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The city beyond the headlines.

Downtown Miami

News and city life in Downtown Miami.

About Downtown Miami

Downtown Miami is the region's main business district. It sits on Biscayne Bay, and its towers form one of the best-known skylines in the country.

Twenty years ago, the streets went quiet after work. Now thousands of people live here, mostly in high-rise condos. Bayfront Park, museums, concert halls and late-night restaurants are a short walk apart. There is no beach, but the water views are everywhere. Brickell is about five minutes south by car.

Known for
Bayfront parks, museums and the skyline
ZIP codes
33128, 33130, 33131, 33132
Transit
Metrorail, Metromover and Brightline MiamiCentral

5 stories

Downtown Miami guide

Overview

Downtown Miami is the city's original center. It runs north from the Miami River, with Biscayne Bay on its east side. Across the river to the south is Brickell. Downtown mixes old shopping streets, government offices, museums and new towers, and each part feels different.

Much of Downtown is still changing. New buildings go up next to older ones, so expect construction, closed sidewalks and detours. Shade can be scarce, so plan for the heat on long walks.

Know the area

  • Historic Flagler District. Flagler Street was Miami's first main shopping street. Many early 1900s buildings still stand, and parts of the area are protected as a city historic district.
  • Government Center. County and city offices, courts and the main transit hub, where Metrorail and Metromover meet.
  • Park West and Miami Worldcenter. Once a warehouse and nightlife area, now home to Miami Worldcenter, a large mixed-use project with shops and restaurants. It is still growing.

Parks and culture

  • Museum Park. Bayfront home to the Pérez Art Museum Miami at 1103 Biscayne Boulevard and the Frost Museum of Science.
  • Freedom Tower. The 1925 tower at 600 Biscayne Boulevard processed hundreds of thousands of Cuban exiles in the 1960s and 1970s. It is a National Historic Landmark run by Miami Dade College.
  • Bayfront Park. A large bayfront park used for concerts and festivals, next to Bayside Marketplace.
  • Olympia Theater. A 1926 movie palace on Flagler Street, one of Downtown's best-known historic buildings.

Places to eat

  • Tâm Tâm. Vietnamese food at 99 NW 1st Street.
  • ViceVersa. An Italian-style aperitivo bar at 398 NE 5th Street.
  • Flagler Street Bakery. A small bakery at 12 NE 1st Avenue in the historic core.

Getting around

  • Metromover. The free Metromover loops through Downtown and links to Brickell and Omni.
  • Metrorail. Runs north and south from Government Center, including to the airport.
  • Brightline. MiamiCentral station connects Downtown by train to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando.
  • Event nights. Heat games and concerts at the Kaseya Center bring heavy traffic along Biscayne Boulevard. Transit is often easier.

Frequently asked questions

Where does Downtown end and Brickell begin?

At the Miami River. Downtown is on the north bank, and Brickell is on the south bank.

Can you take a train from Downtown Miami to Orlando?

Yes. Brightline runs from MiamiCentral station in Downtown to Orlando International Airport.

Is the Metromover free?

Yes. It is free and runs through Downtown, Brickell and Omni.

Is Downtown Miami safe to walk at night?

The busy blocks near the bayfront, museums and arena are lively in the evening. As in any city center, stick to well-lit, busy streets.

Is there a beach in Downtown Miami?

No. Downtown faces Biscayne Bay. The nearest ocean beaches are across the causeways in Miami Beach.

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