Miami is a draw anytime of year, but savvy travelers know the off-season might be the most alluring. There are many reasons to visit Miami in the off-season, from cheaper flights and hotels to easy access to popular restaurants and VIP clubs to unspoiled beaches and fewer tourists.
In late spring, snowbirds begin shuttering their windows and heading back up north, leaving Miami’s restaurants, theaters and beaches noticeably less crowded. While school is out during much of the off season from May through September, many Floridians head elsewhere for vacation or hit the state’s many theme parks. So there’s no better time to explore Miami. Let’s count the reasons why.
1. Most days, the weather is actually better than expected
May to October is the rainy season in Florida – but there is, on average, sunlight for 70% of the day (according to the National Weather Service). Plus, when it rains, the showers tend to be brief. This gives you a chance to take a quick nap in between beach bumming and exploring the city.
2. It’s not that hot
Year-round temperatures average 76 degrees and in the summer, they rise to the 90s during the day and can drop as low as the mid-70s at night. While the humidity may feel sweltering, there are plenty of ways to cool off and beat the heat:
- A.C.’s Icees: For decades, locals have come to Kennedy Park in Coral Gables for neon yellow frozen lemonades.
- Azucar Ice Cream Company: You can’t miss the Little Havana ice cream shop with its 29-foot 3D ice cream cone out front. Inside, there are 10-plus ice cream flavors waiting to be sampled like Abuela Maria – vanilla ice cream mixed with guava, cream cheese, and Maria crackers.
- Beach: Miami has miles of beaches, from crowded South Beach to family-friendly spots to a nude beach, there’s a beach for every beach bum. Beat the heat with a dip in the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
- Boat Tours: Let the ocean breeze cool you off while you work on your tan and admire the homes of the rich and famous on Star Island during a guided boat tour. Bayside Marketplace, an outdoor marketplace, is the launching point for many boat tours.
- Ice Skating: Work it out at BASEMENT at The Miami Beach EDITION, which has an ice skating rink and bowling alley.
- Venetian Pool: Designed by real estate developer George Merrick in 1923, the palatial, eight-foot-deep historic pool boasts a seven-meter-high rock cliff that swimmers can dive from, two waterfalls, cavernous grottos, and two three-story lookout towers that offering sweeping views of Coral Gables.
3. There’s air conditioning everywhere
Native Floridans are unfazed by the hot summer nights and high humidity and are accustomed to cranking up the air conditioning in their cars and homes. From public transportation to museums to malls, Florida’s air conditioning is akin to strolling into a walk-in refrigerator. If you can’t take the heat, dash into a store or two and you’ll be ready to warm up again. Some places to shop include:
- Bal Harbour Shops: The open-air luxury shopping center is a great place to stroll amid lush tropical landscape and window shop at the dozens of high end boutiques.
- Española Way: Modeled after a Mediterranean village, Española Way was built as an artists’ colony in Miami Beach in the 1920s. Today, the one block-long pedestrian-only street is home to a charming collection of boutique shops and chic cafes along with seasonally-changing events.
- Lincoln Road: Just blocks from the beach, Lincoln Road is a one-mile, pedestrian-only Miami Beach mall flanked by chic cafes, charming boutiques, and boisterous bars.
4. Less of everything
Fewer tourists, less expensive hotels, fewer items of clothing and less traffic? Well, maybe not the last one, but summertime is more laid back, quiet, and chill—the perfect setting for exploring the city.
5. It’s easier to get reservations
Whether it’s a top table at the newest restaurant, a VIP spot at the club, or the hottest concert tickets in town, it’s often easier to get reservations to the most coveted places in South Florida this time of year.
6. Summer is an excuse to drink more frozen cocktails
Palm trees, sand and surf are typically enough justifications for tiki drinks adorned with mini parasols and fruits, but temps that rise near triple digits call for more frosty adult beverages. For ideas of where to drink, check out our anti-club club guide.
7. The odds of a hurricane impacting your travel are slim
Traveling during hurricane season may make some travelers nervous, but the chance a hurricane will wipe out your trip is small. September is the most active month for hurricanes and May is the least active, according to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. If you’re worried about traveling during hurricane season, consider buying travel insurance.
8. Two words: summer festivals
While Miami’s tropical temperatures make it possible to host outdoor festivals year-round, the summer brings extra special favorites like the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and Coconut Grove Bahamian Goombay Festival in May, and Art Basel Miami Beach in September.
9. If it does rain or it’s too hot, there’s plenty to do indoors
From casinos to museums to art galleries, there are a multitude of ways to spend a Miami day. Check out our arts & entertainment guide for inspiration.
