Miami is a city of sunlit contrasts: Art Deco treasures and futuristic skylines, Cuban cafés and glittering yachts, Atlantic beaches and sawgrass prairies. Founded in 1896, the “Magic City” blossomed rapidly thanks to the railroad, the land boom of the 1920s, and a steady flow of Caribbean and Latin American culture that continues to shape its rhythm.

Beyond South Beach’s pastel facades, Miami pulses with creativity—Wynwood’s murals, the Design District’s galleries, and Little Havana’s music and guayabera shops. Outdoor life rules here: sunrise jogs on the boardwalk, breezy Biscayne Bay cruises, and day trips to the wild Everglades, the nation’s slow-flowing “river of grass.”

Practical notes: Miami is warm and humid most of the year; hydrate and use reef-safe sunscreen. Hurricane season runs June–November, so keep an eye on forecasts. Dining spans beachside ceviche bars to Michelin-starred kitchens; reservations are wise on weekends.

Miami

Sun, sea, and style define Miami—where Art Deco hotels glow neon at dusk and cafecito fuels the day. You’ll explore South Beach’s iconic shoreline, Wynwood’s open-air art museum, and Little Havana’s storied Calle Ocho, then jet into the Everglades for a classic airboat ride.

• Top sights: South Beach Art Deco District, Ocean Drive, Lummus Park, Wynwood Walls, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Little Havana’s Domino Park.
• Signature experiences: Biscayne Bay boat cruise, Cuban food tastings and salsa rhythms, Everglades wildlife watching.
• Dining highlights: Stone crab, Cuban sandwiches, pastelitos, fresh-caught seafood, modern Mediterranean plates, and boundary-pushing tasting menus.

Getting here: Fly into MIA (closest to Brickell/Downtown/South Beach) or FLL (often lower fares; ~35–60 minutes to Miami). Search fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: NYC ~3 hrs ($120–$300 RT off-peak), Chicago ~3 hrs ($150–$350), Dallas ~2.8 hrs ($150–$320), L.A. ~5–6 hrs ($200–$450).

Local transport: From MIA, Metrorail Orange Line reaches Downtown/Brickell in ~20–30 minutes. Miami Beach has free trolleys; rideshare is abundant. Parking near the beach can be pricey—metered garages are your best bet.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Loews Miami Beach Hotel (South Beach; family-friendly resort pool, direct beach access): Book on Hotels.com
• The Setai, Miami Beach (quiet, design-forward suites; refined service near Collins Ave): Book on Hotels.com
• Freehand Miami (hip, budget-friendly with the excellent Broken Shaker bar): Book on Hotels.com
• Four Seasons Hotel Miami (Brickell; serene palm-lined pool, near great dining): Book on Hotels.com
• The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami (relaxed island vibe, tennis center, a short drive from the city): Book on Hotels.com

Compare more stays on VRBO Miami or Hotels.com Miami.

Day 1: Arrival, South Beach Art Deco, and a Sunset on the Water

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Start with a self-guided Art Deco stroll along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue—look for porthole windows, terrazzo floors, and pastel facades like the Colony and The Carlyle. Pop into the beach at Lummus Park for a swim or a boardwalk walk.

Snack-stop ideas: La Sandwicherie for a French-style baguette piled with cured meats and cornichons (don’t skip the famous vinaigrette), or Under the Mango Tree for açai bowls and smoothies if you want something light before your cruise.

Evening: Toast your first night on a Biscayne Bay twilight cruise with skyline views and sea breezes.

Recommended experience: Miami Sunset and City Lights Cocktail Cruise — a relaxed 2-hour sail with wine, beer, prosecco, and frozen cocktails as the city lights flicker on.

Dinner in South Beach: For seasonal stone crab and classic Key lime pie, Joe’s Stone Crab (Oct–May) is a rite of passage—arrive early or plan for a wait; the adjacent Take Away is quicker. Prefer chef-driven? Stubborn Seed offers inventive, polished plates (tasting menu available), while MILA Rooftop leans Mediterranean-Nikkei with a buzzy terrace.

Nightcap: Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co. for award-winning cocktails and a lively vibe, or Broken Shaker at Freehand for garden-grown herbs and tropical riffs.

Day 2: Wynwood Murals, Design District Style, and Little Havana Flavors

Morning: Head to Wynwood early to beat the heat and the crowds. Start with a cappuccino at Panther Coffee (house-roasted beans; grab a guava pastelito if they have it) and wander the Wynwood Walls and surrounding streets—block after block of museum-quality murals and graffiti by global artists.

Brunch/lunch options nearby: Zak the Baker (kosher bakery-café; stellar sourdough, salmon toast, and soups), KYU (wood-fired Asian flavors—crispy pork “burnt ends,” roasted cauliflower), or COYO Taco for Mexico City–style tacos and agua frescas. If you’re in a shopping mood afterward, the Design District is minutes away—architecture, galleries, and luxury boutiques, plus public art like the Fly’s Eye Dome.

Afternoon: Dive into Miami’s Cuban heart with a guided food-and-culture walk in Little Havana. You’ll sip cafecito, sample croquetas and pressed Cuban sandwiches, watch cigar rollers, and learn the neighborhood’s immigrant story.

Recommended experience: Little Havana Food and Walking Tour in Miami — a flavorful saunter through Calle Ocho with tastings and history.

After the tour, linger at Domino Park to watch locals play, or stop for a scoop at Azucar Ice Cream (mamey “Abuela Maria” is a favorite).

Evening: Dinner in the Buena Vista/Design District corridor: Mandolin Aegean Bistro serves sun-kissed Greek-Turkish mezes in a 1940s house; book the garden tables. Or try Boia De for inventive Italian plates (crispy polenta with marinated eggplant, off-menu specials are fun) in an intimate setting—reservations essential.

Live music and cocktails: Café La Trova on Calle Ocho for classic daiquiris, Cuban son bands, and retro Havana vibes; if you prefer vinyl listening, Dante’s HiFi in Wynwood curates audiophile sets with Japanese bar style.

Day 3: Everglades Airboat Safari and Farewell Beach Time

Morning: Venture into the Everglades to glide across the sawgrass and spot gators, turtles, and wading birds. Tours include roundtrip transport—ideal ahead of an afternoon departure. Expect 4–5 hours total.

Recommended experience: Everglades Tour from Miami with Transportation — airboat ride plus expert commentary; morning departures get you back early afternoon.

Afternoon: Back in the city, enjoy a quick farewell bite. In Brickell, La Mar does breezy Peruvian ceviches and anticuchos with bay views; Garcia’s Seafood Grille on the Miami River is beloved for grilled mahi and stone crab (in season). If time allows, dip back to the beach for one last ocean swim or a sandy walk.

Departure notes: MIA security can swell midday; arrive 2 hours before domestic flights, 3 hours for international. If returning a car, add 20–30 minutes for the Rental Car Center tram.

Optional or Swap-In Experiences

• Millionaires’ Row sightseeing cruise along Star Island and the Venetian Islands: Miami Skyline 75 Minute Luxury Cruise of Millionaire's Homes

  

• Thrill-seekers: a 45-minute offshore speedboat sightseeing adventure skimming past South Beach and Fisher Island.

Breakfast and coffee favorites (save list): Pura Vida (healthy bowls, egg sandwiches), The Salty (small-batch donuts; maple bacon and guava-cheese), Rosetta Bakery (Italian pastries and paninis), Panther Coffee (single-origin pour-overs).

Lunch go-tos: La Sandwicherie (classic), Ms. Cheezious (gourmet grilled cheeses), 27 Restaurant at Freehand (global comfort plates), Sultan’s Kitchen (casual Mediterranean, quick and tasty).

Dinner standouts: Stubborn Seed (modern tasting menu), Mandolin (Aegean), Boia De (inventive Italian), COTE Miami (Korean steakhouse spectacle), Uchi Miami (sushi/modern Japanese), Lucali (New York–born thin-crust pies in Sunset Harbour).

Insider tips: For a quieter beach, head to 21st–29th Street stretches or South Pointe in early morning. The free Miami Beach Trolley connects neighborhoods—useful if you’re hopping between South of Fifth, Lincoln Road, and Mid-Beach. Pack a lightweight linen shirt and sandals; restaurants are stylish but rarely fussy.

To compare flights in and out of Miami for your dates, use Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Book a stay that matches your vibe via VRBO or Hotels.com, from beach resorts like Loews Miami Beach to serene stunners like The Setai.

In three days, you’ll taste the best of Miami—sun-splashed beaches, eye-popping street art, Cuban heritage, and the untamed Everglades. Come hungry, stay curious, and let the sea breeze set the pace for a weekend you’ll want to repeat.