Morning: Ocean Drive and Beach Time

Begin your Miami adventure on the iconic Ocean Drive, where art deco buildings line one side of the street and the turquoise Atlantic Ocean sparkles on the other. Start with breakfast at one of the outdoor cafes along Ocean Drive, where you can people-watch while enjoying Cuban coffee and fresh fruit.

After breakfast, claim your spot on South Beach. The stretch between 5th and 15th Streets offers the best people-watching and classic Miami Beach atmosphere. The powder-soft sand and warm waters provide the perfect introduction to Miami’s beach culture. Don’t miss the colorful lifeguard stands – these iconic structures have become symbols of Miami Beach and make for perfect photo opportunities.

Afternoon: Art Deco Walking Tour

As the midday sun intensifies, explore the Art Deco Historic District on foot. The Miami Design Preservation League offers excellent guided tours that illuminate the history and architectural significance of these buildings. You’ll learn about the “Tropical Deco” style unique to Miami, characterized by nautical elements, flamingos, and palm trees incorporated into the traditional art deco aesthetic.

Visit the Art Deco Museum to deepen your understanding of this architectural movement and its impact on Miami’s identity. The museum houses photographs, furniture, and artifacts from the golden age of Miami Beach.

Evening: Lincoln Road and Dinner

As evening approaches, stroll down Lincoln Road Mall, a pedestrian promenade lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants. This open-air shopping district, designed in part by Morris Lapidus, combines mid-century modern architecture with contemporary retail and dining.

For dinner, choose from numerous restaurants offering everything from fresh seafood to innovative fusion cuisine. Try Joe’s Stone Crab (seasonal, October to May) for a classic Miami dining experience, or explore the diverse Latin American restaurants that showcase the city’s cultural melting pot.

Morning: Wynwood Walls

Dedicate your second day to Miami’s thriving arts scene, starting with Wynwood Walls. This outdoor museum features massive murals created by some of the world’s most renowned street artists. The constantly evolving collection transforms entire buildings into canvases, making each visit unique.

The Wynwood neighborhood itself is an art gallery without walls. Every street corner reveals new murals, from massive productions to hidden gems in alleyways. Spend your morning wandering these streets with your camera ready, discovering works by artists like Shepard Fairey, Os Gemeos, and countless others who have contributed to this urban art revolution.

Afternoon: Design District Shopping and Lunch

Travel north to the Miami Design District, an area that has transformed from a warehouse district into a luxury shopping and dining destination. While the high-end boutiques (Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermès) might be window-shopping for many visitors, the district’s architecture and public art installations are free to enjoy.

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA Miami) offers free admission and showcases cutting-edge contemporary art in a stunning building designed by Aranguren + Gallegos Arquitectos. The museum’s focus on experimental and thought-provoking exhibitions makes it a must-visit for art enthusiasts.

Lunch in the Design District offers options ranging from casual to upscale. Try Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink for farm-to-table cuisine, or explore the various cafes and eateries throughout the neighborhood.

Evening: Wynwood Brewery Tour

Return to Wynwood in the evening to experience the neighborhood’s vibrant nightlife. The area has become Miami’s craft brewery hub, with numerous breweries offering tastings and tours. Wynwood Brewing Company, one of the pioneers, offers a great introduction to South Florida’s brewing scene.

Dinner options abound in Wynwood, from food trucks to trendy restaurants. The eclectic mix reflects the neighborhood’s creative spirit and diverse community.

Morning: Little Havana Cultural Immersion

Immerse yourself in Cuban culture with a morning in Little Havana, the heart of Miami’s Cuban-American community. Start on Calle Ocho (8th Street), the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, where Spanish dominates, dominos clack on street corner tables, and the aroma of Cuban coffee fills the air.

Visit Domino Park (Maximo Gomez Park) to watch locals play dominoes – a beloved Cuban pastime. Stop at a ventanita (small window) cafe for a cafecito, the strong, sweet Cuban espresso that fuels the neighborhood. Ball & Chain, a historic bar that has been serving the community since 1935, often has live salsa music even during the day.

Don’t miss the Bay of Pigs Museum and Brigade 2506 Memorial, which tells the story of Cuban exiles and their connection to Miami. The neighborhood’s cigar shops, art galleries, and botanicas (shops selling religious and spiritual items) provide glimpses into Cuban and broader Caribbean culture.

Afternoon: Coconut Grove Exploration

After lunch in Little Havana (try Versailles Restaurant, a Cuban institution), head to Coconut Grove, Miami’s oldest neighborhood. This lush, tree-canopied area maintains a laid-back, artistic vibe that contrasts with Miami’s more glamorous districts.

Visit the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a National Historic Landmark that exemplifies Miami’s gilded age. This Italian Renaissance-style villa, built in 1916, features 34 rooms filled with European antiques and artwork, surrounded by ten acres of formal gardens overlooking Biscayne Bay. The estate offers a glimpse into early 20th-century luxury and the vision that shaped Miami’s development.

Evening: CocoWalk and Waterfront Dining

Spend your evening exploring CocoWalk, an outdoor shopping and entertainment complex, and the surrounding streets filled with boutiques, galleries, and cafes. The neighborhood’s bohemian character attracts artists, writers, and free spirits, creating a unique atmosphere.

For dinner, choose one of the waterfront restaurants along Biscayne Bay. Watching the sunset over the water while enjoying fresh seafood epitomizes the Miami lifestyle.

Morning: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Take a day trip to Key Biscayne, a barrier island southeast of downtown Miami, accessible via the scenic Rickenbacker Causeway. Start at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, home to the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, Florida’s oldest standing structure.

The park offers pristine beaches consistently rated among America’s best, with clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the mangrove-lined shoreline, or simply relax on the beach under the shade of coconut palms. The lighthouse, dating from 1825, offers tours and panoramic views of the island and Miami skyline.

Afternoon: Crandon Park Beach and Nature

Head to Crandon Park Beach, another stunning beach with calm, shallow waters ideal for families. The park also features tennis courts, a golf course, and nature trails through coastal hammock habitat.

For the adventurous, try stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, or kiteboarding – sports for which Miami’s consistent winds and warm waters are ideal. Equipment rentals and lessons are readily available.

Evening: Rusty Pelican Sunset Dining

End your day at the Rusty Pelican, a waterfront restaurant offering spectacular views of the Miami skyline across Biscayne Bay. Time your reservation to catch the sunset, when the city’s buildings begin to glow in the golden hour light. The combination of fresh seafood, tropical cocktails, and stunning vistas creates an unforgettable Miami evening.

Morning: Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)

Explore Miami’s modern downtown area, starting with the Pérez Art Museum Miami, an architectural masterpiece designed by Herzog & de Meuron. The museum’s waterfront location in Museum Park offers stunning views of Biscayne Bay, while its collection focuses on 20th and 21st-century international art with an emphasis on Latin American and Caribbean artists.

The building itself, with its hanging gardens and open-air design, exemplifies tropical modernism and creates a seamless connection between art, architecture, and the surrounding natural environment.

Afternoon: Bayside Marketplace and Bayfront Park

Walk to Bayside Marketplace, a waterfront shopping and entertainment complex where you can book boat tours of Biscayne Bay and the Venetian Islands. These tours offer unique perspectives on Miami’s celebrity homes and the city’s relationship with water.

Adjacent Bayfront Park provides green space in the urban core, with views of the bay and regular cultural events. The park’s interactive fountains and shaded walkways offer respite from the afternoon heat.

Evening: Brickell Neighborhood

As evening approaches, explore Brickell, Miami’s financial district and a hub of contemporary architecture. This neighborhood of gleaming skyscrapers houses numerous bars, restaurants, and rooftop lounges where you can experience Miami’s sophisticated urban lifestyle.

Brickell City Centre, a mixed-use complex with striking architecture, offers shopping, dining, and a climate ribbon – an innovative architectural feature that provides shade and climate control in the outdoor spaces.

For dinner, Brickell offers everything from upscale steakhouses to innovative fusion restaurants. The area’s rooftop bars provide spectacular nighttime views of the Miami skyline.

Full Day: Everglades National Park

Dedicate your sixth day to exploring the Everglades, one of America’s most unique ecosystems and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This vast wilderness of sawgrass marshes, mangrove forests, and subtropical habitats lies just 40 miles from downtown Miami, yet feels like another world entirely.

Start early with an airboat tour, an exhilarating way to glide through the “River of Grass” while spotting alligators, wading birds, and other wildlife. Multiple operators offer tours from different locations, each providing access to different parts of this massive ecosystem.

Visit the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center to understand the Everglades’ ecology and conservation challenges. The park faces threats from urban development, water management issues, and invasive species, making conservation efforts crucial for its survival.

Take a ranger-led walk on the Anhinga Trail, where wildlife viewing opportunities abound. Alligators sun themselves on the banks, anhingas dive for fish, and various herons, egrets, and ibises wade through the shallows. The boardwalk design allows close encounters with wildlife while protecting the delicate habitat.

For the adventurous, rent a canoe or kayak to explore the mangrove-lined waterways. The Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail offers a moderate paddle through diverse habitats, with high probabilities of wildlife encounters.

Pack a picnic lunch and find a shaded spot to eat while watching for wildlife. The Everglades’ vastness and wildness provide a powerful contrast to Miami’s urban energy, reminding visitors of South Florida’s natural heritage.

Morning: Venetian Pool

Spend your final day in Coral Gables, known as “The City Beautiful” for its Mediterranean Revival architecture and meticulously planned design. Start at the Venetian Pool, a historic public swimming pool created in 1923 from a coral rock quarry. This stunning aquatic facility, with its grottos, waterfalls, and Venetian-style architecture, is unlike any other municipal pool in the world.

The pool’s water comes from underground artesian wells and is drained and refilled daily, maintaining pristine conditions. Swimming in this historic landmark provides a unique and refreshing experience.

Late Morning: Coral Gables Architecture Tour

After your swim, explore Coral Gables’ distinctive architecture. Drive or bike along Coral Way and Granada Boulevard to admire the Mediterranean Revival homes, many designed by the city’s founder, George Merrick. The Biltmore Hotel, a National Historic Landmark, exemplifies the grandeur Merrick envisioned for his city. Even if you’re not staying there, tour the public spaces and enjoy lunch at one of its restaurants.

Visit Merrick House, George Merrick’s childhood home, now a museum that tells the story of Coral Gables’ creation and development. The planned community concept and architectural unity Merrick implemented remain influential in urban planning today.

Afternoon: Miracle Mile Shopping and Dining

Stroll down Miracle Mile, Coral Gables’ main shopping street, lined with boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes. This pedestrian-friendly area maintains a sophisticated, European atmosphere with its covered walkways and outdoor dining.

For your final Miami meal, consider one of Coral Gables’ excellent restaurants. The city offers diverse cuisine in elegant settings, from traditional Spanish at restaurants like Calle Ocho or La Moderna to contemporary American at various establishments along the Miracle Mile.

Evening: Sunset Reflection

As your week in Miami comes to an end, find a waterfront spot to watch your final Miami sunset. Whether you choose South Pointe Park at the southern tip of Miami Beach, Matheson Hammock Park’s peaceful marina, or a rooftop bar with panoramic views, take time to reflect on your journey through this multifaceted city.