What to See in Miami and Surroundings: Must-See Attractions:
MIAMI IN 2 DAYS
In two days, you won't be able to see much. If you have a car, it’s better; besides Miami South Beach and Wynwood, you might add Little Havana.
Miami South Beach and the Art Deco:
Most tourists look for a hotel in Miami South Beach, and for those staying for a short time, it might be a good solution. Personally, I find it overcrowded, overpriced, and the beaches are not the best… but it offers along
Ocean Drive one of the most
important expressions of Art Deco, for night owls,
a super active nightlife, and for the lazy, everything is within reach. If you want to choose some excursions, almost all offer hotel pick-up, and if you wish, you can get around using public transportation… traffic permitting.
Wynwood and the Murals:
You can get there from Miami Beach by
taking the Bus line 110 and getting off at NW 36th Street; a short walk, and you’re there.
It’s the youngest and
constantly evolving neighborhood, full of art galleries and more and more restaurants and hangouts; in short, it’s the emerging district of Miami that you absolutely must see. Our dedicated page on
WYNWOOD where you can find all the information.
MIAMI IN 5 DAYS
If you managed to include Little Havana and Coral Gables in the first two days, then you'll have more time to visit both the
Everglades and the Keys with
Key West.
Little Havana:
Music, cigars, and mojitos, but not only that, in Little Havana, you’ll find everything Cubans brought from their homeland, including the tradition of gathering in the square to play dominoes.
Make sure to visit the Versailles restaurant, even if just to taste the typical Cuban coffee served in a cup. Some info on
LITTLE HAVANA.
Coral Gables:
See the Venetian Pool and the Biltmore Hotel; the tree-lined avenues are wonderful. If you arrive in winter, the Venetian Pool will be closed, but you can see it from the outside. Enter the Biltmore Hotel and head to the park, stop by the pool bar, and enjoy the hotel lobby! Learn more about
CORAL GABLES
Everglades:
You can visit on your own if you have a car, or
find one of the many organized tours, both group and private. If you plan to rent a car during your stay, there is much to see; you have several park entrances, and the ticket is valid for three days. Read our article on the
EVERGLADES to get
details and maps to plan your visit to Shark Valley, the Thousand Islands, and the southernmost entrance, Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center.
Key West:
Don’t miss the most Caribbean island in Florida. The atmosphere is unique, with music, colors, and a desire to do nothing but wander around... but there are many things to see.
Visit Hemingway's house, the nearby lighthouse, and reach the southernmost point of the United States for the obligatory photo.
Have a mojito at Louie’s Backyard restaurant bar overlooking the ocean (my favorite restaurant in Key West), walk along Duval to the port, and then reach Mallory Square for the sunsets. Read our
DEDICATED PAGE ON THE KEYS.
MIAMI IN 7 DAYS
If you have a week, you can add two destinations that, for different reasons, are among the must-see attractions!
Pure fun with Orlando and
nature with beaches and sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico.
Orlando:
No matter your age, the magical world of
Walt Disney is perfect for everyone! Going to Florida without seeing Orlando is like going to Rome and not visiting the Vatican… it’s just a way of saying.
It’s about a 4-hour drive from Miami; again, if you have a car, you’re independent, otherwise, there are buses that take you, and you can easily book them along with park tickets. For more information, read
ORLANDO
Naples and the Gulf of Mexico:
Here you can see
the most beautiful sunsets, long white sandy beaches, the beautiful villas on the Gulf of Mexico,
the newly renovated Pier,
eat the Gulf's seafood... in my opinion, the best you can eat in Florida (if it counts, I love seafood, but as a good Venetian, I am always disappointed!!) You can find a lot of information in our Miami and Florida guide; also read
FLORIDA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO.