Miami In Four Days

With so much to see in Greater Miami & Miami Beach, it’s hard to know where to start. Lucky for you, we’ve come up with a four-day itinerary with the highlights – arts and culture experiences, outdoor pursuits, food, attractions and more – you don’t want to miss. Just four days is never enough to experience this exciting destination, but if that’s all you have, we’re going to help you make it memorable.

Day 1: Spend a Day in Miami Beach

Wake Up and Hit the Sand

Spending time in Miami Beach, lined by Biscayne Bay to the west and the tropical blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the east, is a must when you visit Miami. Spend the morning in South Beach, which runs from South Pointe Park north to 23rd Street, and check out colorful lifeguard stands and the luxurious swaths of white sand at Lummus Park. You can even play some beach volleyball. Make the most of your morning by relaxing on the sand, swimming in Miami Beach's warm waters, or trying a variety of water sports, from boating and kayaking to paddleboarding, snorkeling, diving and more.

Lunch in the Historic Art Deco District

Ocean Drive is filled with restaurants spilling out onto the streets, so pop into News Cafe for a Gianni Burger, a nod to famed designer Gianna Versaci, and loaded truffle fries. After that, stroll down Ocean Drive to the Art Deco Welcome Center and take a guided walking tour of the Art Deco Historic District. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this neighborhood has more than 800 brightly-colored buildings with distinct geometric shapes, porthole windows, chrome details, fountains and retro furnishings. It spans 5th Street to 23rd Street and runs along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue.

Dinner and Drinks at the Faena Hotel Miami Beach

Miami Beach is packed with fabulous hotels and resorts. Faena Hotel Miami Beach is dripping in luxury, with its red carpet entrance, leopard print tapestries, gold columns, floor-to-ceiling murals, red velvet and a 24-karat gold wooly mammoth statue by Damian Hirst. Dress to impress and experience the Faena’s luxury firsthand with dinner at Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann, for South American live-fire cooking, or Pao by Paul Qui, for lavish Asian cuisine. MICHELIN recommends both. Grab after-dinner drinks with live music and a posh crowd at the resort's Living Room lounge.

Day 2: Celebrate Art in Miami

A Day Of Art on The Mainland

The destination’s art scene is booming, and you can start at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). Located in Maurice A. Ferré Park in Downtown Miami, this museum houses nearly 3,000 permanent pieces of 20th- and 21st-century art, not to mention rotating exhibits and artistic plant and sculpture gardens, and boasts views of Biscayne Bay. When you’ve finished exploring, grab lunch at the museum's waterfront restaurant, Verde. Everything on the menu is locally sourced and seasonal, and if the pancetta maple pizza is on the menu, get it. It’s topped with crispy pancetta, white cheddar, roasted apples and rosemary.

From there, hop over to Wynwood. Once a community of neglected warehouses, today's Wynwood bursts with creative energy. At the heart of it all is Wynwood Walls, an outdoor art gallery with over 35 rotating murals by international graffiti artists. Art is all over Wynwood. Visitors will find alleyways covered in floor-to-ceiling graffiti art, murals and galleries.

Savory Delights and Cocktails in Wynwood

When you get hungry, you're in luck: The food and drink scene in Wynwood is as creative as the art. Between viewing art, refuel with a slice of pie at the beloved Fireman Derek's or a pastry from the James Beard-nominated Zak the Baker. Later, dine on tacos at Coyo Taco, upscale Turkish mezze at DOYA or Asian-inspired noodles at Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto's Momosan Wynwood. Finish your day with a taste of Wynwood's nightlife, or grab cocktails at R House.

Day 3: Discover The Charm of South Dade

Choose Your Own Outdoor Adventure

In South Dade, you can experience the destination’s countryside, which has miles of outdoor pursuits and two national parks: Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park. Animal lovers can check out Zoo Miami, one of the country's top 10 zoos, or wander through 30 acres of forest at Monkey Jungle to see monkeys in their natural habitat. In Homestead, Fruit & Spice Park is the only tropical botanic garden of its kind in the U.S. Tour its 37 acres to see or try over 500 varieties of exotic fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices and nuts, including 150 kinds of mangoes, 75 types of bananas and 70 varieties of bamboo. You can also explore South Dade’s many farms to discover a world of fresh, local produce and plant life.

Sip and Savor in the Redland

Head to South Dade gem Schnebly Redland's Winery, the southernmost winery in the United States. Grab a bite at the onsite Redlander Restaurant at Schnebly Winery which serves food made with the area's bountiful produce, such as coconut curry-stuffed avocado, smoked ribs with a house-made guava BBQ sauce and charred seasonal vegetables. Wash it all down with wine or beer made onsite. The winery produces wines with exotic local fruits, such as guava, lychee and mango. The onsite Miami Brewing Co. brews craft beers with local flavors (like a coconut ale). Grab a table under the giant tiki hut and admire tropical flowers and waterfalls while enjoying live music and the sun setting over the beautiful Miami countryside.

Day 4: Explore Miami's Heritage Neighborhoods

Spend The Day in Little Havana

A Morning of Cuban Coffee, Cigars and Dominoes

Every morning in Little Havana starts with Cuban coffee. Walk up to a “ventanita” (a small window) at El Rey De Las Fritas and order a thimble of the sugary-sweet, extra-strong drink with a side of Cuban toast and croquetas. After that boost of energy, make your way down Calle Ocho to find master cigar rollers making and selling authentic Cuban cigars, locals playing intense domino matches at Maximo Gomez Park (known as Domino Park), colorful murals and Latin culture at every turn.

An Afternoon of Authentic Cuban Flavors

When in Miami, Cuban food is a must, so fill up on some of the classics. At Sanguich de Miami, get a traditional Cuban sandwich: ham, pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard pressed between two slices of Cuban bread. Afterward, enjoy a sweet treat at Azucar Ice Cream Company, which serves artisanal ice cream with tropical and Cuban-inspired flavors, like sweet plantains, café con leche and Maria cookies.

Discover Little Havana With A Guided Tour

If you prefer a more-guided experience, book the Little Havana Food and Culture Tour from Miami Culinary Tours. With experts in the lead, you’ll explore neighborhood highlights while sampling authentic bites. The tour offers guests a taste of the classic mojito cocktail, an authentic Cuban pastry de guayaba and a delicious picadillo (ground beef) empanada. Along the way, you’ll learn about the art, history and culture of Miami's Cuban community and visit a cigar factory, where you’ll watch an expert skillfully rolling fine cigars.

Experience the Vibrancy of Historic Overtown

See Purvis Young’s Captivating Murals

Just east of Little Havana is Historic Overtown, a historically rich neighborhood home to murals by Miami artist Purvis Young. Explore all of Young's murals to get a glimpse into Historic Overtown. Located on the wall of the Culmer/Overtown Branch Library is Young's iconic 1984 mural, "Everday Life," which he made using house paint. Another of his illustrations from 1986 can be found just north of Historic Overtown at the Northside Metrorail station. The third and final mural by Young is from 2010. It is located on the overpass wall at NW 11th Street and NW 3rd Avenue and illustrates city structures, wild horses and African American angels. Young's work is often called folk art due to his unique mixing of bold and saturated colors with found objects and recycled materials. The artwork is powerful and evocative, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer. It is a must-see when visiting the area.

Savor Historic Overtown’s Soulful Flavors

Celebrating the origins of American cuisine, Chef Marcus Samuelson's Red Rooster Overtown is a MICHELIN-recommended restaurant that specializes in comfort food. Spend your evening trying fan favorites like Marcus' cornbread, fried yardbird with biscuits and chocolate bourbon pecan pie. Besides great food, Red Rooster is also home to The Legacy Collection, an outstanding compilation of modern and contemporary artwork featuring 15 talented artists. The works represent Miami's rich and diverse Black population and unique history. Enjoy the collection from the comfort of your table. Just scan the QR code on your table and take a visual walk-through of the collection.

If you’re not ready to call it a night, then stop by "The Harlem of The South" … officially known as The Pool Hall at Red Rooster Overtown. Nestled on top of an ice cream shop next door to Red Rooster, this second-floor lounge offers live music, late-night bites and specialty cocktails. This experience is sure to have you wanting more after just four days in Miami.

Need more ideas? Explore more Miami itineraries.