Miami

Day Trips

Rise early to watch the sun paint the sky in shades of pink and gold above the Atlantic horizon. Feel the gentle sea breeze and the warm sand underfoot as locals start their morning jogs along the shoreline. Savor a freshly brewed Cuban espresso at a beachfront café while palm trees sway overhead.

Rent a bike or rollerblades and cruise the Ocean Drive promenade past pastel Art Deco hotels and swaying palms. Stop at a shaded café for a light lunch of tropical fruit smoothies and arepas. Dip into the clear blue surf for an invigorating swim before lounging under a beach umbrella with a good book.

Dine al fresco along Española Way, sampling fresh seafood and Latin-American tapas under string lights. Join a beach bonfire gathering or dance to live Latin jazz at a nearby club. End the night with a moonlit stroll along the gently lapping waves of South Beach.

Join a guided walking tour to explore the iconic pastel facades and neon marquees of Miami’s Art Deco Historic District. Learn about the 1920s and 30s-era architecture as you pause for photos in front of classic oceanfront hotels. Sip a cold brew coffee at a retro-style café decorated with vintage posters.

Wander along Lincoln Road pedestrian mall to browse boutique shops, galleries, and resort-worthy fashion. Enjoy lunch under lush banyan trees at a chic open-air bistro, sampling local farm-to-table dishes. Pop into independent art galleries to discover up-and-coming Miami artists.

Head back toward the strip for sunset cocktails on a rooftop bar overlooking the Atlantic. Watch the neon signs flicker on as the Art Deco skyline comes alive at dusk. Later, dance the night away at a lively oceanfront lounge with live DJ sets.

Start your day wandering through Wynwood’s museum-like collection of massive outdoor murals by international street artists. Feel the vibrant energy as you snap close-ups of colorful graffiti, abstract art, and pop-culture imagery. Refuel with a specialty cold brew or matcha latte at a trendy warehouse café.

Hop over to the nearby Miami Design District to marvel at high-end fashion boutiques and avant-garde architectural installations. Indulge in a gourmet farm-to-table lunch at a Michelin-recommended restaurant. Browse cutting-edge furniture, art galleries, and jewelry showrooms for design inspiration.

Return to Wynwood for dinner at a hip bistro offering fusion cuisine and craft cocktails. Explore hidden speakeasies and tasting rooms tucked behind unassuming doors. Cap off the night with live indie or Latin music at an intimate warehouse venue.

Stroll into the vibrant heart of Little Havana and inhale the rich aroma of Cuban coffee roasting on street corners. Watch locals engage in animated games of dominoes at Maximo Gomez Park while classic cars rumble by. Sample pastelitos and guava pastries from a family-run bakery.

Join a hands-on cooking class to learn the secrets of authentic ropa vieja and plantain-based sides. Walk down Calle Ocho admiring colorful murals that celebrate Cuban art and history. Sip a refreshing mojito or passion-fruit juice at a sidewalk café while listening to live Cuban son music.

Reserve a table at a famed casa de comida for a feast of lechón asado and black beans. Immerse yourself in salsa rhythms with a beginner lesson at Ball & Chain, a historic live-music venue. Finish the night with a rooftop cigar tasting and panoramic views of the Miami skyline.

Drive south to Coconut Grove, inhaling the scent of sea salt and flowering bougainvillea as you stroll tree-lined CocoWalk. Browse eclectic boutiques and artisan markets that spill onto charming side streets. Enjoy a casual brunch of avocado toast and acai bowls at an al fresco café.

Head to the nearby Vizcaya Museum and Gardens to wander through ornate Italianate rooms filled with antiques and lush formal gardens overlooking Biscayne Bay. Lose yourself in winding path tunnels draped in wisteria and marvel at the stone sculptures and fountains. Learn about the estate’s Gilded Age history on a guided audio tour.

Dine waterside at Dinner Key Marina, watching luxury yachts drift by at sunset. Savor seafood specialties like snapper crudo or coconut shrimp in a candlelit setting. End the night with a moonlit stroll along the Grove’s marinaside boardwalk.

Set out before dawn for a guided airboat tour in Everglades National Park where mist rises over sawgrass marshes. Spot alligators gliding through the water and a menagerie of wading birds taking flight. Learn about the fragile ecosystem from an experienced naturalist captain.

Disembark for a moderate hike on an elevated boardwalk trail through mangrove forests and hardwood hammocks. Enjoy a picnic under the canopy, listening to marsh birds and wind rustling through leaves. Visit the park’s eco-center to get up close with native reptiles, turtles, and butterflies.

Return to Miami and unwind with a casual dinner at a local barbecue smokehouse. Relive the day’s highlights over craft beers or a refreshing margarita. Sink into your hotel’s courtyard lounge for a starlit nightcap.

Pedal across the Rickenbacker Causeway for panoramic views of the bay and skyline as the sun rises. Pause for photos on vantage points overlooking shimmering waters dotted with sailboats. Reach Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and feel the powdery white sand between your toes.

Climb the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse for sweeping vistas, then snorkel around nearby seagrass beds to spot colorful fish. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy under a shady palmetto grove. Spend a few hours reading or swimming in gentle turquoise shallows.

Settle on the beach for a pastel-hued sunset as pelicans glide homeward. Prepare a seaside charcuterie board and raise a toast to the tranquil island vibes. Head back to the mainland and indulge in dinner at a seaside tavern known for fresh catch specials.

Drive into the storybook streets of Coral Gables, admiring Mediterranean revival buildings draped in bougainvillea. Stop for a leisurely breakfast on Miracle Mile, feasting on churro waffles and freshly squeezed juices. Wander through shaded parks lined with banyan trees.

Dive into the historic Venetian Pool, a spring-fed oasis carved from coral rock with waterfalls and grottos. Swim beneath vine-draped arches and snorkel around submerged caves. Enjoy a poolside lunch of Cuban sandwiches and fruit skewers.

Dine at an upscale bistro overlooking a candlelit plaza, sampling inventive Caribbean-Mediterranean fusion cuisine. Browse Gelatology on Miracle Mile for artisanal ice cream flavors like guava-cheese swirl. Cap off the evening with live acoustic music drifting from an intimate lounge.

Start in Brickell with a gourmet coffee at a sleek café inside a gleaming high-rise. Walk along the Miami Riverwalk, watching luxury yachts and commuter ferries glide past the city’s financial district. Admire polished glass towers reflecting the morning sun.

Visit the Pérez Art Museum Miami for contemporary art exhibits set against opening views of Biscayne Bay. Have lunch at the museum’s waterfront restaurant, savoring ceviche and fresh salads. Stroll through Maurice A. Ferré Park to see public sculptures and shaded lawns.

Ascend to a rooftop lounge for sunset cocktails amid panoramic city and water views. Dine at a modern steakhouse known for locally sourced meats and inventive sides. Dance late into the night to electronic or Latin beats at an upscale Brickell nightclub.

Enjoy a final morning of true R&R on a quieter stretch of sand north of South Beach or at Haulover Park. Bask under the sun with a beach chair and umbrella, listening to gentle waves. Treat yourself to a fresh fruit platter and coconut water delivered beachside.

Indulge in a deluxe spa treatment at a beachfront resort, from a sea-salt body scrub to a relaxing deep-tissue massage. Step into a eucalyptus steam room or cap off with reflexology for tired feet. Lounge by a tropical pool with calming LED waterfall features.

Reserve a table at an oceanfront terrace restaurant, watching the sky ignite in sunset hues one last time. Savor a multi-course tasting menu that highlights Florida’s seafood bounty alongside fine local wines. Raise a final toast to Miami’s magic as stars appear over the water.