Few American cities have the swagger and sunshine of Miami. Founded in 1896 and famously shaped by the 1920s Art Deco boom, Miami is a mosaic of Caribbean, Latin American, and American influences—felt in its food, music, and easygoing coastal rhythm. Bright lifeguard towers, pastel hotels, and swaying palms set the stage for a week of art, nature, and late-night energy.

Beyond South Beach, Miami rewards curious travelers with bold street art in Wynwood, cutting-edge design in the Design District, and grand Mediterranean gardens at Vizcaya. Biscayne Bay glitters at sunset, and just an hour west, sawgrass prairies and alligators rule the Everglades. The city’s food scene is equally diverse—from fritas and pastelitos to Nikkei, Michelin-starred tasting menus, and dockside stone crab.

Practical notes: Hurricane season runs June–November; pack light layers, reef-safe sunscreen, and stay hydrated. Taxis and rideshares are plentiful; parking can be pricey in South Beach. Tip 15–20% in restaurants and bars. For arrivals, fly into MIA (closest) or FLL (often cheaper, ~45–60 minutes by car to Miami Beach depending on traffic).

Miami

Miami is a city of neighborhoods. South Beach dazzles with neon Art Deco and broad sandy beaches. Across the bay, Wynwood erupts with murals, while Brickell’s high-rises shelter serious dining and cocktail dens. Coconut Grove and Key Biscayne slow the tempo with banyan shade, marinas, and quiet beaches.

• Top sights: South Beach Art Deco District, Wynwood Walls, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Frost Science, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Crandon Park and Bill Baggs (Key Biscayne).
• Signature experiences: Little Havana’s cafecitos and salsa, a Biscayne Bay sunset cruise, and an Everglades airboat ride.
• Local flavor: Cuban sandwiches, croquetas, stone crab (Oct–May), and vibrant Caribbean cuisine.

How to get here: Search flights to MIA or FLL on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: 2–3 hrs from Atlanta, 3 hrs from New York, 5–6 hrs from L.A. Roundtrips often range $150–$450 depending on season; book early for holidays and spring season.

Where to stay: For South Beach style and easy beach access, consider The Setai, Miami Beach (Asian-inflected serenity, three oceanfront pools), Loews Miami Beach Hotel (family-friendly, prime beachfront), or Freehand Miami (boho vibe, great cocktail bar, good value). Across the bay in Brickell, Four Seasons Hotel Miami pairs skyline views with a top-tier pool scene. For a resort-feel escape, The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami is a quiet beachfront classic.

Browse more stays on VRBO (Miami), VRBO (Miami Beach), Hotels.com (Miami), and Hotels.com (Miami Beach).

Day 1: Arrival, Art Deco Stroll, and South Beach Sundown

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, drop bags with your hotel and grab a fresh-pressed juice and croqueta at local favorite Las Olas Café (quick, cash-friendly) or a cold brew at Panther Coffee (South Beach outpost).

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs along Ocean Drive. Note the candy-colored facades and porthole windows of the Art Deco District—many buildings date to the 1930s. Pop over to Lummus Park and the beach for a first swim. Lunch options: La Sandwicherie (iconic French sandwiches, try the turkey-avocado with cornichons) or Taquiza (blue-corn tortillas, al pastor and birria are standouts).

Evening: Watch the sky turn sherbet from South Pointe Park Pier, then dinner at one of these gems: Macchialina (handmade pastas; order the short rib lasagna), Stubborn Seed (seasonal tasting menu by a Top Chef winner; book ahead), or Joe’s Stone Crab (in season Oct–May; don’t miss the mustard sauce). Nightcap at Sweet Liberty (award-winning cocktails; the Black Salt Martini is a local legend) or The Broken Shaker (tropical garden bar at Freehand).

Day 2: Bike Miami Beach + Sunset Cocktail Cruise

Morning: Sunrise beach walk, then hearty breakfast: Big Pink (classic diner plates; pancakes and huevos rancheros) or Puerto Sagua (old-school Cuban—rope vieja and café con leche). Late morning, roll out on a guided ride:

Do this: Miami Beach Ultimate City Bike Tour — a 10-mile (16 km) loop mixing history, culture, and shoreline views; great overview for first-timers.

Afternoon: Refuel with poke bowls at Under the Mango Tree or ceviche at Pubbelly Sushi. Lounge at the beach near 10th–15th Street for soft sand and easy access to cafés. If you prefer a quieter scene, cab up to Mid-Beach near 40th Street.

Evening: Toast the skyline on a breezy 2-hour voyage:

Do this: Miami Sunset and City Lights Cocktail Cruise — wine, beer, prosecco, and frozen cocktails as the bay glows gold to neon.

After docking, dine at Planta (plant‑based hits like ahi watermelon nigiri), or head to Lucali (hand-tossed pies; cash only, go early). For music, slip into Do Not Sit On The Furniture (intimate house/techno) or the eclectic Kill Your Idol on Española Way.

Day 3: Wynwood Murals, Design District Dining, Brickell Cocktails

Morning: Coffee at Panther Coffee Wynwood (single-origin classics) and pastelitos at Zak the Baker Bakery (flaky guava-cheese is the move). Explore Wynwood Walls and surrounding streets—NW 2nd Ave, 23rd–26th Streets teem with world-class murals. Pop into Rubell Museum or smaller galleries for contemporary art if you want a quiet detour.

Afternoon: Lunch at Coyo Taco (al pastor and queso fundido; back bar hides a speakeasy) or Doya (Aegean meze—grilled octopus, manti). Hop to the Miami Design District for luxe window-shopping and public art (Buckminster Fuller’s Fly’s Eye Dome). Cool down with gelato at Rosetta Bakery or a cortadito at OTL.

Evening: Dinner picks: Mandolin Aegean Bistro (romantic 1940s house; lemon chicken kebabs, Greek salad), Swan (glam scene; truffle tagliolini), or Boia De (destination spot—beef tartare tostadas, sunflower lasagna; book ahead). For a nightcap, head to Sugar rooftop in Brickell (panoramic skyline, tropical cocktails) or Lost Boy Dry Goods downtown (classic highballs, laid-back vibe).

Day 4: Little Havana Food, Vizcaya Gardens, and Salsa Rhythms

Morning: Ease in with Cuban coffee and tostadas at Versailles or El Exquisito Restaurant on Calle Ocho. Then dive into the stories and flavors that define this neighborhood:

Do this: Little Havana Food and Walking Tour in Miami — meet local vendors, sample croquetas, guava pastries, Cuban sandwiches, and sip a proper cafecito while learning about Santería, domino culture, and Cuban exile history.

Afternoon: Uber to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. Wander the bayfront villa’s marble loggias, baroque gardens, and the coral-stone barge—Miami’s Gilded Age fantasy. If time allows, swing by Bayfront Park for a breezy stroll and views of the cruise ships easing out to sea.

Evening: Dinner in Brickell: La Mar by Gastón Acurio (Peruvian—anticuchos, causas, and knockout cebiches) or Contessa Miami (opulent Northern Italian; spicy lobster capellini). Cap the night with live music at Ball & Chain on Calle Ocho (check the calendar) or mojitos among vintage art at Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center.

Day 5: Everglades Airboats + Key Biscayne Beach Time

Morning: Head west for a classic Florida ecosystem encounter:

Do this: Everglades Tour from Miami with Transportation — 4–5 hours start-to-finish with an airboat ride through sawgrass and expert commentary on alligators, birds, and the River of Grass.

Afternoon: Back in town, aim for Key Biscayne. Picnic at Crandon Park (gentle surf, palms, showers) or head to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park for lighthouse views. Late lunch ideas: Napoli-style pies at Flour & Weirdoughs or fish tacos at a casual beach kiosk if you’ve packed light.

Evening: Sunset dinner at Rusty Pelican (Virginia Key) for the best skyline shimmer—order the crab cake and a mezcal paloma. Alternatively, Coconut Grove’s Ariete (modern Floridian-Cuban; canelón and venison tartare) is a destination meal. Post-dinner, sip at GreenStreet Café (people-watching) or Bayshore Club’s open-air bar by the marina.

Day 6: Museums by the Bay, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Check out and store bags. Head to Museum Park: Pérez Art Museum Miami (architecturally stunning, strong Latin American and contemporary holdings) and the Frost Science Museum (aquarium and planetarium—great if traveling with kids). Brunch at Verde at PAMM (seasonal salads, flatbreads, terrace views) or All Day in downtown (award-winning coffee, egg sandwiches).

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping at Brickell City Centre or Lincoln Road. If time remains, take a leisurely stroll along the Miami Beach Boardwalk from 23rd Street north. Quick lunch ideas near your route: La Leggenda (Neapolitan pizza), Huahua’s Taqueria (quick, flavorful), or a final La Sandwicherie “Vinaigrette Special.” Depart for the airport—plan 30–60 minutes to MIA depending on traffic, more if from Miami Beach or Key Biscayne.

Evening: Fly home, already plotting your return.

Optional Upgrades and Alternatives

• Millionaires’ Row yacht views: If you prefer a narrated bay overview, consider a shorter cruise like Miami Skyline 75 Minute Luxury Cruise of Millionaire's Homes for daytime photos and history-rich commentary.
• Private water time: Celebrate with your own boat and captain via Best of Miami: Private Boat Charter for sandbar lounging and up-close skyline views.
• More hotel ideas: For a refined beachfront stay, Loews Miami Beach Hotel; for sophisticated city vibes, Four Seasons Hotel Miami; value-chic with a top cocktail bar, Freehand Miami; serene luxury, The Setai, Miami Beach; resort seclusion, The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami.
• Getting around: Rideshares are easiest. If you rent a car, expect toll roads and limited South Beach parking. For flights and deals, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Reservation tips: Book top restaurants 2–3 weeks in advance, especially weekends. Sunset cruises and Everglades tours sell out in peak season (Dec–April). If visiting Aug–Oct, monitor weather and consider flexible plans due to storm season.

Six days in Miami blend laid-back beach mornings with flavorful Cuban afternoons and glowing bayfront nights. From Art Deco facades to wild Everglades horizons, you’ll leave with sun on your skin, music in your head, and a very good reason to come back.