A Miami weekend itinerary from the beach to Little Havana
A Miami weekend should balance beach time with the city's art, food and Cuban culture. This plan starts in South Beach, moves to Wynwood and Little Havana, and ends with gardens and a quiet beach on Key Biscayne.
Before you go
Best time to visit
Winter and spring, roughly December through April, bring warm days, lower humidity and the most visitors. Summer is hot, with afternoon thunderstorms that usually pass quickly. Hurricane season runs from June through November, so watch forecasts if you travel then.
Getting around
South Beach is easy on foot or by bike. To reach Wynwood, Little Havana, Coconut Grove and Key Biscayne, rideshare is the simplest option. Parking in South Beach can be difficult, so skip the car unless you plan a day trip.
Where to stay
- South Beach: the classic choice, with the Art Deco District, beaches and nightlife.
- Mid Beach: a little quieter, with big resorts and easy beach access.
- Brickell and Downtown: high rises, restaurants and quick access to Little Havana.
- Coconut Grove: leafy, relaxed and close to Vizcaya.
Day 1: South Beach
Morning
Walk Ocean Drive in the Art Deco Historic District, where pastel hotels from the 1930s line the street across from the beach. The neighborhood has one of the largest concentrations of Art Deco architecture in the world. Stop at the Art Deco Welcome Center to learn about the district, and admire the Colony Hotel and The Carlyle along the way.
Afternoon
Spend the afternoon on the beach at Lummus Park, with its iconic lifeguard stands. When you need a break from the sun, walk Lincoln Road, a pedestrian mall with shops and cafes, or visit The Wolfsonian museum, which covers design and propaganda from the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Evening
Head to South Pointe Park at the southern tip of Miami Beach. Walk the pier and watch cruise ships sail out of the port at sunset. Have dinner in South Beach, then take in the neon lights of Ocean Drive. Joe's Stone Crab, a Miami Beach institution since 1913, is seasonal, so check whether it is open during your visit.
Day 2: Wynwood, the Design District and downtown
Morning
Start in Wynwood, a former warehouse district now covered in street art. The Wynwood Walls is an outdoor museum of large murals by artists from around the world. Wander the streets around it; murals cover nearly every building.
Afternoon
Walk or ride to the Miami Design District for architecture, luxury shops and public art. Then head downtown to the Pérez Art Museum Miami on Biscayne Bay, with modern and contemporary art and hanging gardens on its terraces. Next door, the Frost Science Museum has an aquarium and planetarium.
Evening
Have dinner in Brickell, the financial district, with its many restaurants and rooftop bars. If you want a lively evening near the water, stroll Bayside Marketplace and see the skyline from the bay.
Day 3: Little Havana, Vizcaya and Key Biscayne
Morning
Start in Little Havana on Calle Ocho, the heart of Miami's Cuban community. Order a cafecito from a ventanita, a walk up coffee window. Watch the games at Máximo Gómez Park, better known as Domino Park, and browse cigar shops. For breakfast or lunch, Versailles is a famous Cuban restaurant with pastries and Cuban sandwiches.
Afternoon
Visit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Coconut Grove, a grand Italian Renaissance style villa built in the early twentieth century, with formal gardens on Biscayne Bay. Then cross the causeway to Key Biscayne and spend the rest of the afternoon at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, home to the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse and a beautiful beach.
Evening
Return to Coconut Grove for a relaxed dinner near the marina, or head back to South Beach for one more night out. If you have an extra day, take a trip to Everglades National Park to see alligators and wading birds along the boardwalks.
More to explore
Coral Gables
Coral Gables is a planned city from the 1920s with Mediterranean style architecture, tree lined streets and the landmark Biltmore Hotel, whose tower is visible for miles. The Venetian Pool nearby is a public swimming pool carved from a coral rock quarry, with waterfalls and grottoes. Check current hours and seasonal schedules before you go.
The Everglades
Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. From Miami, the closest entry points are Shark Valley, where a paved loop leads to an observation tower over the sawgrass, and the Anhinga Trail near the Homestead entrance, a short boardwalk where alligators, turtles and wading birds are often easy to see. Go in the dry winter months for the best wildlife viewing and fewer mosquitoes.
What to eat
Do not leave without a Cuban sandwich, a croqueta and a cafecito. Stone crab claws are a Miami classic during the season. Wynwood and the Design District have creative restaurants, and Little Havana has old school spots where little has changed in decades. Look for fresh fruit stands and key lime pie too.
Beach choices
Not every Miami beach feels the same. South Beach is lively and social. Crandon Park on Key Biscayne is calmer and good for families, with shallow water protected by an offshore sandbar. Haulover Beach to the north is wide and less crowded. Pick the beach that matches your mood for the day.
Tips for a great weekend
- Wear strong sunscreen and drink water. The sun is intense even in winter.
- Bring a light layer for air conditioned restaurants.
- Check current hours for museums and gardens before you go.
- Respect beach flag warnings for rip currents.
Planning it in Wander Off
Create a Miami adventure and add each stop to the Plan tab by day, from Ocean Drive on Day 1 to Key Biscayne on Day 3. Invite your travel partners so everyone can vote on restaurants and nightlife. Book flights, hotels and things to do in the Tickets tab, and ask the AI Travel Concierge for places near your hotel. Photos and videos land on the right day and place automatically, and everyone on the trip can add to the same adventure, which our shared travel photo album guide explains. For a romantic getaway, see our honeymoon planner guide or head west with our San Diego 3 day itinerary.
