If you’re having a hard time planning your Miami itinerary, we don’t blame you – a place called “the magic city” ought to offer a dazzling number of opportunities to its visitors. Miami features numerous excellent places that are worth seeing, however, seeing all of them in one weekend is an arduous task. This is why we have narrowed down the best places in Miami that you must see during your one-weekend long stay!
When it comes to Florida and its cities, there’s just a lot of ground to cover. Miami, for instance, has got some of the best beaches in the whole of America, besides booming nightclubs, mesmerizing art galleries, inspiring museums, and a lot more. Today, we will try to cover the best attractions of the city so you can decide which one you want to fit in your schedule. If you’re on a full-state tour, don’t forget to check out our post on how to spend a weekend in Tampa.
So, without any further ado, let’s get into the best places you must not miss in Miami!
1. The Wynwood Murals
Wynwood is like the Shoreditch of London but on steroids. It is perhaps the world’s greatest outdoor art gallery. Known as the main graffiti hotspot of the country, Wynwood Walls is a free mural exhibition that you just can’t miss. A slow, attentive and detailed cycling tour of the place is how you should spend the first few hours of your weekend in Miami.
You can get bicycles from City Bike Miami – a bike renting and sharing system meant for both tourists and locals so they can explore the city. Tony Goldman transformed a warehouse district into a practical art gallery. He did so because he wanted to bring the public’s attention to more obscure artforms. Other legendary artists such as Kenny Scharf and Shephard Fairey have also laid their hands on Wynwood Walls. The place has no windows and extraordinary graffiti all over the walls. Street artists like Tony are responsible for turning Wynwood into the tourist hotspot it has become. The good news is that this city is never short of talent and good art, so emerging stars are always developing the place into graffiti heaven.
Superblue Miami is another immersive art masterpiece that was recently opened to the public. Another option to consider is taking a tour with Miami’s Best Graffiti Guide as they will take you to see even more awesome murals in Wynwood. In addition to the art, Wynwood’s people are known to be extremely hospitable and welcoming towards tourists. In conclusion, Wynwood is too good to not visit if you’re spending a weekend in Miami.
2. Haulover Beach
Once you’re done marveling at the gripping beauty of the Wynwood Walls, it is time to get some rest, freshen up, and head to the next awesome destination Miami has to offer. There are several great options when it comes to food and places to stay at. One commendable choice is Selina Hotel Miami Florida. It’s got great amenities, some of which include a swimming pool, free wifi, a bar, and live music.
Having done that, you’re ready to head to the next tourist hotspot known as Haulover beach. If you’re looking for some sand, scenery, and sun, Haulover is the picturesque epitome of just that. Set between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, it has got hypnotizing blue waters, soft and smooth white sand, and no clothing restrictions at the shoreline. There are a lot of outdoor fun activities one can partake in, additional amenities, and a huge urban park. Another good thing about Haulover beach is that it is a lot less crowded than the South beach, so it’s a relatively calmer place in the metropolis that is Miami.
Tourists and locals particularly enjoy how close are the picnic spots, tennis courts, a marina, and a golf course to Haulover beach. In a drive of just forty minutes, one can get to all these entertaining getaways. There are also many parking areas, so you won’t ever have to worry about something like that. You can even get a rental vehicle from close by and head out for a drive.
3. Everglades National Park
An hour’s drive away from Southwestern Miami lies the world-famous Everglades National Park. It is one of the most stupendous ecosystems in the United States of America, if not the best. The vast tropical marshlands sprawl all across a good half of South Florida. Native American occupants originally named this place the River of Grass, and understandably so. The total area of the Everglades National Park is a shocking 1.5 million acres!
Hundreds of rare animals and species reside within the Everglades National Park’s endless forests, mangroves, and marshes. These animals include the Florida Panther and American crocodile. Visitors are welcome to take short walks around the place like on the Anhinga Trail. Many tourists report having spotted endangered and elusive species such as manatees and herons. You can also kayak or motorboat your way through the park, perhaps catch a glimpse at an alligator.
If you fall in love with the Everglades National Park, you can set up camp along the Wilderness Waterway (99 miles in length). However, proper planning is advised before visiting a place with such a huge area.
4. Little Havana
The next stop is Little Havana – a place where you can fully experience and enjoy all sorts of Cuban food, culture, and music. Tourists gravitate towards this Miami attraction, but the real cornucopia of Cuban culture is found in Calle Ocho – the main drag, also commonly known as 8th street. Spanish is the primary way to communicate in Little Havana, and the resident’s fluency in it is impeccable. All the surrounding shops in the area sell Cuban products, so you can get yourself a souvenir if you please. On the street, there is Azucar Ice Cream Company – a great option for those that love sweets – in addition to an Art Deco monolithic structure, and the Tower Theatre.
5. Ocean Drive
Ocean Drive is the highlight you can’t miss out on during your one-weekend trip to Miami. It is the road that cuts the city in half with countless nightlife options, access to several white-sand beaches, and plenty of roller skating opportunities on the pavement.
On Ocean Drive, you will see a plethora of people walking about in their swimsuits, relishing the Miami sun. There are also many awesome sights to see. Make sure to not miss out on Ocean Drive, as it is something truly special and unique to Miami.
In Conclusion
Miami is a huge metropolis, and home to many tourist attractions. If you ever find yourself there, make sure to visit the places we mentioned! We tried to cover all the top places that you can enjoy while you’re in this bustling city for a weekend. We promise the city offers so much more than what we mention that you’ll be wanting to spend more than just one weekend here. We hope it has been an entertaining read for you!
