The Ultimate 3 Days in Miami Itinerary - How to Spend 3 Perfect Days in Miami

So you’ve planned a trip to enjoy a wonderful 3 days in Miami and now you’re looking for the perfect itinerary for your visit…

I’ve got you covered!

So you've planned a wonderful 3 day trip to Miami and now you're looking for the perfect itinerary for your visit… well, this guide is for you! I’ve put together the ultimate 3 days in Miami itinerary that will have you seeing and experiencing all of Miami’s top sights and attractions. From South Beach & Ocean Drive to Little Havana & Wynwood, you don’t want to miss this guide to the perfect long weekend in Miami.

Miami is the perfect place to escape to for all the tropical vibes without completely breaking the bank.

There are just so many things to do in Miami, from beautiful beaches, to a vibrant art scene, incredible restaurants, and of course world-famous nightlife and beach clubs!

If you’re planning on spending 3 days in Miami, I’ve put together this 3 day Miami itinerary to help you plan your trip.

PS – I also created a free printable PDF version for you below to really simplify your trip planning!

And if you’re planning on spending 4 days in Miami instead I also have a perfect 4 day Miami itinerary for you.

Before we get started, you might also want to check out these posts:

And be sure to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. I share a lot of travel content on those that never make it to the blog!

Now, let’s get started on how to spend a perfect 3 days in Miami!

Is 3 days enough to visit Miami?

Although you could easily spend a week or two enjoying the sun in Miami, 3 days in Miami is just enough to really get a great taste of the city and to be able to take in some of Miami’s most popular sights and attractions.

During your 3 days in Miami you’ll get to explore the world famous South Beach where you’ll enjoy the beaches and experience the views of Miami from the water.

You’ll also get to spend some time shopping on Ocean Drive and then spend the afternoon exploring Little Havana, Miami’s vibrant Cuban neighborhood.

Finally, you’ll get a taste of Miami’s art scene through a visit to Wynwood & the Design District.

If you have extra time, I would suggest doing 4 days in Miami since there even more incredibly Miami sights to see.

Be sure to check out my 4 days in Miami itinerary to help you plan your 4 day Miami trip!

I also have a guide to the best things to do in Miami if you’d like to plan your trip yourself.

What to pack for your 3 day trip to Miami

Miami is all about bright colours and tropical vibes so my suitcase was full of everything to match.

To help make things easier for you I’ve compiled a Florida packing guide with a list of everything you need for your trip.

It’s also got a printable packing list!

Check out my full Florida packing guide to help you pack for your Miami trip here!

Where to stay when visiting Miami

Miami has so many amazing hotels and it can definitely be a little daunting to pick one.

But I have a full South Beach hotel guide that will help make your decision a whole lot easier!

For this 3 day trip to Miami I highly recommend making your home base South Beach.

Since you will be spending your first day exploring South Beach, and it is easy to get to the other destinations from South Beach, it really is the best place to stay while visiting Miami.

South Beach is known for its incredible beaches, glamorous nightlife scene, and incredible restaurants & culinary scene.

Here you’ll also find shops, beautiful art deco architecture, and so much more.

You can check out my full South Beach hotel guide here which will help you pick a hotel based on what kind of stay you are looking for!

3 Days in Miami Itinerary: Best things to see and do in Miami in 3 days

I’ve designed this 3 day Miami itinerary to give you the best and most well rounded taste of what Miami has to offer.

If you have even more than 3 days in Miami be sure to check out my guide to the best things to do in Miami for even more activities & attractions!

I also have a 4 day Miami itinerary you can check out as well.

Day 1 in Miami – Explore South Beach

8am – Breakfast at (or near to) your hotel

Your 3 days in Miami will start bright and early with breakfast in South Beach before getting ready to enjoy a day of fun in the sun.

Since you are starting your day bright and early I would suggest grabbing either a quick breakfast at your hotel, or something nearby before heading to the beach!

10:00am – Relax in the sun at South Pointe Beach

You can’t visit Miami without spending some time relaxing on the beach and soaking up the rays!

South Pointe Beach is my absolute favourite beach in Miami and features the highest concentration of the iconic colourful lifeguard towers.

If you’re staying at The Marriott Stanton South Beach like me, it also just happens to be right in the hotel’s backyard which makes it super convenient!

Spend the morning reading a book, relaxing, or taking photos of the cute lifeguard towers and just enjoying the sound of the waves.

1:00pm – Enjoy a delicious lunch in South Beach

After a morning of walking, soaking up the sun, and splashing in the waves, you’re probably hungry!

Now is the perfect time to grab a delicious lunch in South Beach.

I’ve got a whole guide to the best restaurants in South Beach which will give you some great lunch options.

Here are a few great South Beach lunch options to pick from:

Yardbird Table & Bar: Looking for a little Southern Comfort in Miami? Yardbird is for you! Here you can expect to go on a culinary journey through a menu of unapologetically indulgent dishes and heady bourbon cocktails. Expect comfort food like chicken & waffles, cornbread, lobster mac & cheese, and so much more.
Tapelia Spanish Cuisine: Feeling like some Spanish food? Tapelia offers Spanish cooking & specialty cocktails in a relaxed setting with TV sports. This extremely highly rated restaurant is one you definitely don’t want to miss during your time in Miami!
Ole Ole Steak House: Another extremely highly rated restaurant (4.9 stars on Google with almost 18k reviews!) is Ole Ole. This steakhouse offers grilled meats & paella in a vibrant eatery. Feeling a little more basic? They also have pizza, pasta & burgers.

3:00pm – Millionaire’s Row Cruise

One of the most popular and most often booked tours in all of Miami is the Millionaire’s Row Cruise!

During your Millionaire’s Row Cruise you’ll get to take in the gorgeous views of the Miami skyline on a cruise along Biscayne Bay.

Millionaire’s Row is where you’ll get to see the homes of famous stars, so if celebrity spotting is your cup of tea you will really enjoy this!

The cruise will also take you to the Venetian Islands, and along South Beach.

The Millionaire’s Row Cruise can be booked for 1.5-6 hours in length.

If you would prefer a shorter cruise you can spend more time at the beach beforehand, or head back to your hotel early to relax and get ready for dinner!

7:00pm – Dinner & drinks in South Beach

Miami has a pretty incredible culinary scene and there are a lot of great restaurants to experience during your visit.

Since you are staying in South Beach, you definitely need to experience an evening out in the area!

In the evenings South Beach really comes alive and is truly a sight to see.

You will see that people really dress to impress along Ocean Drive, and everyone is in the mood to have a good time!

For a really memorable dinner out, I suggest booking a reservation at Joe’s Stone Crab, A Fish Called Avalon, or for a very upscale night out Gianni’s.

If you’d like more ideas you can check out my guide to the best restaurants in South Beach.

After dinner, it’s time to enjoy some of Miami’s nightlife!

Or if going out are not for you, I suggest an evening walk along the beach or casual drinks along the strip.

9:00pm – Experience South Beach’s Nightlife

Miami’s nightlife is world famous, so if you’re itching to experience it now is the time!

There are a lot of great night clubs and bars for you to experience in South Beach, depending on the vibe you are looking for.

Start things off by enjoying a few cocktails at a bar along the strip before heading out to nightclub to dance the night away.

Mango’s Tropical Cafe South Beach is a very popular nightclub along Ocean Drive that’s a lot of fun.

They have latin music, shows, great food, and a really great vibe.

LIV is another very popular spot that is known to attract celebrities.

Located in the opulent Fontainebleau Hotel, you can experience world famous DJ’s here and a party you will never forget!

Day 2 in Miami – Ocean Drive & Little Havana

9:30am – Breakfast in South Beach

Start the 2nd day of your 3 days in Miami off with a bit of a later breakfast (ok, later than yesterday) in South Beach.

If you had too much of a late night last night you can always skip this part of the itinerary!

Since you’ll be spending your morning on Ocean Drive, you’ll probably want to dine somewhere nearby.

Some of the best rated places for breakfast on (or nearby to) Ocean Drive are Local House, Front Porch Cafe, and Cafe Americano.

11:00am – Shopping & exploring Ocean Drive

You’ve experienced Ocean Drive and all that it offers at night, and now it’s time to experience this iconic Miami strip during the day!

Ocean Drive is completely different during the day than it is at night.

At night you really get the party vibe and experience the vibrant nightlife of the city, but during the day is the perfect opportunity to shop, people watch, and take in the colorful art-deco architecture of the strip.

There are so many cafes, restaurants, shops and more to experience along Ocean Drive and its neighbouring streets.

Grab yourself a coffee and enjoy strolling the strip and shopping around.

You just might find some souvenirs to bring home!

1:00pm – Lunch in Little Havana

After starting your day strolling around Ocean drive it’s time to head out for lunch and to spend the afternoon exploring Little Havana!

Little Havana is the colorful and rich in culture latino dominated neighbourhood of Miami.

It’s a very famous neighborhood to visit!

This historic neighbourhood will give you a glimpse into the heart of Cuba, from the culture, to the architecture, art, history, music and of course the food.

You’ll need to either drive or take an Uber to this area but since you’ll be spending the whole afternoon (and possibly evening if you stay for live music, dancing, or to watch a movie at the theatre) it’s totally worth the 20 minute drive.

In Little Havana you’ll get to eat authentic cuban food and immerse yourself in all things Cuban.

I recommend starting your afternoon with lunch at Versailles Restaurant.

Versailles Is the #1 recommended Cuban restaurant in not only Little Havana but all of Miami, so this is definitely one you don’t want to miss!

2:30pm – Explore Little Havana

There is just so much to see and do around Little Havana, and you have a full afternoon to explore!

You can either just wander around or check out my post on how to spend a perfect day in Little Havana here.

It’s chock full of all the things you should see and do while you are there!

7:00pm – Dinner and drinks in Little Havana

Little Havana is the perfect place to experience some true Cuban flavour at night!

There are so many amazing Cuban restaurants to enjoy an authentic Cuban meal at.

Some of the best rated are of course Versailles, and also Doce Provisions, El Cristo Restaurant, and Old’s Havana Cuban Restaurant & Bar.

8:30pm – Dancing & Drinks at Ball & Chain

Once you’ve finished dinner it’s the perfect time to get out and enjoy some salsa dancing and live entertainment at Ball & Chain!

Located along the famous strip of Calle Ocho, Ball & Chain is an iconic nightclub that dates back to the 1930’s.

Today Ball & Chain is a live music venue that offers Cuban style food & drinks.

It is the perfect place to enjoy an evening of Cuban flavour.

Day 3 in Miami – Wynwood & Design Districts

9:30am – Breakfast at Wynwood Diner

You will start your last day in Miami by heading to Wynwood!

Known for its many colorful murals, Wynwood is one of the city’s most happening districts and you’ll find art wherever you go!

Once you get to the Wynwood District start your day off with breakfast/brunch at Wynwood Diner.

Conveniently located right across the street from Wynwood Walls they have a great menu of brunch favourites including a yummy avocado toast.

Grab a seat on the sprawling outdoor patio for the perfect way to start the day.

11:00am – Wynwood Walls

After you’ve filled your bellies and gotten your caffeine fix it’s time to walk across the street to check out the famous Wynwood Walls.

Wynwood Walls is an outdoor museum that showcases incredible graffiti murals by some of the world’s best-known street artists.

The surrounding streets have converted warehouses that have all sorts of neat things from craft breweries to funky art galleries.

Wynwood Walls is free to enter and features huge colourful street murals by artists from around the globe.

12:30pm – The Shops at Midtown Miami

Rather than taking an Uber from Wynwood Walls to the Design District, walking is the perfect way to not only get in a little exercise but also get the opportunity to take in some more of the murals in the neighborhood.

Along the way you can stop at the Shops at Midtown Miami to get in a little shopping.

After all, who visits Miami without shopping?

I know as someone from Canada I definitely did a little damage to my wallet during my 3 days in Miami.

Youi’ll also get a little break from the sun which is great.

Some of the most notable shops you’ll want to check out are Nordstrom Rack, Marshall’s, and the Guess Factory.

2:00pm – Drinks and a snack/late lunch at Swan

After all this walking around and shopping you’re probably hungry!

Located in the Design District you’ll find a beautiful restaurant called Swan.

This famous spot is actually owned by Pharrell!

Swan is an extremely chic restaurant and bar that offers a stunning garden patio that’s the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine and some nibbles mid-day.

3:30pm – Explore Miami’s Design District

After having a break at Swan, it’s time to explore Miami’s Design District.

The Design District is a creative neighbourhood and shopping destination that’s dedicated to design, fashion, art, architecture and dining.

Here you’ll find all sorts of neat art installations among the luxury shops and art galleries.

The Miami Design District is a really neat place to explore, and of course get some shopping in if you’re into luxury goods!

7:00pm – Dinner near your hotel

By now you’ve had a pretty busy few days and you’re probably exhausted!

Once you’ve finished at the Miami Design District it’s time to head back to your hotel and get ready for dinner.

Enjoy a dinner near your hotel before settling in for the night, or head out out for more cocktails and another evening of enjoying Miami’s nightlife after!

If you’re not quite sure where to head out for dinner, check out my guide to the best restaurants in South Beach.

Final Thoughts

With sun, beaches, and an incredible nightlife scene it’s really no surprise that Miami is one of the top tourist destinations in all of the United States.

There’s no surprise why people flock from all over to experience the vibrant city, spend their days lying on the beach, and then dance the night away.

I hope you found this 3 days in Miami itinerary useful and that it helps you plan your 3 days in this beautiful, sunny city.

Don’t forget to download your FREE printable 3 Days in Miami Itinerary below!

And if you’re visiting Florida soon, don’t forget to check out these posts:

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