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Miami Dolphins fans show their support as the Dolphins host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Miami Dolphins fans show their support as the Dolphins host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images

Miami’s 14 best people-watching locations, mapped

Enjoy your Black Friday in a more entertaining fashion

By Josh Baumgard Updated
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Miami Dolphins fans show their support as the Dolphins host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images
By Josh Baumgard Updated

If you think there's a better place in the world for people-watching than Miami, you're mistaken because no city offers a better combination of diversity, warm weather at all times, and interesting people amid a gorgeous tropical landscape littered with Palm trees and views of the water.

Lift your gaze from your smart phone for a second and you just might walk away entertained.

Here are the 14 best people-watching locations in Miami, ideal spots to hang out during the weekend or take visiting family and friends. Our locations are arranged on the map from south to north.

Did we miss your favorite spot? Please let us know in the comments.

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Matheson Hammock Marina

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If you're the type of person who giggled during the scene in Big Daddy where the rollerblader tripped on a stick at the bottom of the hill, then perhaps people-watching at Matheson Hammock's marina is for you.

Not only do you get to see boats of all shapes and sizes but occasionally you'll witness some raucous behavior. I once saw a captain chuck a chicken finger at the guy in the boat ahead of him for taking too long to get his boat out of the water.

Coral Gables, FL
Jimmy Baikovicius/Flickr

Nixon Sandbar

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If you're fortunate enough to have a boat in your circle of friends or family, you won't find a more entertaining atmosphere than Nixon Sandbar off Key Biscayne during the middle of the afternoon on a holiday or weekend. Prepare your eyes for boats with two or three engines too many and ears for a heavy dose of reggaeton.

#vandutch Sandbar time

A photo posted by Wanderlust (@180unlimited) on

Florida

Green Street Cafe

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Pull up a chair at Green Street Cafe or Lulu in Coconut Grove for solid food, a happening sidewalk, and some scenic views.
3468 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
(305) 444-0244
(305) 444-0244

Starbucks or Balans at Mary Brickell Village

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Mary may not get as much love anymore with Brickell City Centre's arrival, but she'll always have a place on our people-watching short list, whether it's via grabbing a cup of coffee at Starbucks, catching a game on the big screen outside at Brother Jimmy's, or hitting happy hour at Balans. Brickellites are a fun and lively crowd.

Just hanging out. #SMS #ForLife #GorinBros #MissingSam #Instagay #PartyLikeARockstar #BrickellLiving

A photo posted by Gary Wolf (@style_by_g) on

901 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130
(305) 381-6130
(305) 381-6130

Bayside Marketplace

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This dated mall along Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami features live music, shopping, and restaurants at one of Miami's top people-watching destinations.

Bayside

A photo posted by O seu perfume Importado (@importi_perfumes_manaus) on

401 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
(305) 577-3344
(305) 577-3344

Miami Heat games at American Airlines Arena

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The mecca of Miami's people-watching universe is American Airlines Arena, home of the three-time champion Miami Heat. It's actually quite difficult to focus on the game at times with the swaths of audacious people swirling around you.
601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
(786) 777-4328
(786) 777-4328

Also featured in:

Lincoln Road

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Lincoln Road in the heart of South Beach is probably the most popular pick and for good reason. Somewhere is always Happy Hour and you'll get an efficient dose of wild clientele that includes sunglass-wearing dogs. There is no better people-watching spot on the planet than Lincoln Road on Halloween Night.

#deadlySchoolGirl #Halloween2016 #LincolnRoad #SouthBeach

A photo posted by Vivian (@vbam33) on

Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 389-3767
(305) 389-3767

Also featured in:

South Beach

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Pick a beach, any beach, preferably on Miami Beach.

A post shared by J.m. McCaffrey (@zerohypeguy) on

1 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Bleau Bar at the Fontainebleau

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If you're big on the club scene then by all means head to LIV. But if head-rattling house music isn't your thing but you want a vibrant atmosphere, Bleau Bar just outside will do just fine.

FRIDAYYY!!! #miamistyle #miami #miamibeach #dancing #happyhour #tgif #friday #howifeelonfridays

A video posted by @livinginmiami on

4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140
(800) 548-8886
(800) 548-8886

Domino Park

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There's nothing quite like Calle Ocho and Domino Park. Named after Maximo Gomez, a soldier who fought for Cuban independence from Spain, it's a popular hangout for vets, locals tourists, and dominos of course.

A post shared by Kathy Knight (@fineknight) on

801 SW 15th Ave, Miami, FL 33135

The Wynwood Walls

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The hipster capital of Miami can also be the most interesting. Once a warehouse district, it's now a vibrant art, shopping, and restaurant scene with a growing residential sector as well. Art Walk, taking place the second Saturday of each month, is the place to be.

Sleeping beauty.

A post shared by Steve C. (@steveo_c8) on

167 NW 25th St, Miami, FL 33127

Lummus Park

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Encompassing over 70 acres of space between South Beach's ocean sand and Ocean Drive, this is the mecca. Toss a blanket down somewhere between fifth and 15th Street, pop a squat, and observe all the wonderful wackiness Miami has to offer.
Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, FL 33139
Miami and Beaches

Also featured in:

Zoo Miami

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Animals count too, right?

A post shared by Rick Apseloff (@asauce329) on

12400 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL 33177
(305) 251-0400
(305) 251-0400

Hard Rock Stadium

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While you may not be experiencing much winning these days at Hard Rock Stadium (the Canes' final home game of the season was last weekend), there's plenty of Dolphins fans who play halloween each week.
347 Don Shula Dr, Miami Gardens, FL 33056
(305) 623-6100
(305) 623-6100
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Matheson Hammock Marina

Coral Gables, FL
If you're the type of person who giggled during the scene in Big Daddy where the rollerblader tripped on a stick at the bottom of the hill, then perhaps people-watching at Matheson Hammock's marina is for you.

Not only do you get to see boats of all shapes and sizes but occasionally you'll witness some raucous behavior. I once saw a captain chuck a chicken finger at the guy in the boat ahead of him for taking too long to get his boat out of the water.

Coral Gables, FL
Jimmy Baikovicius/Flickr

Nixon Sandbar

Florida
If you're fortunate enough to have a boat in your circle of friends or family, you won't find a more entertaining atmosphere than Nixon Sandbar off Key Biscayne during the middle of the afternoon on a holiday or weekend. Prepare your eyes for boats with two or three engines too many and ears for a heavy dose of reggaeton.

#vandutch Sandbar time

A photo posted by Wanderlust (@180unlimited) on

Florida

Green Street Cafe

3468 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Pull up a chair at Green Street Cafe or Lulu in Coconut Grove for solid food, a happening sidewalk, and some scenic views.
3468 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
(305) 444-0244
(305) 444-0244

Starbucks or Balans at Mary Brickell Village

901 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130
Mary may not get as much love anymore with Brickell City Centre's arrival, but she'll always have a place on our people-watching short list, whether it's via grabbing a cup of coffee at Starbucks, catching a game on the big screen outside at Brother Jimmy's, or hitting happy hour at Balans. Brickellites are a fun and lively crowd.

Just hanging out. #SMS #ForLife #GorinBros #MissingSam #Instagay #PartyLikeARockstar #BrickellLiving

A photo posted by Gary Wolf (@style_by_g) on

901 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130
(305) 381-6130
(305) 381-6130

Bayside Marketplace

401 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
This dated mall along Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami features live music, shopping, and restaurants at one of Miami's top people-watching destinations.

Bayside

A photo posted by O seu perfume Importado (@importi_perfumes_manaus) on

401 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
(305) 577-3344
(305) 577-3344

Miami Heat games at American Airlines Arena

601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
The mecca of Miami's people-watching universe is American Airlines Arena, home of the three-time champion Miami Heat. It's actually quite difficult to focus on the game at times with the swaths of audacious people swirling around you.
601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
(786) 777-4328
(786) 777-4328

Lincoln Road

Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Lincoln Road in the heart of South Beach is probably the most popular pick and for good reason. Somewhere is always Happy Hour and you'll get an efficient dose of wild clientele that includes sunglass-wearing dogs. There is no better people-watching spot on the planet than Lincoln Road on Halloween Night.

#deadlySchoolGirl #Halloween2016 #LincolnRoad #SouthBeach

A photo posted by Vivian (@vbam33) on

Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 389-3767
(305) 389-3767

South Beach

1 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Pick a beach, any beach, preferably on Miami Beach.

A post shared by J.m. McCaffrey (@zerohypeguy) on

1 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Bleau Bar at the Fontainebleau

4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140
If you're big on the club scene then by all means head to LIV. But if head-rattling house music isn't your thing but you want a vibrant atmosphere, Bleau Bar just outside will do just fine.

FRIDAYYY!!! #miamistyle #miami #miamibeach #dancing #happyhour #tgif #friday #howifeelonfridays

A video posted by @livinginmiami on

4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140
(800) 548-8886
(800) 548-8886

Domino Park

801 SW 15th Ave, Miami, FL 33135
There's nothing quite like Calle Ocho and Domino Park. Named after Maximo Gomez, a soldier who fought for Cuban independence from Spain, it's a popular hangout for vets, locals tourists, and dominos of course.

A post shared by Kathy Knight (@fineknight) on

801 SW 15th Ave, Miami, FL 33135

The Wynwood Walls

167 NW 25th St, Miami, FL 33127
The hipster capital of Miami can also be the most interesting. Once a warehouse district, it's now a vibrant art, shopping, and restaurant scene with a growing residential sector as well. Art Walk, taking place the second Saturday of each month, is the place to be.

Sleeping beauty.

A post shared by Steve C. (@steveo_c8) on

167 NW 25th St, Miami, FL 33127

Lummus Park

Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, FL 33139
Encompassing over 70 acres of space between South Beach's ocean sand and Ocean Drive, this is the mecca. Toss a blanket down somewhere between fifth and 15th Street, pop a squat, and observe all the wonderful wackiness Miami has to offer.
Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, FL 33139
Miami and Beaches

Zoo Miami

12400 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL 33177
Animals count too, right?

A post shared by Rick Apseloff (@asauce329) on

12400 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL 33177
(305) 251-0400
(305) 251-0400

Hard Rock Stadium

347 Don Shula Dr, Miami Gardens, FL 33056
While you may not be experiencing much winning these days at Hard Rock Stadium (the Canes' final home game of the season was last weekend), there's plenty of Dolphins fans who play halloween each week.
347 Don Shula Dr, Miami Gardens, FL 33056
(305) 623-6100
(305) 623-6100