Planning a Miami 3 day itinerary and wondering how to fit it all in?
If you have 3 days in Miami, you have just enough time to experience the iconic beaches, colourful neighbourhoods, Cuban culture, wildlife in the Everglades and some brilliant family attractions.
This detailed Miami itinerary for 3 days balances the must-see highlights with a few lesser-known gems. It works whether you’re visiting Miami with kids, travelling as a couple or planning a wider Florida road trip.
In this guide you’ll find:
- A realistic day-by-day 3 day Miami itinerary
- Alternative suggestions for each day
- Ideas for families and teenagers
- Beach time, culture and nature
- Easy add-ons if you have more time
If you’re searching for the best way to spend three days in Miami, this guide covers exactly how to plan it.
👩💻 About the author – Nichola is a family travel expert and has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet Magazine and Wanderlust, amongst many others. She’s spent over a decade travelling the world with her children, finding the best places for you to explore too.
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Table of Contents
DAY 1 – South Beach, Art Deco and Little Havana- Miami 3 day itinerary
No Miami 3 day itinerary is complete without starting in South Beach.
Morning – South Beach and Ocean Drive
South Beach is one of the most recognisable stretches of coastline in the United States. The white sand is wide, clean and stretches for miles, making it perfect if you’re visiting Miami with kids or for anyone who loves beautiful beaches.
Spend the morning:
- Relaxing on the beach
- Walking along Ocean Drive
- Photographing the pastel Art Deco buildings
- Stopping for coffee along Collins Avenue
The beach has plenty of space, so even in busier seasons you can usually find a quiet patch.
Alternative for Day 1 morning:
If beaches aren’t your priority, start instead with a guided Art Deco walking tour to understand the architectural history of South Beach.
Book an Art Deco tour in advance here.
Afternoon – Lincoln Road and people watching
Head to Lincoln Road Mall, a pedestrianised promenade just a few blocks inland.
It’s ideal for:
- Lunch in a shaded outdoor café
- Light shopping
- Easy strolling with children
- Classic Miami people watching
There are plenty of casual dining options, making it an easy first-day stop.
Evening – Little Havana and Calle Ocho
A 20-minute drive away, Little Havana offers a completely different side to your 3 days in Miami.
The heart of the neighbourhood is Calle Ocho.
Here you’ll find:
- Cuban music spilling into the streets
- Domino games at Máximo Gómez Park
- Latin art galleries
- Family-run cafés
Stop at Azucar Ice Cream Company for Cuban-inspired flavours, and take time to soak up the atmosphere.
Alternative for Day 1 evening:
Swap Little Havana for a sunset cruise around Biscayne Bay for skyline views.
Day 2 – Museums and the Everglades
Day two of your Miami itinerary for 3 days combines culture with nature.
Morning – Miami Children’s Museum, Frost Science or Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
Start on Watson Island at the Miami Children’s Museum, packed with interactive exhibits covering art, construction, environmental awareness and imaginative play.
If you’re travelling with older children or teens, consider the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science instead. Its aquarium and planetarium are particularly impressive.
Check out our ultimate guide to Florida with kids here.
If you’re not travelling with children, swap the children’s museum or Frost Science for the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), located on the waterfront in Downtown Miami.
This striking contemporary art museum focuses on modern and international works, with a strong emphasis on artists from the Americas, the Caribbean and Africa. The building itself is worth visiting for the architecture alone, with hanging gardens and shaded terraces overlooking Biscayne Bay.
Inside you’ll find rotating exhibitions alongside pieces exploring identity, migration and Miami’s cultural connections to Latin America. It’s compact enough to explore in a couple of hours, making it an ideal morning stop before heading out of the city.
Afterwards, linger on the waterfront promenade or enjoy lunch at the museum’s restaurant, which has one of the best bay views in Miami.
Afternoon – Everglades adventure
No 3 day Miami itinerary feels complete without experiencing the Everglades.
Drive around an hour west of the city towards Everglades National Park.
You can:
- Take an airboat ride
- Walk raised boardwalk trails
- Spot alligators and birdlife
- Visit the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum to learn about Seminole history
The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum offers insight into the culture and traditions of the Seminole people and includes a scenic boardwalk through wetlands.
This is one of the most memorable experiences you can include in your three days in Miami.
Book your Everglades boat trip here.
Alternative for Day 2:
If you prefer to stay within the city, spend the afternoon exploring Wynwood Walls and the Miami Design District.
Day 3 – Sunny Isles Beach and Miami Beach Botanical Garden
For the final day of your Miami 3 day itinerary, head slightly north.
Morning – Sunny Isles Beach
Sunny Isles Beach offers a quieter alternative to South Beach.
It’s ideal for:
- A relaxed beach morning
- Paddleboarding or kayaking
- Jet ski hire
- A walk along Newport Fishing Pier
It feels more residential and less hectic, which can be perfect towards the end of your stay.
Alternative for Day 3 morning:
Visit Key Biscayne and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park for lighthouse views and calmer waters.
Afternoon – Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Before finishing your 3 days in Miami, stop at Miami Beach Botanical Garden.
This peaceful two-acre garden features:
- Subtropical plants
- Native Florida species
- Orchids and palms
- A Japanese garden
It’s free to enter and offers a calm contrast to the energy of South Beach. Find out more here.
Is 3 days in Miami enough?
Yes – three days in Miami is enough time to:
- Experience South Beach
- Explore Cuban culture
- See the Everglades
- Visit a museum
- Relax on the beach
If you have longer, you could add:
- A day trip to Key Largo
- More time in the Florida Keys
- A drive to Naples
- A Caribbean cruise extension
Where to stay for a Miami 3 day itinerary
If you’re following this Miami itinerary for 3 days, the best areas to stay are:
- South Beach (walkable, lively, iconic)
- Mid-Beach (quieter, good resorts)
- Sunny Isles (family-friendly and relaxed)
Choosing the right base makes it much easier to maximise your three days.
Final thoughts – planning the perfect Miami 3 day itinerary
Miami is energetic, colourful and wonderfully diverse.
With beaches, Latin culture, wildlife and modern art all within easy reach, it’s one of the easiest US cities to structure into a clear and manageable 3 day itinerary.
If you’re planning 3 days in Miami, this route gives you a mix of highlights and hidden gems without rushing.
And if you’re combining it with a wider Florida road trip, Miami makes a brilliant final stop.
Read more of our Florida posts here –
Read our guide to The best family resorts in Miami and don’t forget to check out our road trip of Florida and Georgia to see another side to this beautiful State. We also have A 14 day Florida itinerary (Orlando, St Petersburg, Miami and more). If you’re going to be in Orlando we have a feature on The best day trips from Orlando and nearby, Things to do in New Smyrna Beach. To surprise the kids we have a fun post all about a Florida holiday reveal. And finally we have our big feature on our USA for kids guide.
I love Miami – my daughter and I had one day there after a cruise and we did approximately your first day (a food walking tour in Little Havana) but some great ideas when I hopefully get to go back.