Top Things to Do in Miami: Art Deco, Wynwood, Vizcaya, Little Havana and the Everglades
Miami rewards travellers who split their time between the beach and the mainland. South Beach has the Art Deco district and oceanfront energy, while a short ride across the bay opens up Wynwood's street art, the formal gardens of Vizcaya, the Cuban streets of Little Havana and the open water of Biscayne Bay. Plan at least three full days to cover the highlights below without rushing, and build in time for traffic between neighbourhoods.
Art Deco Walking Tours in South Beach
The Art Deco Historic District runs roughly along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue in South Beach, with the highest concentration of pastel-colored 1930s buildings between about 5th and 23rd Streets. Walking tours, whether self-guided with a map or led by a local guide, cover the architecture, the preservation history and the neighbourhood's role in Miami Beach's development. Early morning is the best time to walk and photograph the buildings before the sidewalks and outdoor cafes fill up.
Staying in South Beach puts this on your doorstep. 1 Hotel South Beach, The Ritz-Carlton South Beach, W South Beach and Nobu Hotel Miami Beach are all within walking distance of the district, so you can do the tour early and be back for breakfast. AC Hotel by Marriott Miami Beach and 6080 Design Hotel by Eskape Collection are nearby alternatives at a different price point, and Albion South Beach Hotel and Aqua Hotel & Suites sit a few blocks off the main strip for a quieter base.
Wynwood Walls and the Arts District
Wynwood is Miami's street art neighbourhood, built around the outdoor Wynwood Walls gallery and the blocks of murals surrounding it. The area also has a dense cluster of independent galleries, design studios and breweries, making it a good half-day stop rather than a quick drive-by. Weekday mornings are quieter; weekends bring markets and more foot traffic.
The neighbourhood sits inland from the beach, closer to Downtown and the Design District. AC Hotel Miami Wynwood is the most direct base if you want to walk out the door and into the murals. From Brickell or Downtown hotels such as Four Seasons Hotel Miami, Kimpton EPIC Hotel by IHG or InterContinental Miami, Wynwood is a short cab or rideshare away.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya is an early 20th-century waterfront estate on Biscayne Bay, built as a winter residence and now open as a museum with formal Italian-style gardens, a furnished main house and views over the bay from its stone breakwater. It's a good counterpoint to the beach and street art, a slower-paced few hours of walking through gardens and historic rooms. Check the museum's own site for current opening days and ticketing before you go, since these details change.
Vizcaya sits in Coconut Grove, one of Miami's older and leafier neighbourhoods. The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami and Arya Hotel & Suites Coconut Grove are the closest hotel options, putting you within a short drive of the estate and the Grove's own shops and marina.
Little Havana
Little Havana centers on Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street), where Cuban coffee windows, cigar shops and domino parks give the neighbourhood its character. It's walkable in a few hours, and visiting in the late afternoon or early evening often means more street life and live music outside the cafes. This is a cultural neighbourhood rather than a tourist attraction with fixed hours, so there's no single entry point — just start on Calle Ocho and wander.
Little Havana is west of Brickell and Downtown. Staying at Aloft Miami - Brickell, AC Hotel by Marriott Miami Brickell or Four Seasons Hotel Miami keeps you a short ride from the neighbourhood while still being close to Brickell's own restaurants and the Metromover for getting around Downtown.
Boat Tours and the Everglades
Biscayne Bay boat tours run from marinas in Downtown, Brickell and Coconut Grove, covering views of the skyline, Star Island and the bay's barrier islands. For a different kind of day trip, the Everglades is about an hour west of the city, with airboat tours and walking trails through the wetlands run by various operators near the park entrances. Both are best booked a day or two ahead, especially boat tours in high season, and both are worth checking for current schedules since routes and departure points shift.
Downtown and Brickell hotels put you closest to the marinas: JW Marriott Marquis Miami, Kimpton EPIC Hotel by IHG and InterContinental Miami by IHG are all a short walk from Biscayne Bay departure points. An Everglades day trip works from almost any Miami base since it's a drive out and back, but starting from a hotel near the airport, such as Aloft Miami Airport, can shave a little time off the route west.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to see these five highlights?
Three full days is realistic: one for South Beach and the Art Deco district, one for Wynwood and Little Havana combined, and one for Vizcaya plus a boat tour or Everglades trip.
Do I need a car to do an Everglades day trip?
A rental car or a booked tour both work. Many Everglades tour operators include transport from Miami hotels, which avoids the need to rent a car just for that trip.
Is the Art Deco district walkable without a guided tour?
Yes. The district is compact enough to walk on your own with a map, though a guided tour adds context on the buildings' history that's easy to miss otherwise.
Which neighbourhood should I stay in to see all of this easily?
Brickell or Downtown gives a central base with Metromover access and reasonable distances to Wynwood, Little Havana and the Biscayne Bay marinas, while South Beach is better if the Art Deco district and beach are your main priority.
Is Little Havana safe to walk around on foot?
It's a well-visited, walkable neighbourhood during the day and early evening, similar to other central Miami areas. As anywhere, stick to the main streets like Calle Ocho and keep an eye on belongings in busy spots.