5 days in Miami

Day by day

1. Day 1: South Beach and Art Deco Historic District

   South Beach, Art Deco Historic District and Lincoln Road, then Little Havana and Calle Ocho in the evening.

   1. Morning

      South Beach

      For a calmer stretch, walk south to South Pointe Park, where the pier looks out at cruise ships heading to sea. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Art Deco Historic District

      Walk Ocean Drive by day, then Collins and Washington Avenues after dark, when the neon signs are lit. (2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cuban sandwich

      Cuban cafés and bakeries in Little Havana, Westchester and Hialeah, and walk-up windows across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Lincoln Road

      Check the New World Symphony's schedule for free WALLCAST screenings and bring a picnic blanket. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Little Havana and Calle Ocho

      Visit on the last Friday of the month for Viernes Culturales, a street festival of music, art and food.

2. Day 2: Wynwood Walls and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

   Wynwood Walls, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and Pérez Art Museum Miami, then South Beach in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Wynwood Walls

      The walls inside the ticketed garden are the best known, but the surrounding streets are free; come in the late afternoon and stay for dinner. (2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

      Arrive at opening to see the gardens and the bayfront terrace before tour groups arrive. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cafecito and colada

      Ventanitas, the walk-up coffee windows of Cuban cafés and bakeries all over the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Pérez Art Museum Miami

      Have lunch on the bayfront terrace, then walk next door to Frost Science in Museum Park. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      South Beach

      Big nightclubs, hotel bars and lounges along Collins and Washington Avenues and Ocean Drive.

3. Day 3: Frost Science Museum and Biscayne Bay boat tour

   Frost Science Museum, Biscayne Bay boat tour and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, then Brickell in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Frost Science Museum

      Look up through the giant oculus lens at the bottom of the aquarium to watch sharks and rays swim overhead. (3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Biscayne Bay boat tour

      Take a late-afternoon departure for the best light on the skyline and the mansions. (1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Croquetas

      Cuban bakeries and cafés across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

      Ask at the park about guided lighthouse climbs, then rent a bike and ride the island's trails. (Half a day, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Brickell

      Rooftop bars, lounges and restaurants that turn into party spots at weekends.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Everglades National Park

   About 1 hour by car each way. Getting there: Car or organised tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Everglades National Park

      About 1 hour by car (Car or organised tour); about 65 km.

   2. Day

      Everglades National Park

      The Everglades is a vast subtropical wetland of sawgrass, mangroves and hardwood hammocks. Best for families and first-timers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Miami

      Dinner: try Pastelitos.

5. Day 5: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and Venetian Pool

   Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Venetian Pool and Zoo Miami, then Wynwood in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

      Visit in the morning in warmer months and start with the tram tour to get your bearings. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Venetian Pool

      Check the age and height rules before you go; very young children are not admitted. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pastelitos

      Cuban bakeries in Little Havana, Westchester and Hialeah.

   4. Afternoon

      Zoo Miami

      Arrive at opening; the animals are more active and the afternoon heat is intense. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Wynwood

      Breweries, cocktail bars and clubs among the murals, busiest on Friday and Saturday nights.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and Venetian Pool before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, South Beach keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Mid-Beach ($$$$) suits families, luxury, couples and beach. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 29–37 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.5 hours in December to 13.7 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Miami
• 2 days in Miami
• 3 days in Miami
• 4 days in Miami
• 7 days in Miami

Questions travellers ask