Miami is a city of sunlit contradictions—Art Deco pastels and glassy skylines, salt-sprayed breezes and bass-thumping nights, timeless Cuban coffee counters and Michelin-starred dining. Founded in 1896 and shaped by a thriving Caribbean and Latin American diaspora, the “Magic City” glitters on Biscayne Bay with barrier-island beaches, bayside parks, and a humming arts scene.

Beyond the famous South Beach, Miami rewards curiosity: hand-rolled cigars in Little Havana, street art in Wynwood, Mediterranean-revival romance at Vizcaya, and mangrove-lined waters near Key Biscayne. Shoppers can drift from Lincoln Road to the Design District’s boutiques; food lovers can graze on croquetas, stone crab (in season), Nikkei, and wood-fired pizza without leaving a few square miles.

Practical notes: hurricane season runs June–November; carry sun protection year-round. Rideshares are the easiest way to hop neighborhoods; Metrorail serves the airport to Brickell/Downtown. Tipping is customary (18–20% for table service). This 7-day Miami itinerary balances beach time, boat tours, culture, and shopping—designed around a mid-range budget.

Miami

From sunrise on Lummus Park to neon on Ocean Drive, Miami Beach is the postcard. But Miami’s mainland—Brickell, Coconut Grove, Little Havana, Wynwood—adds depth with museums, markets, and music. Biscayne Bay is your playground for sightseeing cruises, sandbar hangs, and sunset cocktails at sea.

• Top sights: South Beach, Wynwood Walls, Design District, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science, Key Biscayne beaches, South Pointe Park.
• Food + drink: Cuban institutions (Versailles, La Carreta, Sanguich de Miami), Miami Beach staples (La Sandwicherie, Joe’s Stone Crab in season), stellar dining (Boia De, Los Félix, COTE Miami, Mandolin Aegean Bistro), essential coffee (Panther Coffee, All Day, Vice City Bean).
• Shopping: Lincoln Road, Miami Design District, Brickell City Centre, Bal Harbour Shops (window-shop luxe), Aventura Mall (huge, varied).

Where to stay (mid-range focus + options):

• Search vacation rentals on VRBO (Miami) or VRBO (Miami Beach).
• Compare hotels on Hotels.com (Miami) or Hotels.com (Miami Beach).
• Great value/social: Freehand Miami (stylish hostel/hotel hybrid with the beloved Broken Shaker bar).
• Family-friendly resort feel: Loews Miami Beach Hotel (central South Beach, beachfront pool, kids’ club).
• Design-forward splurge: The Setai, Miami Beach (zen courtyards, three pools, refined suites).
• City chic: Four Seasons Hotel Miami (Brickell oasis with palm-lined pool).
• Resort escape: The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami (beach, tennis, calmer vibe).

Getting there: Fly into MIA (closest) or FLL (often cheaper). Nonstop flights from major US hubs typically run 2.5–6 hours and range ~$150–$400 roundtrip off-peak (higher in winter/holidays). Check fares on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com Flights. From MIA, rideshare to South Beach is 20–30 minutes (~$25–$40 depending on traffic).

Day 1: Arrival, South Beach Stroll, and a Taste of Miami

Morning: Travel day. If you land early, stretch your legs at South Pointe Park—watch cruise ships glide past the pier and grab a cortadito from a nearby Cuban café.

Afternoon: Check in and unpack. Walk the Art Deco Historic District along Ocean Drive and Collins Ave; note porthole windows, neon, and terrazzo floors dating to the 1930s. Window-shop along pedestrian-friendly Lincoln Road; it’s a lively open-air mall with street performers and pop-ups.

Evening: For a casual first-night feast, try Time Out Market Miami—sample burgers from Little Liberty, tacos, and decadent gelato under one roof. If stone crab is in season (Oct–May), Joe’s Stone Crab is the classic; otherwise, their takeaway counter is a wallet-friendlier move. Nightcap at Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co. (South Beach craft cocktails) or the tropical courtyard at Broken Shaker (inside Freehand Miami).

Day 2: Beach Morning and Biscayne Thrills by Speedboat

Morning: Sunrise on South Beach: plant your towel near 10th–14th Streets for lifeguard towers and gentle surf. Breakfast at La Sandwicherie (iconic French-style sandwiches; add the vinaigrette) or Big Pink for hearty diner plates.

Afternoon: Kick up the adrenaline on a high-speed run along the coastline with the Speedboat Sightseeing Adventure of Miami (about 45 minutes; typically ~$45–$60 per person). You’ll rocket past the Miami skyline, Star Island, and Fisher Island with salty spray and big views.

Evening: Fresh pasta and cozy vibes at Macchialina (South Beach favorite), or share a giant margherita pie at Lucali (go early or be ready to wait). For live music and dancing, Mango’s Tropical Café offers a splashy, theatrical Miami Beach night out.

Day 3: Little Havana—Cuban Culture and Culinary Classics

Morning: Start with pastelitos and café con leche at Versailles Bakery or Sanguich de Miami (stellar pressed Cuban sandwiches if you’re extra hungry). Wander Calle Ocho’s galleries and watch the locals play dominos at Maximo Gomez Park.

Afternoon: Dive deeper on the Little Havana Food and Walking Tour in Miami (usually 2.5–3 hours; ~$59–$75). Expect Cuban coffee, guava pastries, croquetas, Cuban sandwich tastings, and stories of migration, music, and cigar-rolling tradition.

Evening: Catch a live salsa set at the historic Ball & Chain and sip a mojito under the neon pineapple stage. Hungry again? Try dinner in Coconut Grove nearby—Los Félix (inventive, heirloom-corn-driven Mexican, Michelin-starred) or Glass & Vine (garden setting, modern American) for a mellow close to the night.

Day 4: Design District Shopping + Millionaire’s Row by Boat

Morning: Coffee at Panther Coffee (Wynwood) then a quick spin through Wynwood Walls to photograph ever-changing murals. Continue to the Miami Design District for architectural eye-candy, indie galleries, and luxury flagships—window-shop at Cartier, Dior, and locally loved lifestyle boutiques.

Afternoon: Head bayside for a classic skyline-and-celeb-home spin on the Miami Skyline 75 Minute Luxury Cruise of Millionaire's Homes (about 75–90 minutes; typically ~$32–$45). Choose a shaded upper deck or A/C cabin and listen to the narrated tour of Star Island and Venetian Islands.

Evening: Dinner at Mandolin Aegean Bistro (romantic 1940s house, Greek–Turkish plates; reserve ahead). For dessert nearby, try a scoop from Aubi & Ramsa (21+ boozy ice cream). If you’re up for music, slide to Dante’s HiFi in Wynwood—an intimate vinyl-listening bar with high-fidelity sound.

Day 5: Vizcaya, Grove Greenery, and a Sunset Cocktail Cruise

Morning: Step into Old World elegance at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens: a 1916 villa with Italianate gardens, a barge-shaped breakwater, and Biscayne views. Brunch afterward at Greenstreet Café (Coconut Grove mainstay) or Ariete (creative Floridian fare; Michelin-starred).

Afternoon: Beach break on Key Biscayne. Crandon Park is family-friendly with shallow waters; Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park offers a lighthouse trail and quieter sands. Bring snacks and plenty of water; shade is precious.

Evening: Toast the day on the Miami Sunset and City Lights Cocktail Cruise (about 2 hours; often $65–$85 including beer/wine/frozen cocktails). Watch the skyline ignite as you drift past islands and marinas.

Post-cruise eats: Downtown/Brickell favorites include Jaguar Sun (pasta + cocktails), Osaka (sleek Nikkei), and Blackbird Ordinary for a lively bar scene without breaking the bank.

Day 6: Museums on the Bay, Brickell Shopping, and Rooftop Views

Morning: Explore the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science—an engaging planetarium and multi-level aquarium with a living Gulf Stream—and then stroll to PAMM next door for contemporary art framed by hanging gardens and bay breezes.

Afternoon: Lunch with a view at Verde (inside PAMM) or grab casual bites at Downtown food halls. Shop Brickell City Centre (mid-range to upscale) and people-watch on the shaded Climate Ribbon walkway.

Evening: Sundowners at Sugar (a lush rooftop with sweeping city views). Dinner options include La Mar by Gastón Acurio (Peruvian on Brickell Key; plan for a splurge) or budget-friendlier KUSH (burgers, local beer). If you have energy, consider a late show or game at Kaseya Center depending on the calendar.

Day 7: One Last Dip, Brunch, and Departure

Morning: For a quieter beach fix, head to North Beach or Surfside for wide sands and a laid-back boardwalk. Coffee and a bagel at El Bagel or a sweet-and-salty fix from The Salty Donut (Wynwood).

Afternoon: Brunch before you go: The Front Porch Café (comfort classics) or Lokal in Coconut Grove for Florida-sourced burgers. Pick up last-minute souvenirs at Bayside Marketplace, then head to the airport (plan 60–90 minutes plus traffic).

Evening: Departure day; if you have a late flight, wander Lummus Park for a final Atlantic breeze or squeeze in quick outlet shopping. Safe travels!

Optional Add-On Ideas (If You Have Extra Time)

• Everglades airboat adventure for wildlife and wide skies (half-day door-to-door tours typically available, budget ~$60–$90).
• Bike South Beach with an Art Deco focus or ride the boardwalk at sunrise; shop Bal Harbour or Aventura Mall if it rains.
• Kayak or paddleboard around Virginia Key or Oleta River State Park for calm, mangrove-lined water.

Viator Picks Used in This Itinerary (Aligned to Your Interests)

• Speedboat Sightseeing Adventure of Miami
• Little Havana Food and Walking Tour in Miami
• Miami Skyline 75 Minute Luxury Cruise of Millionaire's Homes
• Miami Sunset and City Lights Cocktail Cruise

Local logistics and budget tips: Rideshares between neighborhoods run ~$8–$25; street/garage parking in Miami Beach can add up—skip the car unless you plan day trips. Many museums offer reduced pricing for students/children; look for weekday happy hours (5–7 pm) to trim dining costs. Hydrate constantly and carry a light layer for strong A/C indoors.

In seven days you’ll taste, sail, and stroll your way across Miami’s greatest hits—South Beach mornings, Little Havana’s soul, Wynwood’s murals, Design District shopping, and shimmering Biscayne Bay at golden hour. With a mid-range budget, this plan layers free beaches and art with a few unforgettable boat tours and meals that showcase Miami’s flavor. Come back in winter for stone crab season—or summer for warm water and quieter sands.