Your Perfect Week in Miami

If you have a weeklong vacation but can’t decide between a beach getaway or a culture-packed city escape, Greater Miami & Miami Beach offers the best of both worlds. With its turquoise coastline, world-class dining, artistic neighborhoods, vibrant nightlife and tropical nature reserves, it’s easy to pack your trip with unforgettable experiences.

This seven-day itinerary guides you through Miami's most iconic and unique offerings, all thoughtfully spaced out to make each day fun, immersive and comfortably doable.

Day 1: Art Deco Highlights & A Day at the Beach 

Morning 

Begin your Miami adventure in South Beach, one of the most iconic neighborhoods in the destination. Start at the Art Deco Welcome Center on Ocean Drive, where you can join a guided walking tour of the Art Deco District. You’ll stroll past pastel-colored buildings from the 1920s and ‘30s and hear fascinating stories about their architecture and pop culture history, including filming locations from movies like “Scarface.”

Afternoon 

Stay in the neighborhood and enjoy lunch on Ocean Drive. Dine at Call Me Cuban in the historic Cardozo Hotel – owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan – for elevated Cuban fare, or grab a quick bite at Cubatón Sandwich Shop, known for its hearty Cuban sandwiches.

After lunch, unwind at Lummus Park, a palm tree–lined stretch of green space along Ocean Drive with direct access to the beach. Relax on the sand, take in the ocean views or people-watch from a shaded bench. It’s a classic South Beach experience.

Evening

After a relaxing beach afternoon, check out Hosteria Romana on Española Way for a lively Italian meal with old-world flair. Want to keep the night going? Head to Mango’s Tropical Cafe for Latin music and dancing.

Day 2: Head to Downtown Miami & Brickell 

Morning

Make it a laid-back museum morning. If you have young kids, you can spend hours at Miami Children’s Museum on Watson Island, off the MacArthur Causeway. On the mainland, you’ll find Pérez Art Museum Miami and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, located in 21-acre Maurice A. Ferré Park in Downtown Miami. Frost Science has both an aquarium and a planetarium. HistoryMiami Museum is great for all ages and is an enjoyable way to explore Miami’s unique history.

Afternoon  

Have lunch at Bayside Marketplace, where you will have nearly 30 restaurants to choose from. Bayside Marketplace is also home to some of Miami’s best boat and bike tours, including Island Queen Cruises & Tours and Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures. Or ride the 176-foot tall Skyviews Miami observation wheel to see Biscayne Bay and Downtown Miami from above.

Evening 

Make your way to Brickell City Centre in Brickell for high-end shopping and trendy restaurants and check out some of the best rooftop bars in the area, including the chic Rosa Sky and Sugar, for spectacular nighttime views.

Day 3: Art & Culture in Wynwood & Historic Overtown

Morning 

In Wynwood, about three miles north of Downtown Miami, you’ll see colorful murals almost everywhere you look, but to learn about some of the best graffiti muralists from around the world, check out Wynwood Walls. Wynwood Art Walk offers a variety of tours (including a golf cart tour) and even a graffiti spray paint station so you can create your own art.

Afternoon

For lunch, Wynwood has some of the trendiest restaurants in Miami, such as MICHELIN Bib Gourmand-designated Doya for upscale Mediterranean food. For a more-casual option, try Joe’s Pizza for real New York-style pizza or El Bajerque for authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. Then head a few miles south to Historic Overtown to learn about Miami’s Black history and culture at the Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum.

Evening 

Enjoy dinner at Red Rooster Overtown, run by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. Expect soulful dishes, live jazz and a nod to the neighborhood’s golden era of music. If you’re up for it, venture to The Pool Hall, Red Rooster’s exclusive speakeasy lounge, capturing the essence of 1950s-1970s nightlife.

Day 4: History, Swimming & Dining in Coconut Grove & Coral Gables 

Morning 

Start your day with breakfast at Greenstreet Cafe, a Coconut Grove favorite known for its breezy patio and hearty morning fare. After breakfast, enjoy a peaceful stroll through one of Coconut Grove’s historic gems. You can visit Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, an early-1900s Italian-inspired villa surrounded by 10 acres of lush gardens and bayfront views. Alternatively, opt for The Barnacle Historic State Park, a quiet oasis perfect for walking or biking among live oaks and native flora (closed Thursdays).

Afternoon

Head to Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, where you can spend the afternoon exploring stylish boutiques, galleries and inviting, pedestrian-friendly streets. Enjoy lunch at Motek, a modern Mediterranean cafe known for fresh, flavorful dishes, like shakshuka, kebabs and its award-winning Arayes Burger. After lunch, visit the Coral Gables Museum to learn about the city’s history, architecture and cultural heritage through rotating exhibits and engaging programming.

Evening 

As the sun sets, stroll through Giralda Plaza, a lively pedestrian street filled with twinkling lights, live music and buzzing restaurants. For dinner, enjoy Latin-inspired fare with rooftop views at Cebada Rooftop or opt for a refined omakase experience at Shingo, a MICHELIN-starred gem led by Chef Shingo Akikuni. Cap off the evening with a show at the Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre.

Day 5: Shopping & Cuban Culture in Miami Design District & Little Havana 

Morning 

If you’re into luxury shopping, art and architecture, you don’t want to miss the fast-growing Miami Design District, where you’ll also find lots of Instagrammable public art. If you enjoy modern art, visit the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, where there’s never an admission charge. 

Afternoon 

Have lunch at one of the many fine restaurants in the Miami Design District. Then head about five miles east to Little Havana, where you can admire murals, grab an authentic Cuban coffee or watch the locals playing dominoes at Domino Park.

Evening

Go to acclaimed chef Michelle Bernstein’s Cafe La Trova for happy hour and stay for dinner accompanied by live Cuban music. Continue dancing afterward at Ball & Chain or visit some of the other nightclubs on Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street). 

Day 6: North Miami Beach & Bal Harbour Village

Morning 

We’re heading north today and starting our day in North Miami Beach. Enjoy breakfast at the charming cafe Neverland Coffee Bar, where you’ll feel like you’re in a magical hideaway; brunch is served all day. Next, tour what might be the oldest building in the Western Hemisphere, the Ancient Spanish Monastery.

Afternoon 

Have a memorable experience kayaking, paddleboarding and even snorkeling among Florida’s native mangroves at Oleta River State Park. You can rent kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and mountain bikes from on-site Oleta River Outdoor Center.

Evening 

End the day in Bal Harbour Village with a visit to Bal Harbour Shops, an open-air luxury shopping destination known for its lush tropical landscaping and curated collection of high-end boutiques. Browse designer stores like CHANEL, Gucci and Valentino, then enjoy an upscale dining experience at one of the on-site restaurants, such as Makoto for modern Japanese cuisine. It’s the perfect way to unwind in style after a day of exploring.

Day 7: Strawberry Picking, The Everglades & Casino Fun 

Morning 

Head south to Homestead and The Redland, Miami’s agricultural region. From October to April, start your day with warm cinnamon rolls at Knaus Berry Farm, a beloved local tradition. Afterward, enjoy strawberry picking in the surrounding fields. It’s a fun, family-friendly activity and a great way to experience the area’s farming roots (available November to April).

Afternoon 

Have an action-packed afternoon at Everglades National Park. the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and a vital part of the world’s ecosystem. Choose from a serene Shark Valley tram tour, an adventurous airboat ride, rent bikes to explore a 15-mile loop (watch for gators!) or make time to visit the Miccosukee Indian Village, where you can learn about the culture, history and traditions of the Miccosukee Tribe.

Evening

Wrap up your day at the Miccosukee Casino & Resort on the eastern edge of the Everglades. Try your luck at the slot machines or table games or unwind with live entertainment and dining options on-site. Whether you’re in the mood for casual bites or a sit-down meal, the resort offers a variety of choices to end your day on a high note in the heart of Miccosukee territory.

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