Miami itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: South Beach
South Pointe Park and the pier, Lummus Park and Ocean Drive, Española Way, and Ocean Drive in neon after dark.
- 1
Morning
South Pointe Park & Pier
The green southern tip of Miami Beach, with a waterfront promenade, cruise ships sailing out of the port channel and a long pier over the ocean.
- South Pointe Pier
- Waterfront promenade
- South Pointe Beach
Come early: the pier is quiet in the morning and the light is softer for photos.
Miami Beach Walking Tour: Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and the Beach
Video by Mr Walker on YouTube
Jump toWalk north along the beach path, about 20 min.
- 2
Late morning
Lummus Park & Ocean Drive
The heart of South Beach: a strip of palms and sand along Lummus Park, with the pastel Art Deco hotels of Ocean Drive facing the sea across the road.
- Lummus Park
- Ocean Drive
- Art Deco hotels
Bring water and sun cream; there is little shade on the beach side in the middle of the day.
Walk inland along 14th Street to Española Way, about 10 min.
- 3
Afternoon
Española Way & Collins Avenue
A short pedestrian street built in a Mediterranean style, with arches and terraces, a block from the shops and hotels of Collins and Washington Avenues.
- Española Way
- Collins Avenue
- Washington Avenue
Miami Beach Walking Tour: Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and the Beach
Video by Mr Walker on YouTube
Jump toWalk back to Ocean Drive, about 10 min.
- 4
Evening
Ocean Drive at night
After dark the Art Deco fronts light up in neon, the terraces fill and Ocean Drive turns into Miami Beach's evening promenade.
- Neon Art Deco fronts
- Ocean Drive terraces
- Beachfront promenade
Miami Beach Walking Tour: Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and the Beach
Video by Mr Walker on YouTube
Jump to
Day 2: Downtown, the Riverwalk & Little Havana
The bayfront museums and the Freedom Tower, Bayfront Park and the Riverwalk, and an afternoon on Calle Ocho.
- 1
Morning
Museum Park & the Freedom Tower
Downtown's bayfront, with the Pérez Art Museum and the Frost Science Museum in Maurice A. Ferré Park, and the Freedom Tower, where Cuban exiles were once welcomed.
- Pérez Art Museum
- Frost Science Museum
- Freedom Tower
Walk south along Biscayne Boulevard or ride the free Metromover, about 15 min.
- 2
Late morning
Bayfront Park & the Miami Riverwalk
A walk south along Bayfront Park and the Miami Riverwalk, where the river meets the bay, with the towers of Brickell on the other side.
- Bayfront Park
- Miami Riverwalk
- Miami Circle
Rideshare or bus west to Calle Ocho, about 15 min.
- 3
Afternoon
Little Havana & Calle Ocho
The centre of Cuban Miami along Calle Ocho, with older men playing dominoes in Domino Park, cigar shops, coffee windows and the Bay of Pigs monument.
- Calle Ocho
- Domino Park
- Bay of Pigs monument
Order a cafecito from a walk-up coffee window, the local way to take a break.
Day 3: Wynwood & the Design District
A morning among the Wynwood murals and an afternoon in the Design District.
- 1
Morning
Wynwood Walls
A former warehouse district covered in murals, block after block, with the Wynwood Walls at its centre and galleries, breweries and cafés around them.
- Wynwood Walls
- Street murals
- Galleries
Many of the best murals are on the side streets outside the Walls, free to see.
Rideshare or bus north, about 10 min, or walk about 30 min.
- 2
Afternoon
Edgewater & the Design District
North of Wynwood, the Design District mixes designer shops with public art and architecture, reached from downtown through the bayside towers of Edgewater.
- Design District
- Public art
- Edgewater
Travelling with someone?
Send them this 3-day Miami plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to Miami
How many days?
Three days covers South Beach, downtown with Little Havana, and Wynwood with the Design District. Two days is enough for the highlights if you keep moving.
Where to stay
South Beach puts you on the sand and close to the nightlife; Mid-Beach is calmer; Brickell and downtown suit city trips; Wynwood is for art and bars. Compare areas →
Getting around
South Beach is easy on foot. For the mainland, use rideshares, the free Metromover loop downtown and the buses across the causeways; traffic can be slow at rush hour.
Miami is really two places joined by causeways across Biscayne Bay. On the barrier island is Miami Beach, where South Beach packs the Art Deco hotels of Ocean Drive, the lifeguard towers and the long white beach into a few walkable blocks. On the mainland are the towers of downtown and Brickell, the Cuban streets of Little Havana and the murals of Wynwood.
Every stop comes with a walking video filmed on those streets, so you can see the beach, the Art Deco fronts and the murals before you arrive. Use the buttons under each video to jump to the landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
Miami itinerary: common questions
How many days do you need in Miami?
Three days is a good first visit: one for South Beach, one for downtown and Little Havana, and one for Wynwood and the Design District. Two days covers the highlights at a faster pace.
Is Miami a walkable city?
South Beach is very walkable, and so is downtown along the bay. Getting between them, and out to Little Havana and Wynwood, is easier by rideshare, bus or the Metromover.
Should you stay in Miami Beach or Miami?
Stay in South Beach if the beach and nightlife come first. Choose Brickell or downtown if you want the city, the restaurants and easier access to Little Havana and Wynwood.
When is the best time to visit Miami?
December to April is dry and warm, the most popular time. Summer is hot, humid and stormy, and hurricane season runs from June to November, so check the forecast.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Where to stay in Miami
6 areas compared, each with a street walk so you can see the neighborhood before you book.
Read the guide →Keep exploring Miami
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Miami city guide →