Sun-soaked beaches, Cuban coffee, Art Deco architecture, and the Everglades — a guide to everything worth seeing in Miami and its surroundings.
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South Beach & Art Deco District
Walk the Art Deco Historic District
Ocean Drive between 5th and 15th Streets has the highest concentration of the 960+ Art Deco buildings built between 1923 and 1943. The Miami Design Preservation League runs 90-minute guided walking tours at 10:30 AM daily for $30. Self-guided audio tours are $20.
See the pastel-colored hotels along Ocean Drive
Visit the Art Deco Museum at 1001 Ocean Drive
Spend a morning on South Beach
The beach stretches 2 miles from South Pointe Park to 23rd St with free public access. Lifeguard towers painted in bright colors are a signature photo spot — there are 36 of them along the sand. Arrive before 10 AM on weekends to claim space near the water.
Photograph the colorful lifeguard towers
Walk to South Pointe Park for views of cruise ships
Watch the sunset from South Pointe Pier
The 450-foot pier at the southern tip of Miami Beach looks west across Government Cut, where cruise ships pass close enough to wave at passengers. Sunset is the prime time — the park closes at 8 PM in winter and 9 PM in summer. Completely free.
Experience the nightlife on Washington Avenue
Clubs and bars line Washington Ave from 5th to 16th St, with most venues open until 5 AM. Cover charges range from $20-60 at popular spots, and drinks average $15-20 each. Thursday through Saturday are the busiest nights. Dress codes are enforced at most venues — no flip-flops or tank tops.
Arts & Culture
Explore Wynwood Walls and the surrounding galleries
The 80,000-square-foot outdoor museum has murals by over 50 artists from 16 countries, with new pieces added annually during Art Basel in December. Admission to the Walls is $12 for adults. The surrounding Wynwood Arts District has 70+ galleries within a 10-block radius — most are free.
See the murals inside Wynwood Walls
Browse street art on NW 2nd Ave
Visit the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
The waterfront building by Herzog & de Meuron sits on Biscayne Bay with views of the port. Permanent and rotating exhibits focus on 20th and 21st century art. Admission is $16 for adults, free on the first Thursday and second Saturday of each month.
Tour the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
A 1916 Italian Renaissance-style villa with 34 decorated rooms on 50 acres of formal gardens on Biscayne Bay. Admission is $25 for adults. The outdoor gardens take 45-60 minutes to walk and include a stone barge in the bay. Closed Tuesdays.
Browse the Design District's luxury shops and galleries
The 18-block neighborhood between NE 38th and 42nd Streets has 130+ luxury stores, galleries, and restaurants in architecturally significant buildings. The Institute of Contemporary Art Miami at 61 NE 41st St is free. Parking garages charge $2/hour on weekdays.
Little Havana & Cuban Culture
Walk Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street)
The 15-block stretch from 12th to 27th Ave is the heart of Little Havana. The Calle Ocho Walk of Fame has 30+ stars honoring Latin music and cultural figures embedded in the sidewalk. Domino Park at 15th Ave has free outdoor tables where locals play all day.
Watch a domino game at Maximo Gomez Park
See the stars on the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame
Drink a cafecito at a ventanita
Ventanitas are walk-up coffee windows serving Cuban espresso — a cafecito (sweetened shot) costs $0.75-1.50 and a colada (meant for sharing, 4-6 servings) is $2-4. The tradition is to stand at the window and socialize while drinking. Multiple windows operate along Calle Ocho.
Eat a Cuban sandwich and ropa vieja
A traditional Cuban sandwich (ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard on pressed bread) runs $8-12 at most spots. Ropa vieja — slow-braised shredded beef in tomato sauce with peppers — is the national dish and costs $14-18 as a platter with rice and beans.
Catch a live salsa performance
Several venues on and around Calle Ocho host live salsa bands on Friday and Saturday nights, with shows starting around 9-10 PM. Cover charges run $5-15. Some restaurants have free live music during dinner service on weekends — call ahead to confirm schedules.
Nature & Outdoors
Take an airboat ride in the Everglades
The Everglades are 30-45 minutes west of downtown Miami. Airboat tours last 30-60 minutes and cost $25-50 per person. Morning tours (8-10 AM) have the best wildlife sightings — alligators are more active before the midday heat. The park entrance at Shark Valley charges $30 per vehicle.
Spot alligators from the airboat
Walk the Anhinga Trail for bird watching
Visit Key Biscayne and Bill Baggs State Park
Cross the Rickenbacker Causeway ($2.25 toll) to Key Biscayne, a barrier island 7 miles from downtown. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park at the southern tip has a 1.25-mile beach, historic lighthouse (1825, the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade), and $8 per vehicle entry fee.
Climb the Cape Florida Lighthouse
Kayak through the mangroves on the bay side
Snorkel or paddle at Virginia Key
Virginia Key Beach is on the same causeway as Key Biscayne — entry is $8 per car. The calm, shallow waters on the bay side are ideal for stand-up paddleboard rentals ($30-40/hour). An offshore sandbar visible at low tide is a 10-minute paddle from shore.
Stroll through Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
An 83-acre garden with the largest collection of tropical palms and cycads in the world — over 3,400 species of plants. Admission is $30 for adults. The Wings of the Tropics butterfly conservatory has hundreds of free-flying butterflies year-round. Allow 2-3 hours for a full visit.
Practical Tips for Getting Around
Use the free Metromover in downtown
The Metromover is a free automated people-mover with 21 stations looping through downtown, Brickell, and Omni. It runs daily from 5 AM to midnight with trains every 90 seconds during peak hours. Useful for getting between Bayside Marketplace, PAMM, and Brickell without paying for parking.
Prepare for the heat and afternoon storms
Summer temperatures average 90°F with 75% humidity. Afternoon thunderstorms roll in almost daily from June through September, usually between 2-5 PM, and last 30-60 minutes. Carry a compact umbrella and drink water constantly — heat exhaustion sneaks up fast.
Know the beach and neighborhood geography
Miami Beach is a separate city on a barrier island, connected to mainland Miami by 6 causeways. The drive from South Beach to Wynwood is about 20 minutes without traffic, 40+ during rush hour. Key Biscayne is south of Miami Beach. Little Havana is 10 minutes west of downtown.
Budget for parking costs
Street parking meters in South Beach cost $4/hour and max out at 4 hours. Garage parking in South Beach averages $20-30 for a full day. Wynwood street parking is metered at $2.50/hour. The Park-N-Ride at Civic Center Metrorail station is $5/day and connects to the Metromover.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Miami?
Three to four full days covers the highlights including south beach & art deco district, arts & culture, little havana & cuban culture at a relaxed pace. Five or more days lets you dig into local neighborhoods and take day trips. Most first-time visitors find four days strikes the right balance between seeing enough and not feeling exhausted.
What is the best time of year to visit Miami?
Spring and early autumn typically offer the best weather with manageable crowds. Summer brings peak tourism pricing and longer queues at popular spots. Shoulder season travel saves 20-30% on accommodation and gives you shorter lines at top attractions.
How much should I budget per day in Miami?
A mid-range daily budget of $100-180 per person covers a comfortable hotel, two restaurant meals, and attraction tickets. Street food and local markets cut food costs significantly. Pre-booking tickets for popular sites online often saves 10-15% and lets you skip long queues.
What is the best way to get around Miami?
Public transit handles most tourist routes efficiently and cheaply. Walking between central attractions is often faster than waiting for buses or trains during peak hours. Multi-day transit passes pay for themselves after 3-4 rides per day and remove the hassle of buying individual tickets.
Do I need to book attractions in advance in Miami?
Top-tier attractions and museums frequently sell out during peak season so book 2-4 weeks ahead for guaranteed entry. Lesser-known sites and neighborhoods rarely require advance tickets. Morning time slots (before 10:00) are the most popular; afternoon slots after 14:00 often have shorter waits.