5-Day Miami Itinerary: Explore South Beach, Wynwood, and the Everglades

Shake off the flight with a slow walk along South Beach’s boardwalk and Ocean Drive, spotting neon signs, pastel Art Deco hotels, and locals rollerblading by the sea.

Join a guided Art Deco walking tour from the Miami Design Preservation League’s Art Deco Welcome Center to decode the porthole windows, terrazzo floors, and movie-set facades along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue.

Claim a spot on the sand at South Beach, float in the warm Atlantic, and watch the colorful lifeguard towers glow in the late-afternoon light.

After the heat dips, wander the Art Deco Historic District to photograph façades like the Colony Hotel and The Carlyle, with neon signs flickering on as the sky turns pink.

Cap your first night with a paid rooftop bar experience at a Miami Beach hotel, sipping a cocktail as you look out over the pool decks and city lights.

Enter the outdoor Wynwood Walls art park to see large-scale murals from global street artists, with bold colors and textures that change every few months.

Join a guided street art tour around Wynwood to learn how the neighborhood transformed from warehouses to an open-air gallery, with stories behind the murals you might otherwise miss.

Head to the Miami Design District to wander among high-end boutiques, public art installations, and sleek architecture that feels more like a gallery than a mall.

Step inside the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami to explore cutting-edge exhibitions and a sculpture garden. Entry is free with timed tickets, so it is worth planning ahead.

Finish the night with a nightclub experience in South Beach, with DJ sets, late-night dancing, and pricey drinks that come with serious people-watching.

Join a guided Little Havana walking tour that stops at Domino Park, a cigar factory, and local galleries while your guide shares Cuban history and neighborhood gossip.

Pause at Maximo Gomez Park, better known as Domino Park, to watch locals argue over domino games in rapid-fire Spanish under the shade of the trees.

Head to Bayside Marketplace for open-air shopping, souvenir stands, and live Latin and pop music echoing across the marina.

Board a Biscayne Bay sightseeing cruise from Bayside to glide past the Miami skyline, Star Island mansions, and the Port of Miami with commentary and breezy upper-deck views.

After the boat cruise, wander into Bayfront Park for a quick walk under palm trees, with kids playing and locals relaxing by the water.

Have a couple of drinks at a Brickell bar, where suits mix with visitors and the vibe leans more urban and grown-up than South Beach.

Join a guided Everglades airboat tour that includes round-trip transport from Miami, skimming across the sawgrass in search of alligators, turtles, and herons.

Stop at an Everglades National Park visitor center, such as Shark Valley or Ernest Coe, to pick up maps, talk to rangers, and learn how this slow-moving river actually works.

Take a short boardwalk or trail walk in the Everglades to spot birds, gators sunning themselves, and the strange stillness of the sawgrass prairie.

Back in Miami Beach, stretch out on the sand for sunset, letting the sea breeze undo the sticky Everglades humidity.

Start your final morning with a walk or jog along the Miami Beach Boardwalk, with runners, dog walkers, and the sound of waves as background noise.

Stroll along the pedestrian-only Lincoln Road for last-minute shopping, gelato, and some of the best people watching in Miami Beach.

Sneak in one last swim in the ocean or quick dip in a hotel pool, soaking up the sun and salty air before packing.

If time allows, pop into the small Art Deco Museum near Ocean Drive to see original photos, architectural details, and models that bring the district to life.