Looking for the perfect 3 days in Miami Itinerary? In this post, a Native shares with us the most epic weekend in Miami. Enjoy!
Miami is a city known for its Caribbean blue beaches and electric nightlife. While both are true characteristics of South Florida’s hottest destination, Miami also offers a lot more than meets the eye.
The city is emerging as a cultural hub in the state of Florida as new museums, unique architecture and creative local businesses move in. Miami is also home to a vibrant display of Latin culture. Local restaurants dish out Cuban delicacies like no other place in the country, as well as Brazilian, Colombian and Venezuelan cuisine.
In other words, Miami is an ideal place for a three-day vacation. It’s no wonder why the colorful culture, beautiful beaches and delicious food attract hordes of visitors every year. With so much to see and do, a jam-packed itinerary is the best way to go.
Here is how to spend a perfect three days in Miami.
Three Days in Miami Itinerary Overview
Three days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Miami. With three days in Miami you’ll have time to get to know its many unique neighborhoods, enjoy the beach, experience the world-famous nightlife and — more importantly — eat well.
Day 1: Miami Neighborhoods: Wynwood, Little Havana, Brickell
Day 2: Miami Beach
Day 3: Virginia Key
Best Time To Visit Miami
Miami boasts sunny weather all year round. Most agree that the best time to visit Miami is during the spring, between February and May. During this time the temperatures are a bit cooler than the height of summer and the humidity isn’t as bad.
Miami is also notorious for afternoon thunderstorms in the summer, which can get in the way of beach plans. Also keep in mind that hurricane season begins on July 1.
Tips For Visiting Miami
Spending three days in Miami is a dream vacation for all. It’s a destination that welcomes families, couples and groups of friends alike. If you’re planning your first trip to Miami, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
- Accommodation: Hotels can be expensive in Miami, especially if you want to stay in Miami Beach. Booking your stay ahead of time may help you get a better deal. I personally love comparing the hotel rates on Booking.com and on Hotelscombined.com.
- You can also look into staying in less expensive neighborhoods like the MiMo District. Airbnb may be a better option for budget travelers.
- Getting Around: Although some public transportation exists in Miami, it’s certainly not the best in the U.S. Everyone in South Florida uses a car to get around. If you’re planning to explore more than just the beach, then you might want to consider renting a car. If you’re planning to stay in one general area, then using Uber or Lyft will work just fine.
- Weather: South Florida can be extremely hot and humid. Thunderstorms are a daily occurrence in the summer months, too. Plan accordingly and make sure to bring lots of sunscreen and hats to shield you from the sun. Don’t forget an umbrella, too!
- Language: Although mostly everyone speaks English in Miami, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter restaurants or stores where the staff speaks only Spanish, especially when exploring Little Havannah.
- Nightlife: Miami’s extravagant nightclubs are a huge attraction for visitors and locals alike. Clubs can be expensive to get in, so you may want to ask around for a promoter contact that can get you in at a discounted rate. Most nightclubs also have an elevated dress code (you won’t be allowed in wearing beach flip flops).
3 days in Miami Itinerary: The Perfect Weekend In Miami
This three-day Miami itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors.
Miami Itinerary Day 1: Explore Miami’s top neighborhoods
Start off your trip to Miami with a delicious brunch at Morgan’s Restaurant, one of the most popular breakfast spots in the city. Morgan’s is located within Wynwood, Miami’s designated Arts District. The menu offers something for everyone, including a variety of Eggs Benedict, brioche French Toast and fried chicken with biscuits. Vegan options are also available.
After brunch, walk off the meal with a stroll through Wynwood. If you’re a street art fan, then you’ve come to the right place.
Wynwood is home to the highest concentration of street art in the country. The most evident display of this are the Wynwood Walls, an outdoor gallery of seasonally changing murals. Get your camera ready! As you walk around the neighborhood you’ll find more street art on every corner.
From Wynwood you can walk over to the Design District to window shop at the neighborhood’s many high-end stores. Even if you’re not in the mood for a high-priced handbag, the Design District is worth a visit for its unique architecture. It’s one of Miami’s newly built neighborhoods, and unique art and sculpture installations are common throughout.
For lunch, catch an Uber or drive over to Little Havana.
Little Havana is the center of Cuban culture in Miami. It’s the perfect place to experience authentic Cuban cuisine. For a classic Cuban sandwich layered with ham, pork, pickles and mustard head to Sanguich De Miami. If you want to try a Cuban-style burger topped with potato strings and plantains, check out El Rey De Las Fritas. For an authentic plate of rice, black beans and steak, the iconic Versailles Restaurant is the way to go.
Regardless of which you choose, make sure to follow up the meal with a flan or passion fruit flavored ice cream at Azucar.
Feel free to roam around the neighborhood and its cheeky shops before returning to your hotel or Airbnb to freshen up for dinner.
In the evening, head over to Brickell, where most of the city’s high-rises are concentrated. Dinner options include Pubbelly Sushi at the outdoor Brickell City Centre, an architectural masterpiece; Perricone’s for delicious Italian pastas; or La Mar for seafood with a waterfront view.
Grab an after-dinner drink at the tallest rooftop bar in the city: Sugar at the East Hotel. The bar offers a lush garden setting that transports you to Bali, with views that stretch all the way to Miami Beach.
Miami Itinerary Day 2: Enjoy the sun on Miami Beach
After all that walking on your first day in Miami, you’ll be ready to lay back on a beach.
Odds are there’s a Cuban diner or coffee window near your hotel or Airbnb, which makes for a great quick breakfast before the beach. Cuban coffee, known as cafecito, is a must-try. Pair it with a perfectly toasted slice of Cuban bread and a side of ham croquetas.
One of the best beaches in Miami Beach sits at the southern end of the island. It’s called South Pointe Park, where the sand is as white and the water as blue as you’d expect from a Caribbean beach.
South Pointe is a great place to sunbathe as it’s not as touristy as the main stretch of Miami Beach in front of Ocean Drive. You’ll most likely be sharing this beach with more locals than visitors, which makes it a more pleasant experience.
If you want to experience a classic Miami beach club, walk over to Nikki Beach for a drink.
When you get hungry, consider having lunch at the new Time Out Market, where several Miami restaurants provide a taste of the city’s diverse culinary landscape.
Following lunch, walk toward Ocean Drive to view Miami Beach’s iconic Art Deco buildings. You’ll find plenty of photo ops here, too!
Spend the rest of your afternoon sunbathing on the beach or stop by Lincoln Road for some shopping.
For dinner, the seafood and key lime pie at Joe’s Stone Crab shouldn’t be missed.
Since no Miami night is over after dinner, consider pop[ing over to the Broken Shaker at the Freehand Hotel for a drink. Another more relaxed option is to head to Lagniappe, a beautiful outdoor wine bar in Wynwood. If you’re looking for the quintessential Miami nightclub experience, it doesn’t get more lively than LIV at the Fontainebleau Hotel, neon lights, confetti and champagne bottles included.
Miami Itinerary Day 3: Escape to Virginia Key
On your third day in Miami you’ll head to a place where many tourists don’t venture to.
But first stop by Zak the Baker for some pastries. Grab an extra sandwich or two for a lunch picnic at your next destination.
Virginia Key is an island spanning over 800 acres that offers paradisiacal beaches devoid of all the crowds on Miami Beach. Here you’ll find miles of biking trails with beautiful ocean views, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and a beautiful state park.
Here you’ll spend the day lying out on Virginia Beach or biking around the island.
You won’t want to miss out on the Cape Florida Lighthouse in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. The picture-perfect lighthouse lies on a white sandy stretch facing turquoise waters. It’ll feel like you escaped to the Florida Keys when you’re just a few minutes away from the center of town.
For dinner, swing by the casual (and perpetually packed) Lung Yai Thai Tapas in Little Havana. There will most certainly be a wait — but it’s worth it! This tiny, unassuming hole in the wall restaurant serves the best Thai food in Miami. Note that you’re required to place your entire order all at once.
End your Miami trip with a bang with live music and salsa dancing at Ball & Chain, Little Havana’s most famous club.
This is a post written by guest contributor Carla Vianna, Founder of Travel By Carla Vianna blog.
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