Miami is a city famous for neon lights, palm trees, and partying, but I’m here to tell you there’s a lot more to the city. From the unique Art Deco architecture to the lush tropical gardens, Miami is a beautiful place to visit even for non-partiers. Oh yeah and there’s a beach too. This Miami travel guide will break down everything you need to know.
I recently spent a weekend visiting Miami on a solo trip and had a fantastic time. But I don’t think two days is enough, so I added a few things to fill out my 3-Day itinerary below.
Things to Do in Miami
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Built in 1916, Vizcaya was the dream home of wealthy businessman James Deering. Today, the Italian-inspired house and gardens are preserved as a museum. You can admire Mr. Deering’s luxurious decor and high-tech features from the turn of the century, like an electric elevator and a telephone. The gardens outside are picturesque, make sure to wander a bit and check out the orchid collection.
Tickets to Vizcaya are $25 and must be purchased online. Guided tours of the house are offered a few times a day for only $5 extra.
Little Havana Food Tour
Founded by Cuban immigrants in the 1950s, Miami’s neighborhood of Little Havana proudly maintains its culture and, importantly, its food. To me, the best way to get a feel for both of those things is by taking a food tour. You’ll get to sample Cuban classics like empanadas and mojitos, plus you’ll learn about the history of the community.
I went with Little Havana Food Tour from Miami Culinary Tours. Tickets are $69. Times can sell out, so check a few days in advance if you have a schedule in mind.
Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Miami Beach Botanical Garden squeezes an amazing variety of tropical plants into a small oasis of gardens. You’ll find enormous palm trees and orchids in every color, plus some resident wildlife along the shaded paths. If you’re really into plants, you can scan the QR codes on the signs for an audio tour. Next to the garden is a Holocaust Memorial with a dramatic sculpture that’s worth a look while you’re there.
Admission is free.
Art Deco Tour of Miami Beach
With those elegant pastel hotels lined up across from the beach, Miami Beach is famous for its Art Deco architecture. Get to know the buildings and the glamourous people who frequented them with a walking tour. I went with the tour by the Miami Design Preservation League. We got to see locations from Miami Vice and a bunch of movies, including some lovely hotel interiors on a highly educational tour.
The tour costs $35. Admission to the Art Deco Museum is included. Check out the website for details
Biscayne Bay Sightseeing Cruise
See the homes of the rich and famous! It’s a touristy cliche, but a boat tour around the bay is a fun way to see the city. Kick back as you cruise past Miami’s ridiculously luxurious homes and admire the iconic skyline.
Tours leave from Bayside Marketplace. Be warned, there are numerous companies offering the same tour, so it can be confusing. Give yourself time to find the correct kiosk and confirm you are waiting for the right boat. Tickets are about $30.
Wynwood Walls
Miami’s neighborhood of Wynwood has become a kaleidoscopic hub for street art. The centerpiece is a museum called Wynwood Walls, where a group of old warehouses have been transformed by some of the world’s great mural artists into an outdoor art gallery.
Admission is $12, or you can add a guided tour for a total of $25. Visit their website for more information.
Go to the beach
This may be obvious, but there are indeed beaches in Miami. The most famous is glamorous South Beach, a huge stretch of sand accented by its characteristic lifeguard stands. The people watching is fascinating. More beaches await you for many miles to the north as well.
But the actual best beaches are hidden away on Key Biscayne. Check out Crandon Park or Bill Baggs State Park to find a paradise far away from the hype of the city.
Visit a museum
Why go to a museum when there’s a beach? Miami has a few that are well worth your time.
My pick would be the Frost Science Museum. It’s actually a combination aquarium, planetarium, and science museum. The modern, 3-level aquarium is inspired by the sea life around southern Florida, from the deep ocean to the Everglades. The planetarium plays shows on a huge, immersive screen. Check out the website to see their other exhibitions.
HistoryMiami is also worth your consideration. It preserves the history of Miami and the people who made it, from prehistoric times up to the modern era.
National Parks
If you have more time and access to a car, there are two national parks nearby.
Everglades National Park is a huge area of wetlands that is mostly not accessible by car. There are multiple entrances to the park, but your best bet is to drive down to the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center in Homestead. There you can learn about the park and walk the easy Anhinga Trail looking for alligators and birds. There are also plenty of outfitters offering tours by airboat, kayak, and more.
Biscayne National Park is a park that is mostly underwater. If you want to see it’s coral reefs and small islands, your best bet is to book a tour with the Biscayne National Park Institute. You can join a tour departing from three possible locations: their visitor center in Homestead, Dinner Key Mariana in Coconut Grove, or the Deering Estate.
Miami 3-Day Weekend Itinerary
I think three days is the perfect amount of time to explore Miami. Writing this Miami travel guide, I based my itinerary on what I loved from my trip and a few things I didn’t get to. This itinerary assumes you’re staying in Miami Beach. If you’re staying in the mainland, I would switch day 1 and day 2.
Day 1: Miami Beach Day
- Start your day with a walking tour of Miami Beach. Your most educational option is the guided Art Deco tour by the Miami Design Preservation League, but there are self-guided options too. Check out this one.
- For lunch, stop by the 11th Street Diner, a classic place for a hamburger and fries. It’s on 11th Street.
- Next, go for a leisurely afternoon walk at Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Take your time in the tropical oasis and make sure to stop by the powerful Holocaust Memorial next to it.
- After that, you’ll probably have some time to hit the beach or the pool before dinner.
Day 2: Miami History and Culture
- Head over to Miami and start your activities with a Little Havana Food Tour.
- You can stay in Little Havana for lunch or head over to one of the many food options in Brickell.
- In the afternoon, visit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Enjoy the luxurious (and air-conditioned) house but make sure to wander the gardens a bit too.
- If you want some more time in Little Havana, you can definitely head back for dinner and some live music at Ball and Chain. Or you can return to Miami Beach.
Day 3: Miami Art and Sightseeing
- In the morning, make your way to Wynwood Walls to see the amazing murals.
- Have lunch at one of the trendy restaurants in Wynwood.
- After lunch, head to downtown Miami. If you’re up for it, pop in to the Frost Science Museum and check out their impressive aquarium.
- Next, go to Bayside Marketplace to hop on a sightseeing cruise of Biscayne Bay and the famous Millionaire’s Row.
- Travel back to Miami Beach to enjoy one last evening walking the beach, sipping cocktails, and soaking in the atmosphere.
Getting Around Miami
Miami is really spread out, with sights split between various neighborhoods of Miami and Miami Beach. The easiest way to get around is by car or using rideshares. Uber and Lyft are widely available. The prices aren’t crazy–I paid around $25 for my last airport run. But they do add up.
You can save a lot of money using public transportation. I wrote a full guide on Miami’s public transportation that explains the different systems if you want to go that route.
To summarize here, there is a Metrorail system that’s useful for covering large distances in Miami (but not Miami Beach). Buses and trolleys cover pretty much everywhere, just look up the trip on Google maps to figure out your transfers. The whole system is only $2.25 per ride or $5.65 for the whole day! Miami Beach also has a free trolley that’s particularly useful.
Where to Stay in Miami
South Beach – This is what most people picture when they think of Miami: beaches, palm trees, pastel buildings, and neon lights. You can walk to the beach, and there are endless restaurant and nightlife options.
Downtown Miami – Centrally located and full of things to do, downtown Miami is an ideal neighborhood if you’re planning to do a lot of sightseeing. You’ll be close to Miami’s best museums, and Miami Beach is just a short drive or bus ride away.
Brickell – Brickell is Miami’s shiny new neighborhood, just across the river from downtown. You’ll find lots of cool restaurants, bars, and shopping. It’s a great option outside of the main tourist areas.
Wynwood/Design District – The hip neighborhoods north of downtown are a hub for street art and art galleries. If hanging out at a coffee shop is on your itinerary, look here.
Farther afield options – Coconut Grove is a nice, chill neighborhood south of town with a solid restaurant scene. If you’re looking for some place quiet and beachy, check out Key Biscayne or North Beach.
