Miami pairs South Beach's Art Deco shoreline with a 1916 bayfront mansion, Wynwood's open-air murals, one of the oldest restaurants in the US, and a Cuban waterfront shrine. Miami and Miami Beach — a short causeway apart — cover enough ground to fill four days without repeating a category.
Jump to: South Beach & Ocean Drive · History & Museums · Art & Entertainment · Dining · Spiritual Sites · Planning Notes · Also worth visiting
South Beach & Ocean Drive
Miami Beach South Beach & Ocean Drive Must-see
Miami-Dade County · Miami Beach
Ocean Drive is a free, walkable mile of pastel Art Deco buildings constructed between 1923 and 1943 — the highest concentration of Art Deco architecture in the world, recognized as a National Historic Landmark district in 1979. Park at the Collins Avenue public garage, walk south to north along Ocean Drive for the best facades, then cross to the sand. The beach has lifeguard stations every 500 feet and free public access at all hours.
Early morning (7–9am) and late afternoon (4–6pm) offer the best light for photography and the thinnest crowds. Mid-day on summer weekends, Ocean Drive sidewalks are packed. The beach is 300 feet wide and the water is warm enough to swim from April through November.
History & Museums
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Must-see
Miami-Dade County · Miami
James Deering's 1916 winter estate covers 50 acres on Biscayne Bay — 34 furnished rooms inside the main house and 10 acres of formal Italian Renaissance gardens outside. The house was built over three years using 1,000 workers, with stone columns, fountains, and decorative elements shipped from Europe. Admission is $25 for adults and $18 for ages 6–12.
Buy tickets online before your visit — Saturday afternoons sell out. The bayfront terrace at the east end of the gardens is the most photographed spot on the property. Plan 2–3 hours to cover both the house and gardens.
Art & Entertainment
Wynwood Walls & Arts District Must-see
Miami-Dade County · Miami
Wynwood Walls is a 2-acre enclosed complex where warehouse exteriors have been converted into large-format murals by artists including Shepard Fairey, Kenny Scharf, and RETNA. The surrounding streets — NW 2nd Avenue from 24th to 27th Street — have additional murals covering every available surface. Walking the exterior blocks costs nothing.
The enclosed interior garden area charges $12 admission and features rotating curated exhibitions. The neighborhood's gallery scene peaks on the second Saturday of each month for Art Walk, when galleries stay open until 10pm. The Wynwood area is also Miami's densest concentration of craft cocktail bars and restaurants.
Dining
Joe's Stone Crab (Miami Beach) Must-see
Miami-Dade County · Miami Beach
Joe's Stone Crab has operated at 11 Washington Avenue since 1913, making it one of the oldest restaurants in Miami. Stone crab claws — the only item it has always served — are available mid-October through May. Claws are priced by size (medium through jumbo) and served chilled with mustard sauce. A full dinner for two typically runs $120–$180.
The restaurant does not take dinner reservations — walk-in only. Weekend waits exceed 90 minutes. Lunch service (11am–2:30pm) has shorter waits. The takeout window next door sells full meals at the same prices with no wait.
Spiritual Sites
La Ermita de la Caridad (Our Lady of Charity Shrine) Must-see
Miami-Dade County · Miami
La Ermita de la Caridad sits on the edge of Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove — a concrete shrine built in 1973 to honor Cuba's patron saint, Our Lady of Charity. The conical structure faces Cuba, 90 miles to the south, and was designed so the altar faces the congregation from the bay side. Inside, a 50-foot-wide mural wraps the lower wall depicting Cuban history from pre-colonial times through the 1960s exile.
Admission is free and the shrine is open daily. Mass is held in Spanish. The waterfront location makes it a quiet stop away from Miami's busier neighborhoods — a 10-minute Uber from South Beach.
Planning Notes
Where to stay: South Beach hotels on Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive put you steps from the beach and the Art Deco strip. Miami proper — Brickell and Coconut Grove — is quieter and closer to Vizcaya and La Ermita but requires a 15–25 minute rideshare to reach the beach.
Book ahead: Vizcaya Museum sells out on Saturday afternoons — buy tickets online. Joe's Stone Crab does not take dinner reservations, so plan for a 60–90 minute wait on Friday and Saturday evenings or come at lunch. Wynwood Walls interior garden tickets can be purchased at the door.
Getting around: The Miami Beach free trolley covers the island north–south. Rideshare connects Miami Beach to Wynwood, Vizcaya, and Coconut Grove in 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Parking in South Beach is metered — the Collins Avenue garages are the most affordable option on the beach.
