Caitlin Driscoll

Surprise! Florida is known as the Sunshine State, but more than a third of the time, you can count on a rainy day here in subtropical Miami. Wet weather is typical in the summer, but if your plans call for sunshine, there's a good chance you'll get rained out no matter what season you're in.  Don't let a little water ruin your good time. Whether you’re dealing with a fleeting sprinkle or a full-on tropical storm, there are plenty of fun indoor activities in Miami when it rains. Shopping in Miami is an excellent option, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to get off the sand and explore the city’s world-class museums. Figuring out what to do in Miami when it rains? Below, we came up with fun beach day alternatives, kid-friendly activities and plenty of boozy options so your day doesn’t have to be a total washout.

Miami loves a good laugh. And boy, do we have a lot to laugh about.  It’s true, our Magic City is ripe for roasting—but at least we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Plus, our hilarious local comedians never run out of material. From headlining stand-up sets to open mic nights and fast-paced improv shows, here are our top picks for laugh-out-loud comedy venues in Miami.  RECOMMENDED: The best Miami speakeasies to drink on the down low

Miami is far more known for its electronic music scene, but take a closer look and you’ll find that live rock ‘n’ roll abounds. There’s something uniquely cathartic about raging at a rock concert. The face-melting guitar solos, heart-pumping percussions and dripping frontmen screaming into the void—what a rush! From neighborhood bars to outdoor stages to local craft breweries, we’ve braved the sweatiest mosh pits (and some pretty gnarly loos, too) to bring you this updated guide. Below, get primed on the best live music venues in Miami for a good old-fashioned rock show, plus indie beats, underground rap, world music and more. RECOMMENDED: The best free things to do in Miami to treat yourself on the cheap

There’s something devilishly fun about dancing ’til dawn. But dare we say, dancing by a beautiful Miami pool under sunny blue skies is even more of a thrill—especially when the world’s biggest DJs are throwing the party. Every March during Miami Music Week, our famed poolside party scene is amplified to the fullest by the dance music industry’s who’s who. Every superstar DJ, award-winning producer and mega record label touches down on Miami’s glittering shores, all seemingly out-partying the other. It’s 24-7 madness, and it’s awesome. Ready to dive in? Here are our top picks for the best Miami Music Week pool parties of 2024. RECOMMENDED: Guide to Miami Music Week 2024

Looking to break free from the expected? Maybe it's time to try something besides lounging all day on Miami’s iconic beaches (a tough sell, we know). Whether you’re in the mood to get outdoors, learn a new skill, try an interesting food or shop for something no one else has, Miami is full of off-the-beaten-track activities and unique experiences to help you escape the mundane. Give your old tried-and-trues some time off and check out our guide to the most unique things to do in Miami right now. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Miami

In a city rampant with reggaeton music and scantily-clad bottle girls, you may be surprised to find a decidedly darker music scene in Miami: Goth parties. If visions of heavy eyeliner & doom-swaying dancers come to mind, you’re not wrong, but there’s a lot more to be discovered. Goth spans a range of sounds and styles, like any genre of music. Pop into a Goth party and you may hear familiar favorites like Bauhaus, Depeche Mode, or Siouxsie and the Banshees…or you may walk into something entirely different. Synthpop, ‘80s new wave, post-punk, industrial, darkwave, even bits of techno fall into the Goth category – all which translates into a deliciously diverse subculture.  So where to start? We spoke with two of Miami’s OG Goth party organizers – Shirl Legion of Malicia Goth Nights, and Lizz Dominguez of ZZ Bookings – for the skin on the local scene. Here’s where to find the best Goth parties in Miami this season. Recommended: Miami Nightlife: A Complete Guide

You can’t party all day unless you start in the morning. And nobody parties harder – or longer – than the Magic City. Only in Miami can you start your day with a 5am rave, roll over to brunch on the beach, salsa dance in Little Havana and hit up Miami's best nightclubs without ever changing clothes. Whether you’re downing ginger shots at dawn on the terrace of Space, diving into glittering Miami swimming pools with mojitos in hand, or cheering on local queens at the city's best drag brunches, there is no shortage of ways to sip and celebrate under our city’s perennial sunshine. Here are Miami’s best day parties to truly soak in the good times – and still be home in time for dinner. RECOMMENDED: Guide to Miami nightlife

It’s true, Miami is one of the biggest and most expensive cities around. It’s also true that you can find cool, interesting things to do every day of the week – for free! Our Michelin-starred restaurants and world-renowned nightclubs may make for an epic weekend, but there’s plenty of fun to be had by budget-conscious travelers and savvy locals. Along with waterfront public parks and picturesque public beaches, our city has loads of free activities. Like, did you know many of our world-class art museums offer free admission, or that Little Havana throws a monthly street party? Here are our top picks for free things to do in Miami this season. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Miami

Faena Hotel's glamorous Art Deco theater plays host to a range of artists, from Dita Von Teese to Jazzmeia Horn, to cirque performers from Kansas City. This season, Faena Theater adds comedy to its ever-evolving roster with a new "Masters of Comedy" showcase. Catch some laughs on the last Wednesday of the month. Known for his observational humor and spot-on impressions and appearances on TV shows like "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Arrested Development," comedian Adam Ray hits the stage.

Faena Hotel's glamorous Art Deco theater plays host to a range of artists, from Dita Von Teese to Jazzmeia Horn, to cirque performers from Kansas City. This season, Faena Theater adds comedy to its ever-evolving roster with a new "Masters of Comedy" showcase. Catch some laughs on the last Wednesday of the month. Known for his genuine and relatable charm and appearances on TV shows like "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "Live at Gotham," comedian Brad Williams hits the stage.

Every March, music lovers from around the world flock to our city for the annual bass-filled bacchanal known as Miami Music Week. This year, seemingly every major electronic DJ is playing a show, from sun-soaked pool parties in Miami Beach to Downtown’s massive Ultra Music Festival, to sweaty warehouse raves in Little River.  This eclectic mix of artists and events attracts a wide range of characters, offering up some excellent people-watching. Here’s a preview of the nine kinds of party-goers you’ll meet at Miami Music Week. RECOMMENDED: The best Miami Music Week pool parties for daytime debauchery 1. The guy with the all-access Space pass Miami Music Week is this guy’s Super Bowl. He put in his PTO request in September. Honestly, the stamina is pretty impressive. Watch him jump from Factory Town to the Space terrace, back to Factory Town, and round and round he goes. Without skipping a beat, this B2B party boy can tell you exactly who’s playing on any given stage across the Club Space universe—and that’s no small feat.  Photograph: Courtest Ultra Music Festival/Doug Van Sant Photography 2. Rave babies Going to Ultra is like a rite of passage for Miami teens. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, the adorably clueless rave baby is having the time of their life with absolutely zero regard for how to behave in a crowd. They’re pushing their way to the front, wearing completely nonsensical footwear and dripping glitter from head to toe. They’ll scream and shout as the Metro Mover app

From my early days crowd surfing at Vans Warped Tour, to my more recent Hot Topic-themed birthday, to the septum ring my parents hate, I’ve always held a deep appreciation for punk culture. But skateboarding? Not in my wheelhouse.  Be it fear of falling (or fear of looking stupid in all that padding), I'd never actually hopped on a skateboard. But after my first lesson at SkateBird Miami in El Portal, I seriously can’t wait to hop back on.  MORE THAN A SKATE PARK Tucked away on an unsuspecting street off Biscayne Boulevard and NE 83rd, SkateBird is the definition of a hidden gem. While technically a pro-level park, it feels more like a giant community center. Parents are dropping off kids for lessons, regulars greet each other by name, locals are picking up pizza to-go. I immediately felt at home, something SkateBird Founder and CEO Joner Strauss says was built by design.  “SkateBird is a curated safe space for kids and adults to learn the culture,” he says. “In the past, to be part of the street skateboard culture, you had to hit the streets and there’s risks to that. Here, we’ve curated it so that Miami has a space for an Olympic sport, where people from all walks of life can coexist and grow safely.” Photography: Courtesy Skatebird GEARING UP After checking in at the front desk, I met Coach Cody, SkateBird’s Head Coach and Park Manager, for my trial class. Required for newcomers and experienced skaters alike, this 30-minute class ($20) includes all of the protective gear