No trip to South Florida is complete without spending at least one day in Miami. Since our first visit over a decade ago, the “Magic City” has become our favorite urban travel destination in the Sunshine State. From chillin’ out on the iconic white sands of South Beach to exploring the rhythm-filled streets of Little Havana, we always found plenty to see & do here, even if we’re passing through on a quick layover.
So, what would we do with just 24 hours? In our opinion, the perfect day in Miami starts with admiring a sunrise at South Beach and watching the morning sun glint off the city’s world-famous Art Deco architecture along Ocean Drive. (It’s a view we’ll never get tired of!)
As the day unfolds, we’d wander inland to discover the city’s fun & diverse neighborhoods. We’d browse street art in Wynwood and go shopping in the boutiques of the Miami Design District. Next, we’d head over to Little Havana to feel the pulse of Cuba and Latin America before returning to South Beach to chill out with a cocktail in hand to Atlantic Ocean sea breezes and a beautiful sunset.
While we’re fully aware that you can’t see everything Miami offers in a day, our carefully planned route takes us through many of the city’s most captivating spots. Along the way, we include plenty of recommendations on some of our own favorite activities, restaurants, and bars from our trips here over the past decade or so.
Ready to get going? Let’s explore how to make the most of our time in this vibrant South Florida destination with our complete 1-day Miami itinerary for first-time visitors…
Our recommendations for where to go in Miami in one day
Watch the sunrise at South Beach
Got only 24 hours in Miami? Shake off the early-morning vacation blues with a walk around South Beach. Located on the southern tip of Miami Beach, South Beach is one of the city’s most famous neighborhoods—and its most famous stretch of sand!
If you’re an early riser, you’re in luck: South Beach is renowned for its incredible sunrises. The early morning hours, before the crowds of tourists ascend, are our favorite time to roam about the South Beach area.
Aim to get to the shoreline between 6:15 am and 6:45 am (depending on the season) to snag a spot on the sandy shores for optimal sunrise views. (Check sunrise times for your trip dates here.)
For beach bums, we think South Beach is the ultimate hangout spot. South Beach isn’t just one of our favorite beaches in Miami; it’s one of the most famous beaches in the USA. After traveling to hundreds of cities in over 50 countries, we can say with confidence that it’s rare to find such an amazing seaside experience within a major urban center!
(For the quickest and easiest beach access, we’d suggest entering through the lifeguard station at 14th Street.)
Even if you don’t want to spend much time swimming and frolicking in the water, South Beach is a fantastic place for a stroll. Enjoy the sea views or play a game of beach volleyball to get active.
Before you leave, grab some shade in the palm-shaded Lummus Park to escape the Miami heat with the area’s colorful Art Deco buildings in the background.
PRO TIP: Coming to South Beach by car? We found the 13th Street Garage to be one of the most convenient spots to park in the area. The 13th Street Garage is located at the corner of 13th Street and Collins Avenue, steps from Ocean Drive and Lummus Park.
Alternatively, if your accommodations are in the South of Fifth (SoFi) area, take a morning walk on the promenade at South Pointe Park. Located at the southeastern tip of the barrier island, the fishing pier at South Pointe Park is one of the most famous spots in the city to catch a sunrise.
Need to fuel up for the morning? Grab a coffee and a quick breakfast at one of the many superb cafes lining the strip.
Slide into the Front Porch Cafe (1458 Ocean Dr) for eggs, pancakes, and other breakfast favorites. (We love the huevos rancheros and avocado toast here!)
Or hop over to the FL Cafe (1360 Collins Ave). The French toast and steak and eggs—chased with a mimosa, of course!—are a delicious option.
A vintage, all-day breakfast joint, the 11th Street Diner (1065 Washington Ave) is another fan favorite in the area. For a departure from the usual American breakfast fare, indulge in their El Cubano sandwich with a milkshake.
PRO TIP: The 11th Street Diner is one of South Beach’s breakfast hotspots, and it often gets packed before 9 am. Try to arrive before 8:30 am to avoid the wait.
Wander around the Art Deco District
Besides its sunrises and white sands, Miami Beach is most renowned for its Art Deco District. Centered around Ocean Drive, the Art Deco Historic District contains over 800 historic buildings.
Miami’s Art Deco Historic District offers the USA’s largest concentration of Art Deco architecture. It’s even one of the largest collections of Art Deco buildings in the entire world!
The buildings are famed as the backdrop for iconic Hollywood movies and TV shows like Scarface, Bad Boys, and Miami Vice. Walking around the area, you’ll also spot Mediterranean Revival and MiMo (Miami Modern) architectural styles. (Which we think are super cool architecture styles in their own right!)
To learn more about Miami Beach’s Art Deco style history, pop into the Art Deco Museum and Art Deco Welcome Center (1001 Ocean Dr) to check out the exhibits. Both museums are located in Lummus Park between Ocean Drive and the seafront.
For a counterweight to the Art Deco style, keep on the lookout for the Versace Mansion on your walking tour. Now housing a boutique hotel and restaurant, the former estate of Gianni Versace shows off a dramatic Mediterranean Revival architectural style modeled after a grand European palace. (No, we can’t say it rivals what we’ve seen in Italy or Spain, but it’s still quite impressive!)
PRO TIP: Take a self-guided walking tour of the Art Deco District between 8 am and 10 am when the buildings’ shadows create excellent photography conditions. Don’t leave without grabbing a snapshot at the corner of 10th Street and Ocean Avenue. This intersection offers a compelling angle for capturing multiple stunning Art Deco buildings in one shot.
Stroll along Española Way
Continue by walking north up Ocean Drive. From the northern edge of Lummus Park, it’s a short two-block walking distance to Española Way.
Dating back to the 1920s, the Española Way area was one of the first commercial developments in Miami Beach. The street was designed to look like a historic Mediterranean Spanish village. Even with 24 hours in Miami, we’d recommend taking time to soak up its unique atmosphere.
With its recent revitalization project, Española Way is once again one of the coolest places to hang out in Miami Beach. Inside its pastel-colored buildings, hide art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and ice cream shops.
As you wander, look for the original 1920s clay tile roofs, showing off the area’s authentic Mediterranean Revival architecture. If you’re visiting in the afternoon, you might also catch a few local musicians performing traditional Spanish guitar along the sidewalks.
Feeling peckish? Grab a quick lunch at one of the shaded outdoor patio restaurants in & around Española Way.
For a taste of Miami’s famous Cuban cuisine, try out the popular Havana 1957 (405 Española Way). We love the restaurant’s 1950s old Havana throwback style; it’s bound to turn your head as you savor a bite to eat here.
Whether you go for a classic Cubano sandwich or their signature dish, Pollo Havana 1957, your taste buds will be delighted. Wash it down with their famous mojito—or a refreshing mocktail like the Havana fruit punch or basil ginger mule if it’s still too early for a tipple.
(The Española Way location of Havana 1957 is insanely popular and often fills up by midday; we’d suggest trying to arrive by 11:30 am for your best chance to secure outdoor seating.)
Not diggin’ the idea of Cuban food? We found plenty of other yummy eating options await along Española Way!
Chow down on delicious Italian dishes at La Leggenda Pizzeria (224 Española Way). We’d recommend going for the Neopolitan pizza; you can’t go wrong!
Or get the fiesta rolling with traditional Mexican food at Oh! Mexico (1440 Washington Ave). The molcajete, cochinita pibil, and tacos al pastor are all sensational—especially when washed down with a mango margarita or michelada.
In the mood for midday vices? Enjoy drinks and cigars at Espanola Cigar Bar & Lounge (409 Española Way). Although most famed for its extensive cigar selection, this hip joint also serves up delicious food, including a mean truffled lobster mac.
Hunt down street art in Wynwood
Hop into a taxi or an Uber for the 20-minute trip across Biscayne Bay to the mainland to visit Wynwood. The Wynwood neighborhood is one of the coolest places to visit in Miami for locals & travelers alike—and one of our favorite spots in the city, too!
Wynwood is famed for its collection of interesting street art. In the center of the district, art lovers will find the neighborhood’s main attraction, the Wynwood Walls (2516 NW 2nd Ave). This open-air outdoor art museum showcases wall murals and graffiti on over 80,000 square feet of walls.
The artwork at Wynwood Walls was created by over 50 street artists from 16 different countries. The art rotates every couple of years. Famed street artists whose work has been featured at the Wynwood Walls include French graffiti artist Miss Van, the Brazilian brother duo of Os Gemeos, and New York City-based Lady Pink.
Start at NW 2nd Avenue and 26th Street to get the most out of your self-guided Wynwood street art walking tour.
(The best time to visit is generally between 2 pm and 4 pm when warehouse shadows provide relief from the midday heat. And, believe us, it does get HOT here at times!)
Aside from street art, Wynwood is known for its culinary scene. Many of the area’s abandoned warehouses and factories now house craft breweries, bistros, restaurants, cafes, bars, and nightclubs.
If you’ve got extra time (and appetite) while visiting Miami in 24 hours, try to grab a meal and drink at one of Wynwood’s hip eateries and bars. You’ll find several excellent dining options here.
Enjoy upscale pub grub and trendy cocktails in the industrial-chic Le Chick Miami (310 NW 24th St). We love their award-winning fried chicken; it’s a local favorite. (If you’re there for brunch, the chicken and waffles are a must, too!)
Plug into local dishes with a craft beer in hand at KUSH (2003 N Miami Ave). Can’t decide what to sip on? Grab a beer flight and load it up with four different local brews, including Kaptain Kush mango pale ale, Dr. Dank hazy IPA, or our own personal fav, Madame Blaze coconut cream ale.
Browse boutiques in the Miami Design District
From Wynwood, it’s a 20-minute walk northeast to the Miami Design District. The Design District is the most upscale neighborhood in Midtown Miami. The area teems with art galleries, fashion boutiques, and restaurants run by celebrity chefs.
If you’re looking for an excuse to unload some cash on your getaway, you’ll find it here. In the Miami Design District, you can drop a small fortune on luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Christian Louboutin. (Most boutiques here open around 11 am, so plan your shopping trip accordingly.)
Not interested in fashion? Instead, spend your time admiring the district’s unique modern architecture.
If you can spare some time, pop into the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA) (61 NE 41st St). Showcasing emerging local artists, ICA is the premier art venue in the Design District neighborhood and one of the most popular art museums in the city.
Before you leave, be sure to check out Buckminster Fuller’s Fly’s Eye Dome (3841 NE 2nd Ave). This free public art installation features an eye-popping, über-modern sphere that’s the perfect addition to your Instagram feed.
Feel the Latin American pulse of Little Havana
Hail a taxi (or schedule a Lyft or Uber) and embark on the 20-minute ride to Little Havana. The neighborhood, directly west of Downtown Miami, is one of the city’s most famous. It’s the focal point of the South Florida city’s thriving Cuban community—and one of our favorite spots in the city!
Much of the action in Little Havana revolves around Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street). Calle Ocho and its surrounding blocks are jam-packed with souvenir shops, boutique stores, restaurants, and cafes. The streets here are loaded with Cuban influences and Latin American flair.
Wander around Little Havana to soak up its history & culture. Watch master cigar rollers at work at El Titan de Bronze (1071 SW 8th St) between 10 am and 4 pm. Or join the domino players at Maximo Gomez Park (1444 SW 8th St) after 3 pm. (Locals welcome spectators.)
If you’ve built up an appetite, Little Havana is as good a place as any in the city to grab a snack. (Not to mention, it’s our favorite locale for a refreshing mojito!) Otherwise, rest your legs with a street-side coffee or a drink to experience the buzz of the area.
Enjoy downtime in Miami Beach
From Little Havana, it’s about 20 minutes by car back to Miami Beach. By now—if you didn’t take us up on all our eating recommendations!—you’ll have earned a meal fit for royalty. And there’s no better place to savor dinner and drinks than back in South Beach. As dramatic as the sunrises are here, even more adventures await after sundown!
For a wide selection of nearly everything Miami’s culinary scene is famous for, we’d recommend heading towards Lincoln Road. This famous road offers a high concentration of excellent restaurants & bars tucked among boutique shops, serving everything from Mediterranean cuisine to wine and cocktails.
Curl up with modern Spanish cooking and signature cocktails at Tapelia (551 Lincoln Rd). We absolutely love the paella here—it’s Tapelia’s signature dish that they’re (justifiably) famous for.
Down the street, Ole Ole Steak House (626 Lincoln Rd) takes its grilled meat seriously. Juicy cowboy ribeyes and tomahawk rib steaks are among our top picks. (Their seafood paella is also worth a shot!)
Further south, you can enjoy upscale seafood dishes with retro Art Deco ambiance at A Fish Called Avalon (700 Ocean Dr). Or, for a more upbeat choice, wash down Colombian fusion food with happy hour cocktails and new friends at Bolivar Restaurant Bar (841 Washington Ave).
If you don’t want to end your night there, put on your dancing shoes and experience the area’s famed nightlife at one of its clubs. As you might expect, the nightlife in Miami Beach can get a little wild. (To be honest, it’s not the type of thing we enjoy on vacation—but to each their own!)
Popular nightclubs in the area include LIV (4441 Collins Ave), STORY (136 Collins Ave), and Do Not Sit On The Furniture (423 16th St). At renowned nightclubs like LIV, the lines will start forming at 10:30 pm. Be sure to arrive by 10 pm to avoid the longest wait.
PRO TIP: Most South Beach clubs require men to wear closed-toe shoes and enforce an upscale casual dress code. Be sure to pack your suitcase accordingly if you want to indulge in some (slightly wild) clubbing!
Where to stay with 24 hours in Miami
As with any big American city, choosing where to stay in Miami isn’t always easy. Although we’ve found great places to stay in & around Downtown Miami and Brickell, we’d suggest narrowing your accommodation search to South Beach. It’s the most convenient area for getting the most out of your 1-day Miami trip itinerary.
The Marlin Hotel
Amused by Miami Beach’s architecture? Extend your admiration with a stay at The Marlin Hotel. We love this boutique hotel’s setting in a historic Art Deco building. It charms like none other—and won’t break the bank!
Lennox Miami Beach
One of the finest mid-range hotels in the area, the Lennox offers spacious rooms with a cool modern style. We really dig the hotel’s private beach access, outdoor pool, and sun terrace—all wonderful perks for your Miami travel plan.
1 Hotel South Beach
For the ultimate in South Florida luxury, grab a room at the historic oceanfront 1 Hotel. You love the luxurious amenities, especially the rooftop pool with wild sea views.
More Miami itinerary ideas
Everglades National Park
Got a spare day? Spend it spotting local wildlife and plants in nature on a day trip to the Everglades National Park. One of the most famous national parks in the USA, the Everglades is a highlight on any Florida road trip itinerary and one of our favorite outdoor spots in the Sunshine State!
Everglades National Park stretches out over 1.5 million acres of wetlands, making it the largest subtropical wilderness area in the USA. Within its boundaries roam several rare & endangered species, including the elusive Florida panther.
The easiest way to discover the beauty Everglades National Park is via Shark Valley. The Shark Valley Visitor Center lies along the Tamiami Trail (SR 90), less than an hour from the city.
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In the middle of its 15-mile loop road, be sure to climb the 65-foot-high observation tower. From the top, you’ll enjoy an excellent bird’s-eye panorama over the Everglades.
Even more exciting is to book yourself on an airboat tour. Here, you can get an up-close glance at the park’s famous residents, including its alligators.
Biscayne Bay
Want to move past Miami’s urban charms? Hit the sea at Biscayne Bay. The bay stretches all the way from the city to the northern tip of the Florida Keys near Biscayne National Park.
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, book yourself onto a Biscayne Bay Parasailing Experience. From your parasail, you’ll marvel at fantastic views over the city as you float above the waters of Biscayne Bay.
Otherwise, enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise or one of its boat tours to take in the sights from sea level.
Key Biscayne
If you want to explore the Florida outdoors without inching too far out of the heart of the city, add Key Biscayne to your sightseeing adventure. Just 20 minutes from downtown by car, the barrier island is home to several attractions and beautiful parks with plenty of outdoor activities for everyone.
Arrange a hike or bike tour through Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, keeping on the lookout for the park’s historic lighthouse. Or hit the hiking trails, golf links, or beaches of Crandon Park for a little fun in the sun with the whole family.
If you’re visiting Key Biscayne with children, stop at Virginia Key en route to check out the Miami Seaquarium. The aquarium is home to a wide array of interesting sea creatures, including dolphins, sea turtles, and manatees.
Key West
While too tight for an indie day trip, Key West is the perfect bookend for an epic Florida journey. The westernmost island in the Florida Keys, Key West is a scenic 4-hour drive from Miami.
Key West charms travelers with its colorful Caribbean-style buildings and white-sand beaches. Spend at least a day in Key West to soak up its laid-back seaside charms. (We’d recommend at least three days.)
When to visit
The best time to visit Miami is between mid-February and May. We love visiting Miami in the spring months when you get to enjoy warm temperatures and mostly dry conditions.
Visiting in spring avoids the high-season crowds of January and early February. The only exceptions are the spring break weeks. If you plan to visit during this time, I’d advise booking well ahead—and to pack plenty of patience for obnoxiousness!
Most often, you’ll want to avoid traveling to Miami in summer and fall. Summer is the wettest time of year in Miami. In summer, rain falls nearly every day, and the weather conditions are often hot & humid. (Not our idea of an ideal South Florida vacation!)
Hurricane season on the Atlantic Coast also falls between June and November. If you must travel at this time, keep an eye on weather reports.
How to get there
By air
Miami is served by Miami International Airport (MIA). The airport lies 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Downtown Miami. Several major airlines fly into MIA from international & US cities, including:
- American Airlines
- American Eagle
- Frontier Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
By road
Miami is well-connected by road to other cities in Florida. Popular routes and estimated driving times include:
- Orlando (3h30m)
- Tampa (4h)
- Key West (3h30m)
- Jacksonville (5h)
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