Miami is an amazing destination, period (in my opinion).
After traveling regularly to Miami for years, I want to share the best things I think you can do in the City of Lights for a long weekend in this 3 days in Miami itinerary.
Sparkling Miami can be a glamorous city of excess glam, sunglasses, beaches, cool convertibles, and vibrant nightlife. But it can also be a chill place.
Along Miami Beach, people walk around in laid-back beach outfits and flip-flops with no traces of glam at all (except flashy sunglasses).
Anyway, I am thrilled to share with you my take on the must-dos and particularities of Miami so you can create your best trip ever. If you are a first-time visitor, this itinerary will come in real handy.
Quick Best-Of Miami Tips
📍 Best budget stay: Generator Miami Mid Beach
📍 Best Luxury stay: Setai Miami Beach
📍 Best tour: 2 Hours Private Boat Tour Biscayne Bay
Is Solo Travel In Miami A Good Idea?
As an avid solo female traveler (my favorite way to travel), I always want to give some advice to anyone planning on traveling solo. And Miami solo travel is actually a great idea if you ask me.
Personally, I have spent months there at a time, and I have had no uncomfortable or even annoying experiences in Miami so far.
That said, I am an experienced solo female traveler, so I feel very comfortable being by myself, navigating new destinations, and assessing what is ok and what is not ok – for me.
As always, stay away from the obvious no-gos, like unregistered taxis, don’t get ridiculously drunk, and avoid dark areas and the beach completely alone at night. You can read my list of safety tips for solo female travelers in Miami at the end of the article.
Day 1 in Miami: Sightseeing and Street Art
Your First Morning In Miami
My first suggestion to first-timers in Miami is that there are two really good ways to get a quick overview of the city.
The first one is to climb to the top deck of a hop-on-hop-off bus tour that will allow you to familiarize yourself with the various city areas.
Stop at places like the famous Cuban community in the Little Havana neighborhood with live music bars, Domino Park, cigars, and the famous Calle Ocho.
You may already know that the Latin community in Miami is extensive; about 54% percent of the population in the whole of Miami is of Cuban descent! So, if you know a bit of Spanish, you get to practice your skills here.
The hop-on hop-off bus is a bit touristy, but you will get an easy overview of the city while you have an entertaining guide telling you fun stories on the way.
You can even combine the bus tour with other adventures, like a fun airboat tour in the Everglades National Park or a boat tour on Biscayne Bay.
EpicNomadLife Tip: I did the Bus + Everglades Hoover Craft + Biscayne Bay boat combo tour, which was a good combination at a good price.
The second way is a bit more extravagant. To get an airy overview, get yourself on a helicopter tour and fly over the city, the iconic Miami Beach, and even Fort Lauderdale.
I did this (you can read about my helicopter experience here), and it was spectacular flying over the blue waters in a tiny glass bubble helicopter with pilot Tracy.
Definitely recommend!
Once you have your feet back on solid ground, head for lunch at one of Cevice105’s restaurants, the best Peruvian kitchen in the city that has gotten rewards twelve years in a row.
This restaurant has venues both in Downtown Miami and South Beach (and two other places), so you will be covered in whatever city district you end up in for lunch.
In addition to getting spectacular cevice, you can also have fish, meat, or vegetarian dishes here, created with the same love!
Day 1 Afternoon
For your day 1 in Miami afternoon, head over to Wynwood Art District, where there is an infinite number of ever-changing street art on almost any wall and building you will pass.
Just walking the streets on your own, you will experience a multitude of impressive, colorful murals.
If you opt for an organized tour, you will also learn about the history of Wynwood and possibly try out the neighborhood cuisine if you choose a combined food and art tour.
I joined this art & food tour, which was awesome.
Don’t miss out on a visit to Wynwood Walls Art Center, where some of the best street artists in the world have displays of their incredible pieces. The street art tour includes the entrance fee to the center, but if you skip the guided tour, you should go here anyway.
At the unique Wynwood Walls, you have outdoor and indoor exhibitions, some separate exhibitions, and a variety of unique sculptures to admire.
If you feel like doing some shopping here, find your way to Boho Hunter, one of several small eclectic shops in this neighborhood where you can find yourself an unmatched piece of fashion-statement garment or accessories.
Take a short break from sightseeing and head over to Veza Sur Brewery Company, one of the really good small breweries with a variety of tasty and locally-made brews in Wynwood.
I loved the ambiance here; although not a beer person, the vibe is cool, and there is outdoor seating, a nice outdoor yard, and chill music.
Or test the bigger Cerveceria La Tropical, which also has hundreds of brew options, a tropical garden with outdoor seating, and one-of-a-kind murals created by local artists.
If you still have some exploring left in you, the Museum of Graffiti and the Margulies Collection at the Warehouse near Wynwood will keep feeding your cultural mind on this first day in Miami.
The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse is home to a vast collection of vintage and contemporary photography art over a vast 50,000 square feet of space from the renowned collector Martin Z. Margulies.
If you have the slightest interest in photography, paintings, and sculpture, you will love a visit here!
Also read: 23 Best Things To Do Solo In Miami From A Frequent Visitor
Day 1 In Miami Night
You may or may not need a breather at your hotel now before you head out for your first night in Miami, and I have suggestions.
Starting off your evening at the Copal Rooftop bar in Wynwood is perfect for views of Biscayne Bay. The Miami Beach skyline, combined with a sunset-worthy cocktail, will get you in a zen mood for the night until you get hungry.
From there, you can have dinner at Seaspice Brasserie & Lounge. Full disclosure: other places have slightly higher reviews, but the ambiance of the seaside in this restaurant is unbeatable.
If you are up for a spicy night, you can continue your night at The Dirty Rabbit nightclub in Wynood, which has somewhat colorful events for the daring. Go here any time after 8 p.m. and stay until 3 a.m. if you wish!
Day 2 in Miami: Boat Tour And Cultural Immersion
Good Morning!
After breakfast, start your second day on the shores of Bayside Marketplace, where you can find lots of great, more mainstream shopping, an outdoor market, and a Ferris wheel.
Explore Bayside Marketplace for a while on foot, and then consider heading out for an invigorating or relaxing boat tour of Biscayne Bay, which is exactly what I recommend.
There are a variety of boat trip options from the marina here.
You can book a private tour for your group, a tour that includes snorkeling, or a slow cruise where you just sit back and enjoy the views and see the islands and mansions scattered around Biscayne Bay.
Some tours have regular departures throughout the day; others have morning departures for a full-day experience or late afternoon departures for a sunset tour of Biscayne Bay and the Miami Skyline (which I also recommend; I loved the sunset cruise).
Once you are back on dry land, take your lunch at Verde, a laid-back restaurant with stunning views of Biscayne Bay and a large outside seating area.
You can walk here along the water from Bayside Marketplace, which will take around 20 minutes.
Also read: 6 Top-Rated Private Boat Tours Miami From A Frequent Visitor
Day 2 Afternoon
The Verde is conveniently located in the Perez Art Museum close to Maurice A. Ferre Park, so you can make your visit to the museum either before or after lunch (or have lunch in the park).
There are a variety of other museums to visit in the vicinity of Downtown and Brickell Miami, close to the Perez Art Museum, so let us stay with the cultural vibe this afternoon.
Here are the most popular ones in a quick list:
- Institute of Contemporary Art Miami Design District
- History Miami Museum
- Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
- Superblue Miami (behind Wynwood)
- Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is close to Brickell, a stunning historic estate
If you are anything like me, now you will appreciate a short break; put your feet up in your hotel, take a breather, and freshen up for the evening.
Day 2 Evening
As you head into your second evening, try starting the night at the rooftop bars of either Area 31 at Kimpton EPIC Hotel in Downtown Miami or the Rosa Sky in Brickell to set your mood for the night with incredible views.
These are both epic places for a sunset cocktail or mocktail with a gentle breeze and the city buzz far below. Rosa Sky has some small bites on its menu, while Area 31 also has a full dinner menu if you want to stay here.
If not, head over to Moxies Miami Restaurant in Brickell, which has a laid-back dinner atmosphere and a variety of steaks, pasta, and vegan options on the menu.
A more luxurious dining option in Downtown Miami is Bagatelle Miami, which will feed you little pieces of edible art in an elegant atmosphere.
Finally, if you have more energy, have a quiet nightcap at The Corner bar or go clubbing into the morning at E11even, which closes at 5 a.m. (but don’t forget you have one more day!).
Day 3 Miami: Enjoy Miami Beach For A Day
Your last day in Miami is perfect for exploring the sandy beaches of Miami, winding down your Miami adventure after two days of exploring, and why not start your day in the brilliant South Beach?
Day 3 Morning
I prefer to stay somewhere on Miami Beach when I visit, either the South Beach or the Mid Beach area, simply because I love the vibe here.
However, the easiest way to get to Miami Beach if you are not staying there or have a car is with an Uber.
If you are sporty, there are bike lanes all the way from the mainland, so you can rent a bike for the day to get you around. And if you use your own car, you probably want to get here early to avoid parking issues.
There are parking garages like the Time Out Market Parking on South Beach, around three blocks from the beach. You can also download the apps ParkMe and Parkmobile, which will help you locate available parking and pay for parking online.
EpicNomadLife Tip: Use the free trolley service to get around Miami Beach from south to north. Download the Trolley app and the Miami Beach Trolley app for an overview.
Start the day with the most famous features of South Beach: the Art Deco buildings and architecture that define the blocks from 5th Street to 23rd Street, along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, and Washington Avenue.
If you want a bit of history to your walk, opt for a self-guided walk that you can get from the Art Deco welcome center by Lummus Park.
You can easily download the app called “GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities” from either the App Store or Google Play!
You can also get a guided art deco walking tour focusing on architecture or even a combination of art and food tours. 90-minute guided walking tours start daily at 10:30 a.m. from the welcome center.
If you want to check off doing a once-in-a-lifetime workout at the famous Muscle Beach (or just watch others sweat), you find this little outdoor gym in the park just outside 9th Street and Ocean Drive.
There are a myriad of lunch options on South Beach. If you are ready for a steak lunch, you can make your way to the south tip of Miami Beach to the Smith & Wollensky in South Point Park.
For a lighter, more laid-back lunch option, try tasty Mexican cuisine at the award-winning Naked Taco by Lummus Park!
Day 3 Afternoon
In the afternoon, you might be ready to hang out on the beach for a couple of hours when the sun is not too strong.
Remember to pack sunscreen and swimwear, rent a beach chair and umbrella on the beach, or bring your own towel and just find your own spot completely for free.
For a glamorous sunset experience on South Beach, just stay on your towel until the sun sets, or head over to Nikki Beach Club for a leisurely or bubbly time.
In South Point Park, there are always lots of people and life; enjoy the ambiance and watch all the large cruisers pass by heading to port in Miami from here.
On South Beach, you also find The Bass Museum of Art and the Jewish Museum of Florida, telling the everyday life history of Jews in the Sunshine State through an interesting collection of old photographs, memorabilia, and artifacts.
Or just go home and change before you head to your last evening.
Day 3 Evening
For your last evening in Miami, I suggest you head over to one of the most spectacular rooftop terraces in Miami, the Watr on the 1 Rooftop at 1 Hotel South Beach.
This rooftop oasis opens to the public at 6 p.m., and in addition to unsurpassed ocean views, it has a rooftop pool and a Peruvian-influenced Japanese fusion menu.
The rooftop slowly transforms into an outdoor club atmosphere while still offering relaxed lounge seating, so you dont really need to go anywhere else for the night. This might be the perfect place to end your trip to Miami!
Really Important Decision: Choosing Where to Stay in Miami
One of the first things to do is choose where in Miami you want to stay and what kind of accommodation you want. I have my favorite area (Miami Beach!), but I understand that might not be yours.
Miami has a variety of top-rated hotels across the spectrum, and the various city districts have distinctively different ambiance.
To make it a bit easier for you to choose, I will divide Miami into three popular areas: Miami Beach, Downtown Miami with Brickell, and Wynwood Arts District.
Here is a short list of top-rated places to stay in the three zones of Miami so you can check out the ones in the neighborhood that suit you!
Miami Beach
If you need to be close to the beach and still be close to shopping, nightlife, and restaurants, you should stay at Miami Beach. Not gonna lie; Miami Beach is my favorite place to stay when I visit.
As Miami Beach is actually about nine miles long, you also need to decide where on Miami Beach you want to stay.
You have glamorous South Beach, more tranquil Mid Beach stays, or the quiet North Beach with some of the best luxury shopping in Miami Miami at Bal Harbor Shops.
Travel between the three with a quick Uber or the free trolley if you dont have your own car.
Depending on traffic, it will be a short drive of around 15 minutes from South Beach over to Bayside Marketplace and Downtown Miami on the mainland if you have these areas on your to-do list.
Below are three top-rated Miami Beach options to stay across the price range (just remember that nowhere in Miami is really cheap unless you want to stay at a Miami hostel dorm).
Luxury: The Setai Miami Beach
Budget: Rooftop Retreat on Ocean Drive
Cheap: Viajeros Miami Hotel and Hostel on South Beach, and Generator on Mid Beach
Breakfast in Miami Beach
A great place for a serious explorer breakfast in South Beach is the Bacon Bitch (obviously), or you can go to Havana 1957 (my favorite) for a delicious Cuban sandwich, strong, sweet coffee, and almost direct views of the beach.
In Mid Beach, try out the Crema Gourmet Expresso bar for great coffee, a power smoothie, or a healthy salad or sandwich to start your day.
I used to go here when I stayed in Generator in Mid-Beach for my morning caffeine and smoothie fix.
Downtown and Brickell
Travelers who need to be in the middle of high rises to feel connected on a vibrant city holiday will definitely love staying in downtown Miami or Brickell.
This is also close to Biscayne Bay and Bayside Marketplace (where you can get all the boat tours from).
In Downtown Miami, these accommodation options get great reviews:
Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel Miami
High-End Home Stay: Luxury Apartment Downtown
Budget: Eurostars Langford budget hotel with good reviews
Cheap: The Boutique Hotel Miami near Bayfront Park
Breakfast in Downtown and Brickell
If you wake up in downtown Miami, you can check out Cafe Bastille for a real French breakfast treat.
Or head over to Bistro Cafe, which will get you everything from incredible sweet pancakes to delicious eggs and bacon.
Wynwood Art District
And lastly, if you like being surrounded by invigorating street art, art galleries, unique food venues, and a relaxed but still urban atmosphere, you will like having the Wynwood Art District as your Miami base.
Think about it. I have some concrete suggestions for places to stay at the end of this article. But first, let us get into what really cool and fun things you can do for your three days in Miami itinerary!
The Wynwood Art District also has highly rated accommodation, but you will not find resorts here.
Here are three of the best-rated places to stay in Wynood:
Luxury: Hyde Suites Midtown Miami
Budget: Arly Wynwood
Cheap: Delux Room Home Stay
Breakfast in Wynwood Art District
If Wynwood is your base, you can start your day at Mr. Cachapa (opens at 9 a.m.).
You can also try out MIAM Cafe or Morgans’s restaurant; both have great reviews, a wide menu and are open from 8 a.m.
Safety Tips For Solo Female Travelers In Miami
Despite not having any bad experiences of my own, you know, things do happen. Here are my best tips to stay safe when visiting Miami on your own.
- Walk (and stay) in well-populated areas: Choose accommodations in bustling neighborhoods like South Beach or Brickell, which are popular among tourists and also have a strong police presence.
- Avoid some areas alone at night: steer clear of less crowded, dark places after sunset, like the beach, back alleys, and unlit parks.
- Use registered transportation: While I had no bad experiences, some travelers suggest a bit of care when using it alone, especially at night. Consider using reputable ride-sharing services or taxis.
- Stay connected: Keep your phone charged and share your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member. Consider using apps that allow real-time location sharing.
- Careful with the cocktails: Enjoy Miami’s nightlife, but always keep an eye on your drink, know your limits, and never continue drinking a drink you left alone for whatever reason. Also, be aware of accepting drinks from charming strangers.
- Trust your instincts: If something doesn’t feel right, remove yourself from the situation. Your intuition is a powerful tool, and you dont have to be nice!
- Lock your purse and pockets, and leave the most valuable bling at home. Be mindful of your possessions, especially in crowded areas.
FAQs Miami Itinerary
When is the best time to visit Miami?
Miami is a great destination any time of year, although you must expect some rain showers in the afternoons during the wet season, which normally runs from June through October. Also, this period is incredibly hot and humid.
November through April is the dry season, with sun, fair winds, and friendly temperatures. This is a perfect period to explore, and personally, I prefer the shoulder seasons, both spring and fall.
Are Three Days Enough In Miami?
Well, that depends on what your goals are. You can do quite a lot in three days, but you know, you can “do Miami” in three days, and you can also explore for a year, in my opinion. You just have to prioritize.
Is Miami Cheap Or Expensive?
Miami is not the cheapest destination, in fact, prices have gone up here dramatically the last few years. But you can still visit Miami on a budget if you adjust your expectations, or maybe I should say requirements.
It is still possible to live cheapish in a hostel, get a decent place on a budget, eat in reasonably prices places, and take public transportation. That said, Miami is a place where it is easy to spend money.
Is Miami A Safe Destination?
I am going to say that Miami is a fairly safe destination based on statistics and my own experience.
Staying safe in Miami, however, also implies that you make wise choices for yourself, and dont set yourself up to be a victim of any kind.
Wrap-Up 3 Days In Miami Itinerary
So – in this article, I have included a little bit more than you probably comfortably have time for during your 3-day trip to make sure you have some wiggle room for various interests and personal preferences.
I hope you have found a solid foundation to plan your Miami trip, whether you will follow the itinerary to a tee or use it as inspiration to create your own.
If you have decided that three days is even a little short, I get it; there are a plethora of things to do in Miami that do not fit into a three-day Miami itinerary.
Extend if you can, but no matter how long time you can spend in the city of lights, I am confident you will have a wonderful time!
Related blog posts:
Miami In One Day: 7 Unique Itineraries From A Frequent Visitor
23 Best Things To Do Solo In Miami From A Frequent Visitor
Key West vs Miami From A Pro Traveler: Find Your Perfect Destination
