Your Guide to a Weekend in Miami Beach

You have one weekend in Miami Beach, and you want to do it all. From where the locals eat and play to those iconic things to see and do, we’ve created an itinerary for an exciting, fun-filled and sun-soaked three days in this vacation paradise.

Day 1: Sand, Snorkeling & Sunset Views

Morning

There’s nothing more Miami Beach than a morning stroll on the Beachwalk, a nine-mile oceanfront promenade that stretches from South Beach to North Beach. With those scenic beach views, it’s a great way to start your day in South Beach. Then fuel up for the day at one of the many hotels along Ocean Drive, like open-air Zaytinya at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, which overlooks the pool and puts a Mediterranean spin on breakfast.

You’re probably here for the beaches, so spend your first full day sunbathing and dipping into the calm, blue waters of South Beach. If you’re staying in a beachfront hotel, most offer loungers and service on the beach. Otherwise, rent chairs and an umbrella from Boucher Brothers. Look for their signature blue-and-white setup on the beach.

Afternoon

Keep the relaxed vibes going with an alfresco lunch at Ocean Grill at The Setai Miami Beach hotel while enjoying beach views and ocean breezes. You’ll feel as if you’ve discovered a delicious secret.

One of the newest and most-fascinating things to do in Miami Beach is snorkeling The ReefLine, a seven-mile underwater sculpture park that stretches from South Beach past North Beach to Bal Harbor. In this artificial reef, you’ll spot everything from submerged cars to other whimsical sculptures that attract marine life.

Evening

One of the most beautiful spots in Miami Beach is South Pointe Park, perched at the southern tip of South Beach and offering panoramic views of the beach and Downtown Miami. It’s a great place to spend golden hour, strolling the waterfront promenade or South Pointe Pier as the sun sets. You might even spot cruise ships heading out to sea.

For dinner, head to nearby Joe’s Stone Crab, a South Beach institution that’s been around for more than a century, to slip on a bib and crack fresh stone crab claws from October through May. You could also dine at MICHELIN one-star restaurant Stubborn Seed, where many of the ingredients come from Chef Jeremy Ford’s farm in Homestead.

Day 2: Art, Breakfast & Ocean Drive Vibes

Morning

Culture is a big part of Miami Beach’s identity. Start your morning at The Betsy South Beach, explore its extensive art collection and have breakfast on the outdoor terrace. While enjoying your meal and listening to music, watch bikers and rollerbladers cruise by on this quieter side of Ocean Drive.

You’ve seen Miami Beach’s famous Art Deco buildings in everything from movies to TV shows, but there’s nothing like seeing these colorful, historic gems in-person. You’re already in the Art Deco District, so scoop up tickets for the popular 10:30 a.m. walking tour with the experts from the Miami Design Preservation League, who will help you appreciate the buildings’ importance to Miami Beach.

Afternoon

You could start your afternoon with some beach time at Lummus Park. Or head about three blocks south to Puerto Sagua Restaurant for an authentic Cuban lunch. We suggest the Cuban sandwich and the oxtail soup and, of course, a cafecito. And while you’re in the Art Deco District, spend an hour or so at The Wolfsonian, a unique museum that explores how art, design and propaganda from the 1850s to 1950s shaped society.

Spend the rest of your afternoon shopping and people-watching on Lincoln Road. You can even take a self-guided art walk to see the unique, often playful public art that dots this pedestrian-only, eight-block-long mall.

Evening

If you want to dine where the locals go, cozy up at Macchialina, a classic Miami Beach restaurant on Alton Road, for handmade pastas and a curated wine list.

What you decide to do after dinner depends on your personal tastes. On many Saturday nights between October and April, you might be able to catch a live classical music concert at the New World Center or view the concert on the 7,000-square-foot projection wall on the side of the hall. These WALLCAST concerts are free, and many people bring picnics to enjoy.

For those who want to experience the area’s exciting nightlife, one of the best (and most-famous) clubs is LIV at the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel in Mid Beach. Come dressed to impress and expect a night fueled by world-renowned DJs, bottle service and dancing.

Day 3: Biscayne Bay, Paddling & A Sunset Dinner

Morning

Start your last day in Miami Beach by grabbing one of the decadent pastries or croissants from True Loaf in the Sunset Harbour neighborhood of South Beach. Everything is made from scratch. You might smell the freshly baked bread before you see the small bakery.

Your next stop is Miami Beach Paddleboard, where you can rent a paddleboard or kayak and explore Biscayne Bay on the western shore of South Beach. It even offers a guided sunrise paddling tour, which is worth getting up early for.

Afternoon

After you’re finished enjoying Biscayne Bay, you can keep those views in sight by having lunch along the bay at Lido Bayside at The Standard Spa Miami Beach hotel. The menu is centered around coastal dishes and locally sourced ingredients.

Then treat yourself to the peace, quiet and beauty of the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. A forest in Miami Beach? That’s right. It’s a garden oasis with a variety of plants, a Japanese garden and water features. Admission is free.

Evening

We know, you don’t want to leave, but having dinner at the rooftop restaurant MILA on Lincoln Road will ease the pain. In addition to its gorgeous views (especially at sunset), this restaurant is a looker, and the menu stars everything from Wagyu steaks to sushi. As the night goes on, live entertainment makes MILA feel like a nightclub or lounge.

End your weekend at one of the locally loved bars. You’ll find the locals at Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company, which has won awards for its creative cocktails, or Medium Cool, a speakeasy-style bar with live jazz and a killer espresso martini. It’s the perfect nightcap to your weekend in Miami Beach.