One Day In Miami With Family: How A Near-Perfect Itinerary Allowed Me To Have The Most Fun
Miami is the perfect coastal getaway, with landmarks such as South Beach. Further, it is currently grabbing all the attention with all the preparations for the Travel Exhibition Miami (WTE Miami) on 17-18 September 2025.
Also, despite political tensions and a rising tariff hitting Florida’s tourism industry, Miami seems to continue its momentum.
In fact, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) has confirmed that Miami managed to create new records in 2024 when the state and the entire USA faced a sharp 14% decline in the number of international visitors in March 2025.
Moreover, Miami leads the way as a prominent destination for “LGBTQ+ Inclusive Tourism.” So, Miami today is not just about the pretty beaches and the avant-garde art scene.
Also, Miami will host the much-anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026. So, the city’s tourism industry is only eyeing growth in a sustainable way in the near future.
Unfortunately, the last time I visited Miami with my family was only a one-day vacation. Of course, we could not cover all of the city as it usually takes 3 to 5 days.
Nevertheless, our stay at the Loft at South Beach was luxurious, and we had a near-perfect itinerary to make the most of our time in the city.
In this Dream and Travel Guide, I will share our itinerary with quick tips on how to choose the best places to visit in Miami in 1 day.
One Day In Miami: Places We Visited
The things to do in Miami can be overwhelming for you if you are planning a one-day trip to the city for the first time.
First, declutter your mind and simplify the list of places you can visit.
Of course, our day started at the South Beach with gentle breezes caressing us. We enjoyed every bit of our time at Ocean Drive.
The other places we visited during our one day in Miami were Wynwood Arts District Little Havana, Star Island, and some of the famous eating places in the city.
One Day In Miami With Family: A Complete Itinerary If You Are A First-Time Visitor
We wanted to indulge in slow tourism this time in Miami. So, we did not want to rush, and in our itinerary, we only included places that offer a meaningful experience.
So, along with South Beach, the Wynwood Arts District, and Little Havana were our primary focus. Moreover, we wanted to cherish Cuban food at Little Havana.
Overall, we planned a simple and relaxing day in Miami. We started our day at 8 AM, and this is how it went.
1. Morning (8 AM to 10 AM): Indulging In The Beach Vibe And Exploring The Art Deco Scene
We had our plans of having breakfast at Big Pink for the longest time. So, it had to be a part of our one day in Miami itinerary.
We also had fun exploring the Ocean Drive and relaxing at the South Beach.
‣ Breakfast At Big Pink (8 AM – 9 AM)
- Location: 157 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
- Pocket Pinch: Around $25 Per Person
- Hours Open: Sunday to Thursday – 8 AM to 12 AM, Friday and Saturday – 8 AM to 2 PM
Do you know that Big Pink in Miami has been one of the iconic places to witness the budding romance of Anna Kournikova and Enrique Iglesias?
We loved the retro theme of the restaurant which started in 1996. We gorged on Breakfast Burritos and Mozzarella Sticks there.
‣ Taking A Stroll At The Ocean Drive (9 AM to 10 AM)
We loved strolling along the Ocean Drive as the breezes from the South Beach kept us cool. The Art Deco Buildings on the way were beautiful.
The Villa Casa Casuarina At The Former Versace Mansion, The Betsy Hotel, and The Tides South Beach are some of the most popular Art Deco buildings here.
‣ Relaxing At The South Beach (10-11 AM)
We loved soaking at the South Beach in the Sunshine State. You will love the turquoise water and lifeguard towers here.
If you have time and you want to, you can visit Lummus Park or South Pointe Park. Furthermore, do you want some serious adventure?
Try boating, kayaking, and other water activities.
2. Midday (11:30 AM to 1 PM): Exploring The Local Art Scene And Enjoying A Sumptuous Lunch
After a happy and relaxing morning, we wanted to explore the local art scene. And gorging on the local cuisine was meant to be the highlight of our one day in Miami.
And it happened!
‣ Exploring Wynwood Arts District (11:30 AM to 1 PM)
Blocks upon blocks of stunning wall murals! This is the Wynwood Arts District for you. We also visited the Wynwood Walls Museum there.
Located at 2516 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, Wynwood Walls remains open from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Further, it is one of the most affordable places to visit in Miami, with free entry for children below 12 years. However, they will still need a ticket.
- Entry Fee for Adults: $12
- Seniors: $10
- Students (with ID): $5
- Military/First Responders: $10 (With ID)
- Children below 12 Years: Free Entry
Wynwood Walls is a globally recognized place for bringing some serious street art under one roof. Before your visit, you can call +1 305-576-3334 to learn about the specific events for that day.
‣ Lunch At Zak The Baker (1 PM to 2 PM)
- Location: 295 NW 26th St, Miami
- Contact Number: +1 786-294-0876
- Hours Open: Sunday – Friday: 7 AM to 5 PM, Saturday Closed
- Tariff: $12-16 for Each
I knew about Zak the Baker and had already read about it on TimeOut. I loved it because it’s a fusion of young Wynwood hipster energy and a minimalistic charm.
We tried challah and house sandwiches at Zak The Baker. I want to return soon to Miami only to dine once again at Zak The Baker.
3. Afternoon (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM): Cultural Exploration And Shopping
We spent the afternoon exploring the Cuban culture at Little Havana, and how could we miss shopping?
‣ Visiting Little Havana (2:30 PM to 3:30 PM)
A Miami neighborhood famous for being a Cuban exile! This is Little Havana for you! It celebrates the Cuban Culture and is historically significant, being home to the Cuban Revolution of 1959.
We loved exploring the cigar shops at Calle Ocho and enjoyed the lively art and music scene here.
‣ Shopping At Bayside Marketplace (3:30 PM to 4:30 PM)
We loved strolling by the Bayfront Park and enjoyed wonderful views of the Biscayne Bay.
Bayfront Park also has a historical significance because it was the first public gathering space in Miami.
Moreover, we collected some handmade jewelry and souvenirs from the local shops.
4. Evening (5 PM to 9 PM): Miami Sunset, Nightlife And More
Our evening in Miami was about boat tours, a beach dinner, and enjoying the best cocktail in Brickell.
‣ Biscayne Bay Boat Tour (5 PM to 6 PM)
Living coral reefs, mangrove shorelines, and a diverse marine ecosystem! This is what we encountered on a one-hour boat ride in Biscayne Bay.
We also visited Star Island, which is home to the likes of Madonna and Gloria Estefan. The boat ride cost us $30 per adult.
‣ Dinner In Brickell (7 PM to 9 PM)
Brickell was recently in the news with the opening of New York-based Felice. It offers an authentic Tuscan experience.
However, Brickell is an ideal spot for every type of diner. It has the most upscale restaurants and trendy spots for the young crowd.
We had the best Italian dinner at Casa Tua Cucina. We had Ravioli Al Salmone, and the butter sauce was out of the world.
Casa Tua Cucina is located at 70 SW 7th St, Miam,i and you can contact them at +1 305-755-0320.
It remains open from 9 AM to 11 PM.
‣ Ending The Day With A Drink On The Rooftop
We ended the day with a drink at Sugar. This rooftop place on the 40th floor of an East Miami building offered us the best views of the city.
It remains open from 4 PM to 2 AM from Sunday to Wednesday. From Thursday to Saturday, it remains open from 4 PM to 3 AM.
To reserve a seat, you can call Sugar at +1 786 805 4655.
And the drink we had there? It was Peace, Love & Harmonie Margarita.
