Miami is a colorful cosmopolitan city on the southern tip of Florida. It is bursting with character, culture, and good food! It is a great jumping-off point for a Florida road trip or embarking on a Caribbean cruise. If you only have 48 hours in Miami then check out this 2-day Miami itinerary to discover where to eat, stay, and play!
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2 Day Miami Itinerary
Table of Contents
Day 1:
- Check into hotel
- Lunch at Havana 1957
- Afternoon airboat tour
- Sunbathe at South Beach
- Dinner at Pane & Vino
Check Into Your Hotel
Depending on when your flight lands and what the check-in time is for your hotel, you’ll be anxious to get settled in. Here are a few recommended hotels in Miami:
- The Goodtime Hotel: A darling boutique hotel in South Beach. Guests will have access to free bikes and beach chairs.
- Lofts at Aventura Village: They offer full kitchens and spacious living areas perfect for families. The location and price are great, and there is even a swimming pool on-site.
- Courtyard Marriott: This hotel offers great value. It is clean, comfortable, affordable, and close to the airport.
- Ritz Carlton at Key Biscayne: If you’re looking for an upscale resort stay, the Ritz Carlton offers top-notch amenities and is located right on the beach.
Lunch at Havana 1957
Experience a taste of Cuba at Havana 1957 on Espanola Way. The fresh Cuban dishes and vibrant atmosphere are a nod to the glitz and glamour of old Cuba in the 1950s.
Try the Cuban Combo, Cubano Sandwich, and Fried Sweet Plantains.
A few other lunch options include A la Folie Café, an authentic French Cafe known for its crepes, and Strawberry Moon, a trendy cafe owned by Pharrell Williams that is totally Instagram-worthy!
Afternoon Airboat Tour
Everglades National Park is the 3rd largest national park in the US and encompasses 1.5 million acres stretching across the entire southern tip of Florida.
The very eastern edge of the park is actually only a short drive from Miami!
When you picture Everglades National Park, you may envision a swamp. However, the Everglades is instead a “river of grass” that flows for 100 miles. The deepest point of the river is only about 9 feet deep.
There are over 200,000 alligators that call the Everglades home, with the largest on record coming in at 17 feet 5 inches.
And the best way to spot some gators in the Everglades is on an airboat tour.
Coopertown Airboats is located only about 25 minutes from the Miami airport.
They were actually the very first airboat tour company in the Everglades. They have been around since 1945, two years before the Everglades even became a national park!
The tour lasts about 45 minutes and covers 9 miles. Tickets are reasonably priced with discounts available on Groupon.
The guides are informative and entertaining. They know where the gators like to hang out and even know them by name.
The airboat is only about a foot above the water and it’s a little unnerving how close the alligators get, but such a cool experience to see them in the wild!
They also have a few alligator enclosures and an educational presentation where you can hold a baby alligator.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try eating alligator tails and frog legs at the on-site restaurant!
For another unique experience, try kayaking at King’s Landing near Orlando. It is one of the most beautiful natural springs in Florida!
Relax on the Beach
Next on your Miami itinerary is some R&R! Head to South Beach, the most iconic beach in Miami.
It is known for its, warm water, white sand, and brightly colored lifeguard stands.
The main beach can get quite crowded, but there are quieter local beaches at So Fi (south of Fifth).
After soaking up the sun on the beach, make your way over to Espanola Way to check out the trendy shops and restaurants.
Dinner at Pane & Vino
Pane & Vino is a cozy neighborhood restaurant that serves fresh homemade pasta in an intimate space. You can even watch the chef making the pasta from the window.
Try the Lasagna Emiliana, Pappardelle Al Ragú d’Agnello, or Gnocchi Cremosi by candlelight for your main dish. For dessert, order the Tiramisu or Crème Brûlée.
*Related post: If you’re visiting Orlando, check out our guide The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Photos & Tips!
Day 2:
- Breakfast at Donut Gallery Diner
- Explore Miami by boat
- Lunch at Rusty Pelican
- Afternoon at Key Biscayne
- Dinner in Little Havana
Breakfast at Donut Gallery Diner
If you want to escape the party scene in Miami, cross over the Rickenbacker Bridge and head to Key Biscayne.
This charming laid-back town is located on one of Miami’s barrier islands. It is only a short 15-minute drive from downtown Miami but feels like it’s a world away!
Here you will find the Donut Gallery Diner, a family-owned diner that has been a neighborhood favorite for the past 50 years.
Grab a table at the counter where you can watch the food being prepared right in front of you.
Donut Gallery Diner serves up hearty breakfast and lunch dishes including French toast, omelets, and burgers, but you need to try Ted’s Special.
lt consists of a toasted English muffin topped with bacon, ham, tomato, fried egg, and melted cheese. Thrillist even listed it as one of the ’50 Things You Need to Eat in Miami Before You Die’!
Explore Miami by Boat
After breakfast, head to the nearby Rickenbacker Marina where you can rent a boat and explore the bay.
We rented our boat through Get My Boat where you’ll find a wide variety of boats available to rent. Click the link for rental rates:
GetMyBoat: Boat Charters and Rentals, Worldwide
There are several cool places in the bay that you can explore by boat, including Star Island.
This man-made island is home to some of Miami’s wealthiest residents including movie stars, politicians, and athletes.
You can drive across a bridge to reach the island by car, but you’ll have a better view of these multi-million dollar mansions from the water.
The view of the Miami skyline is also more impressive from the water.
You can even cruise up the Miami River that cuts right through downtown.
For a unique experience, head to Stiltsville on the southern end of the bay where you can see the remains of a renegade village from the 1930s.
During its peak, Siltsville was home to some of the most sought-after social clubs in Miami.
There are also several sand bars around the bay that are popular hangouts on the weekend.
If you prefer a guided boat tour of the bay, try reserving a spot on a vintage yacht, or take a millionaire home tour for only $30!
Lunch at the Rusty Pelican
After docking your boat, grab lunch at the Rusty Pelican. This waterfront restaurant is located at Rickenbacker Marina with beautiful views over the bay.
The Rusty Pelican is known for their fresh seafood. Try the crab cakes, calamari, or fried snapper. They also offer a Rusty Pelican Board if you want to sample different foods.
*Related post: If you are planning to visit the Gulf Coast, check out our guide 7 Things to do in Clearwater Florida!
Afternoon at Key Biscayne
After lunch, take some time to explore around Key Biscayne.
Head to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and relax on the mile-long pristine white sand beach.
This coastline often ranks as one of the top 10 beaches in America.
The Cape Florida Lighthouse is also open for tours Thursday-Monday. This historic lighthouse is almost 200 years old and is considered the oldest standing structure in Miami.
While at Key Biscayne, I would also recommend visiting the abandoned ruins of the Crandon Park Zoo, renting bikes and exploring Bear Cut Preserve, buying fresh produce at the farmers market, or taking a snorkel tour to see a sunken ship.
For more information, see our guide 4 Fun Things to Do in Key Biscayne!
Dinner in Little Havana
Little Havana is a vibrant Cuban neighborhood located only a few miles from downtown Miami.
Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street) runs through the middle of Little Havana and is lined with Cuban-inspired restaurants, shops, and stands.
*Related Post: If you are planning to visit Orlando, see our guide 7 Things to Do in Orlando Besides Theme Parks!
You’ll find street performers and musicians on the street corners and live music spilling out of open doors.
You can take a food and walking tour, catch a movie or live performance at the historic Tower Theater, watch locals play dominos at Domino Park, see vendors hand-rolling Cuban cigars, check out the colorful murals, and of course, enjoy the food.
The family-owned Versailles restaurant is one of the best places to go for traditional homemade Latin dishes.
Be sure to order the legendary Cuban Sandwich with yellow rice, beans, and plantains on the side. Their empanadas, croquettes, and desserts are also really good. Try the caramel flan!
I hope this Miami itinerary has helped you plan the best way to spend 48 hours in Miami! As always, feel free to ask questions or leave your own recommendations in the comments below.
And if you are embarking on a Caribbean cruise from this port, be sure to check out these guides:
[…] And if you’re looking for more things to do in Miami, check out our guide How to Spend 48 Hours in Miami! […]