# Orange Bowl: what to do between sessions in Miami

Source: https://eventweekends.com/us-sports/orange-bowl/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 30 to 31 December 2026 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, United States, about 22 km from the centre
- **Free time:** Most fans arrive the day before and leave the day after, with the match-day morning free.
- **Best base:** South Beach: Art Deco hotels by the sand.
- **Getting there:** Miami International (MIA) has the Metrorail to downtown; South Beach is 20 to 30 minutes by car.
- **Weather:** In December, Miami temperatures average about 23°C, with roughly 51 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 10 h 33 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Everglades airboat tour; Little Havana food tour; Biscayne Bay boat tour

## Weather and what to pack

In December, Miami temperatures average about 23°C, with roughly 51 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 10 h 33 min of daylight.
- A light rain jacket, just in case.
- Check the stadium bag policy: clear bags or small bags only at many venues.

## Airport to venue

Miami International (MIA) has the Metrorail to downtown; South Beach is 20 to 30 minutes by car. Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is 45 minutes north.

Shuttles from Brightline Aventura or parking on site.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Downtown and Brickell. On Metrorail, cheaper than the beach.
- **mid:** South Beach. Art Deco hotels by the sand.
- **luxury:** Mid-Beach and Bal Harbour. Oceanfront resorts.
- Hotels we would book: Generator Miami (budget), The Betsy - South Beach (mid), Faena Hotel Miami Beach (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Arrival day (Tuesday 29 December)

Fan zones open the day before. Take the afternoon for the city.
- Half-day: Everglades airboat tour. Alligators and sawgrass.
- Eat: Versailles, Cuban classics

### Match day morning (Wednesday 30 December)

Free until you head to the stadium. Avoid anything far away or tiring.
- Easy outing: Sunset cruise. Skyline at dusk.
- Free: Bayfront Park.

### The day after (Friday 1 January)

A full free day before you fly.
- Full day: Key West day trip. Overseas Highway.
- Eat: Joe's Stone Crab, Stone crab in season

### Evening plans

For the night before or after the match.
- After dark: South Beach clubs and Brickell rooftops.

## Tours worth booking

- [Everglades airboat tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Everglades%20airboat%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-orange-bowl): Alligators and sawgrass.
- [Little Havana food tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Little%20Havana%20food%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-orange-bowl): Cuban coffee and cigars.
- [Biscayne Bay boat tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Miami%20boat%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-orange-bowl): Celebrity homes from the water.
- [Wynwood street art tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Wynwood%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-orange-bowl): Murals and galleries.
- [Key West day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Key%20West%20day%20trip%20from%20Miami&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-orange-bowl): Overseas Highway.
- [Art Deco walking tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Miami%20Art%20Deco%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-orange-bowl): South Beach architecture.
- [Sunset cruise](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Miami%20sunset%20cruise&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-orange-bowl): Skyline at dusk.

## Where to eat

- Versailles: Cuban classics
- Joe's Stone Crab: Stone crab in season
- Coyo Taco: Wynwood tacos
- Time Out Market Miami: Food hall

## With kids

- Frost Science Museum.
- Zoo Miami.
- Jungle Island.

## Rainy-day backups

- Pérez Art Museum.
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

## Getting around

- Metrorail, Metromover (free downtown) and rideshare. Brightline trains to Aventura and Fort Lauderdale.

## Questions people ask

### When is Orange Bowl 2026?

The next edition is 30 to 31 December 2026, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during Orange Bowl?

In December, Miami temperatures average about 23°C, with roughly 51 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 10 h 33 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Hard Rock Stadium?

Miami International (MIA) has the Metrorail to downtown; South Beach is 20 to 30 minutes by car. Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is 45 minutes north. Shuttles from Brightline Aventura or parking on site.

### Where should I stay for Orange Bowl?

For most visitors the best base is South Beach: Art Deco hotels by the sand.

### What else can we do around Orange Bowl?

Good short outings in Miami include Everglades airboat tour, Little Havana food tour, Biscayne Bay boat tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near Orange Bowl?

Family-friendly picks: Everglades airboat tour, Biscayne Bay boat tour. Frost Science Museum.

### How far is Hard Rock Stadium from Miami centre?

About 22 km in a straight line. Shuttles from Brightline Aventura or parking on site.

More in Miami: https://eventweekends.com/city/miami/