How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Miami

Whether you’re exploring Greater Miami and Miami Beach for the first time or a local wanting to go on an iconic Miami adventure, here’s how to enjoy a perfect 72 hours. Beautiful, sun-soaked and always exciting, the destination has everything you need for a memorable three days.

Friday

Morning: Explore Wynwood’s Creative Scene

Kick-start your weekend in Wynwood, home to murals, art studios and eclectic shops. Fuel up at the French restaurant maman with classics like smashed avocado tartine or crème fraîche pancakes while sipping on honey lavender lattes or an affogato. Then head down the street to Wynwood Walls, the world-famous outdoor street art and graffiti museum that will dazzle you with its giant murals.

Afternoon: Culture & Cuisine

Head about two miles north to Little Haiti, one of the area’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods. Grab lunch at Chef Creole for authentic Haitian food. Pair your meal with “pikliz,” a spicy, vinegary slaw that adds flavor to any dish. Explore Haitian art at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex and learn more about the history that has shaped Little Haiti.

If you still have time, there’s plenty to do in Downtown Miami – about six miles from Little Haiti – including shopping at the open-air Bayside Marketplace or visiting scenic Maurice A. Ferré Park on Biscayne Bay, which has the longest bayside promenade in the destination.

Evening: Dinner & Good Vibes in Brickell

Finish your first day with luxury shopping at the multilevel Brickell City Centre in nearby Brickell. Enjoy indoor mini golf and comfort food at Puttshack, catch a movie at the upscale CMX Brickell, which offers in-theatre dining, or take the elevator to the rooftop lounge Sugar for craft cocktails and pan-Asian bites with panoramic views of Biscayne Bay and the skyline.

Saturday

Morning: Brunch & Beach Time

Travel across the MacArthur Causeway to Miami Beach and grab breakfast at Pura Vida Miami, an all-day cafe with nutritious, tasty food. Dig into dishes crafted with fresh ingredients, like veggie omelettes, a smoked sammy (smoked salmon on multigrain sourdough bread with soft-boiled eggs, avocado and more) or a superfood smoothie. Then head over to South Pointe Park, on the tip of South Beach, to take in beautiful views of the Downtown Miami skyline, ships cruising in and out of PortMiami, and the turquoise Atlantic Ocean. Swim, sunbathe on the soft sand beach or just hang out at lively South Pointe Pier.

Afternoon: Lunch, Art Deco and the Beachwalk

Have lunch at Havana 1957 on Ocean Drive and savor Florida lobster, braised flank steak or a traditional Cuban sandwich. After you’ve refueled, continue exploring palm-tree lined Ocean Drive with its breathtaking ocean views. Admire the iconic pastel-colored Art Deco design and architecture that defines the neighborhood. Stop by Lummus Park and enjoy the Beachwalk, a nine-mile-long oceanfront pedestrian promenade with seaside views, people-watching and occasional free events.

Evening: Neon Lights, Dinner & Nightlife

Savor dinner and beach views at Serena Rooftop, the open-air rooftop restaurant at Moxy Miami South Beach hotel. Dine on Latin fare, such as ceviche and tacos, and savor mezcal-infused drinks. After dinner, meander along South Beach’s neon-lit streets. If you’re in the mood to experience the destination’s famous nightlife, you have many choices. For some of the world’s hottest DJs and celebrity sightings, party all night at the high-energy LIV nightclub at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel, a short distance away in Mid Beach. On weekends, LIV opens at 11 p.m. and doesn’t close until 5 a.m. For a more laid-back cocktail bar experience, the Broken Shaker bar in the Freehand Miami hotel has a hidden garden and serves handcrafted drinks.

Sunday

Morning: A Taste of Cuban Culture in Little Havana

Make the most of your last day in Miami by crossing back onto the mainland and diving into Cuban culture in Little Havana. Have a filling breakfast (or early lunch) at MICHELIN-recommended Versailles, a family-owned restaurant on Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street) that’s been serving Cuban food to locals and visitors for over 50 years. Sip on a cafecito (a strong, sweet Cuban espresso) and devour buttery pastelitos and Versailles’ famous Cuban sandwiches.

Explore Calle Ocho while listening to Cuban music pouring out of cafes and bakeries. At Domino Park, watch locals playing dominos, or head to a cigar shop for artisan hand-rolled cigars.

Afternoon: Gardens & Waterfront Views 

Get on the road and head about 15 minutes southeast to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, a historic Mediterranean Revival-style mansion built in the early 20th century. Transport yourself back in time as you wander through its lush tropical gardens overlooking Biscayne Bay. If you’re hungry, grab a Cuban panini, farro bowl or even a glass of wine at the Vizcaya Café and Shop.

Evening: Farewell Dinner, Shopping and Maybe A Movie

As your weekend comes to a bittersweet end, have dinner in a garden at Glass and Vine in nearby Coconut Grove. The greenery and twinkling lights create an intimate atmosphere to wine and dine. Savor entrees like chicken black truffle gnocchi and seared salmon while reflecting on your memorable weekend in Miami. After dinner, check out CocoWalk and treat yourself to a laidback evening of shopping in its boutiques and retail stores. If movies are more your vibe, head to CocoWalk’s luxury movie theater, Cinépolis.