Things to do in Miami
South Beach mornings, Calle Ocho afternoons, Wynwood nights: no tourist tax required.
This is Miami for the person who wants a real neighbourhood day in each part of the city, not a loop around the same waterfront. You'll move between South Beach, Fairchild's gardens and Calle Ocho, and Wynwood, spending real money only where it counts. It suits anyone who'd rather drink a cafecito at a ventanita than queue for brunch somewhere with a DJ.
Day 1: South Beach, Art Deco and all
Start slow on Lincoln Road, eat pizza the way locals do, walk the Deco mile in the afternoon, then hand the evening to Macchialina and a proper dive bar.
- 9:30 AM
Cafe Du Bey
Highest-rated coffee stop in the area, settle in for a proper morning cup before hitting the street.
Map - 10:30 AM
Lincoln Road Mall
Morris Lapidus's pedestrian mall of shops and cafés; look for the 1960s follies and the Frank Gehry concert hall.
Map - 12:30 PM
Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza
Star-shaped pizzas with ricotta-filled points; get the Star Luca with prosciutto and truffle.
Map - 2:30 PM
Miami Art Deco District and Ocean Drive
Stroll Ocean Drive and Collins Ave past 800+ Art Deco landmarks, the Miami Design Preservation League's self-guided walk is the local move.
Map - 7:30 PM
Macchialina
South Beach trattoria; share the creamy polenta board, then a bowl of the handmade pasta.
Map - 9:30 PM
Stormy Monday
Bar at the same Alton Road address as Macchialina, so the last drink is a few steps from dinner.
Map
Day 2: Fairchild, then Calle Ocho
Fairchild's gardens in the morning, ropa vieja at Versailles, Domino Park, ice cream at Azucar, then dinner at Cafe La Trova and salsa at Ball & Chain.
- 10:00 AM
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
83 acres of palms, cycads and rainforest in Coral Gables; start in the butterfly conservatory.
Map - 1:00 PM
Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine
Calle Ocho's Cuban dining room since 1971; ropa vieja with maduros, then a cafecito at the window.
Map - 2:30 PM
Máximo Gómez Park (Domino Park)
Regulars play dominoes under the pergola; the back wall mural shows the 1994 Summit of the Americas.
Map - 3:15 PM
Azucar Ice Cream Company
Two doors down: a scoop of Abuela Maria, vanilla with guava, cream cheese and Maria cookies.
Map - 7:30 PM
Cafe La Trova
Julio Cabrera's cantinero bar with Michelle Bernstein's Cuban kitchen; a hand-shaken daiquiri and live trova.
Map - 9:30 PM
Ball & Chain
Calle Ocho's 1935 bar, revived; live salsa by the pineapple stage, usually no cover. 21 and over after 8.
Map
Day 3: Wynwood and Midtown on foot
Spend the morning in the murals, lunch Argentinian, take in the ICA for free, then close three days with an acclaimed dinner and a cocktail at 1-800-Lucky.
- 9:30 AM
Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop
Cuban counter since the 1980s; a colada or café con leche and a pan con bistec at the window.
Map - 10:30 AM
Wynwood Walls
Wander the curated street-art compound and spill into the surrounding free murals and galleries, an hour well spent.
Map - 12:30 PM
La Cabrera - midtown
Casual Argentinian lunch in the Wynwood Art District, solid value and a local favourite.
Map - 2:30 PM
Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami
Always-free contemporary art museum, well-curated and sized for a relaxed afternoon hour.
Map - 7:30 PM
Walrus Rodeo
Boia De's sibling in Little River; wood-fired vegetables, house pastas and a cheerful room.
Map - 9:30 PM
1-800-Lucky
Asian food hall and bar in Wynwood with karaoke rooms and DJs; a cocktail among the stalls.
Map
Where to stay
Kimpton EPIC Hotel
Kimpton EPIC at $$ puts you on the edge of Brickell, close enough to Wynwood and a straight shot to South Beach without paying resort prices.
EAST Miami
EAST Miami at $$ is a well-run, design-forward hotel in Brickell that fits the value-over-flash brief and keeps all three neighbourhoods within reach.
Make Miami your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Shark Valley Visitor Center: a few days ahead
- Faena Theater: weeks ahead
- Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne: a few days ahead
- Blue Monster at Trump National Doral Miami: weeks ahead
- Biltmore Golf Course: a few days ahead
- Tigertail Airboat Tours: a few days ahead
Skip these
- Ocean Drive restaurants with photo menus and a special cocktail pitch; eat a block or three inland instead.
- Beach chair and umbrella setups on South Beach that can approach 100 dollars for two chairs and an umbrella.
- Bayside Marketplace as a destination rather than a boat departure point.
- Club nights at LIV or E11EVEN without doing the bottle service maths first.
The full Miami travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around