Explore Miami by region
Regions worth building a Miami trip around, from Downtown and Brickell's towers and South Beach's Art Deco streets to day-trip country in the Everglades, the Florida Keys and the Bahamas.
Must-visit areas
The regions every first-time visitor should build a trip around — the Downtown and Brickell core, and Miami Beach's South Beach a little further on.
Downtown and Brickell
Downtown Miami and Brickell explained: Bayfront Park, Bayside, PAMM, the Frost Science museum and the cruise port, honestly timed.
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park from Miami: which entrance to use, when to go, entry fees, and where airboat tours actually run.
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.
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.
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.
More to explore
Areas for a second trip or a longer first one — Coconut Grove and Coral Gables for Vizcaya, and Key Biscayne for a day out by the water.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Islamorada
Islamorada travel guide: sport fishing, Theater of the Sea, boat charters and honest drive times on the Overseas Highway from Miami.
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.
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.
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.
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 destinations around Miami
Miami rewards travellers who explore beyond Downtown and Brickell. The Art Deco Historic District and Ocean Drive hold the densest run of historic sights, while South Beach pairs a public beach, Lincoln Road, and Lummus Park with a livelier waterfront feel. Little Havana and Coconut Grove sit further out, trading crowds for Calle Ocho's cafés and Vizcaya's gardens. Wynwood and the Design District add street art and galleries, and Key Biscayne is the starting point for boat trips across Biscayne Bay, while the Everglades and Biscayne National Park add a river of grass and reef waters to the mix, and Fort Lauderdale brings canals and beaches into easy day-trip range.
West of the city, Homestead and Everglades City cover tram rides, airboat operators, and a national park entrance, and Islamorada adds sport fishing. Key Largo and Key West sit further south still, with a coral reef park and the southernmost point in the continental United States. Farther afield, Palm Beach offers its own Worth Avenue and Flagler Museum, the Bahamas draw day-trippers to Bimini and Freeport by ferry, and the Dry Tortugas round out the list of trips from the capital of South Florida.
Each region below groups the sights, tours, and practical notes that make sense together, so a short city stay and a longer trip that ranges across South Florida can both be planned without guesswork.
Frequently asked questions about destinations around Miami
How many days do I need to see central Miami?
Two to three days covers the main sights of Downtown and Brickell and South Beach; add a day for the Everglades and Coral Gables's museums if you want a slower pace.
Is Key Biscayne worth a separate trip?
Yes — it's a good departure point for boat trips across Biscayne Bay, and a short trip from Downtown via the Rickenbacker Causeway.
Can I visit Dry Tortugas National Park without booking a ferry ticket in advance?
Most access is by organised train and shuttle transfer to Leavesden, since there is no walk-in entry without a booked slot.
What's the difference between Wynwood and Little Havana?
Wynwood sits north of Downtown with street art and galleries, while Little Havana concentrates Cuban cafés and its Calle Ocho market.
Are Key West and Fort Lauderdale doable as day trips?
Fort Lauderdale is a straightforward day trip by car from Miami; Key West is close enough for a day trip by car, though some visitors prefer an overnight stay given the drive.
Boat tours and sunset cruises along Miami's coastline
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