Three days in Miami is not enough to really know this dynamic city, but it is a good start.
Miami is a great place to spend three days exploring its nature, neighborhoods, beaches and more. It’s also a great place for a Miami weekend getaway.
Let’s dive right into the ideal 3-day Miami itinerary. Then let’s explore day trips from Miami.
Day one of your three-day Miami itinerary
Wynwood
Wynwood is one of the coolest neighborhoods in Miami. Just a few years ago this area was blighted with empty lots and warehouses.
Today Wynwood is full of funky boutique stores, interesting open-air restaurants, art galleries, breweries and clubs; an ideal destination to explore on your 3-day Miami itinerary.
One of Wynwood’s main claims to fame is Wynwood Walls, an open-air museum displaying professionally executed street art.
In fact, the street art extends throughout the neighborhood making it one of the most unique collections of street art in the world.
Where to stay in the Wynwood Art District
A more recent addition to Wynwood is the Brooklyn import, Smorgasburg. This is a collection of open-air street vendors offering culinary delights from around the world.
There are many can’t-miss places in Wynwood. One of my favorites is Cerveceria La Tropical, a brewery/restaurant with a lovely outdoor patio with music on the weekends.
The original location was in Havana. It has now been recreated in Wynwood. Definitely include this stop on your 3 day Miami itinerary.
Coconut Grove
Founded in 1873, this “neighborhoody” enclave predates the founding of Miami by decades. It was originally a Bahamian fishing village and still maintains traces of its Bahamian heritage.
Today Coconut Grove is a mixed commercial and residential area with restaurants and long-established shops.
The center of Coconut Grove could be considered Cocowalk, an open-air, newly renovated restaurant and shopping square with a multiplex as an anchor.
Exceptional restaurants include Jaguar with its interesting take on traditional Latin American cuisine and Loreta and The Butcher for Argentine parilladas.
This quirky neighborhood is a must on your 3 day Miami itinerary.
Where to stay in Coconut Grove.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Located on Biscayne Bay in the Coconut Grove neighborhood, this magnificent museum with its adjoining gardens is the former home of American businessman James Deering.
He built the estate in the Italian Renaissance style between 1914 and 1922.
Even though the mansion and gardens were built during World War I, the estate is similar in grandeur to the great mansions of the Gilded Age found in Newport, Rhode Island and the Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina.
Today the estate and the grounds are open to the public. Open from 9:30 to 4:30, the museum offers regular guided tours.
Little Havana
For a heavy dose of Miami’s Latin vibe, head to Little Havana. This place is well worth your time with its Latin-inspired restaurants, art galleries, trendy rooftops with killer views and interesting cigar shops.
The activity is mostly centered around Calle Ocho (Eighth Street) between 13th and 17th Avenues.
Try to visit on the third Friday of every month to enjoy “Viernes Cultural” (Cultural Friday) a music, food and art festival.
This is when the stores stay open late and many of the galleries and other stores spill out onto the streets. Local artists display their work.
There is music everywhere. Dancing in the streets and in many restaurants is almost mandatory.
This is a celebration of Latin (mostly Cuban) culture and a great place for a unique, fun way to spend the evening. And don’t forget to sign up for a free walking tour with a local historian.
When in Little Havana, your best bet for a fabulous meal is Cuban food.
The venerable Versailles Restaurant has been in the same location since 1971. It serves authentic, delicious Cuban food and has, over the years, become an iconic destination for the Cuban community to meet.
No 3 days in Miami would be complete without a stop in Little Havana.
Little Havana Nightlife
The area is chock full of cool places to dance, listen to music and just chill. One place everyone will recommend to you is Ball and Chain.
There is Latin music playing here at all times of the day and people dance wherever the spirit moves them.
This venue has been around since 1935 and hosted some of the greatest greats over the years; Lena Horn, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker and others.
Another gem is Cafe La Trova, rated one of the 50 Best Bars in the World.
This lovely venue in the heart of Little Havana also features an award-winning chef and music seven days a week. Don’t miss the Happy Hour at the bar.
A recent addition is the wonderful Calle Dragones nightclub and cabaret.
This is a take on what a Havana nightclub would have looked like if the revolution hadn’t intercepted. The place is fantastic with red velvet curtains and bizarre decorations.
The food is delicious and a nod to the classic Cuban-Chinese culture that existed in pre-revolutionary Havana. The two cuisines blend seamlessly… fried plantain dumplings, anyone?
There is a show every night and the cocktails are exotic and outstanding. There is also a Happy Hour. This is an ideal addition to any 3 days in Miami.
Where to stay in Little Havana
What to read next: 14 Cool and Unique Things to do in Miami
Day two of your three days in Miami
South Beach
South Beach is a great place to start your three day Miami itinerary. Ocean Drive is the main drag.
On one side of Ocean Drive is the spectacular beach and the Atlantic Ocean. On the other side is the nation’s finest collection of Art Deco hotels and architecture.
Spend time on the free public beach and then stroll the area. Take a tour of the famous Art Deco District so you can learn about the area from local historians.
Or take the free Culture Crawl every third Thursday from 6 to 9 PM (October through May.)
Make sure to explore South Beach at night as well as during the day.
That’s when the restaurants and hotels in the Art District light up with neon in pastel colors, an iconic sight you’ll surely recognize.
Where to stay in the South Beach and Art Deco District
South Point Park
This beautiful park lies adjacent to South Beach. Going from South Beach to South Point Park to see a sunset or watch the cruise ships glide by makes for a perfect walk.
This 17-acre park fronts Government Cut, an engineering passageway for cruise ships and their terminals.
You’ll frequently see lines of the largest cruise ships in the world either docked in their terminals or sliding by into the Atlantic Ocean on their journeys.
This beautifully landscaped park also has a frozen yogurt concession stand, a dog park and a lovely dock suitable for fishing.
The legendary restaurant Smith and Wollensky has an enviable location with the park on one side and the waterway where the cruise ships float by on the other, offering patrons an idyllic view to accompany an outstanding meal.
Further west on the park’s walking path is a marina with luxurious yachts and boat rentals for day trips on the water.
Locals use the park for celebrations, exercise, dance parties or just strolling. Don’t miss the spectacular sunsets on the park’s western side.
South Beach and South Pointe are perfect stops on a Miami weekend getaway.
Lincoln Road
This pedestrian road runs east to west for about 10 blocks between 16th and 17th Street in Miami Beach.
The area has easily 200 stores from Apple to Zara (see what I did there, A to Z) in an open-air landscaped walk.
The stores and restaurants line the perimeter of the road and the middle is reserved for outdoor dining.
If you can’t decide which of the dozens of fine restaurants to patronize, there is a Timeout Food Mall with even more selections.
Hispaniola Way
Hispaniola Way started as an artist community in 1923 and underwent many iterations until becoming the picturesque enclave it is today.
This Spanish-themed, pedestrianized area lies between 14 and 15 streets from Washington to Drexel Avenues.
The area has cute boutique shops, and restaurants and is great for people-watching. As Hispaniola Way is so close to Lincoln Road, it makes sense to visit them on the same trip.
Miami Beach nightlife
There is no shortage of nightlife on South Beach.
From cozy neighborhood bars to outlandish women-dancing-on-the-bar-in-leopard print-tights venues (Mangos) to dance parties hidden behind a refrigerator door in a taco shop (Bodega Taqueria and Tequila), and everything in between, there is something for everyone.
Day three of your 3-day Miami itinerary
Bayside Marketplace
The Bayside Marketplace is one of those attractions you should visit at least once.
This is an open-air shopping and entertainment venue right on the water.
And since it is right on the water, this is where many of the tourist boats leave from; slow cruising around the Miami waterways, thrilling speedboats, fishing charters and more.
The area has most of the standard mall shops, some delightful restaurants and different attractions throughout the year. It’s a lovely place to spend a few hours or the entire day.
Where to stay in downtown Miami
Red Rooster Sunday Gospel Brunch
Another import from New York City, Red Rooster is the brainchild of Swedish/Ethiopian celebrity chef Marcus Samuelson.
Similar to the original in Harlem, NYC, this Red Rooster is also located in a historic neighborhood, Overtown.
The food is southern U.S. themed and it is exceptional.
There is music throughout the week and you can enjoy it either at the stylish bar, indoors or in the open-air patio.
This is one of my favorite places in town and where I always bring people on a Miami getaway weekend.
Try your best to go for the Sunday Gospel Brunch. The music is jazzy as much as it is gospel but it is rousing nonetheless.
Kayak tour in Miami
Picture this…you are floating on a kayak on a peaceful estuary surrounded by thick mangroves and flocks of colorful birds.
Suddenly a large egret soars across the sky with a wriggling fish in its claws.
That’s the essence of nature….and you can witness this and more on a Get up and Go Clear Kayak tour in Miami.
The Miami area has lush, exuberant vegetation everywhere you look.
A great way to get close and personal with the local flora and fauna is to take a kayak tour around Miami’s waterways, mangroves and estuaries.
You’ll be surprised to see that such natural beauty manages to exist and thrive right smack in the center of a great metropolis like Miami.
Get up and Go Clear Kayak Tours has tours run by knowledgeable guides.
Our guide, Alby, gave us kayaking safety instructions and then provided the necessary equipment, like life jackets, for a great river excursion.
His detailed explanations of the local plants and wildlife enhanced the tour immensely.
You’ll meet at East Greynolds Park on the Oleta River across from the Oleta State Park. Most visitors see egrets, manatees, turtles, raccoons, the occasional deer and other South Florida beauties.
Best of all, the kayaks are completely clear so you can witness nature’s glory all around you with no obstructions!
That’s an amazing and unique experience.
Tip: When you arrive at the park, look for the Get Up and Go sign. The guide will arrive before the tour in a large van with the kayaks.
Tours run daily and last about 2 1/2 hours. They are open year-round.
Use the last of your 3-day Miami itinerary to catch your breath and relax or explore more of Miami nightlife or any one of the other 50 things Miami is famous for.
For the culture vulture
In the past few years, Miami has been transformed into a cultural mecca; theater, art museums, performing arts centers, specialty museums, botanical gardens. They’re all here.
For those who like a little culture with their beach and mojitos, replace a couple of the above activities with some of the cultural activities Miami offers.
Frost Science Museum and Aquarium
Love dinosaurs? Miami’s Frost Science Museum has got ’em all in their massive glory.
How about aquariums? The Frost Museum has that too. Get up close and personal with a shark.
Affectionately called the PAMM, this beautifully designed museum is just a 3-minute walk from the Frost Science Museum.
The museum displays contemporary art collections including photography. Exhibits rotate frequently so check the schedule.
American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora (The Cuban)
You’re in Miami where the Cuban cultural influence is felt everywhere. This interesting museum is one of the best places to experience Cuban culture in the U.S.
Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts
This is one of the largest performing arts centers in the United States. The center offers opera, ballet, symphony orchestras, drama, musicals and top-name visiting performers at its various venues.
The best time to visit Miami
It’s always a good time to visit Miami but the winter months from November to April offer temperatures in the mid-70s F and lows in the upper 60s Fahrenheit.
The summer months, on the other hand, can get very hot with temperatures rising to the 90s Fahrenheit. The precipitation level is also lower in the winter.
Another consideration is that hurricane season in South Florida runs from mid-August to late October.
One big motivating factor for when to visit Miami is the world-class events that take place in the winter months.
These include Art Basel in December, Art Deco Weekend in January, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival and the Coconut Grove Arts Festival in February.
There are many more festivals and events throughout the year in town including a host of cheap and free things to do in Miami.
How to get to and around Miami
There are many ways to get from Miami Airport to the beaches. Most visitors fly into Miami International Airport.
From the airport, Uber, Lyft and taxis are readily available to whisk you off to the beaches or downtown.
A less expensive option is the Express Bus Service from the airport to South Beach. Buses leave every 30 minutes and cost a negligible sum of $2.25 each way.
A novel, pleasant and entertaining way to get to Miami if you are coming from the northeast United States is the Amtrak auto train.
You can load your car on the train in Lorton, Virginia and retrieve it near Orlando then drive down to Miami just 3 and 1/2 hours south.
Several accommodation options are available on the train like roomettes for one or two people or family rooms with private bathrooms and showers.
The dining options in the dining car are certainly adequate and there is also a lounge.
Leave the driving, traffic and logistics to someone else and ride the rails through the beautiful eastern U.S. countryside.
Three days in Miami will be just enough to get a good taste of the Magic City.
How Miami got to be the Magic City
Miami has been an attractive destination since the days of the Tequesta people who founded it more than 10,000 years ago.
They had the place pretty much to themselves until the Spaniards arrived in 1513 and decided the place really belonged to Spain instead.
The city was incorporated in 1896 with 444 citizens and land donated by Julia Tuttle making Miami the only major U.S. city founded by a woman.
She also convinced Henry Flagler to expand his east coast railroad south to Miami. This is when the city really took off.
The roaring twenties made Miami cool as the place where the stars of the day partied.
Since Prohibition started in 1920 and ended in 1933, the city was also used as a jumping-off point to nearby Cuba where folks could drink to their heart’s content.
World War II brought tens of thousands of servicemen and women to Miami for training.
After the war, many stayed or went home only to be lured back to Miami by its sunny beaches and warm weather.
Between 1960 and 1970 the Cuban Communist Revolution caused half a million Cubans to flee Castro’s Cuba and settle mostly in Miami.
Immigrants continued to arrive mostly from Latin America giving Miami its Latin vibe and making it one of the nation’s most multi-ethnic cities.
Snowbirds from the U.S’s colder climes also flocked to Miami and still do. Miami’s population has continued to grow and now has a vibrant art scene and the nation’s third-highest skyline.
Day trips from Miami
Miami itself is a perfect vacation spot, but many visitors miss the cool things to do at other destinations and day trips from Miami for a one-day jaunt, a weekend getaway, or an epic road trip.
A great South Florida vacation is to base yourself in Miami for a few days.
After you’ve exhausted all the exciting things to do in Miami, venture out to the surrounding area and enjoy all the activities and attractions in the national parks and day trips from Miami.
Here is where you start.
Shark Valley
Despite its name, Shark Valley has no sharks. It does, however, have heaps of alligators.
This patch of the Florida Everglades lies about 30 miles from Miami on the famous Tamiami Trail (U.S. Highway 41) which is itself prime gator-viewing territory.
It is part of the Florida Everglades National Park system.
There are tons of things to do and see in Shark Valley.
The 15-mile loop road goes to a high observation tower from where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the surrounding grasslands as pristine and timeless as they have ever been.
Rent a bike for $20 or take the narrated open-air tram which traverses the entire area while providing insight into the flora and fauna of the Everglades.
You can bring your own bicycles including E-bikes. Another option is to simply walk the area leisurely and observe the wildlife like birds, gators, turtles, massive iguanas, and snakes.
Don’t miss the alligator moms with their broods of baby gators sunning themselves nearby.
It is guaranteed that you will never get as close to an alligator as you will in Shark Valley, and you’ll go home with some memorable photos!
Shark Valley gets very busy during the high season in winter and on weekends. Sometimes the wait to get in can be over an hour.
For that reason, plan your trip to arrive during weekdays or off-season if possible. Admission hours are 9 to 5 PM. Admission is $30 for cars and $15 for bikers.
Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is one of Florida’s’ most popular national parks and Miami’s attractions for a reason.
It’s a whopping 173,000+ acres in size and is also considered the biggest marine park in the United States. It’s the perfect place to visit if you’re visiting Miami for a couple of days.
Depending on where you are in Miami, it’s around an hour to an hour and a half drive from the city.
The park has an abundance of marine life, which is why it’s no surprise that snorkeling and kayaking are extremely popular activities here.
If you’re not too comfortable going out on your own, you can also take a guided boat, paddle, and snorkel tours with the experienced staff at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center.
There is also a lagoon and beach near Homestead Bayfront Park if you just want to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
Most of the area is only accessible by boat, so be prepared to do some planning to get the most out of the experience.
The Boca Chita Key lighthouse is one of the most notable attractions, so be sure to check it out.
The houses in Stiltsville are another historic landmark that is known for being houses built on stilts back in the 1930s.
The park itself doesn’t have any entrance fees and if you’d like to camp overnight it’s only $25.
Key West
The Florida Keys are small scattered islands on top of coral reefs that form the very South of the United States.
Key West is the most famous one of them all and perhaps the most colorful of the cities near Miami.
Key West is where you can get the closest to Cuba while still on American soil – the southernmost point is well marked and it provides the best photo opp.
People don’t come to Key West for the beaches, though, since most of them are too shallow. Getting further from the coast on a snorkeling adventure is a way better option.
However, it’s the Caribbean vibe that attracts most day-trippers. Pastel-colored houses line the boulevards and it’s just such a pretty place to visit.
You can eat and drink well at Key West too – especially at Duval Street – and make sure not to leave out the famous Key Lime pie, with an optional cocktail.
Even Ernest Hemingway loved Key West and made it his home. Nowadays you can visit a museum located in the house he lived at.
Key West can be easily visited on a day trip from Miami. It takes 3.5 hours to drive there from Miami and there’s also a Miami to Key West bus.
If you choose to stay overnight, Southernmost Point Guesthouse is a highly rated mid-range accommodation option.
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is located along the east coast of Florida in Brevard County, about a three-hour drive from Miami. This makes it an easy drive for visitors wanting a weekend getaway from the city.
The warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, gorgeous sunrises and expansive sandy beaches make it one of the more popular destinations along the coast.
One of the main attractions is Cocoa Beach Pier, featuring an 800-foot-long boardwalk with plenty to do, including live musical entertainment.
You’ll find fine dining options, unique shops, arcade games, and places to fish right off the pier.
There are also beach rentals available such as beach chairs, umbrellas and surfboards if you didn’t bring any with you.
Coconut Beach is great for swimming, surfing, and sunning. Since it’s only six miles south of Cape Canaveral, it’s also a great place to see any launches from there.
Downtown Cocoa Beach Main Street Festival happens on the third Friday of every month and has live music, food and vendors for families to enjoy.
There are other festivals throughout the year that draw crowds such as the Thunder on Cocoa Beach Superboat races.
Whether you’re looking for a sunny beach to spend a relaxing vacation or a lively getaway with plenty going on, Cocoa Beach has something for everyone and is one of the most interesting day trips from Miami.
Crystal River
One of the best day trips from Miami is Crystal River on Florida’s west coast. It’s about a five-hour drive, depending on traffic.
There are many reasons to visit Crystal River, but the biggest reason is to see adorable Florida manatees.
Crystal River is known as the “Manatee Capital of the World” and in this area, you can actually swim with them!
However, if you don’t entirely feel comfortable swimming with manatees, an alternate way to see them up close would be to go kayaking.
To see more of the local wildlife, head over to Three Sisters Springs. This wildlife refuge has a boardwalk that goes along the springs and there are also a few walking trails where you can find native plants and see all kinds of birds.
Crystal River also has a very nice historic downtown. It’s a great place to walk, pick up some unique gifts, and admire the buildings themselves, some of which are “Historic Homes.”
To eat, we recommend St. John’s Tavern. They have 20 beers on tap and great food options.
A great place to stay in Crystal River is Plantation on Crystal River. The hotel has a restaurant and they can even set up a manatee swim tour for you.
Can’t get enough of manatees and magical Florida springs? Then here are 5 other awesome natural springs in Florida for you to choose from.
Fort Meyers
Fort Myers Beach is a happy little island beach destination, one of the most pleasant day trips from Miami and just 2 ½ hours away.
Driving up from Miami you will pass plenty of beautiful beaches on the way, and any/ all are worth a stop if you can find parking.
Bonita Beach Park is a beautiful beach with public parking. After that head up to Lynn Hill Beach Park, where you can find some limited hourly parking, if you arrive early.
From Lynn Hill you can walk to the Fort Myers Fishing Pier. From this area there are tons of water sports rentals if that is up your alley.
Every November there is The Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship, it has become a week-long event and the resulting sculptures are world-class.
There is also a shopping and restaurant area, Times Square. You could spend the whole time wandering this fun beachy vibe area.
Afterwards, take the drive up to Bowditch Point Park for sunset, you will not believe how incredibly gorgeous the sunset is from this point.
If you are willing to leave the little island, downtown Fort Myers is the perfect off-island destination.
There are some amazing restaurants, but one of the super yummy brunch spots is Bullig Coffee & Bites.
The new hotel Luminary Hotel & Co. has an amazing rooftop pool and bar spot that is totally worth the drive. A full two-day itinerary for Fort Myers is available here.
Everglades Airboat Ride
One of the best day trips from Miami is the amazing wilderness of the Florida Everglades, and to truly experience the Glades, you absolutely have to take an airboat tour through the Everglades.
When you’re looking for airboat tours, there are many to choose from around Miami in southeast Florida, or Naples and Everglades City in Southwest Florida.
But the best Everglades airboat tours are the ones with captains who are knowledgeable about the local ecosystem driving smaller boats that can get into more secluded places.
This just adds to the excitement of seeing local wildlife and zipping through mangrove tunnels at lightning speed!
Head west and you’ll find operators all along Rt. 41, the Tamiami Trail, a half hour from Miami all the way to Everglades City and Naples.
No matter which part of the Everglades you choose to explore — the marshy eastern part or the swampy western Glades dotted with large stands of cypress trees and hardwood hammocks — air boating is a thrill!
There is free parking at every venue. Most operators have snacks and beverages to purchase.
As for prices, they will vary with the season, the operator, the length of your tour, and boat capacity. On average, a tour will cost around $45 for adults and $25 for kids.
Key Largo
Key Largo is the closest of the Florida Keys to Miami.
It’s roughly within an hour’s drive but feels like another world away. It may not have as nice a beach, but the snorkeling and diving is great, as the coral reef is protected and there’s plenty to explore underwater.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park looks plain from the land, with just a small beach called Canon Beach.
However, venture in the water and there are shipwrecks, Christ of the Deep, and lots of other snorkeling spots that are available on a boat tour.
If you’re not an experienced snorkeler, you can also experience a bit of the underwater fun without getting wet by going on glass-bottom boat tours.
Take note that these tours can make you feel a bit queasy looking down when the seas are rough, but it is still a good experience nevertheless.
If you’re going on either a snorkeling or a glass bottom tour, you’ll still have to pay the $8.00 entrance fee to Pennekamp State Park, but parking is free.
There are also no food options inside the state park so pack a lunch or time your trip accordingly.
Great places to eat near the area are Mrs Macs, which has one of the best key lime pies ever.
There are two dining locations within a 5 minute drive from each other, and is a diner-style restaurant. Prices are affordable but the restaurant can get pretty busy.
The Holiday Inn Key Largo is a perfect spot to stay in. Some rooms are waterfront, facing the boat docks, and there’s plenty of parking available for guests.
There’s also a pool on the premises for those hot Florida nights and a tiki hut that serves as a restaurant/bar.
Fort Lauderdale
A day trip from Miami that is easily overlooked as smaller compared to Miami, Fort Lauderdale is a chill version of Miami, without a lot of the crowds.
It is within a 30-minute drive (without traffic) north of Miami, and has a beach, a cruise port, and also a big international airport.
Las Olas Boulevard is the main drag of Fort Lauderdale, with upscale shops, cool restaurants, and the end of it leads you to Fort Lauderdale Beach.
Fort Lauderdale also has a historic house, the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, which was built in the 1920s, and is available to tour for those seeking a bit of history.
If you’re looking for a little bit more kitsch, then there’s the Jungle River cruise, which takes you to a “private” island that’s also a small nature park.
Other nature activities include the Flamingo Gardens, a combination wildlife sanctuary, and a botanical garden.
Accommodation in Fort Lauderdale is relatively cheaper than in the greater Miami area. A great place to stay in Fort Lauderdale is Hyatt Centric Las Olas.
It is so close to all the action without having to worry about finding parking in the busy boulevard.
Kayaking in the Everglades
The Everglades are the perfect place for a day trip from Miami.
You can reach this impressive National Park within just a quick drive from Miami although you do need a car to get there.
If you enjoy the Great Outdoors and activities such as hiking, camping, or boat trips this is a great destination for you.
Most tourists will book a tour with an airboat when they visit the Everglades. Another option to enjoy the beautiful mangrove forests is by kayak.
There are guided tours available that will show you around this beautiful national park. A tour tends to last for 3 to 5 hours and can cost anywhere from $ 70 USD to $ 200 USD per person depending on the duration and types of kayaks.
You’ll be able to spot rare bird species, native plants, and even alligators if you get lucky.
Kayaking is a very serene and beautiful experience and is the perfect way to fully immerse yourself in nature.
Make sure to bring insect repellant to protect yourself from the mosquitos. Sunscreen is also really important if you’re visiting during the summer.
The Bahamas
If you’re looking for a quick getaway from Miami, the Bahamas is a great option — particularly The Exuma Cays, a district of the Bahamas featuring 365 islands and azure waters.
Here you can visit Big Major Spot and swim with pigs who have actually been living on the island since the First Gulf War when the pigs were left there for safekeeping in case they were ever needed to help repopulate farm animals.
They still live there and are so used to humans that as soon as they hear your boat approach they’ll come bounding into the water, ready for food, play, and photos!
From there, you can jump in the water to swim with the pigs and get some fun pictures for your Instagram feed.
It’s easy to get to Nassau, Bahamas from Miami.
The distance is only 182 miles, and the flight takes less than an hour.
Airlines that fly to the Bahamas direct from Miami include American Airlines, Bahamasair, and Frontier.
The Bahamas is unique and unlike any other destination or day trip from Miami. It’s hard to beat the Bahamas for good weather, beaches, local culture, seafood and swimming pigs.
What are your favorite destinations and day trips from Miami?
Want to know more about Miami, the Magic City? Check out these reference books and guides to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
I’m sure your 3 days in Miami will be memorable. What did we miss? Let us know in the comments.
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