Insider Guide: How to Spend 3 Days in Miami
UPDATED: January 27, 2026
Planning a long weekend trip? Miami’s perfect.
There are so many things to do in Miami and Miami Beach, and it’s an incredible vacation destination for solo travelers, as well as families with kids and teenagers.
I’m a travel writer and have lived in South Florida for nearly a decade, and there are plenty of things to do if you’re planning to spend 3 days in Miami. From checking out the iconic Art Deco buildings in South Beach to learning about Cuban culture in Little Havana, use this itinerary to help you plan your trip.
Day 1: Arrival & South Beach
Can I be real for a second?
It really annoys me when travel itineraries insist you hit the ground running as soon as you land in a new destination. Some days I’m ready to explore immediately, and other days, I’m exhausted and want to lounge around my hotel for the afternoon.
So let’s be real here — the things you can accomplish on your arrival day depend on your energy levels and what time you make it to Miami.
If you’re spending a long weekend in Miami, I recommend you stay at a hotel on South Beach. There are tons of hotels and hostels in the area, and you can stay in anything from ritzy resorts to hostels. Depending on your budget, here are some of the ones I recommend:
- Budget – Freehand Miami (solo), Life House (families)
- Mid – the goodtime hotel (solo), The Sagamore Hotel (families)
- Luxury – The Setai (solo), The Betsy Hotel (families)
One of the great things about staying on South Beach is you don’t need a car to explore the neighborhood. I usually head out on foot, but you can also take the free Miami Beach trolley around to these popular South Beach attractions.
The Beach
Naturally, heading to the ocean is one of the most popular things to do on South Beach — and this area is one of my favorites in all of Miami Beach.
Even if you’re not a beach person, there are tons of things you can do on or near the beach. For example, you can:
- Walk on the Boardwalk. This beautiful paved pathway runs parallel to the beach, and is 9 miles long. It’s a lovely place to walk beneath the palm trees, and there are regular exercise stations in places like Lummus Park if you’re looking to get a good workout in during your walk.
- Lounge on the sand. South Beach is full of public beaches, so grab your day bag and head toward the water. You can easily access the beach by Lincoln Road, 5th Street and a few spots in between.
- Rent a beach chair or cabana. Different hotels and companies offer comfortable lounge chairs and cabana-like areas you can rent. If you’re looking to upgrade your day at the beach, this is an easy way to do it.
Lincoln Road
Lincoln Road is an outdoor shopping mall, and it’s one of the best places to visit if you’re in Miami for a weekend. It’s pedestrian-friendly and spans from Alton Road to Collins Avenue, and it’s a great place to window shop or buy souvenirs. Plus, if you come on Sundays, Lincoln Road converts to a farmer’s market and antiques mall where you can buy fresh juices, smoothies, beautiful clothes and jewelry. This is easily one of my favorite outdoor things to do in Miami.
Española Way
Española Way is a few blocks from Lincoln Road, and it’s another pedestrian-friendly walkway you can explore during your day on South Beach. You’ve probably seen its Mediterranean-style streets on social media, and it’s full of pastel-colored architecture that’s synonymous with South Beach. While Española Way is pretty, there isn’t a lot to do here besides dine al fresco at restaurants like Moshi Moshi or Havana 1957. There’s also a Freddo Gelato here, which I loved visiting when I lived in Buenos Aires.
South Pointe Park
Known for its greenery and excellent views of PortMiami, South Pointe is a lovely place to visit if you’re looking to wander around in the sunshine with an iced coffee in hand. When I’m visiting South Beach as a solo female traveler, I like coming here with an iced coffee to get my steps in and enjoy the Florida sunshine. Additionally, this is a great place to stop if you’re visiting South Beach with kids. The playground is a good size, and there are plenty of benches around.
Like a Local: Try to end your day at South Pointe Park if you can. It offers some of the best sunset views in all of Miami-Dade County.
Day 2: Wynwood + Little Havana
If this is the only full day you’ll have during your long weekend in Miami, you’ll want to head out early so you can maximize your time in two popular neighborhoods: Wynwood and Little Havana. These neighborhoods are close to each other, so it’s easy to explore both in a single day.
Expect a totally different vibe from what you saw during Day 1. Both Wynwood and Little Havana are located in Miami proper, and here you’ll get a good taste of city life and the vibrant cultures that helped form this amazing city. Plus, these are easily Miami bucket list adventures.
Wynwood
You’ll know you’ve reached Wynwood when you start seeing brightly-colored murals of all shapes and sizes popping up around you like wildflowers. I hear from a lot of locals that Wynwood was an industrial park 15 or so years ago and definitely not somewhere tourists would visit, but it’s exploded in popularity within the past decade.
If you’re a casual art fan and are looking to one of Miami’s unique neighborhoods, here are some of the highlights you can’t miss in Wynwood.
Wynwood Walls (Official)
Wynwood Walls is the name of a paid outdoor exhibit you can visit. It’s a pleasant space to walk around, and here you’ll find a rotating exhibit of murals from famous international and local artists. The exhibit itself is enjoyable, and it’s a great jumping-off point for exploring some of the city’s most popular murals. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $5 for kids 6-17.
Visit: Wynwood Walls
Wynwood Walls (Unofficial)
Here’s something a lot of travel guides won’t tell you: It’s totally possible to see beautiful murals in Wynwood for free. While the Official Wynwood Walls exhibit is cool and worth visiting in its own right, most every street corner in the neighborhood is covered with fun murals. If you’re visiting Miami on a budget, head to NW 2nd Avenue and NW 25th Street and wander around on your own.
Like a Local: Look up and down when you visit Wynwood. You’ll find artwork high on the tops of buildings and on the sidewalk beneath you.
Little Havana
By midday, it’s time to head down to Little Havana. This neighborhood is home to the famous Calle Ocho — but you’ll find it on the maps as SW 8th Street. The main blocks stretching from SW 17th Avenue to SW 13th Street are where you’ll want to head if you want to walk along the street’s iconic storefronts.
Start your afternoon strolling along Calle Ocho itself — and while the buildings themselves are striking, don’t forget to look down. The sidewalk is its own Latin Walk of Fame, and you’ll find stars stamped in the concrete to celebrate famous Latin performers like Gloria Estefan, Celia Cruz and more.
If you’re interested in Cuban culture, make sure you visit some of these neighborhood favorites during your afternoon in Little Havana.
Domino Park
If you’ve seen any photos of Little Havana online, you’ve probably seen Domino Park. This is one of the most quintessentially Cuban parts of the neighborhood, and it’s full of, you guessed it, people playing dominos. A lot of people come here for the photo ops — but, honestly, it’s good vibes all around. Stroll through the greenery or, if you’re feeling bold enough, find a game where you can sub in.
Azucar
Azucar, which means “sugar” in Spanish, is almost impossible to miss. It’s the only place in town where the storefront is a giant ice cream cone. This is your go-to spot if you want to snack on a sweet treat while strolling outside in the Florida sun. Here, you can find eclectic flavors like café con leche, sweet plantain, basil and lychee. The Nutella flavor is one of my favorites!
Visit: Azucar
Like a Local: If you’re feeling hungry, grab lunch at any of the Latin restaurants in the neighborhood. Versailles is easily the most popular.
Day 3: Downtown
At this point, you’ve reached the final morning of your three days in Miami. What to do today depends on what time your flight leaves and whether you’re flying out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) or Miami. International Airport (MIA).
If you have some time to enjoy the city before heading to the airport, I suggest using your last hours to explore Downtown Miami. It’s super close to South Beach, and you only have to cross the MacArthur Causeway to get from one to the other.
Not only is Downtown Miami convenient to access, there’s also a lot to do here. It’s also a great place to grab coffee or a quick breakfast before you head to the airport. Here are some other things you can visit in the area.
Bayside Marketplace
Bayside is a breezy outdoor shopping mall located right on Biscayne Bay. You’ll know you’re here when you see the giant ferris wheel scraping against the sky. Bayside is a popular shopping center in Dade, and it’s also a place where you can go to board different boat tours that take you around the bay. If you have some time in your late morning or early afternoon and want to squeeze in a Miami Millionaires Sightseeing Cruise or the Speedboat Sightseeing Adventure, this is your place to visit. I did the first one with my godkids last year, and we had a lot of fun!
Visit: Bayside Marketplace
Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science
If you’d prefer a lowkey experience wandering throughout one of Florida’s premier museums, Frost Science Museum should be on your list. This massive building is located right on the bay, and it’s home to a planetarium (which I love), a multi-level aquarium and more exhibits than you can possibly visit in a single day — let alone an afternoon.
Visit: Frost Science
Pérez Art Museum
Situated right next to Frost Science is the Pérez Art Museum (PAMM), a beautiful place to visit if you want to spend a few hours admiring international artwork. And when you’re ready for a break, head out to the massive back steps for unbeatable views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami Beach skyline before ending your long weekend in one of South Florida’s most beautiful cities.
Visit: Pérez Art Museum
Conclusion
There are tons of things to do if you want to spend 3 days in Miami. Take advantage of the long weekend by visiting South Beach, Wynwood, Little Havana and Downtown Miami. This itinerary will give you a taste of the city’s highlights — and leave you ready to come back for more.
