Miami Travelers Recommend

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, and Wetland of International Importance—only a few places on earth make all three lists—the Florida Everglades are a must-do in southern Florida. Here’s what you should know about visiting from Miami.

Airboat Tours

The best way to see the Florida Everglades is by airboat, a flat-bottomed, fan-propelled boat that skims across the shallow, marshy waters where normal boats aren’t able to go. An airboat’s simple, open-air design provides unobstructed views of the mangroves and swamp grass, where you might spot wildlife such as gators, manatees, or ocelots in their natural habitat.

Combo Tours

For a longer experience, Everglades airboat tours can be combined with another activity, whether urban or environmental. Some combo tours include Miami or South Beach sightseeing or a Biscayne Bay cruise, while others feature a wildlife show, alligator tour, or a visit to Big Cypress National Preserve, which borders Everglades National Park.

Things to Know

• Tours from Miami typically last three to five hours.

• Not all tours from Miami go to Everglades National Park but instead take travelers to a separate area of the Everglades region, which is larger than the park itself.

• Not all tours include transportation from Miami; some require that you get yourself to the starting point in the Everglades.

• An Everglades airboat ride exposes you to the elements, so make sure you have sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, and water to stay hydrated in the Florida heat.  

From speedboat tours on Biscayne Bay to salsa dancing lessons in South Beach, Miami is full of things to do by day and night. Plan ahead to balance water adventures, neighborhood exploration, and day trips to the Florida Keys or Bahamas. Here are a few ways to spend three days in Miami. 

Day 1: Miami by Bus, Boat, and Seaplane

Get a broad view of Miami on an introductory tour. Explore on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, with the freedom to stop at more than 40 locations, or climb aboard a speedboat for a fast-paced tour of Biscayne Bay. Other adventurous options include a seaplane tour with take-off and landing in the bay, or a parasailing excursion—both of which offer a bird’s-eye view of the water. Combination tours also provide an overview: some tours combine city sightseeing, a scenic cruise in Biscayne Bay, and a wildlife-spotting airboat ride in the Everglades. 

Day 2: Food, Culture, and Dancing

Discover Miami’s vibrant culture with a day focused on exploring its neighborhoods, food, and dance traditions. Visit the Cuban neighborhood of Little Havana for a food-focused walking tour or a food-themed bike tour that covers ground quickly. Or if you prefer, take a South Beach food tour, focused on the history of the Art Deco District with tastings at Latin American restaurants. By night, keep the cultural crash course going with an evening of mojitos and salsa dancing. Follow the lead of your dance instructor and take in live entertainment such as cabaret shows. 

Day 3: Explore Beyond Miami

While the sun and surf of Miami make it tempting to stay put, there are adventures beyond South Beach. Discover the natural beauty of the Florida Keys with a day trip that might include sailing and snorkeling, or via seaplane from Miami to the Keys to maximize time. Those interested in space can plan a day trip to the Kennedy Space Center. For something further flung, book a Bahamas day cruise. Families can head to Orlando on a tour that includes 1-day admission to Disney World and transportation from Miami. 

It's a bridge to the tropics and the Caribbean by car—whatever vision you have of Key West, turn it into a sunny reality on a tour from Miami. Just pack your beach bag, a sense of adventure, and remember to bring the sunscreen. Here are your options.

Guided Day Trips

Choose a guided tour that's most catered to your interests, whether it's following in the footsteps of writer Ernest Hemingway or parasailing through the air. You can snorkel and sail on a catamaran cruise, hang out in Mallory Square, or snap a photo at the southernmost point in the continental US.

Independent Tours with Round-Trip Transport

If you're the type of traveler who prefers to explore a new destination on your own, opt for a self-guided tour of Key West with included transport from Miami. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Miami area hotels are included, and you can even arrange for a multi-day stay and return to Miami at your leisure.

Things To Know

• Key West is set 165 miles (265 kilometers) southwest of Miami, a journey of about 3.5 hours by road each way.
• Day trips typically depart between 5:30 and 7am to maximize time on the island, and some include a stop for breakfast at one of the 32 islands en route.
• Because there's so much to do in Key West, it's best to choose a day tour that focuses on the activities you'll enjoy most.
• You'll want to pack extra clothes in case you go for a dip.

The cultural hub of Miami attracts visitors to its sandy shores for water sports and to its clubs and restaurants for a vibrant nightlife scene. With 48 hours in Miami, there’s time to parasail, cycle through Little Havana, and learn to salsa. Here are a few ways of the best ways to spend two days in Miami.

Day 1: Setting Sail and Cocktails

Morning: Get an introduction to Miami with a comprehensive sightseeing tour. Take a hop-on hop-off bus tour with more than 40 stops across Miami or a city tour complete with a sightseeing cruise to catch a glimpse of Biscayne Bay, Downtown Miami, and Star Island. 

Afternoon: Join an afternoon tour designed to get your adrenaline pumping. Adventurous travelers might try parasailing with an excursion into Biscayne Bay. Several boat tours are also available, including a speedboat sightseeing cruise.

Night: Taste the many cultures of South Beach with an evening food and walking tour. Follow your guide to several eateries for snacks from different Latin American cultures and learn about the art deco history of South Beach. 

Day 2: Little Havana and Miami by Air

Morning: Explore Miami beyond South Beach with a trip to Little Havana. Get to know this Cuban neighborhood a food-focused guided walking or bike tour. Learn about Little Havana’s history and taste Cuban snacks. 

Afternoon: See Miami from a new perspective on a tour by air. Air tour options include a  helicopter tour, a seaplane tour that takes off and lands in Biscayne Bay, and a sunset air tour by small plane. All flights include views over South Beach, Downtown Miami, and Biscayne Bay. 

Night: Discover Miami’s famed nightlife with an evening of cocktails and dancing in Miami Beach. Follow an instructor to learn to dance salsa on a evening out that includes mojitos, music from a live band, and live entertainment such as cabaret shows. 

Miami offers diversions that go beyond its famous sun and sand. Stroll through the Art Deco District, climb aboard a speedboat for a fast-paced tour, or cycle through Little Havana to get a taste of Miami’s Cuban food—all in 24 hours. Here are a few ways to spend one day in Miami. 

Morning: Welcome to Miami

Start your day in Miami by getting the lay of the land. Choose among several tours that allow you to maximize time in the city, such as a hop-on hop-off with more than 40 stops throughout Miami or a Segway tour that zips through South Beach and its Art Deco District. Visitors who are interested in Miami beyond South Beach may want to check out a food tour by bike, which takes you on a scenic cycle through a Cuban neighborhood complete with Cuban snacks. Learn about Miami’s history and cultural influences from your guide. 

Afternoon: Miami by Sea and by Air

Get a new perspective on Miami with an afternoon tour by boat or plane. Adventurous travelers can sign up for a parasailing excursion in Biscayne Bay or a speedboat sightseeing tour of Miami. Another option for an adrenaline-inducing ride is a seaplane tour of Miami, which takes off and lands in the waters of Key Biscayne and offers views over South Beach, Coconut Grove, and Star Island. Sightseeing cruises offer a more relaxed option to see Miami by water; keep an eye out for dolphins. 

Night: Eat, Drink, and Dance

Experience Miami’s renowned nightlife with a mojito and salsa-themed tour. Spend a night in South Beach sipping cocktails and learning how to salsa with music provided by a live band. To catch the sunset from a different perspective, sign up for an airplane tour at dusk. A twilight tour over Biscayne Bay offers panoramic views and countless photo opportunities. Visitors interested in Miami’s diverse food scene might opt for a food and walking tour. Sample bites from several Latin American cultures on a guided evening stroll. 

Home to more than a dozen beaches, Miami is a sun lover’s paradise with plenty of options for soaking up some vitamin D. Whether you’re looking for a lively stretch of sand to see and be seen or a tranquil sunny escape, these are some of your best options.

South Beach

No trip to Miami would be complete without a visit to iconic South Beach (particularly Lummus Park Beach). Visit the coastline made famous on postcards for its soft white sand and adventurous surfers catching waves. You’ll also find the Art Deco architecture of Ocean Drive.

Sunny Isles Beach

Sunny Isles, Miami’s northernmost beach, comprises a two-mile (3.2-kilometer) stretch of sand popular among families with kids. Go fishing off Newport Fishing Pier or go snorkeling just offshore.

Surfside Beach

Locals love the beach at Surfside for its waterfront walking and biking path and friendly beach town vibe. The pristine stretch of sand sits in front of a charming neighborhood dotted with historic buildings housing cafes and ice cream shops.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Located on Key Biscayne near Crandon Park Beach, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is known for its colorful sunsets, nature trails, a historic lighthouse, and untouched Atlantic shoreline. Enjoy its soft sand and azure waters, and also an array of outdoor experiences including hiking, cycling, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Haulover Beach

Most famous as the city’s only legal clothing-optional beach, this stretch of Miami Beach also offers a more traditional sunbathing area as well. Additionally, surfers rank the waves here as some of the area’s best. 

Virginia Key Beach

Tropical tiki huts provide shade at this popular beach, located just across from the Miami Seaquarium where the Miami River meets Biscayne Bay. If you’re looking for stellar views of the downtown Miami skyline from a sun lounger, this is your place.

There are very few places in the United States where you can hop on a boat, visit another country, enjoy a day of sunshine and adventure, and still be back in time for dinner. Florida is one of those places. Here’s what you need to know about visiting the Bahamas from Miami.

Things to Know

• Ferries take run from the port of Miami to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, or Bimini, where you’ll pass through customs.

• Don’t forget to bring your valid passport, as well as anything you might need for a day at the pool or the beach, such as sunscreen, a hat, and a change of clothes. 

• The boat ride takes about three hours, but most ferries are stocked with a full bar, a casino, and duty-free shopping, making the journey an experience in its own right. 

• Spend your free time in the Bahamas wandering around town, sunbathing on the white-sand beaches, relaxing at a resort, or shopping in the famous Straw Market.

• A Bahamas day trip from Miami often involves an early-morning wake-up and can last upwards of 14 hours.

• Most tours to the Bahamas include pickup and drop-off at your Miami hotel.