Local Guide
The first things to know about Miami.
A quick read before you go deeper. Everyday life, eating out, staying social, and the planning piece worth watching. Each one links to a source.
Everyday life
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens on the bay
It is one of the prettiest places in the city for a slow walk, and it is a National Historic Landmark you can visit in an afternoon.
Source: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Eating out and guests
Versailles, the heart of Little Havana Cuban food
It is the spot people take out-of-town family to when they want to taste real Miami, and the coffee window is its own little scene.
Source: Versailles Restaurant
Staying social
Miami Beach Tennis Center open play and lessons
If you want real coaching instead of figuring it out alone, this is the place set up for beginners and lessons.
Source: Miami Beach Open Play Pickleball
Worth watching
City services and planning around hurricane season
The weather is the big trade-off here, and locals build storm prep and indoor backup plans into normal life.
Source: City of Miami Government
Move tools
Thinking about moving to Miami? Run the rough math first.
Use these quick checks to test Miami as a retirement move. They are not the full map; they help you decide what deserves a deeper look.
Tax and Medicare
Check the Miami income picture.
Estimate how Florida treats Social Security, pension income, IRA/401(k) withdrawals, city income tax, and Medicare premium tiers before you build the full journey.
Social Security
Not taxed
Pension
Not taxed
IRA / 401(k)
Not taxed
Mortgage
Test the payment or refi
Compare a current mortgage against a new rate, closing costs, and break-even timing.
Open mortgage checkWeather fit
Warm and sunny
Miami gives retirees a warm-weather lifestyle, but summer heat and storm routines still belong in the plan.
Avg
74°
Sun
240
Rain
112
Snow
0
Things to do
Things to do in Miami
Parks, trails, classes, and easy outings for an ordinary week.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens on the bay
Vizcaya is a Gilded Age estate with a grand main house and formal Italian gardens right on Biscayne Bay. You can stroll the gardens, see the water, and feel like you stepped into another century.
Why it matters
It is one of the prettiest places in the city for a slow walk, and it is a National Historic Landmark you can visit in an afternoon.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables
Fairchild holds more than 3,400 plant species, from orchids and tropical fruit to butterflies, spread across a large garden just south of Miami. It is shady, green, and a calm break from the city pace.
Why it matters
If you love plants or just want quiet outdoor time, this is one of the best green spaces in the whole area.
Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
Perez Art Museum Miami downtown
PAMM is a modern and contemporary art museum on the downtown waterfront, with hanging gardens, a shaded terrace, and a casual bayside restaurant called Verde. The building and the bay views are worth the trip on their own.
Why it matters
It pairs well-regarded art with one of the nicest waterfront terraces in town, so even a short visit feels like a treat.
Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park downtown by the water
This downtown waterfront park has two performance venues, open green space, and donation-based yoga by the bay with a suggested $15. It is an easy place to walk, sit by the water, or catch a concert.
Why it matters
It gives you free or cheap outdoor time right in the middle of the city, including gentle morning yoga with a bay view.
Browse by activity
Mapped places near Miami. Tap a category to open the full list with directions.
Golf
Public, resort, and municipal courses near retirement towns.
26 places tracked
Fishing
Boat ramps, piers, lakes, and shore access.
100 places tracked
Hiking trails
Named trails, parks, and nature reserves for a real walk.
29 places tracked
Boating and water
Marinas, ramps, and launches for getting on the water.
38 places tracked
Pickleball
Courts and public places to play.
36 places tracked
Gardening
Community gardens, botanical gardens, and places to dig in.
6 places tracked
Arts and culture
Museums, galleries, theaters, and cultural stops.
129 places tracked
Community
Senior centers, community centers, and places to meet people.
31 places tracked
Shuffleboard
Outdoor and indoor courts to keep the wrist limber.
9 places tracked
Where to eat
Where to eat
Local spots for an easy dinner or a visit from family. Rough prices included.
Versailles Restaurant
Versailles, the heart of Little Havana Cuban food
This big green restaurant and bakery on Calle Ocho has been serving Cuban classics for decades. Order the ropa vieja or a Cuban sandwich, then grab a cortadito at the walk-up window out front where locals gather to talk politics.
Approx. price
$$
Why it matters
It is the spot people take out-of-town family to when they want to taste real Miami, and the coffee window is its own little scene.
Joe's Stone Crab
Joe's Stone Crab on Miami Beach
Open since the early 1900s and now in its 113th season, Joe's is where you go for stone crab claws with mustard sauce and key lime pie. The claws are priced by size and a full meal runs high, so many regulars use the take-away counter instead.
Approx. price
$$$
Why it matters
It is a true Miami Beach institution, but the bill adds up fast, so it helps to know the take-away option exists.
Cafe La Trova
Cafe La Trova for Cuban food and live music
A Little Havana spot from bartender Julio Cabrera and chef Michelle Bernstein, with Cuban cooking, classic cocktails, and live music most nights. Happy hour runs from 4 to 7 p.m. if you want to ease in before dinner.
Approx. price
$$
Why it matters
It blends a real neighborhood feel with food and drinks that get national attention, so it is a fun night out without leaving the city.
Miami New Times - Iconic Cuban Dishes
Old-school Cuban diners like Puerto Sagua and Sanguich
Beyond the famous names, locals point to humble counters for the most iconic Cuban plates. Puerto Sagua near South Beach and Sanguich de Miami in Little Havana show up again and again for sandwiches, picadillo, and cafe con leche.
Approx. price
$
Why it matters
These are the everyday places where you eat well without a special occasion, and they are easier on the wallet than the headliners.
Pickleball and rec
Pickleball in Miami
Where to play, drop in, and meet people. Court times, fees, and how busy it gets.
Miami Beach Open Play Pickleball
Miami Beach Tennis Center open play and lessons
The City of Miami Beach runs open play pickleball, and the Miami Beach Tennis Center is the one spot in the city offering certified instruction, both group and private lessons. It is a good place to learn the rules properly.
Why it matters
If you want real coaching instead of figuring it out alone, this is the place set up for beginners and lessons.
Flamingo Park Pickleball (Miami Beach)
Flamingo Park pickleball in Miami Beach (free)
Flamingo Park in Miami Beach has outdoor pickleball courts that are free to use and open from sunrise to sunset. There is shaded seating and parking nearby, so you can just show up and play.
Why it matters
Free, open daylight hours, and on the Beach, this is an easy first stop if you want to try the game without committing.
Dink Club
Dink Club, a dedicated pickleball club
Dink Club in south Miami-Dade is a dedicated pickleball venue with six professional courts and room to grow. It is a club setting rather than a public park, with organized play.
Why it matters
For steadier games and a community of regular players, a dedicated club beats waiting your turn on a public court.
Dinko Complex
Dinko Complex, indoor air-conditioned courts
Dinko offers professional-grade indoor courts, so there is no heat or rain to stop you. You can drop into open play or book a court, which matters a lot during Miami summers.
Why it matters
When the afternoon is hot or pouring, indoor courts are the difference between playing and sitting home.
Senior help and discounts
Help and discounts for Miami seniors
Programs, classes, free city services, seasonal help, and useful local deals.
Miami-Dade Golden Passport
Golden Passport, free transit at 65
Miami-Dade County residents who are 65 or older can ride Miami-Dade Transit free with a Golden Passport EASY card. You apply with a Florida ID and a county address, and you can apply online.
Why it matters
Free buses and Metrorail can stretch a fixed income and cut down on driving in heavy Miami traffic.
Little Havana Activities & Nutrition Centers
Little Havana Activities & Nutrition Centers
This senior center fills the day with singing, dancing, dominoes, bingo, arts and crafts, and shared meals, plus exercise and computer classes. The main location sits at 700 SW 8th Street in Little Havana.
Why it matters
It is a warm, social place to land if you or a parent want company, a hot lunch, and something to do most days.
What’s coming up
What’s coming up in Miami
Local events worth putting on the calendar. Check the host page for dates and parking before you go.
Calle Ocho Music Festival (Carnaval Miami)
March 15, 2026
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Calle Ocho Music Festival
When
Calle Ocho is the big free street party that caps Carnaval Miami, with fifteen blocks of live music and dancing along SW 8th Street in Little Havana. It runs from late morning into the early evening.
Why it matters
It is one of the largest Hispanic street festivals in the country and it is free, so it is an easy yes for a lively day out.
Coconut Grove Arts Festival
February 14 to 16, 2026
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Mon to 5 p.m.)
Coconut Grove Arts Festival
When
Now in its 62nd year, this waterfront art festival fills Coconut Grove over Presidents Day weekend with juried artists and food. Saturday and Sunday run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday closes at 5 p.m.
Why it matters
It is a relaxed, walkable way to spend a holiday weekend by the water with art and good weather.
South Beach Wine & Food Festival
February 19 to 22, 2026
South Beach Wine & Food Festival
When
This Food Network festival brings big-name chefs to events on the sand in Miami Beach, and it raises money for FIU. Tickets are limited and many events sell out, so plan ahead if you want in.
Why it matters
It is a marquee food weekend, though the ticketed events are a splurge rather than a casual drop-in.
Miami Open
March 15 to 29, 2026
Miami Open tennis at Hard Rock Stadium
When
The Miami Open brings top men's and women's tennis to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens for two weeks each spring. You can buy single-session tickets and watch the world's best on hard courts.
Why it matters
It is a premier tennis event you can see in person, and a fun outing even if you only go for one afternoon session.
Miami Beach Pride
April 11 to 12, 2026
Noon to 11 p.m.
Miami Beach Pride festival and parade
When
Miami Beach Pride is a two-day festival at Lummus Park with the famous Ocean Drive parade, drawing well over 100,000 people. The festival runs from noon to 11 p.m. on both days.
Why it matters
It is one of the biggest Pride celebrations anywhere and turns Ocean Drive into a citywide party.
Miami Carnival
October 4 to 12, 2026
Miami Carnival over Columbus Day weekend
When
Miami Carnival celebrates Caribbean culture with a colorful parade of masquerade bands and a J'Ouvert morning, held over Columbus Day weekend in October. The 2026 run spans October 4 to 12.
Why it matters
It is a vibrant taste of Miami's Caribbean side, with music, costumes, and food packed into one long weekend.
Art Basel Miami Beach
December 2 to 6, 2026
Public days Dec 4 to 6
Art Basel Miami Beach
When
Art Basel is the major international art fair at the Miami Beach Convention Center, drawing galleries and collectors from around the world. Public days follow an invite-only preview, with tickets needed to enter.
Why it matters
The whole city buzzes during Basel week, but hotels and prices spike, so it is something to plan around either way.
Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market
Saturdays, year round
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market
When
Glaser Organic Farms runs a Saturday market in Coconut Grove with organic fruits, vegetables, grains, and raw vegan food, rain or shine. It is a weekly stop, not a once-a-year event.
Why it matters
A dependable weekend routine for fresh local produce, and an easy way to meet neighbors.
Worth knowing
Worth knowing about the area
City services, neighborhood updates, seasonal notes, and the everyday details that matter.
City of Miami Government
City services and planning around hurricane season
Miami runs on warm weather and the ocean, but June through November is hurricane season, so most residents keep supplies, a plan, and an eye on the forecast. Summer afternoons also bring heavy heat and daily downpours.
Why it matters
The weather is the big trade-off here, and locals build storm prep and indoor backup plans into normal life.
City decisions
City decisions to watch
Council agendas, hearings, and public meetings that can change access, housing, services, or costs.
Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser
How property taxes and the homestead exemption work
The Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser handles property values and exemptions. A homestead exemption can lower your primary home's taxable value by up to $50,000, and the Save Our Homes cap limits how fast the assessed value can rise once you have it.
Why it matters
Filing for homestead is one of the bigger ways to hold down your tax bill, and the cap matters most the longer you stay.
Florida Additional Homestead Exemptions for 65+
Extra homestead exemptions for homeowners 65 and older
Florida offers two additional homestead exemptions for residents 65 and older whose household income falls under a yearly limit, and the City of Miami recently raised its senior exemption from $25,000 to $50,000. You apply through the county property appraiser.
Why it matters
If your income qualifies, these senior breaks stack on top of the regular homestead and can cut the bill further.
Health and Medicare
Health and Medicare
Care, Medicare counseling, caregiver help, transportation, and the local senior support to line up.
Florida SHINE (SHIP)
Free Medicare help from Florida SHINE
Florida SHINE is the state's SHIP program, with trained volunteers who give free one-on-one counseling on Medicare, Medicaid, and other health insurance questions. They are unbiased and do not sell anything.
Why it matters
When Medicare choices feel confusing, this is a no-cost, no-sales-pitch place to get answers before you enroll.
Jackson Health System
Jackson Health System and area hospitals
Jackson Health System is a major South Florida network, anchored by Jackson Memorial Hospital in the Health District with 24/7 emergency, stroke, cardiac, and cancer care. It has emergency rooms across Miami, Doral, and North Miami.
Why it matters
Knowing where the big hospital and nearest ER are is worth sorting out early, especially if you are managing ongoing care.
Upcoming events in Miami
See all eventsTheater & film
Just the Funny · Miami, FL
Friday Night Live - Improv Comedy Miami Show
Just the Funny
Friday Night Live! - Improv Comedy in Miami ShowIts JTFs special combination of shortform and longform improv! Enjoy as our award winning cast brings you fantastic improv thats perfect for your Friday night...LIVE!Our shows are often described as fast-paced improvised comedy. Think of it as Whose...
Music & concerts
11:30 PM
LIV Nightclub Miami · Miami, FL
Cloonee
LIV Nightclub Miami
This event is 21 and over. Any ticket holder unable to present valid identification indicating that they are at least 21 years of age will not be admitted to this event, and will not be eligible for a refund.
Theater & film
9 PM
Just the Funny · Miami, FL
The BIG Show Improv Comedy Miami
Just the Funny
The Big Show - Improv Comedy in MiamiIts our signature show: Live, fast-paced improvised comedy at its best. Think of it as Whose Line is It Anyway meets SNL! The Big Show is interactive improv comedy, featuring our talented and award-winning cast. Come be a part of the fun!Tickets are PER PERSON...
Music & concerts
11:30 PM
LIV Nightclub Miami · Miami, FL
Bebeshito
LIV Nightclub Miami
This event is 21 and over. Any ticket holder unable to present valid identification indicating that they are at least 21 years of age will not be admitted to this event, and will not be eligible for a refund.
Music & concerts
7 PM
Kaseya Center · Miami, FL
Louis Tomlinson - How Did We Get Here? World Tour
Kaseya Center
Music & concerts
7:30 PM
Hard Rock Live · Miami, FL
Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire - Sing a Song All Night Long
Hard Rock Live
Common questions
What people ask before retiring in Miami
Short answers to the questions most people ask first. The full source trail sits in the guide above and the sources panel below.
Is Miami, FL a good place to retire?
Plenty of people do retire here, so it is a real option worth a look. What matters is whether the home costs, the health and senior support, the things to do, and the family side all fit your life. Not just how it ranks on a list somewhere.
Source: Versailles RestaurantWhat costs should you check before moving to Miami?
Price the month, not the postcard. Keep separate lines for home, property taxes, insurance, utilities, getting around, health, and everyday spending. A low-tax headline can quietly hide a high insurance bill, or the other way around.
Source: Miami-Dade County Property AppraiserWhere do you find things to do in Miami?
Start with parks and rec, the local event calendar, the visitor bureau, the senior center, and the restaurants people actually go to. The real question is whether they are close enough, and happen often enough, that you would use them all year. Not just visit once.
Source: Versailles RestaurantWhat health and senior support matters in Miami?
Look at Medicare counseling, the nearby hospitals, pharmacies, ways to get around, caregiver help, and one emergency contact. These can decide whether the move works, even when the rest of life looks great on paper.
Source: Little Havana Activities & Nutrition CentersWhat should your family ask before you move to Miami?
Talk through driving, airport access, local services, who to call in an emergency, care backup, home upkeep, and how often someone would be needed. The point is to see the move as a real support plan, not just a nice address.
Source: Miami-Dade County Property AppraiserRetirement Life Score
A quick read on the life you would actually live.
Miami scored across eight things that decide whether a move feels good: monthly affordability, home costs, restaurants and outings, activities, parks, health and senior support, weather, and getting around. The full numbers are below.
Miami Retirement Life Score
70
Workable, verify carefully / 65-74
Support is the strongest daily-life fit. Weather is the piece to verify before treating the move as settled.
A city has useful strengths, but the guide is showing meaningful cost, access, weather, or evidence gaps.
Strongest fit: Health & support access
Verify first: Weather comfort
Everyday affordability
Counts a lot72/100
How the ordinary monthly life could feel once taxes, insurance, fees, utilities, meals, and errands are in view.
What’s good: Lower-tax signals, visible discounts or free programs, ordinary-cost dining and errands, and practical transportation backup.
What to check: High housing pressure, insurance or storm costs, HOA or assessment friction, resort pricing, and thin cost evidence.
Price the month, not the postcard.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Bayfront Park downtown by the water · Watch: Flamingo Park Pickleball (Miami Beach) · FL has no state income tax
Evidence weighed: Tax, housing, insurance, senior-service, transportation, and local deal sources.
Weight in the total: High weight
Home, taxes & insurance
Counts a lot51/100
Property taxes, assessments, homeowners insurance, storm exposure, maintenance, and local housing friction.
What’s good: Clear assessor or property-appraiser sources, homestead or senior relief signals, and plain-language housing-cost context.
What to check: Coastal or wildfire exposure, insurance pressure, high home prices, amenity fees, HOA or district assessments, and missing local tax sources.
Separate the house from the lifestyle.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: City services and planning around hurricane season · Watch: Florida SHINE (SHIP)
Evidence weighed: County assessor, property appraiser, tax collector, insurance, emergency management, and housing sources.
Weight in the total: High weight
Restaurants & outings
80/100
Restaurants, coffee, arts, downtown meals, family visits, and low-friction places to go without over-planning.
What’s good: Specific restaurants, coffee shops, arts districts, downtown routines, visitor-hosting ideas, and source links that feel repeatable.
What to check: Only generic visitor copy, heavy seasonal crowds, hard parking, expensive dining signals, or no specific local outing ideas.
Look for repeatable evenings, not only famous spots.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Versailles, the heart of Little Havana Cuban food · Watch: Versailles Restaurant
Evidence weighed: Restaurant sites, tourism boards, chambers, downtown groups, event venues, and local dining guides.
Weight in the total: Supporting weight
Activities & social calendar
79/100
Events, clubs, classes, pickleball, senior programs, volunteer options, and the weekly social rhythm.
What’s good: Dated events, parks and rec classes, senior-center programming, clubs, pickleball options, volunteer leads, and repeatable weekly activities.
What to check: Undated or stale calendars, few senior-friendly programs, heat or traffic timing issues, and no clear way to register or show up.
Make sure the week has more than errands.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Versailles, the heart of Little Havana Cuban food · Watch: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Evidence weighed: City calendars, recreation departments, senior centers, libraries, clubs, parks districts, and community event pages.
Weight in the total: Core weight
Parks & outdoor life
67/100
Parks, trails, beaches, gardens, preserves, water access, golf, and everyday outdoor routines.
What’s good: Specific parks, trails, beaches, gardens, water access, golf, outdoor classes, and low-friction places to be outside often.
What to check: Extreme heat, smoke, flooding, storm seasons, winter driving, crowding, parking friction, or thin park-level detail.
Check whether outdoor life works in the season you will actually live there.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Joe's Stone Crab on Miami Beach · Watch: Joe's Stone Crab
Evidence weighed: Parks departments, park districts, conservancies, recreation sources, tourism sources, and trail or beach authorities.
Weight in the total: Supporting weight
Health & support access
Counts a lot85/100
Medicare help, aging agencies, caregiver backup, transportation support, pharmacies, and local service depth.
What’s good: Area Agency on Aging, SHIP or SHINE counseling, senior services, caregiver support, transportation help, and credible health-resource depth.
What to check: Weak care-radius evidence, no benefits counseling source, unclear transportation backup, or hints that specialist access requires long drives.
Do not let a fun town hide a weak care radius.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Little Havana Activities & Nutrition Centers · Watch: Little Havana Activities & Nutrition Centers
Evidence weighed: Area Agencies on Aging, county health and human services, senior services, Medicare counseling, transit, and hospital or clinic sources.
Weight in the total: High weight
Weather comfort
49/100
Heat, storms, flooding, smoke, winter, seasonal swings, and how much resilience planning the move demands.
What’s good: Evidence that outdoor life works in ordinary seasons, plus clear planning sources for heat, storms, winter, smoke, or emergency readiness.
What to check: Sustained heat, hurricane or flood exposure, wildfire or smoke risk, winter driving, evacuation complexity, and missing resilience sources.
Plan the hard season, not the best week.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Joe's Stone Crab on Miami Beach · Watch: Joe's Stone Crab · 74F annual average, 240 sunny days
Evidence weighed: Emergency management, weather-resilience, utility, health, parks, insurance, and local government sources.
Weight in the total: Core weight
Getting around & family visits
69/100
Driving, parking, airport access, golf-cart life, visitor logistics, medical trips, and family backup.
What’s good: Airport or transit access, shuttle or senior transportation, walkable routines, golf-cart usefulness, and simple family-visit logistics.
What to check: Traffic, parking scarcity, seasonal congestion, night-driving issues, long medical trips, or no car-light backup.
Test the drive on an ordinary Tuesday.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Flamingo Park pickleball in Miami Beach (free) · Watch: Bayfront Park
Evidence weighed: Transit agencies, airports, city transportation pages, senior services, tourism access pages, and guide items with location detail.
Weight in the total: Supporting weight
How we keep this current
Sources for Miami
A mix of city pages, community calendars, senior services, council agendas, official tourism, restaurant sites, and registration pages. Every claim above links to where it came from.
See the 27 sources behind this guideEvery claim above links to where it came from.ShowHide
community / weekly
Versailles Restaurant
The famous Cuban restaurant and bakery on Calle Ocho in Little Havana.
community / weekly
Joe's Stone Crab
A Miami Beach institution open for its 113th season; stone crab claws and a take-away counter.
community / weekly
Cafe La Trova
Little Havana Cuban bar and restaurant from Julio Cabrera and chef Michelle Bernstein, with live music.
community / weekly
Miami New Times - Iconic Cuban Dishes
Local guide to iconic Cuban dishes and spots like Puerto Sagua and Sanguich.
institutional / weekly
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Gilded Age estate and formal gardens, a National Historic Landmark on Biscayne Bay.
institutional / weekly
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Coral Gables botanical garden with more than 3,400 species of tropical plants.
institutional / weekly
Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
Waterfront modern and contemporary art museum in downtown Miami.
institutional / weekly
Bayfront Park
Downtown waterfront park with concerts, shows, and donation-based bayside yoga.
community / weekly
Flamingo Park Pickleball (Miami Beach)
Free outdoor pickleball courts in Miami Beach, open sunrise to sunset.
official / weekly
Miami Beach Open Play Pickleball
City of Miami Beach open play pickleball with certified instruction at the Tennis Center.
community / weekly
Dink Club
Dedicated pickleball club with 6 professional courts in south Miami-Dade.
community / weekly
Dinko Complex
Indoor, climate-controlled pickleball courts with open play and bookings.
institutional / weekly
Little Havana Activities & Nutrition Centers
Senior center with games, dancing, bingo, meals, and older-adult programs.
official / weekly
Miami-Dade Golden Passport
Free Miami-Dade Transit for county residents 65 and older with the Golden Passport EASY card.
institutional / weekly
Calle Ocho Music Festival (Carnaval Miami)
Free Little Havana street festival, the highlight of Carnaval Miami.
institutional / weekly
Coconut Grove Arts Festival
Annual Presidents Day weekend waterfront art festival in Coconut Grove.
institutional / weekly
South Beach Wine & Food Festival
Food Network festival on the sand benefiting FIU.
institutional / weekly
Art Basel Miami Beach
Major international contemporary art fair at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
institutional / weekly
Miami Open
Top ATP and WTA hard-court tennis tournament at Hard Rock Stadium.
institutional / weekly
Miami Beach Pride
Two-day festival and Ocean Drive parade at Lummus Park.
institutional / weekly
Miami Carnival
Caribbean carnival over Columbus Day weekend with a parade and J'Ouvert.
community / weekly
Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market
Glaser Organic Farms Saturday market with organic produce and vegan food.
institutional / weekly
Jackson Health System
Major South Florida health system; Jackson Memorial Hospital anchors the Health District.
official / weekly
Florida SHINE (SHIP)
Free one-on-one Medicare counseling from trained volunteers across Florida.
official / weekly
Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser
County office for the homestead exemption and senior exemptions.
official / weekly
Florida Additional Homestead Exemptions for 65+
State document on the two extra homestead exemptions for residents 65 and older with income limits.
official / weekly
City of Miami Government
City of Miami raised its senior homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 for qualifying homeowners 65 and older.
Activities & recreation in Miami
What there is to do here, with the sources.
The things people retire for, in Miami. Each links to the full activity guide and the states that fit it.
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Midtown Miami hosts the Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet, and a Broadway series in a two-hall complex widely cited as one of the largest performing arts centers in the country. The Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) on Biscayne Bay focuses on international modern and contemporary works.
Adrienne Arsht CenterMiami Beach Tennis Center is the city's only facility offering certified pickleball instruction, with open-play sessions available through the Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department. Coral Gables maintains indoor courts reserved for adults 50 and older, reachable through the city's Active Adults Center at 305-461-6765.
City of Miami Beach - Open Play PickleballMiami-Dade County's Older Adults Volunteer Programs connect adults 55 and older with transportation reimbursement, meals, and annual recognition through the county's human services network. The county's Area Agency on Aging coordinates the SHINE Medicare counseling program and elder-care referrals county-wide.
Miami-Dade County - Older Adults Volunteer ProgramsCrandon Marina on Key Biscayne provides direct access to Biscayne Bay and serves as a departure point for charter fishing; South Pointe Park Pier in Miami Beach is a popular no-boat option for snook, tarpon, and jack crevalle. Florida saltwater fishing requires a free online registration for residents fishing from shore.
Published local price
Florida resident annual freshwater fishing license (age 64+ Silver Sportsman combo available at $13.50/yr)
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) · as of 2025Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne has oceanside walking paths including the Robin's Birding Trail and a Lighthouse Loop, while Oleta River State Park in North Miami offers shaded trail networks through mangroves. Both parks charge a per-vehicle day-use fee set by Florida State Parks.
Published local price
Florida State Parks daily vehicle entrance fee (2-8 occupants); Individual Annual Entrance Pass $60/yr
Published range: $2 to $6.
Florida State Parks - Myakka River State Park Fees · as of 2025Crandon Marina on Key Biscayne, a Florida Clean Marina-certified facility, has more than 300 wet slips and sits adjacent to Biscayne Bay and Biscayne National Park; Miami-Dade County publishes annual contract slip rates on miamidade.gov/marinas. The National Park Service also lists several additional marinas providing bay access near the park boundary.
Published local price
Florida annual vessel registration fee, Class 1 (16 to less than 26 feet); range covers Class A-1 through Class 3
Published range: $5.50 to $127.75.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Vessel Registration Fee Chart · as of 2025Miami-Dade County operates four 18-hole and two 9-hole public courses through its golf division; Palmetto Golf Course and Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne are the two flagship properties, with Patron membership cards available to residents that reduce per-round fees. Crandon was the site of the Senior PGA Tour for 18 consecutive years.
Miami-Dade County GolfFairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables offers adult gardening and botany classes throughout the year, connecting participants with University of Florida/IFAS Master Gardener instructors. Miami Beach also maintains a public Botanical Garden at 2000 Convention Center Drive with free regular admission.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden - ClassesGolf
Golf near Miami
Courses around Miami worth a round, with how to book each one.
- Par
- 72
- Back tees
- 7,301 yds
- Round
- ~4h
- On foot
- Walkable
Seven saltwater lakes and mangroves with Biscayne Bay views · Robert von Hagge
A municipal championship layout on the island, with saltwater lakes, mangrove edges, and long views of the bay and skyline. Walking is allowed if you want the exercise.
Opened 1972 · $$$ · Slope 145
- Par
- 72
- Back tees
- 6,813 yds
- Round
- ~4h
- On foot
- Cart required
Elevated, well-bunkered greens between the ocean and the bay · Arthur Hills
A classic city course right in Miami Beach, reopened in 2002 after an Arthur Hills redesign. A cart comes with the round, and the staff are known for being friendly.
Opened 1923 · $$$ · Slope 131
Photo: H. & W.B. Drew Co. via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
- Par
- 71
- Back tees
- 7,112 yds
- Round
- ~4h
A 1925 Donald Ross layout beneath the historic Biltmore tower · Donald Ross
A Donald Ross design from 1925 in Coral Gables, sitting in the shadow of the landmark Biltmore Hotel. The walkable layout rewards placement over raw power.
Opened 1925 · $$$ · Slope 132
Photo: Aero-Graphic Corp. via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
- Par
- 71
- Back tees
- 6,755 yds
- Round
- ~4h
Historic muni that once hosted touring pros in winter
One of the oldest courses in the area, opened in 1923 and once a winter stop for the touring pros. The gentler slope and resident rates keep it approachable.
Opened 1923 · $$ · Slope 119
- Par
- 71
- Back tees
- 6,805 yds
- Round
- ~4h
Quiet island course with water hazards and palm-lined fairways · Arthur Hills
A calm, tucked-away city course on Normandy Isle in north Miami Beach, redesigned by Arthur Hills. Four tee sets let you pick a length that suits your game.
$$ · Slope 129
- Par
- 72
- Back tees
- 7,739 yds
- Round
- ~4h
Long fairways and the famous fountain-guarded 18th green · Dick Wilson
The bucket-list resort course in Doral, first built in 1962 and reworked by Gil Hanse in 2014. A cart is included, and the water-guarded closing hole is the one you will remember.
Opened 1962 · $$$$ · Slope 146
Photo: Cfmyers via Wikimedia Commons (CC0)