Discover what to do in Miami with this 3-day itinerary around the city. Discover the best attractions, beaches, where to shop, how to get around and everything you need to do to travel to the city!
Miami was a destination that surprised me, in the best sense of the word.
For years I believed that the city had just beaches and shopping malls, and I never made a point of spending a day or more there. I'd rather go straight to Orlando, enjoy some of the Disney magic.
On my last trip, however, my family set aside the first few days of our itinerary to explore Miami Beach and the surrounding area, e That's how I discovered that what I thought was wrong.
Before even getting on the plane, trying to be an exemplary blogger, I had already discovered that there are several interesting tours in the region. I researched in groups, read other blogs, and was enchanted by the possibility of getting to know Cuban culture, enjoying graffiti by artists from all over the world and, of course, catching some sun on the famous beach.
I put together an itinerary with what to do in Miami, including the main attractions for a first visit to the city. Even though I wasn't able to fit in everything I wanted or follow it exactly (lRemember what we talked about about mistakes happening?), I want to share it with you! There are suggestions for tours, restaurants and shopping, which you can do in approximately three days.
The ideal option for this trip is to rent a car, as the city is big and I didn't think the public transport system was that good. I recommend using Rentcars, which compares prices between the best rental companies and allows you to pay in installments and in reais, without the IOF fee. If you can't fit it into your budget, There is a post here on the blog showing how to use public transport in Miami.
Little time in the city?
If you have little time in Miami and want to see the city's main attractions, I suggest you take one of those bus tours that pass by the main tourist attractions. It's a great choice in Miami, as the city is hot and you can go to the top, and you also have audio in Portuguese to better understand each place. The Miami bus ticket also offers a 30-minute boat ride to get to know the region.
As it is a very touristic city, I recommend purchasing your ticket in advance. I recommend purchasing with Get Your Guide, a company that is super experienced in selling tickets, tours and tours, and which I use whenever I buy tickets for an attraction.. When taking the tour, you just need to show the QR Code of the purchase in the Get Your Guide app, you don't need to print anything!
Where to stay in Miami
If you are without a car, or just prefer to be close to most tourist attractions, my suggestion is to stay in South Miami Beach. This is the part most frequented by visitors, and is full of hotels, shops, clubs and restaurants.
A big problem I had on my trip was finding accommodation that was well located but at a good price. Luckily I found Riviere South Beach, a great value for money as it was close to the beach and the rates were cheap by city standards. The rooms had been recently renovated, and in addition to modern facilities, breakfast was also included. The rating on Booking is 8,2.
Other legal options in the same area are:
- Washington Park Hotel: If you don't want to give up comfort, this moderately priced four-star hotel in Miami is a great option. The place has a swimming pool, gym and parking, as well as offering free wifi. Booking rating: 8,0.
- The Betsy Hotel : Imagine yourself in Miami enjoying an infinity pool? A dream that can come true if you stay at the Betsy Hotel! The rooms have wooden floors and the property also has two on-site restaurants. Booking score: 8,5.
What to do in Miami – Itinerary for up to 3 days
Day 1 – Miami Beach, Lincoln Road and South Pointe
My suggestion to start the day is to enjoy the beach. The one in Miami Beach is divided between South Beach, Mid-Beach and North Beach, and is followed by Surfside, Bal Harbor and Hollywood.
If you want to walk and explore the surroundings instead of lying on the sand, I suggest two options. The first is ideal for those who have a car, as it is a little further away (40 minutes away), which is the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk. This boardwalk is around 4km long, and is a super delightful walk to take a walk or people watch. Without a car, it is preferable to go with the free trolley North Beach and get to know the region. The beach is no different from the rest of Miami Beach, but the surroundings are more residential compared to the south region, with great shopping options.
Now if you prefer to lie on the sand, relax and sunbathe, the best thing to do is spread your towel across South Beach! It is the most unglued among all those mentioned to enjoy the beach, with the highest concentration of tourists, and there are numerous restaurants for lunch nearby.
Speaking of food, after enjoying the beach, I recommend going to Lincoln Road to lunch. One of the most famous streets in the region, it is actually an open-air shopping mall, where you can find popular franchises such as H&M, Forever XXI and Zara, as well as Sunglass Hut, Sketchers, LUSH and several restaurants. Some of the most popular are:
- Sushi Samba – mix of Japanese and Brazilian cuisine;
- Balance - English coffee with salad and pasta options;
- Segafredo - pizzas, bruschetta and salads;
- Baires Grill - Argentine cuisine.
The rest of the afternoon can be used to explore the shops and side streets. In my case, as I went on a Sunday, there were several stalls with snacks delicious, a kind of small farmer's market. I don't think a program like “let’s go to Lincoln’s farmer’s market”, but it was interesting.
For those who like makeup, there are several stores there:
- Ulta Beauty: competitor of Sephora and with expensive and pharmacy products, as well as a great selection of items for skin, nails and hair;
- KIKO Milano: cheap quality brand;
- Ricky's NYC: famous in New York, I saw some cheap brands there post about 7 cheap makeup brands to buy in the United States which are harder to find, like LA Girl.
The South Miami Beach and Mid Miami Beach region is a delight to explore throughout the afternoon, and has some interesting attractions, such as the Miami Beach Botanical Garden e Soundscape Park. My suggestion is that you spend the rest of the day walking calmly around the region, exploring the surrounding streets and enjoying the vibe from Miami Beach.
To watch the sunset, the best option is to go to the South Pointe Park. This park is on the southern part of the island, and you can get there by driving 10 minutes from Lincoln Rd, or taking the free trolley that passes throughout Miami Beach. In addition to an incredible landscape, depending on the season you will also be surprised by several cruises leaving the port.
Dinner and nighttime entertainment are at the expense of Spanish Way, between 14th and 15th streets. It's a tight little street, with several restaurants on both sides of the sidewalk, offering international cuisine options. The most recommended are Havana 1957 (Cuban), Numero 28 (Italian) and OH Mexico (Mexican). The street is also home to some bars, perfect if you want to spend the night!
Day 2 – Little Havana, Coconut Grove and Vizcaya Museum
As I mentioned earlier, one of the reasons Miami is so surprising is the mix of cultures present in their daily lives. The best example of this is perhaps Little Havana, a Cuban neighborhood whose name is inspired by the country's capital.
To start the second day and learn a little more about the region's diversity, the best option is to have breakfast at the Versailles, one of the most traditional restaurants in the neighborhood.
Then there are several landmarks to be visited, such as the famous Eighth Street and its Walk of Fame for Latin artists. Also interesting are the domino park, where you can find locals playing dominoes, the traditional ice cream parlor sugar (the flavour Abuela Maria, cheese with guava paste, is super popular) and the Ball & Chain, former nightclub with several traditional music performances.
An interesting neighborhood to visit next is coconut grove, the oldest in the city but with a modern touch. There are several restaurants for lunch there, as well as many shops and boutiques (for shopping, take advantage of the area around Mayfair). Those who don't feel like spending money can walk along the marina or the Peacock Park.
Nearby, you'll find Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, the most popular attraction when searching for things to do in Miami on TripAdvisor. Built in 1916 as a winter retreat, the architecture inspired by the Italian Renaissance and the flowery gardens make this building a breathtaking tour! Entrance costs US$18 and, despite closing at 4:30pm, it is one of the best places to watch the sunset.
If you don't want to spend money on the ticket and prefer a free program, you can stroll around the financial district of Brickell. In addition to the shops and a well-recommended shopping mall, there is also a great spot to watch the sun set. Brickell Key Park.
Another tip for those who want to dine in the region is the restaurant Mister O1 (also known as Visa O1). It’s a pizzeria.”secret” loved by locals, with flavors ranging from the most traditional to exotic like coffee!
Day 3 – Wynwood Walls and shopping
The third day's program is more focused on shopping, but with a stop to enjoy one of Miami's largest artistic complexes: the Wynwood Walls.
Known as "Street Museum“, this huge open-air installation has free entry for the public, and its walls have served as a canvas for works by more than 50 graffiti artists, such as Os Gêmeos, Shepard Fairey and Lady Pink. Its opening encouraged the development of the surrounding district, and in addition to completely colorful streets, there are also several international restaurants in the region (there's even a food tour).
It was my favorite ride, and I intend to repeat it on future visits considering that the paintings change over time!
After that, it's time to gaaaaastar! The Miami and Fort Lauderdale area has some of the best outlets from Florida, and I have two options to recommend:
- Dolphin mall – close to the airport, it is the best option for those without a car – an Uber ride there costs around US$25. It's a mall with some outlet stores, but not all of them, you need to research in advance to know what is worth it. Victoria's Secret, for example, may have some promotions but nothing compared to the store's prices. Premium in Orlando.
- Sawgrass mills - with more than 350 stores, this is the largest o of Florida, and is closer to Ft. Lauderdale than Miami, so the ideal is to go by car. It was the best o I've ever been to in my life, and there are both popular and designer stores.
Sawgrass Mills is on the way to Orlando, so anyone driving there can make a strategic stop, rs. But I really recommend getting a map and choosing which stores to visit, as the complex is HUGE!
Honestly, I'm exhausted after a day of shopping. em o, then I wouldn't have the breath to do anything else. Anyone who still wants to enjoy the night in Miami can take the opportunity to watch a Miami Heat game on American Airlines Arena if it's a season or a show cheerleaders in another time.
For dinner, the suggestion is Lagniappe restaurant, with live music and a super romantic garden in the back.
And so ends the 3 days in Miami! There were tips on attractions, famous tourist spots, restaurants and even places to shop!
Quick tips on what to do in Miami
What are the best beaches in Miami?
Miami Beach is the most famous beach in Miami, and it is divided between South Beach (the most popular), Mid Beach and North Beach. Other popular beaches are Surfside, Bal Harbor and Hollywood.
What are the most popular attractions in Miami?
In addition to Miami Beach, the main tourist attractions in the region are the Little Havana neighborhood, the Wynwood Walls graffiti museum, Lincoln Road and the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
Where to shop in Miami and the region?
A Lincoln Road It’s a kind of “open-air shopping mall” and is close to South Beach. For luxury purchases the best option is Bal Harbor Shops is the best option. If you want to save money, the best outlets close to the city are Dolphin mall and Sawgrass mills.
What are the best free tours in Miami?
In addition to the famous Miami Beach, other free tour options in Miami are the Wynwood Walls graffiti museum, walking along Calle 8 in the Cuban neighborhood of Little Havana and watching the sunset at South Pointe park.
Did you like the itinerary showing what to do in Miami? Do you have any other suggestions for a cool trip or restaurant? Tell me in the comments 🙂
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