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Miami is easily the most popular city in Florida. It is truly a wonderful 48-hour getaway spot because Miami has something for everyone. You can easily do a relaxing beach vacation, an adventurous water vacation, a foodie vacation, and even a unique vacation in the Everglades. Since it’s hard to fit all those things in 48 hours, I’ll hit the most popular activities and provide some alternatives if you have a different preference.
It is important to note that the greater Miami Metro area includes a variety of cities near Miami, including Miami Beach. For our purposes, we will include them all as Miami, even if they technically are not. Growing up in Miami, we just referenced other cities as neighborhoods in Miami. I will, however, spare you from going to Homestead, the Everglades, or down to the Keys, as those are pretty far away. If you are interested in heading down to the Keys, check out our Miami to Florida Keys Road Trip!
Looking for all the details about Miami, what to expect, where to go, and all your detailed questions? Check out our Miami Guide.
48 Hours in Miami: Itinerary
For this trip, we will assume that you arrived the day before and will, therefore, have two full days in Miami.
Day 1: Exploring Miami
Breakfast & Exploring Wynwood:
We are going to start the day by heading to Wynwood in the northern part of Miami for breakfast. This is a very cool and hip area of town with lots of cool spots for pictures. Our two top recommendations for breakfast include MIAM Cafe and Zak the Baker.
From breakfast, you’ll walk over to the Wynwood Walls to take pictures and enjoy the famous painted walls. Additionally, you can walk in some of the surrounding blocks to see even more of the artwork. This is also a great place to pop into local shops. If you want a truly unique souvenir, be sure to check out the Wynwood Marketplace.
Want to get a truly unique walking and food tour of Wynwood? Check this amazing tour out!
Brickell, Lunch, & Bayfront:
From Wynwood, we recommend driving down to Brickell. This is a very popular area that is very walking-friendly and full of amazing restaurants. If you opted out of the walking and lunch tour, then Brickell is the spot for lunch. Our favorite places here include North Italia, Novecento, and Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita.
Brickell has a great shopping mall if you want to check it out, but you can also walk along the water to see Miami Beach. You can walk along the water from Brickell to the Bayside Market and Park all the way up to Museum Park, our next stop. Bayside Market and Park is a huge outdoor market with many little stands for browsing. The park always has something fun going on.
If you don’t feel like walking the 1.2 miles to Bayside, feel free to pick up the free People Mover to get there. It has three different loops and comes every couple of minutes. The People Mover is a cool way to see downtown, Brickell, and Bayside from above.
Museum Park:
If you enjoy going to museums on your vacations, then I suggest you continue taking the People Mover all the way to the Science Park stop and check out the Perez Art Museum of Miami (PAMM) or the Frost Museum of Science. If you happen to be visiting on the second Saturday of the month, the PAMM is free. The park overlooking the water is also gorgeous and great for pictures. They also have a cafe here.
Vizcaya:
This beautiful 1916 house and estate is definitely a must-visit. If you decide museums aren’t your thing then spend more time exploring the grounds and Vizcaya estate. It is beautifully preserved and on the water. You get a true sense of the Gilded Era in Miami. There are also usually fun events going on in Vizcaya.
Explore Little Havana
From Vizcaya we will head over to the Cuban center of Miami. As a city that was primarily developed by Cuban immigrants, you’ll get to truly enjoy and experience Cuban culture. First, head down Calle Ocho to Domino Park to learn how to play dominoes. Or get a Mojito from a ventanita (little window).
For dinner we will be going to enjoy great Cuban food! We recommend going to Versailles, it is the heart of Little Havana. It has great Cuban food, I recommend getting the lechon and mariquitas. If you are someone that can sleep even with lots of caffeine try the Cuban coffee (it is very strong).
After dinner and exploring Little Havana’s shops we are going dancing at Ball and Chain. Next door to Ball and Chain is an ice cream shop called Azucar. Definitely check out the different delicious flavors they have.
Interested in a more detailed Tour of Little Havana? Check this one out!
Day 2: Hanging out by the Beach
Breakfast and Beach Time!
I highly recommend heading to South Beach as early as you can to enjoy the beaches. Early morning Miami beaches, means 1. less people, 2. less seaweed, 3. less waves. Luckily, South Beach is very walk able, so you can find all day parking and enjoy all day in the same place without dealing with traffic.
Of course, we highly recommend getting breakfast! If you didn’t get a Cuban coffee yesterday then I recommend going to Cortadito Coffee House. A popular Miami coffee spot is Panther Coffee. Finally, you could also check out Shepard Artisan Coffee.
At the beach, you can enjoy swimming, beach volleyball, or other water sports. Other options include kayaking, stand-up paddle boards, and even renting jet skis.
Enjoy a 2 hour Boat Tour of Miami Beach with Champagne and swimming at a Sandbar!
Walking Along Lincoln Road
After enjoying the beach, we are going to head down to Lincoln Road. This is the famous pedestrian road with tons of shops. When you’re ready for lunch, there are a bunch of restaurants. Italian Trattoria on Collins is definitely a go-to for delicious Italian food.
Want to try more amazing food in South Beach? Check out this South Beach Food Tour!
Art Deco Tour
South Beach is known for its amazing Art Deco history and architecture. One of the best ways to learn about the history is to do a walking tour of the Art Deco architecture. Of course, you can walk around yourself to see how amazing it all is. Finally, if you’re tired of walking by this point, then I recommend renting a bike.
Dinner:
Take your rented bike over to dinner! After all that walking, it’s definitely time to eat. For a South Beach staple, we recommend heading to The Big Pink. This diner features a VW buggy and lots of comfort foods, including a “TV Dinner.” Additionally, it is open late if you need late-night comfort food after hitting up a club or something.
Another good dinner option if Big Pink isn’t your style is Garden House. This Colombian restaurant offers delicious food and a great “Instagram” style. Finally, check out Coyo Taco for some delicious local tacos.
Looking to find all the best restaurants in Miami? Check out our post about the best places to eat in Miami!
Extra Time? Check Out These Fun Activities
Miami “Cocaine Capital” Tour
Miami has a wild and sordid history! Learn how Miami became the cocaine capital of the US in the early 1980s. This tour is mainly in Coconut Grove and covers iconic spots that played a role in the drug war. You’ll see condos, cigarette boats, sailboats, the Mutiny Hotel, and peacocks! You’ll learn about the most impressive landmarks that became the mecca of the cocaine kingpin. This tour is run in a private jeep to give you the full 1980s experience.
Get tickets for the tour here!
Little Havana Cigar Factory Tour
Learn about the tobacco industry’s origins and how Florida gained the nickname “Cigar Capital of the World.” Enjoy a rare behind-the-scenes look at all the stages of cigar production. You’ll get to see the intricate twisting, rolling, and packing process.
After learning about how cigars are made, you’ll be able to learn the secrets of rolling your own perfect cigar. Finally, this tour includes an opportunity to try a cigar yourself. Cuban snacks and coffee are also included to round out your experience.
Get tickets for the tour here!
Explore Coconut Grove
Just south of Miami is Coconut Grove. It is a beautiful city suburb of Miami. Found near the water you’ll enjoy many different parts of Coconut Grove. Starting with Cocowalk down to the water and the Barnacle. Additionally, in the Grove, you can go to Peacock Park, Kennedy Park, and Biscayne National Park. I also recommend eating at Monty’s or renting a jet ski and heading on the water. Finally, drive down Tigertail Avenue to enjoy a truly beautiful drive in The Grove.
See Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
If you like Vizcaya, then I’d recommend heading to Fairchild. It is a larger, more wild version of Vizcaya. It includes a free narrated tour of all the local plants. There is usually an event or classes available. Definitely check out the hummingbird and butterfly habitats while you’re there.
Things to Know About Spending 48 Hours in Miami
How To Get To Miami?
Okay, so you could drive to Miami, but if you’re not in the Keys or Orlando-Area and South, why would you? Driving from the Florida-Georgia Line to Miami is about seven hours, and you could just fly into Fort Lauderdale and make your way to Miami. But if you wanted to, I guess you could drive to Miami.
There is a train from the Orlando area to Miami called the Brightline. There is also the Tri-rail from West Palm Beach to Miami. Otherwise, flying is your best option. You can fly into Miami International Airport or Fort Lauderdale International Airport. I would not recommend flying into West Palm Beach because you’re pretty north of Miami and you’ll spend several hours of your 48 hours in Miami driving to Miami.
Finally, if you are coming from some Caribbean islands, you can actually take a boat to the Miami port. It’s a pretty cool way to travel (yes, you do need a passport). The Bahamas is very close.
How To Get Around Miami?
Where To Stay In Miami?
Wrap Up: 48 Hours In Miami
Miami has so much to offer and 48 hours doesn’t always feel like enough. While I agree you could spend a whole week enjoying this gem in South Florida, 48 hours gives you the perfect start. With this weekend trip you can hit all the highlights and tourist spots along with some lesser known local gems. As someone who grew up in Miami, I can tell you there will always be more to see, so enjoy your time and try not to jam pack it.
