Florida is more than beaches and palm trees—it’s a tapestry of cultures, ecosystems, and stories. From the Miami Modern and Art Deco facades of South Beach to the murals of Wynwood, the city brims with creative energy and global flavors. Follow US‑1 over 42 bridges to Key West, where roosters crow on pastel streets and sailors toast the day’s end at Mallory Square.

Indigenous Tequesta and Calusa peoples thrived here long before Henry Flagler’s railroad linked the Keys to the mainland. Today, South Florida pairs cutting-edge dining with wild nature: Everglades sawgrass, mangrove tunnels, and coral reefs alive with parrotfish and fans. In one week you’ll taste Cuban coffee in Little Havana, spot gators on an airboat, and watch a schooner slice through a coral-pink sunset.

Practical notes: Hurricane season runs June–November; check forecasts and consider flexible plans. Pack reef-safe sunscreen and light layers—AC can be brisk. Car rental is handy for the Keys, but rideshares work well in Miami. Book marquee restaurants and sunset sails ahead, especially December–April.

Miami

Miami is art, rhythm, and surf—South Beach’s pastel hotels, Wynwood’s outdoor galleries, and Little Havana’s hand-rolled cigars and son Cubano. Mornings mean café con leche; afternoons drift from galleries to Biscayne Bay; nights glow from rooftop bars to late-night croquetas.

• Top sights: South Beach Art Deco District, Lummus Park, Wynwood Walls, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Bill Baggs Cape Florida Lighthouse.
• Dining to seek out: stone crab at Joe’s (seasonal Oct–May), croquetas and pastelitos at Versailles, Peruvian ceviche at La Mar, mezcal and heirloom corn at Bakan, tacos at Coyo, bread and babka at Zak the Baker.
• Where to stay: Oceanfront South Beach for beach access; Brickell for skyline and dining; Wynwood/Design District for artsy vibes.

Arriving flights: Compare fares into MIA on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Most US flights are 2–5 hours and often $120–$350 roundtrip off-peak.

Miami stays: Browse VRBO Miami or compare hotels on Hotels.com Miami.

Day 1: Arrive and Ease into South Beach

Morning: Fly into MIA. If you arrive early, grab a proper Cuban breakfast—medianoche and café con leche—at Puerto Sagua or a lighter start at Rosetta Bakery (flaky cornetti, pistachio cream).

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs along the South Beach Boardwalk from 5th to 23rd Street. Admire pastel porthole windows and neon script on Ocean Drive’s Art Deco hotels; pop into The Wolfsonian-FIU if design makes your heart beat faster.

Evening: Dinner at Joe’s Take Away (stone crab claws, cole slaw, key lime pie) if in season; otherwise try Macchialina (house-made pasta) or Byblos (Levantine flavors). Cocktails at Sweet Liberty (award-winning) or the tropical, garden-lit Broken Shaker.

Day 2: Art Deco, Beach Time, and Wynwood After Dark

Morning: Start with Big Pink’s big plates or açaí and cold brew at Pura Vida. Join an Art Deco walking loop around Collins/Ocean Drive—look for eyebrows (projecting ledges), nautical motifs, and terrazzo floors. Swim at Lummus Park between lifeguard towers painted in pop colors.

Afternoon: Wynwood calls: espresso at Panther Coffee, then Wynwood Walls and surrounding street murals. Lunch at Coyo Taco (al pastor with charred pineapple) or Bakan (tlayudas, 300+ mezcals). Browse galleries and boutiques along NW 2nd Ave.

Evening: Head to Design District for Mandolin Aegean Bistro (whitewashed patio, grilled octopus) or return to Brickell’s La Mar (anticuchos, tiradito, bay views). Nightcap at Sugar rooftop—panoramic skyline and Southeast Asian bites.

Day 3: Everglades Adventure + Bayside Evening

Morning: Light breakfast at Zak the Baker (country sourdough, chocolate babka) before your wetland escape.

Afternoon: Ride an airboat through sawgrass, spot herons and alligators, and learn about this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

From Miami: Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show, and Roundtrip Bus — Includes transport from Miami and a classic airboat run.

Evening: Return to the bay. Stroll Bayside Marketplace and the Baywalk, then dinner at Garcia’s Seafood (grilled whole fish, stone crab when in season) or Amara at Paraiso (wood-fired Latin American flavors right on the water). If you still have energy, catch live music at Lagniappe, a New Orleans–style wine garden with a backyard grill.

Day 4: Vizcaya, Key Biscayne Sand & Little Havana Culture

Morning: Tour Vizcaya’s Italianate villa and formal gardens—built by industrialist James Deering in 1916, it’s one of Miami’s most evocative historic homes. Drive to Key Biscayne for beach time at Crandon Park or Bill Baggs Cape Florida (photo op at the 1825 lighthouse).

Afternoon: Immerse in Cuban Miami with a guided tasting stroll—think pressed cubanos, guarapo (fresh sugarcane juice), and hand-rolled cigars while learning the neighborhood’s history.

Little Havana Food and Walking Tour in Miami — Deep-dive into Calle Ocho’s flavors and stories.

Evening: Stick around: sip a daiquiri at Cafe La Trova (live Trova music; award-winning bar program) and try pastelitos at Yisell Bakery or ice cream at Azucar (Abuela Maria flavor). Back in Brickell, late bites at Pubbelly Sushi or O The River Oyster Bar.

Key West

Laid-back, eccentric, and sun-kissed—Key West is the southernmost point in the continental U.S. Conch houses, coral rock forts, and tiny lanes filled with hibiscus set the scene for snorkeling, cycling, and golden-hour rituals.

• Top sights: Mallory Square sunset celebration, Duval Street, Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, Key West Lighthouse, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, Southernmost Point marker.
• Things to do: snorkel reefs and wrecks, kayak mangroves, sail at sunset, taste conch fritters and Key lime pie.
• Good to know: Parking is limited and pricey; bikes or scooters simplify Old Town. Book water activities ahead in peak season.

Getting there from Miami: Drive the Overseas Highway (~165 miles; 3.5–4.5 hours) with scenic stops in Key Largo and Islamorada. Prefer to fly? MIA–EYW is ~1 hour; compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com (often $120–$250 one way).

Where to stay in Key West: Search VRBO Key West or compare hotels on Hotels.com Key West. Favorites include Ocean Key Resort & Spa (sunset-facing at Mallory Square), The Southernmost Inn (adults‑only, steps from the marker), and Margaritaville Beach House Key West (near Smathers Beach).

Day 5: Miami → Key West Road Trip and Sunset Ritual

Morning: Depart Miami after breakfast; aim for a mid-morning stop in Key Largo (optional snorkel at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park) or Islamorada (feed giant tarpon at Robbie’s; fish tacos nearby).

Afternoon: Roll into Key West and check in. Stretch your legs with a waterfront walk around the Historic Seaport—Eaton Street Seafood Market does stellar lobster rolls and smoked fish dip for a late lunch.

Evening: Join the nightly celebration at Mallory Square: street performers, jugglers, and sunset applause. Dinner at El Siboney (homey Cuban; ropa vieja, black beans) or Half Shell Raw Bar (peel‑and‑eat shrimp, oysters). Nightcap at the legendary Green Parrot (live bands, no fuss).

Day 6: Hemingway’s Key West and a Boutique Sunset Sail

Morning: Espresso at Cuban Coffee Queen (try a “bucci,” a tiny rocket of sweet espresso). Tour the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum—peep the six‑toed cats and the writing studio—then climb the lighthouse for island views.

Afternoon: Beach time at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park (arguably the best snorkeling from shore) and a wander through the Civil War–era fort. Sweet pit stop at Kermit’s for Key lime pie on a stick (dipped in chocolate).

Evening: Set sail on an intimate schooner with curated wines and hors d’oeuvres as the sky fades to tangerine.

Key West Small-Group Sunset Sail with Wine and Hors d'oeuvres — A relaxed, uncrowded cruise aboard a historic-style schooner.

After docking, dine at Santiago’s Bodega (Spanish-style small plates; bacon-wrapped dates, lamb chops) or Louie’s Backyard (Caribbean-American menu with ocean views).

Day 7: Mangrove Kayaks, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Paddle the calm backcountry through mangrove tunnels—look for upside-down jellyfish, rays, and juvenile sharks in nursery waters.

Key West Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour — A guided, eco-focused paddle at an easy pace.

Afternoon: Quick lunch at Garbo’s Grill (Korean BBQ mahi tacos) or Banana Café (savory crêpes). Fly out of EYW or drive back toward Miami. Compare homebound flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If staying late, stroll Duval Street’s galleries and bars. Toast your week with a rum cocktail at the Speakeasy Inn’s Rum Bar—over 300 rums and a porch made for people-watching.

Optional Add-On: Biscayne Bay by Boat (Miami)

If you have extra time in Miami, a Biscayne Bay cruise adds skyline views and a breezy perspective on the city’s islands and architecture. Departures are frequent from Bayside; expect ~75–90 minutes on the water and flexible timing around lunch or sunset.

Where to Eat and Drink: A Quick Hit List

• Breakfast/Coffee: Panther Coffee (Wynwood), Zak the Baker (Wynwood), Big Pink (South Beach), Cuban Coffee Queen (Key West).
• Lunch: Coyo Taco or Bakan (Wynwood), Garcia’s Seafood (Miami River), Eaton Street Seafood (Key West), Garbo’s Grill (Key West).
• Dinner: Joe’s Stone Crab (seasonal), La Mar (Brickell Key), Mandolin Aegean Bistro (Design District), El Siboney (Key West), Santiago’s Bodega (Key West), Louie’s Backyard (Key West).
• Drinks: Sweet Liberty and Broken Shaker (Miami Beach), Sugar rooftop (Brickell), Green Parrot and Sunset Pier (Key West).

Practical Tips

• Sun and sea: Use reef-safe sunscreen in the Keys; bring water shoes for Fort Zachary’s rocky entry.
• Driving the Keys: Leave Miami by 8–9am to beat traffic; plan a relaxed pace and photo stops along Seven Mile Bridge.
• Wildlife etiquette: Never feed gators or wild dolphins; admire at a respectful distance.
• Seasonality: Stone crab and dry, sunny weather peak Nov–April; sargassum can arrive in late spring/summer on Atlantic beaches.

Recap of Included Experiences (Bookable)

• From Miami: Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show, and Roundtrip Bus — half-day wetland adventure.
• Little Havana Food and Walking Tour — stories and tastings on Calle Ocho.
• Key West Small-Group Sunset Sail with Wine and Hors d’oeuvres — intimate evening on the water.
• Key West Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour — guided paddle through serene backcountry.

In one week you’ll have traced Miami’s shoreline, tasted Cuba-by-the-sea, skimmed the River of Grass, and crossed the fabled Overseas Highway to sunsets at the edge of America. Florida’s contrasts—urban art and wild ocean, espresso and salt spray—make for a trip that lingers long after your tan fades.