3 Days in Miami & the Florida Keys

Miami and the Florida Keys offer a tropical escape without leaving the United States. From the Art Deco glamour of South Beach to the laid-back, anything-goes spirit of Key West, this three-day itinerary packs in beaches, incredible Cuban food, one of America's most scenic drives, and the southernmost point in the continental US.

Day 1: Miami Beach & Little Havana

Your first day explores the two sides of Miami: the glamorous beachside scene and the deeply rooted Latin American culture that makes this city unlike any other in the country.

Morning: Start on South Beach. Walk along Ocean Drive and admire the pastel-colored Art Deco buildings, the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world. The Art Deco Historic District covers about one square mile and includes over 800 buildings built between 1923 and 1943. Pop into the Art Deco Museum at the Welcome Center for a quick introduction, or join one of their guided walking tours. Walk down to the beach itself, where the wide white sand and turquoise water stretch for miles. Lummus Park Beach, between 5th and 15th Streets, is the most iconic stretch.

Afternoon: Head to Little Havana, the cultural heart of Miami's Cuban-American community. Walk along Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street), the main artery of the neighborhood. Stop at Maximo Gomez Park (Domino Park) to watch the older Cuban men play dominoes, a daily tradition for decades. Visit the cigar shops where hand-rolled cigars are still made the traditional way. The Little Havana neighborhood is packed with murals, live music spilling out of restaurants, and the smell of roasting coffee.

Have a late lunch at Versailles, the most famous Cuban restaurant in the US. Their pressed Cuban sandwich, ropa vieja (shredded beef in tomato sauce), and cafe con leche are legendary. The bakery window counter is where Miami politicians come to campaign and where the community gathers.

Evening: Head to Wynwood, Miami's vibrant arts district. The Wynwood Walls feature large-scale murals by internationally known street artists, covering entire buildings with vivid, thought-provoking work. The surrounding blocks have galleries, breweries, and restaurants. Have dinner at KYU for Asian-inspired wood-fired cooking, or Alter for inventive tasting menus. After dinner, Wynwood's bars and lounges have a buzzy, creative nightlife scene.

Where to eat: Versailles in Little Havana (Cuban, $12-20), La Ventanita for a cafecito and croquetas at the walk-up window ($3-5), or KYU in Wynwood (Asian smokehouse, $40-60 per person).

Budget tip: The Wynwood Walls outdoor gallery is free to visit during the week and only $12 on weekends. South Beach is free, and a day on the sand costs nothing beyond sunscreen.

Day 2: The Overseas Highway to Key West

Today you drive one of the most unique roads in America: the Overseas Highway, which hops across 42 bridges connecting the chain of Florida Keys islands from the mainland to Key West, with the ocean on both sides.

Morning: Depart Miami early for the 160-mile drive to Key West. Take US Route 1 south through Key Largo, the first and largest of the Keys. Stop at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first undersea park in the US. If you have time, a glass-bottom boat tour or snorkeling trip over the coral reef is incredible. Otherwise, continue south.

Stop at Robbie's Marina in Islamorada (Mile Marker 77.5) to feed the massive tarpon that gather at the dock. For $4, you get a bucket of fish and the tarpon leap out of the water to eat from your hand. It is thrilling and a quintessential Keys experience. Islamorada is also known as the sport-fishing capital of the world.

Afternoon: Continue across the famous Seven Mile Bridge, one of the longest bridges in the world when it was built in 1912. The views of open ocean on both sides are breathtaking. Stop at Bahia Honda State Park (Mile Marker 37), which has some of the best natural beaches in the Keys with calm, clear water and views of the old railroad bridge.

Arrive in Key West in the afternoon. Walk along Duval Street, the main commercial strip running from the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico. Visit the Southernmost Point Buoy, the iconic striped concrete marker 90 miles from Cuba. Expect a line for photos but it moves quickly.

Evening: Key West is famous for its sunset celebration at Mallory Square. Every evening, street performers, food vendors, and crowds gather on the waterfront to watch the sun drop into the Gulf of Mexico. It is a festive, joyous tradition. Afterward, have dinner at Blue Heaven, a quirky open-air restaurant in a former boxing venue (Ernest Hemingway refereed matches here) where chickens roam freely beneath your table. Their Key lime pie is outstanding.

Where to eat: Blue Heaven (Caribbean and Floridian cuisine, $20-35), El Siboney (authentic Cuban food, generous portions, $12-18), or Santiago's Bodega for creative tapas.

Budget tip: The Mallory Square sunset celebration is free. Walking Duval Street from one end to the other is the best way to experience Key West and costs nothing. Many guesthouses include breakfast, saving you one meal per day.

Day 3: Key West Exploration & Return

Spend the morning discovering more of Key West before driving back up the Keys to Miami.

Morning: Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, where the Nobel Prize-winning author lived and wrote some of his greatest works in the 1930s. The Spanish Colonial house is home to about 60 polydactyl (six-toed) cats descended from Hemingway's original pet. The lush tropical gardens and the writing studio in the attic are highlights. Admission is $18.

Walk through the Truman Annex neighborhood, a beautifully restored area near the waterfront, and visit Fort Zachary Taylor State Park at the island's southwestern tip. The fort dates to the Civil War and has the best beach in Key West with calm, clear water and good snorkeling right from shore.

Afternoon: Begin the drive back up the Keys to Miami. Take your time and stop at places you missed on the way down. Bahia Honda State Park is worth a second stop if the light is good. Stop in Marathon at the Turtle Hospital, a rescue and rehabilitation center where you can see sea turtles up close and learn about conservation efforts (guided tours only, reserve ahead).

Evening: Arrive back in Miami in the early evening. For your final meal, head to the Design District or Brickell. Mandolin Aegean Bistro in the Design District serves Greek and Turkish food in a charming garden house setting. Or go to Cvi.che 105 in downtown Miami for outstanding Peruvian ceviche that reflects Miami's deep South American connections.

Where to eat: Mandolin Aegean Bistro (Mediterranean, $30-45), Cvi.che 105 (Peruvian, $15-25), or Joe's Stone Crab in South Beach (seasonal, October-May, legendary stone crab claws).

Budget tip: Fort Zachary Taylor State Park charges $6 per vehicle for entry and includes some of the best beach access in Key West. Snorkel gear can be rented at the park for about $15 compared to $40-80 for a snorkel boat tour.

Practical Information

Getting around: A car is essential for the Keys drive. In Miami, rideshare apps work well and the Metromover downtown is free. The Overseas Highway (US-1) is the only road to and from Key West, so expect some traffic on weekends.

Where to stay: Miami Beach (South Beach or Mid-Beach) for the first night, and Key West for the second night. In Key West, Duval Street guesthouses offer character, or stay at the Marker Waterfront Inn for harbor views. Budget travelers can stay in Marathon or Islamorada and day-trip to Key West.

Best time to visit: November through April is the dry season with warm temperatures and low humidity. Summer (June-September) is hot, humid, and in hurricane season. December through February is peak season with the highest prices.

Key West tips: The island is very walkable and bikeable. Rent a bike for $15-20 per day to cover more ground. Street parking is limited and expensive; use the parking garage on Grinnell Street or the lot at Mallory Square. Conch fritters, Key lime pie, and fish tacos are the essential Key West foods to try.

Sunscreen and hydration: The Florida sun is intense, especially on the water. Reef-safe sunscreen is required by law in Key West to protect the coral reef. Reapply every two hours and carry water.