy Blue Angels, F-22 Raptor Team, Air Force Reserve F-16 Vipers, SOCOM Para-Commandos, and more. Find a nearby hotel rooftop bar or grab an Air Show ticket for special access and seating to catch the show in all its glory.

Celebrate the Miami Marlins' 30th Anniversary with Flashback Fridays

The Marlins are going back in time with throwback Florida Marlins uniforms—the same ones the 1993 team wore in the organization’s inaugural season—during all Friday home games this season. The Flashback Friday-themed days will feature players outfitted in teal hats, white jerseys, and pants with teal pinstripes; special appearances from former players and coaches; and a Marlins Museum that celebrates memorable moments in the organization’s history. With a promising lineup, new food and drink options, and a historic season ahead, there are more reasons than ever to visit loanDepot Park this spring. © bhpix/Shutterstock

Perfect your pickleball skills

It seems like pickleball might be the official sport of 2023, and Miami knows how important it is to be on trend. On April 8, Miami Design District will host its first-ever pickleball event at Jungle Plaza. This all-day, World Cup-style tournament will feature a yoga session by Ahana Yoga, pickleball court time on multiple courts, live beats by DJ Irie, and plenty of food and drink offerings. Can’t make it to the event, but still want to pickleball? YouFit Gyms is offering free indoor pickleball at all 28 locations for the month of April in honor of National Pickleball Month. Everyone who signs up will get a three-day pass and the opportunity to play three free games. © Photo courtesy of Madhatter Brunch

Attend an Alice in Wonderland-themed brunch series

Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove has launched a special Mad Hatters Spring Brunch Series that will run every Sunday through May 28. A perfect perch for brunch fiends and Alice in Wonderland fans, Isabelle’s trellised outdoor garden terrace will act as a whimsical playground complete with festive tea party games, themed decor, and a magical ferris wheel of desserts and Mad Hatter cocktails curated for the series. © Photo courtesy of Basement

Take a skate about Basement Miami’s Ice Rink

Looking to escape the heat a bit? Make a date to visit Basement’s ice skating rink located in the downstairs area of The Miami Beach EDITION. This isn’t just any neon-lit hotel basement ice skating rink, this one has bowling lanes and a nightclub. Visit on a Wednesday to take advantage of Ladies Night where gals get two drink tokens that can be used on that week’s featured cocktail. © Photo courtesy of Smorgasburg Miami

Explore local vendors with lunch at Smoragsburg

It's the perfect picnic season, but if you’re not looking to pack your own lunch, head to Smoragasburg where the options are nearly endless. Hailing from Brooklyn, Smorgasburg made its way to Wynwood as a weekend market that features local vendors on both Saturdays and Sundays. Just across the street from the famed Wynwood Walls, you’ll find a massive lot—one of the few yet to be developed in the area—where dozens of local restaurants set up shop with everything from oysters and cheesesteaks to teas, tacos, and more. Grab some friends and make a plan—just be sure someone claims a table while you wait in the various lines for maximum chill time. © Mia2you/Shutterstock

Experience art in a very different way

While our world-renowned museums are cherished cultural institutions, our city truly excels in showcasing art in untraditional ways. A shining example is Superblue, a series of immersive installations from names like Es Devlin and James Turrell, where you can touch the walls to change how the art is displayed. In South Beach, ARTECHOUSE is hosting Magentaverse, a look into Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year. Beyond that, the Museum of Graffiti in Wynwood allows guests to learn the history of graffiti and immerse themselves in exhibits from famous artists. © Globalaura/Shutterstock

Kayak through Oleta River

Oleta River State Park

In one of the more surreal natural experiences one can have in South Florida, Oleta River State Park offers you the chance to kayak through ancient mangroves and escape into a Florida of yesteryear. It’s a beautiful paddle through our dwindling nature, which takes you to uninhabited bay islands and beaches you can only reach by boat. If the water’s not for you, the park also has miles of mountain bike trails to explore. Of course, this is South Florida, so “mountain” is a loose description, but it’s the best you’re getting without a long trip up the Turnpike.

© Inspired By Maps/Shutterstock

Snorkel in the Keys

Experiencing the natural wonders of the Florida Keys doesn’t mean enduring the two-lane torture all the way to Key West. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is only about an hour from Miami, and offers some of the best snorkeling in the state.  And if you just want to go swim off the shore here you won’t need a boat, guide, or any reservations. Want even more to do in the Keys? We've got that guide right here. © Monty's Raw Bar

Relax with a drink on the water, obviously

Various locations

One of the best things about Miami is the ability to enjoy the outdoors all year long. Hit either Monty’s Sunset in South Beach or Monty’s Raw Bar in Coconut Grove for a classic Miami experience. Smith and Wollensky in South Beach is the move for a higher-end vibe and solid martinis. There's also Klaw’s rooftop for stunning views of Biscayne Bay. If you want a scene, grab a table at The Deck at Island Gardens or lounge at Joia Beach Club. That’s far from the extent of our outdoor options, though, so here’s a comprehensive guide to South Florida’s best drinking patios and rooftop bars.

© 1-800-Lucky

Do a neighborhood beer and food crawl

Wynwood

Wynwood has a collection of the city’s best breweries. You can enjoy cold suds outdoors at J. Wakefield or take in the Miami-centric murals inside Wynwood Brewing. Then hit the oldest brewery in Cuba’s Miami outpost at Cerveceria La Tropical, before kicking back on the sunny patio at Veza Sur. While you're sobering up, take yourself on an art tour as you sample the best quick food in the neighborhood by grabbing some Asian cuisine at 1-800 Lucky, a slice at Pizza Tropical, and a couple of tacos at Coyo.

Visit some awe-inspiring museums

Miami makes it more convenient than most to visit the city’s many showpiece museums, with both the Frost Museum of Science and Perez Art Museum Miami situated right downtown in Museum Park (not to mention Verde, one of America’s best and breeziest museum restaurants). HistoryMiami, only a short walk away downtown, is guaranteed to teach you something about your hometown. If you want to delve into the modern art scene, hit up the Institute of Contemporary Art in Buena Vista, or check out an entire collection of art made on parking tickets at the NSU Art Museum. Round it out with a tour of the gleaming new Rubell Museum, or enjoy art al fresco in the plaza at MOCA in North Miami.Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat.

Amber Love Bond is a contributor for Thrillist.