Best day trips from Miami
The Everglades and Biscayne National Park sit closest to the west and south, while Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach and the Florida Keys lie further out, all still doable in a day.
Around the resort coast
The closest outings — the Everglades and Key Biscayne, and Fort Lauderdale a little further north.
Downtown and Brickell
Downtown Miami and Brickell explained: Bayfront Park, Bayside, PAMM, the Frost Science museum and the cruise port, honestly timed.
Little Havana
Little Havana on Calle Ocho: Cuban exile culture, Domino Park and honest timing for a short, dense visit near Downtown Miami.
Miami
Miami on the mainland side of Biscayne Bay: honest guide to its scattered neighbourhoods, getting around, and which tours are worth booking.
South Beach and Miami Beach: what to know before you go
South Beach is in Miami Beach, a separate city on its own island. Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road, the Art Deco district and honest timing.
Wynwood and the Design District
Wynwood murals and Design District galleries: what's free, what's paid, how long it takes, and how to get there from Miami.
Coconut Grove and Coral Gables: Miami's green, historic side
A full-day guide to Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and Fairchild Garden: Vizcaya, the Venetian Pool, the Biltmore, and honest logistics.
Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne is a separate island south-east of Downtown via the Rickenbacker Causeway, with Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
Miami Beach and Key Biscayne
Miami Beach travel guide: South Beach, Ocean Drive, the Art Deco District, North Beach and Key Biscayne across the causeways.
Miami city: Downtown, Brickell, Little Havana and Wynwood
Miami's mainland neighbourhoods explained: Downtown, Brickell, Little Havana, Wynwood and Coral Gables — and why Miami Beach isn't one of them.
Around the region
A full day out — the Florida Keys to the south, or Palm Beach to the north.
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park from Miami: which entrance to use, when to go, entry fees, and where airboat tours actually run.
Key Largo: the reef, the snorkeling and the start of the Keys
Key Largo from Miami: about 1 hour by car, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, snorkeling, and where the Keys really begin.
Key West
Key West from Miami: real drive times, Duval Street, Mallory Square sunset, Hemingway House, and the ferry gateway to the Dry Tortugas.
The Florida Keys: Key Largo to Key West, mile by mile
Plan the Overseas Highway from Key Largo to Key West: real distances, what each Key offers, and how many days you actually need.
Islamorada
Islamorada travel guide: sport fishing, Theater of the Sea, boat charters and honest drive times on the Overseas Highway from Miami.
Marathon: the midpoint of the Overseas Highway
Marathon guide: Seven Mile Bridge, Turtle Hospital, snorkeling and fishing charters at the halfway point of the Overseas Highway.
Further afield
Worth the extra distance — Key West further south, or the Bahamas by day trip across the water.
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale sits about 30 miles north of Miami, reachable by Brightline train or FLL airport, with canals, a beach and a cruise port.
Bahamas day trips from Miami: Bimini and Grand Bahama
Bimini and Grand Bahama day trips from Miami: passport, ESTA rules, ferry times, rough seas, and what an honest day actually looks like.
Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach: the north shore day trip from Miami
Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Palm Beach as day trips from Miami: real drive times, Brightline as an alternative, and what each town is for.
Hollywood, Florida: the seaside town north of Miami
Hollywood, Florida is a Broward County beach town north of Miami, built around its oceanfront Broadwalk — not the Los Angeles neighbourhood.
Palm Beach: the island, not West Palm Beach
Palm Beach is a private island of villas and boutiques - not a West Palm Beach neighbourhood. What sets them apart, and how to visit both from Miami.
Good to know about day trips from Miami
Beyond central Miami itself, several destinations are within reach by car, ferry, or organised tour. The Everglades and Homestead-Biscayne cover the classic excursions west and south of the city. Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood add a short trip with canals and beach boardwalks. Key West, the southernmost city in the continental United States, extends the trip further along the Overseas Highway with reef waters and island life. The Dry Tortugas and Key West lie further along the same route, reachable by ferry or seaplane, and Key Biscayne offers a closer day out near Miami.
None of these strictly require an overnight stay, though the Dry Tortugas and Key West — often combined — reward travellers who can spare more than a single day.
Frequently asked questions about day trips from Miami
Can I reach the Dry Tortugas without a tour operator?
Most visitors go through the official park ferry or a seaplane charter, since the Dry Tortugas has no road access and independent transport is limited.
How far is Key West from Miami?
It's roughly a two-and-a-half to three-hour drive, so most visitors treat it as a long day trip or add an overnight stay.
Is Palm Beach worth combining with Fort Lauderdale in one day?
Yes, the two sit close together and pair well with a stop in Hollywood on the same route.
Do I need a car for the Florida Keys?
Most visitors reach the Keys by an organised tour or a rental car along the Overseas Highway, since the islands stretch across many miles without a single hub station.
Is Key West doable as a day trip from Miami?
It's a long drive or boat combination, so it suits travelers planning a full day on the road or, better, an overnight stay during whale-watching season.
Day trips to the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas
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