Ocean Drive can be either a tourist trap or absolutely amazing street to hang out. But it is important that you go to the right place, so today I will show you the best things to do in Ocean Drive Miami.
We should be avoid the restaurants in Ocean Drive at all cost. It is overpriced and the quality of the food isn’t the best (I wrote a post on where to eat in South beach separately).
Related Post:
But there is a reason why Versace lived on Ocean Drive and let’s dig into it!
Versace House
Nothing really special unless you eat or sleep at the Versace house, but it is there and it is a thing you have to see.
I think after ACS, it has become even more popular, cause there will sometimes be a line to take a picture at the front door of the Versace house.
You can actually sleep there as it is a hotel now.
Palace
In my opinion, this is probably the best thing to do in Ocean Drive Miami.
It is famous for their drag show and I am not saying like a nice cute drag show.
They really put on a show and it is one of the hottest bar you will see on Ocean Drive.
They even block the road to do the show and it is absolutely fantastic.
The most intriguing part of Palace is that it is very inclusive. You see from young to old to gay to straight to girl to guys to everybody.
The show starts from lunch time to almost 22:00 so check the time schedule on their website.
Salsa Mia
Salsa Mia is where you can learn salsa while you drink.
The best part is that after the class, you will get a free pass to the famous night club, Mango Tropical Cafe.
Mango Tropical Cafe always have a huge line, so taking classes at Salsa Mia is a good way to cut the line.
The dance studio is inside Mango Tropical Cafe.
Mango Tropical Cafe
Mango Tropical Cafe is a bar / cafe / dance club where you watch live performances non-stop.
The performances ranges from Salsa to almost Magic Mike dances.
You can pay an entrance at the door which is usually 10 dollars unless you can also buy a package to have a seat (which sometimes can be quite expensive with mediocre food.
News Cafe
News cafe is a famous breakfast place because of Versace.
This is where he used to come to buy his magazines and socialize.
It is also the last place he visited before he got shot.
The food is just ok. It is not bad or good, but the out door seating is lovely especially early in the morning.
Related Post: 5 Best Cheap Breakfast South Beach That I Always Go & You Should
Wet Willies
Most of Ocean Drive activities are involved with drinks unfortunately. And Wet Willies is not an exception.
Wet Willies sell alcohol slushes. It is super tasty but super dangerous.
My friend and I once had a day drinking there and went to the beach wasted.
Related Post: 6 Fun Things to Do in Miami at Night Other than Clubs (Feat. Best Rooftop)
We had no intention of staying on the beach for a long time, but obviously with being drunk we stayed out too long without any sunscreen.
And we were burnt for a week.
The Beach
Now to the beach. I mean if you are coming to Miami, you must come to the beach.
The ocean is so blue it feels unreal. Unlike the New York or California beach, it is warm and shallow with mild waves.
So you can go really deep and swim.
Find Scarface
Have you seen the movie Scarface? There is a scene where Al Pacino goes to Ocean Beach and to some house.
The acutal scene happened at this building (no CVS).
Nikki Beach
Nikki beach is the one place I would highly recommend.
If you are a millennial or a Gen Z who grew up with instagram or Tiktok, this is the place.
The food is good, the music is good, people are fabulous and vibe is almost not hate allowed.
So this is it on things to do on Ocean Drive Miami. If you ask me one thing I should do, I would probably choose Palace and Nikki beach.
It is also pretty close enough so you can enjoy both Palace and Nikki beach. And just make sure when you go back to your hotel to stop by and see the Scarface sign and the Versace house.