Miami is a mosaic of beach bliss, bold design, and Cuban soul. Incorporated in 1896 after railroad pioneer Henry Flagler brought the line south, the city bloomed into a playground of pastel Art Deco hotels, neon nights, and sandy mornings. You’ll feel the cultural layers everywhere—from Bahamian roots in Coconut Grove to the heartbeat of Calle Ocho in Little Havana.

Nature is never far. Biscayne Bay frames the skyline; a short drive west lands you in the sawgrass seas of Everglades National Park. On the plate: cafecito and croquetas, stone crab (in season Oct–May), Key lime pie, and a global roster of flavors reflecting Miami’s Latin American and Caribbean ties.

Practical notes: hurricane season runs June–November; watch beach flags and hydrate in the sun. Rideshares are plentiful; the downtown Metromover is free. Parking in South Beach can be pricey—consider garages over street meters. Tipping 18–20% is standard.

Miami

Welcome to the “Magic City,” where sunrise swims meet late-night speakeasies and museum-hopping can segue into a sunset cruise. South Beach’s Art Deco Historic District is a living postcard; Wynwood is an open-air gallery; Brickell glitters with rooftop bars; and Little Havana’s ventanitas dispense espresso as strong as its music.

• Top sights: Ocean Drive and Lummus Park, the Art Deco Historic District, Wynwood street art, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Frost Museum of Science, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, and the Miami Design District.
• What to eat: Cuban sandwiches and pastelitos in Little Havana, stone crab claws with mustard sauce in South Beach, Peruvian Nikkei seafood in Brickell, and handmade pita and Aegean meze in the Design District.
• Nightlife: Classic cocktails at Sweet Liberty, tropical vibes at Broken Shaker, vinyl-listening lounge energy at Dante’s HiFi (Wynwood), and big-room spectacle at E11EVEN (downtown).

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Search vacation homes: VRBO Miami
• Search hotels: Hotels.com Miami
• Iconic luxury (Miami Beach): The Setai, Miami Beach — zen-glam suites, three temperature-controlled pools, prime beach access.
• Family-friendly (South Beach): Loews Miami Beach Hotel — beachfront, large pool, excellent for kids and groups.
• Style-on-a-budget (Miami Beach): Freehand Miami — social courtyard, the award-winning Broken Shaker bar.
• Business-meets-leisure (Brickell): Four Seasons Hotel Miami — resort-style pool deck, easy access to downtown.
• Peaceful resort getaway: The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami — calm beaches, tennis, and bay views.

Getting there and around: Fly into MIA (10–25 minutes to Brickell/South Beach off-peak) or FLL (35–60 minutes). Check fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com (NYC–MIA ~3h, Chicago–MIA ~3h, LAX–MIA ~5–6h; deals often $120–$300 roundtrip domestically). In town, rideshare and scooters are common; the Metromover (downtown/Brickell) is free.

Day 1: South Beach Icons, Ocean Air, and a Sunset on the Bay

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, drop bags and grab a light brunch in South Beach. Try The Front Porch Café for beachy comfort plates (think fluffy pancakes and omelets), Big Pink for oversized diner classics, or Pura Vida for acai bowls and cold-pressed juices.

Afternoon: Check-in, then stroll the Art Deco Historic District along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue. Note the porthole windows, terrazzo floors, and pastel facades—1930s glamour built to catch sea breezes before AC. Pause in Lummus Park for beach time or a dip. Quick bites: La Sandwicherie (French-style baguettes with cornichons), Taquiza (nixtamalized blue-corn tacos), or, in season (Oct–May), Joe’s Take Away for stone crab claws.

Looking for something exhilarating before dusk? Consider the Miami Millionaires Sightseeing Cruise (75–90 minutes; from ~$32) departing Bayside Marketplace to peek at celebrity islands and skyline views.

Evening: Toast your first night on the Miami Sunset and City Lights Cocktail Cruise (2 hours; from ~$69), gliding past the Port, Fisher Island, and South Beach as the skyline flickers on.

For dinner nearby, head to Brickell/Brickell Key: La Mar by Gastón Acurio (waterside Peruvian cebiches and anticuchos), Cantina La Veinte (glam Mexican with handmade tortillas), or downtown’s Jaguar Sun (small but mighty pasta and cocktails). Nightcap options: Sugar rooftop for wow-factor views, Sweet Liberty for award-winning drinks, or Broken Shaker for garden-party vibes.

Day 2: Everglades or Wynwood, then Little Havana before Departure

Morning: Option A (Nature): Get out into the “River of Grass” on the Everglades Small-Group Tour from Miami (4–5 hours; from ~$85–$120). Hotel pickup, an airboat ride through sawgrass, and wildlife interpretation make this a time-efficient, memorable glimpse of gators, wading birds, and subtropical ecosystems.

Option B (City): Explore Wynwood. Start at Panther Coffee for a perfectly dialed-in espresso, then wander large-scale murals and side-street galleries. Brunch/lunch picks: Zak the Baker (sourdough, shakshuka), Coyo Taco (Yucatán-style fillings), or Uchi Miami (refined Japanese if you want a splurge).

Afternoon: Before your flight, plunge into culture and flavor with the Little Havana Food and Walking Tour (~2–3 hours; from ~$69). You’ll sip sugarcane juice, sample croquetas and guava pastries, step into a cigar-rolling shop, and learn how Cuban exile history shaped Miami’s identity—all along vibrant Calle Ocho.

If your timing is tight, skip the formal tour and craft a quick DIY crawl: espresso at a ventanita, a classic Cuban sandwich at Sanguich de Miami, and a scoop of Abuela Maria ice cream at Azucar.

Evening: Depart this afternoon. If you’re on a late flight and want one last thrill, squeeze in the Speedboat Sightseeing Adventure of Miami (45 minutes; from ~$45)—a fast, salt-sprayed loop along the coast for a final look at the skyline.

Food & drink cheat sheet (save for later):

• Cuban & Latin: Versailles (classic Cuban), Sanguich de Miami (artisan Cuban sandwiches), La Mar by Gastón Acurio (Peruvian), Cvi.Che 105 (downtown Peruvian hits).
• Seafood: Joe’s Stone Crab (seasonal), Garcia’s Seafood Grille (old-school riverside), Stiltsville Fish Bar (Sunset Harbour).
• Date-night favorites: Mandolin Aegean Bistro (Design District garden), Macchialina (house-made pasta), COTE Miami (Korean steakhouse sizzle).
• Cafes & breakfast: Panther Coffee (Wynwood and Sunset Harbour), All Day (downtown), El Bagel (MiMo—get there early).
• Cocktails: Sweet Liberty, Broken Shaker, The Anderson, Jaguar Sun.

Local logistics: From South Beach to Bayside Marketplace is ~15–25 minutes by car (off-peak). Brickell to MIA is ~15–20 minutes; South Beach to MIA ~25–40 minutes. For flights, compare fares/times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If extending your trip, check Miami hotel and VRBO options above for extra nights.

Two days in Miami fly by, but this itinerary packs in the greatest hits: South Beach’s architecture, a sunset on Biscayne Bay, Little Havana’s flavors, and (if you wish) a dash into the Everglades. You’ll leave with sand in your shoes, café in your veins, and plans to return for a longer stay.