3-Day Weekend Itinerary for Miami, Florida

Spending a weekend in Miami? Here's the curated hour-by-hour itinerary from The Miami: Friday evening arrival through Sunday afternoon departure, with the can't-miss attractions, top-rated restaurants, and local tips for first-time visitors.

Before you arrive

Friday — Arrival & evening

Settle in, get a feel for the city, light dinner + walk

5:00 PM

Arrive + South Beach hotel

Check into your South Beach hotel. Iconic Art Deco hotels along Ocean Drive (Tides, Cavalier) are touristy but quintessential.

7:00 PM

Cuban dinner in Little Havana

Versailles Restaurant on Calle Ocho — the iconic Cuban institution. Or Café La Trova for upscale Cuban + cocktails.

$25-60 · Cuban classic
9:30 PM

Walk Calle Ocho + nightlife

Stroll Calle Ocho, see Domino Park (closes at 9 PM), grab a mojito at Ball + Chain for live Latin music.

Free walk · drinks $$

Saturday — Full day exploration

Morning to evening — the big-day itinerary

8:00 AM

Beach morning at South Beach

Hit the sand early before crowds. South Beach is most beautiful in morning light. Bring water + sunscreen.

Free beach
11:00 AM

Brunch at Joes Stone Crab or Yardbird

Joe's Stone Crab for the classic; Yardbird Southern Table for upscale comfort. Both have waits.

$30-80
1:30 PM

Wynwood Walls + Design District

Drive 15 min to Wynwood for world-class street art. Walk Wynwood Walls (free outside; $15 for organized tour). Then Design District for shopping/art.

Free-$15 · 2-4 hours
5:00 PM

Vizcaya Museum + Gardens

James Deering's 1916 Italian Renaissance estate. Stunning gardens, Biscayne Bay views. Allow 2 hours.

$22 · 2 hours
7:30 PM

Dinner in Coconut Grove

GreenStreet Cafe (open-air dining) or Glass + Vine for waterfront. Coconut Grove offers a quieter scene than South Beach.

$40-100
10:00 PM

South Beach nightlife

Head back to South Beach for clubs (LIV, E11even) if that's your scene, or rooftop drinks at Sugar (East Hotel).

Varies

Sunday — Morning + afternoon departure

Relaxed pace before heading out

10:00 AM

Beach + brunch combo

Last beach time + brunch on the sand at one of the South Beach hotels (Soho House if guest, or Loews).

$40-80
1:00 PM

Pérez Art Museum Miami

Downtown waterfront museum with stunning architecture. Contemporary art + Biscayne Bay views.

$16-20 · 2 hours
3:30 PM

Bayside Marketplace + final lunch

Open-air waterfront shopping. Boat tours leave from here. Grab lunch and watch the bay.

$15-40
5:30 PM

MIA Airport

30-45 min to MIA depending on traffic. Build in time.

The Miami local tip: Miami is huge — pick a neighborhood (South Beach, Brickell, Wynwood, Coconut Grove) and base your weekend around it. Trying to cover everything will leave you stuck in traffic.

If you have more time

Add a day trip: Everglades National Park (45 min) — airboat tours are iconic; Key Biscayne (20 min) for quieter beaches; Fort Lauderdale (45 min) for different beach vibe.. Or use the extra day for a slower revisit of your favorite spot from the weekend.

Budget estimate

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