What To Do In Miami For A Day: A Fun and Helpful Guide

Miami, Florida, the coastal city with rich culture, white sandy beaches with clear blue waters, exciting nightlife, and plenty of things to explore. When you go to Miami it feels like you’re going through a portal into a different realm. It’s a much sought-after vacation spot for a reason after all! In the past we’ve looked at many different avenues to explore in the Magic City so we thought this time we’d look at it properly and plan out what to do in Miami for a whole day all in one place.

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1. Visit Café Bastille in Downtown Miami for Brunch

Dine in a classic French cafe right in the heart of the city!

📍 248 SE 1st St | Miami | cafebastilledowntown.com

You won’t find a more authentic French experience all the way in Miami than Café Bastille. Estelle and Ben, the owners of the restaurant, hail from Paris, and after years in the luxury hospitality business they decided to bring their dream of good food and good vibes here. This is their all day brunch, bakery, and juicery establishment that offers up truly amazing dishes in an atmosphere unlike many. If you’ve got a sweet tooth then you’ll absolutely love to start your day with their Beignets & Nutella or their Apple Pie French Toast. Or if you’re more of a savory fan then don’t worry because they’ve got their famed Lobster Benedict and Turkish Eggs for you to try. Dine well at Café Bastille in Downtown Miami.

“One of the best Omelettes I've ever had. Both of us had the Salmon Omelette and agreed it was one of the best. The OJ was fresh squeezed as well! The DJ and vibe of the music was on point for Saturday morning.” -Yelp Review

2. Good Weather? Go see Art Outside at Wynwood Walls

Miami’s very own original street art museum where you can see culture at its finest!

📍 2516 NW 2nd Ave | Miami | thewynwoodwalls.com

Over 15 years ago, the Wynwood Walls opened up their doors…or should we say walls to the masses of Miami. This unique art museum features modern street art from talented artists who have sculpted their own path. Flipping tradition on its head, the Wynwood Walls offer a place for art in seemingly unconventional places. 

Fine artists, graffiti writers, and muralists from all over the world have come to offer their talent to the streets of Miami. And if you like what you see you can add the “Spray Freestyle” experience to your time at Wynwood where you get a “30-minute hands-on spray-painting session at the Street Art Experience.” Go out and enjoy the Miami weather and see some art that’s unlike any other.

“This was such a fun and unique experience! Our 8 year old loved it as much as we did! I highly recommend taking a little time to visit if you're in the area.” -Google Review

3. Take a Stroll Through Bayfront Park

This free city park is perfect for a walk and talk with your besties!

📍 301 Biscayne Blvd | Miami | bayfrontparkmiami.com

Bayfront Park is a 32 acre urban public park that’s one of Miami’s best. Free to visit and plenty of land to explore, you’ll love taking a stroll through this historic touchstone. Can you believe it was first established all the way back in 1896? Neither can we! When you visit you’ll be walking on grounds that have seen millions of foot steps. Offering stunning views of Biscayne Bay, lots of green space for picnics and games with friends, the FPI Solar Amphitheater where concerts and other events are held throughout the year, free yoga classes, playgrounds, and more- you’ll find there is a lot of fun to be had here.

“Bayfront Park is a fantastic spot to start your day! Whether you’re taking a peaceful morning walk, browsing the shops, or hopping on a bay cruise, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The views of the bay are stunning, and the lively atmosphere makes it a must-visit. Highly recommend!” -Google Review

4. Swim Over to the Iconic South Beach

You can’t go to Miami and not at least see South Beach! It would be a travesty!

📍 Neighborhood in Miami-Dade County | miamiandbeaches.com

South Beach, Miami can be described with a million different words but one that keeps popping up the most by Miami residents, vacation-goers, and historians alike is: iconic. South Beach is iconic, full stop. With “800 structures showcasing this iconic architectural style,” you’ll be hard-pressed to find somewhere else in Miami that showcases that level of unique design. 

And we haven’t even talked about the beach itself yet! If you’ve only been to beaches higher up in the country, then there’s a good chance you’ve yet to experience crystal clear blue waters- let South Beach change that. If the weather’s right then take a dip and feel those “bath-like” water temps for yourself. Get your perfect Instagram picture with the palm trees and white sands at South Beach.

Explore all of South Beach and see all of the hidden treasures you can discover.

5. Got the Time? Go to Everglades National Park

Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city to the peaceful quiet of the Everglades!

📍 40001 State Road 9336 | Homestead - Main Entrance | nps.gov

Knock off something on your “Must Do” list by visiting a National Park, specifically the Everglades National Park at the SouthernMost Point in Florida. It’s less than an hour outside Miami and offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can take a break from the party and go see the sights of a number of “rare and endangered species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther.” 

Over one million acres of land make up the Everglades and in doing so protect these wonderful species. Go on a Guided Tour where you’ll learn a lot about the park, animals, and more. Or get lost (safely of course) yourselves and view the park through your own eyes. As the weather changes, so does the park, so there are many natural occurring phenomena that come and go throughout the year; which means if you visit in February you might see things that you won’t see in October. That just means you have to visit multiple times 😉.

“A vast land filled with immense biodiversity! I would recommend the various boat and tram tours Everglades has to offer, as you will get a ton of great information as well as some up close encounters with wildlife” -Google Review

6. Go to a Famous Drag Show at R House Wynwood

A vibrant well-loved spot in Miami makes this a “must-visit” on your itinerary!

📍 2727 NW 2nd Ave | Miami | rhousewynwood.com

Business partners and husbands Rocco Carulli and Owen Bale created the legendary restaurant and entertainment hotspot R House Wynwood all the way back in 2014. What first started as a part restaurant, part art gallery slowly became a place where art, food, and drag meet once they met drag diva Athena Dion and DJ superstar DJ Jody McDonald. 

With Latin-American foods and plenty of creative craft-cocktails, you’ll be plenty full to enjoy the variety of shows they have weekly. Their famous Drag Brunch is a must-see if you’re visiting Miami during the weekend and R House Happy Hour is for those who like to party into the evening. See the best of the best drag performers in their element all at R House Wynwood.

“This was my 2nd time back. Kat Wilderness is the absolute best!! The food, ambiance, and overall energy is amazing! The fried chicken is the best I've ever had. The bottomless mojitos are perfect as well!!” -Yelp Review

7. Shop at Bayside Marketplace

This open-air shopping center is the perfect place to visit when you need to kill time!

📍 401 Biscayne Blvd | Miami | baysidemarketplace.com

Bayside Marketplace isn’t just a two-story open air shopping mall, no, Bayside Marketplace is where the fun is at. With an array of boutiques and shops selling everything from trending apparel to one of a kind finds, you’ll leave with a few more shopping bags than you might have initially planned for. And if you get hungry and need a quick bite, the marketplace has plenty of cafes and eateries that are perfect for on-the-go shopping food. 

Plus if you’re a fan of heights, you can look up and see Skyviews Miami which is their ferris wheel that’s over “200 feet tall with climate controlled gondolas” which is great to beat the Miami heat. Or if heights aren’t your thing but the water is, go on a Thriller Miami Speedboat which offers “45 minute public speedboat sightseeing tours” of Miami on the water. Bayside Marketplace is an experience waiting to happen.

“Definitely a place to visit if you are in the Downtown, with a view of the cruise port and the city. You have options for restaurants and souvenir shops. Walking around the area will be a good plan. It has good trails with parks.” -Google Review

8. Explore Miami’s Nightlife at Gramps & Space

Gramps: The trendy bar, tavern, pizzeria, and hang-out spot that’s a perfect spot to visit in Miami for the day!

📍 176 NW 24th St | Miami | gramps.com 

• We’d be remiss to not talk about what to do in Miami without talking about the nightlife. And first on the menu is Gramps!

Featuring live music, up and coming DJs, stand-up comics both new and old, delicious pizzas & wings, and cold drinks, Gramps is here for all in the Magic City to enjoy. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, so you can either choose to escape the heat or keep things hot, the venue is big enough for anyone and everyone to come sit down, and enjoy the stellar vibes.

With cocktails, beer, spirits, wine, and more, you’ll definitely be able to find a drink just to your liking on the menu or when you go up to the bar to order. Gramps is one of the many highlights in Miami. They bring a fun-positive energy to everyone who walks through their doors. It’s definitely worth the visit.

“Local Bar in the heart of wynwood. Great for friends and family to stop in , listen to some good music, and have a good time. Bartenders are all so cool and welcoming. Excellent bar” -Yelp Review

9. Club Space: A big night club with a rooftop terrace and lots of people to meet!

📍 34 NE 11th St | Miami | https://www.clubspace.com

And finally we have a proper night club that’s been a popular choice for years: Club Space, or simply just “Space” to long time goers. This nightclub has been around for over twenty years which is a big feat! They feature highly-acclaimed DJs and rising stars everyday. They are open late into the night and early into the morning so the party doesn’t ever stop. Plus what makes Space different from other night clubs is their rooftop terrace where you and your friends can watch the stars while having those post 2am deep conversations- you know the ones. 

“An amazing club where people are actually dancing and enjoying themselves. If your a love of edm music, this is the spot for you !! Drinks were pretty pricy “, but it’s Miami so I wouldn’t expect anything less. I will definitely be back :)” -Google Review

And there you have it! That’s your “What To Do In Miami For A Day” itinerary. From food and boos to beaches, everglades, and art- there’s plenty to experience in the Magic City!