3 Days in Miami: Your Perfect Long Weekend Itinerary

Last Updated on 19th July 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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A pocket of warmth, this vibrant coastal city lies in southeastern Florida. We’ve put together the perfect itinerary for 3 days in Miami as well as top tips before you go, to ensure that you make the most out of your trip.

Famed for its stunning stretches of white sandy beach, lively party scene and towering skyline. Miami is a city filled with hidden treasures and has depth to it that doesn’t initially come to mind when most consider going there. Trust us when we say, you will easily fall in love with this magical city!

Is 3 days long enough to visit Miami?

Many people will happily head to Miami for a long weekend, that being said, it’s easy to spend a longer time in this lively city. There’s a lot more depth to Miami than just beaches and partying, so it would be a shame to miss out on all that it has to offer! Including the various day trips that you can take to further explore this wonderful part of Florida.

I would say you could easily stay in Miami for up to 7 days and still have more to see. But to answer the question, 3 days is absolutely enough to see the most part of the city, which is why we’ve packed full an itinerary to ensure you get the best out of your trip!

What is Miami known for?

A colourful splash of pastel hues, white plush sand and sparkling blue waters! Drawing visitors in from all corners of the world, Miami is known for its warm climate, abundance of beaches, diverse culture and iconic Art Deco style architecture.

A popular holiday spot, this vibrant city has also served as the setting for many tv shows and films. To name just a few, the third James Bond, Goldfinger, Marley & Me and Fast and Furious 2.

Miami is also renowned as a party destination, home to a legendary nightlife scene it’s known to have drawn in celebrities to its plush beaches and lavish ambience. That being said, the city is also super popular amongst retirees, known as the perfect place to relax and live out the rest of your days in sunshine.

Getting around Miami

A few years ago, I went on vacation in Miami Beach for 10 days with my older sister. Since we’re both used to driving on the left-hand side of the road and were both in our early twenties at the time (which would have added a surcharge to a car rental) we opted to just get around by using a combination of Uber and public transportation.

This was honestly the best move possible as renting a car can be really expensive due to expensive car parking charges. If you do want to rent a car, then be sure to book a hotel with parking.

Day 1: South Beach Art Deco & Miami Beach Beaches

Enjoy the view from South Pointe Park Pier

Start your three-day itinerary the right way by exploring the most famous attractions that the city has to offer. Begin your day at South Pointe Park Pier, where you can enjoy gorgeous views of the blue ocean and back onto Miami beach and the city skyline.

Walk along Ocean Drive

Of course, what this means is strolling around Ocean Drive and admiring all of the architecture. Lined with stylish pastel hued buildings (mainly hotels) that spill out onto the sidewalk, each of them unique in character. As you stroll along the stretch of Ocean Drive it’s hard not to feel as though you’re featuring in a Hollywood movie!

Head to the Lincoln Eatery for lunch

The Lincoln Eatery is a food hall just a short walk away from Ocean Drive. Filled with a wide variety of different styled cuisines, this spot is open daily from 8am-9:30pm.

Based around the grab-&-go concept, the Lincoln Eatery makes for the perfect place to get fresh and quick food to eat on the go! Pop in here for some respite from exploring, it’s especially great if you and your fellow travel partner(s) all fancy different things to eat as there’s something for everyone.

Relax on the beach

Of course, no trip to Miami would be complete without some time spent on the beach. Huge stretches of white plush sands that leave you feeling as though walking on a cloud, making for the idyllic spot to rent a beach chair and soak up the sunshine.

Let your food digest and spend a couple hours at the beach. Whether its reading a book or taking a refreshing dip, this is the perfect place to recharge your energy battery before more exploring. Here’s a couple of suggestions for where to relax:

• South Beach: situated just next to South Pointe Park, this iconic beach is a whopping 9 miles long and 1 mile wide. Offering stunning views of the city skyline, the lifeguard towers that are dotted along the beach are works of art you’ll want to take a picture of!
• Haulover Park Beach: want to avoid the dreaded tanlines? This beach is the only beach in the area where clothing is optional, so feel free to whip off your clothes and tan evenly at this spot
• Bal Harbour: situated in the north, this is home to the lavish oceanfront resorts, as well as home to many fine dining establishments
• Surfside Beach: nestled between Bal Harbour and North Beach, as the name suggests this is the perfect spot for catching waves! Enjoy water sport excursions on this windier spot along the coast
• North Miami Beach: considered to be the most relaxing and quiet of the beaches, this beach is away from the crowds, this is a bit more of a luxury spot!

It’s really up to you whether you throw down a towel or rent a chair (of course one is cheaper than the other) but because of the intense sunlight and heat I’d recommend renting a chair with an umbrella so you have the option of a little shade.

Miami Beach Botanical Garden

After relaxing at the beach, head over to the botanical gardens and enjoy the serene tranquility they offer as you wander around. A hidden treasure, this sustainable urban oasis lies in the heart of Miami’s South Beach and spans over 2.6 acres of luscious green space.

Thanks to the hot climate, the flora and fauna of this gardens is thriving! With over 100 species of palm tress, orchids and native plants, they even attract Florida’s state butterfly, the black-and-yellow striped zebra long wing.

And better yet, this green paradise in completely free to visit making it one of the best free things to do in Miami!

Have dinner in South Beach

Truly a dreamy spot to dine in the evening! The pink candy coloured skies as the evening sun sets and the neon signs of the Art Deco buildings turn on, bringing the city to life at night.

Miami is famous for its Cuban food scene, as well as South American, Italian cuisine and an abundance of seafood thanks to its proximity to the ocean.

Day 2: Boat tour & Wynwood & Design District

Boat tour

One of the best ways to get another perspective of Miami and the area surrounding it is to take a boat tour. Cruising along the sparkling turquoise waters and marvelling at the city’s impressive skyline is sure to leave you stunned!

Although on the more expensive side (like most of Miami) It makes for a great way to spend a few hours Some boat tours even offer a sightseeing boat cruise around Biscayne Bay, where you can spot Celebrity homes!

Wynwood

After a boat tour, head to Wynwood, a place where it’s all happening! Home to Miami’s trendy art district, this spot is particularly known for its abundance of street art and colourful murals.

Bursting with creativity that quite literally flows through the air, this cultural hub of a neighbourhood makes for the perfect place to spend your afternoon. Simply wandering around and admiring the art that’s scattered across the walls of this area is the best way to experience the distrcit.

The Wynwood Walls is a must-see, known as Miami’s original Streer Art Museum. If you don’t already, you’ll definitely learn to appreciate the beauty and stories behind street art on a deeper level after visitng!

While in the area head to The Salty, an artisanal donut and coffee store, for some of the most delicious donuts in town.

Design District

Directly to the north of Wynwood, the Design District is a chic area that’s fast becoming known for its sleek modern architecture and innovative upscale interior design stores and art galleries.

Well worth a visit on your way back from visiting the Wynwood District, this up and coming area is scattered with impressive pieces of public art, fashion inspiration and fine dining restaurants.

Head back to Miami Beach for sunset and dinner

If you weren’t drawn in to one of the fine dining establishments of the Design District… then enjoy dinner back at Miami Beach, while the sun set’s.

Though it’s unfortunately east coast facing, there’s no denying that the golden hour glow over Miami Beach at sunset is mesmerising. Pastel colours of all shades of pink, purple and blue dance in the sky above and it feels as though you are in a highly saturated Wes Anderson movie.

Day 3: Downtown & Brickell & Little Havana 

Downtown

For a completely different vibe to the Art Deco of Miami Beach be sure to head to Downtown. This modern district of the city is best-known for its finance sector.

The perfect place to get your fill of shopping, discover cultural sights and see another side to that of the beaches and sunshine that Miami is so well known for. Here are just a few top suggestions of what to see and do when visiting Downtown:

• Bayside Marketplace: home to over 50 shops and 30 restaurants, this two-story open air shopping center is a bustling hive of activity
• Bayfront Park: a public park situated along Biscayne Bay, filled with winding pathways that are relaxing to stroll along, this green space stretches over 32-acres!
• Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM): home to a large collection of modern art, tickets are subject to capacity so it’s recommended to book online in advance.Check ticket prices and how to book here.
• Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel: as the name suggests, this is like the ‘London Eye’ of Miami if you will, boasting of captivating views of Miami’s architecture and coastline
• Miami Tower: this 47-story landmark is characterised by its dramatic glassy exterior, although filled with offices, it’s definitely worth stopping by to look at

Brickell

One of the newest and trendiest districts of the city is that of Brickell. Adjacent to downtown Miami, this new and coming neighbourhood is brimming with art galleries, fashion boutiques and trendy restaurants!

While in the area, why not grab a cocktail? Visit Sugar, Miami’s tallest rooftop bar, it’s filled with plant so you’ll feel as if drinking in an secret garden. Brickell is also home to one of the best hidden gems of Florida, the Miami Circle.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Truth be told, one of my favourite spots in Miami is a little out of the way and is a secluded garden and museum situated within a waterfront estate home that was built in 1916.

The historic house is a magnificent piece of architecture, filled with elaborate decor of stained glass windows and marble floors. Offering stunning views over Biscayne Bay as well as gloriously green gardens to stroll around, this is an absolute must-see when visiting Miami! Book your trip from Miami to Vizcaya here.

Little Havana

From Vizcaya Museum, you can get a bus directly to Little Havana. Just put ‘Calle Ocho Walk of Fame’ down in your GPS app and you’ll find the directions to reach the area. Little Havana is so-called after the same name as Cuba’s capital because it’s home to many Cuban exiles, as well as many immigrants from Central and South America.

The heart of Miami’s Latino community, wandering around you’ll quickly find that the air is filled with the scent of coffee, Cuban cigars and empanadas.

This colourful pocket is also home to Little Havana’s Walk of Fame, similar to Hollywood, except this walk exclusively celebrates Hispanic artists and celebrities.

The perfect spot to immerse yourself in Miami’s vibrant Hispanic culture, while there you should book a food tour and indulge in the best of Cuban food! Book your food and walking tour here.

If you have more time:

Key Biscayne

In order to get to Key Biscayne, we took an Uber Share Ride, which wasn’t too expensive. Just minutes from Downtown Miami is a five-mile-long barrier island and former coconut plantation, home to gloriously green parks and beautiful stretches of beach!

The best thing to do while in Key Biscayne is stroll through the nature trails of Bill Baggs Park and visit the Cape Florida Lighthouse. It’s also a great spot to enjoy the beach and take a refreshing dip in the crystal clear waters.

Florida Keys

Key West is the pearl of the Keys and is the southerly most point of mainland USA. A colourful and vibrant subtropical pocket of paradise, this city island is Florida’s most sunny destination.

Also the inspiration and beloved home of the writer Earnest Hemingway. This small and mighty island is definitely one to add to your bucket list!

This oasis of green, with crystal clear coastlines is abundant with things see and do! It was honestly one of my favourite places to visit while in Miami, but of course it does take up a whole day so bear this in mind if you don’t have too long in the city. Find out more about booking a day trip to Key West from Miami here.

Things to know before visiting Miami

Stay in South Beach

Personally, I’d recommend staying in South Beach to get the ultimate experience from Miami. Although Downtown Miami offers a more central location in the cultural hub, it’s pretty easy to commute to and visit. In the hot climate of this destination, you’ll be grateful to be staying nearby to water.

South Beach, in my opinion, is also just prettier and a cooler area to explore!

Uber is affordable and easy for getting around

The quickest and by far most efficient way to get around the city is via Uber. Offering affordable rates, you can also opt to use the ‘Share a Ride’ service (where the driver will pick up multiple people) which will make your trip cheaper.

The best beaches in and around Miami aren’t at South Beach

Although South Beach is iconic, it’s not the best one to visit when exploring Miami.

Book your accommodation well in advance

Booking well in advance ensures for prices to be on the lower end, Miami is super expensive to stay and visit so it’s best to try cut costs at any opportunity.

You might need a travel adapter

United States use power plugs and sockets of type A and type B, two flat parallel pins that go into the socket. So if you are coming from Europe, be sure to prepare in advance and buy enough travel adapters for your devices. I have this one.

You won’t be able to see everything

Miami is huge and packed to the brim with things to see and do, so unless you have unlimited time you just have to accept that you won’t be able to see everything.

I recommend getting together a list of your most important things to see and make an itinerary (…kind of like this one!) that way you can ensure you get the most out of your visit.

Bring along a guidebook

If you like to go with the flow, bear in mind Miami can be overwhelming in size, business and amounts to do.

Personally I always find it helpful to bring a guidebook, this way you’ll never be stuck for ideas and you’ve essentially always got a guide with you to fill in the blanks when you want to know more about something.

An informative and easy read is the Lonely Planet Miami & the Keys, which you can buy online second hand from around £4.

Set aside some time for a Miami day trip

If you have time it’s absolutely worth setting aside some time for a day trip from Miami! Close by to so many areas of interest, it would be a true loss to not take advantage of seeing these fabulous destinations while in the area. Our favourite day trip had to be visiting the tropical city island of Key West!

Sample Cuban food!

As mentioned, Miami has a big Latino community, especially coming from Cuba thanks to its close proximity to the country. As such, there is a big influence of Cuban culture and this is true with food and coffee too.

While in Miami you have to try some Cuban food. The best is within the district of Little Havana, but is also scattered across the city. It’s the best way to experience Miami properly… and not to mention it’s delicious!

Tipping Culture

Just a heads up, when eating or drinking out in the United States there’s often an extra 20% tip included on your bill. This is because American hospitality staff rely on these tips in order to make a living wage, so you don’t need to tip extra on top of this (although if you are feeling super generous you’re more than welcome to).

Watch out for hidden resort fees

One of the most frustrating parts of travelling can be the hidden costs that surprise you! Hidden resort fees, which are also sometimes called destination fees are additional costs that hotels or resorts charge for specific amenities that you didn’t realise weren’t included, for example ‘housekeeping’, ‘pool use’ or ‘beach towels’.

The only recommendation to avoid such fees is to look before you book! You’ll find that most ethical hotels will include any mandatory fees as part of the room rate.

Luckily there is more of an effort being done to crack down on the deceptive nature of this kind of advertising, but be sure to watch out for it when booking your accommodation.

Where to stay in Miami

I personally recommend staying in Miami Beach (i.e. the island portion of Miami that is technically a city in its own right) because this is where many of the main attractions are. Miami is a big city and so there are lots of options when it comes to accommodation.

We personally stayed at hotels that were just off the strip of Ocean Drive as we were close to plenty of restaurants in a touristy area of town. This was especially useful as we didn’t have a car! Here are some of the best places to stay in Miami based on location and web-reviews:

The Balfour Hotel: situated on a palm lined street and within an Art Deco style building, this hotel is just a two minute walk from South Beach. With amenities including an outdoor pool and sun loungers, breakfast is also included. Check prices and availability here.

Four Seasons Hotel Miami: set within the financial district of the city, this 5-star hotel offers a more luxurious stay. With some rooms offering bay views, it also has a 2 acre outdoor pool area! Check prices and availability here.

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