2 Days in Miami: A Unique Itinerary for a Quick Getaway
If you grew up on the East Coast, especially in the NJ/NY area, you are probably very familiar with Florida snowbirds. It’s a pretty standard migration route for those of us who need a seasonal reset and a serious vitamin D boost. I myself travel this route at least once per winter season. When I come back, you already know that I’ll share some awesome spots for you to check out.
2 days in Miami might not seem like a lot of time but trust me that this itinerary will give you that small Miami boost that you need. This Miami 2 day itinerary is perfect not just for cold season travels but can be referenced all year round.
If you have more time in my favorite city, you can check out my full Miami guide or even my Miami to Key West one and if you’re traveling with your girlfriends, then check out the Miami Girls Weekend guide! Both offer unique ideas for visiting Miami and I am sure you will find something that aligns best with your upcoming trip.
I hope this itinerary will give you exactly what you need to have the perfect 2 days in Miami!
Note that you may encounter some affiliate links in this post. They will not make anything more expensive for you but rather provide a small commission for me should you choose to book it via the link I provide. Since I do not charge for any of my awesome travel advice and don’t make you sign up for anything to download my stuff, I appreciate any link clicks and bookings through here 🙂
Day 1: Brunch + Design District + Night Activity
But first, let’s Brunch
Brunch is an absolute must to start your Miami exploring. Some ideas for a good meal:
- Mandolin – Mediterranean food, located in Design District, cool Greek aesthetics
- Cvi.Che 105 – Stylish Peruvian chain with a couple of locations in the city
- Kalamata – Another Mediterranean spot with high-quality fresh dishes
- Mila – A boujee MediterrAsian restaurant and rooftop lounge with a unique brunch
- Orange Blossom – A typical brunch spot. Make sure to check out the back patio.
Design District
The Design District is a vibrant and dynamic neighborhood that celebrates design, fashion, art, and architecture. It’s one of the fairly newer neighborhoods in Miami and I have to say it’s pretty impressive! In my previous guides, I always mentioned that this area was on my Miami to-do list and I’m happy to say that on my last visit, I got to explore it!
As you stroll through the Design District, you’ll be amazed by the stunning architecture that surrounds you. From the restored historic buildings to the modern structures designed by the world’s top architects, every corner is a feast for the eyes.
The Design District is also a shopper’s dream. From high-end luxury fashion brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada, to independent boutiques and concept stores, you’ll at least indulge in some window shopping like myself. There are some restaurants on site too if you want to take a break from exploring!
Dinner Time
A nice dinner is a must in Miami and there is no shortage of places to have one. Here are some fresh options for you however if you’d like more, head over to the full Miami guide I mentioned earlier:
- Gitano: Have some good Mexican among gorgeous Tulum vibes
- Contessa: Old school Italian located in a modern Design District
- The Bazaar: Dine in Jose Aviles’ boujee Latin restaurant
Night out in Miami
If a 24-hour club in Miami or walking down Ocean Drive along with all the other tourists is the last thing you want to do on a night out, don’t worry, I have better choices for ya. Don’t get me wrong, you certainly have to experience the Miami classics as well but at a certain point you’ll want to try something new instead. I personally don’t want to club until 4 am anymore but still want to have a great night in Miami! So I’d recommend the following alternatives:
Viernes Culturales or Cultural Fridays is an event in Little Havana that takes place every third Friday of the month starting at noon. There will be music, dancing, local artisans, good food, and awesome drinks. Go at night for a fun vibe and a very cute cultural experience. Even if you don’t happen to be in Miami on the third Friday of the month, Little Havana at night is a fun place to be!
Another unique option and totally opposite of a neighborhood party are events at Faena Hotel. If you don’t know Faena, it’s a super boujee hotel that most of us can’t afford to stay at. However, a drink or a show at night, although not cheap, are cool glimpses into Miami Luxury stays. Currently, you can see Allura Cabaret on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at the Faena Theater! In addition to the show, they have live music events along with some rotating shows. Dress to impress and enjoy a nice night out!
Day 2: Beach + Exploring + Activity
Beach time
Do not forget to schedule beach time into your 2 days in Miami! It would honestly be a sin not to take a nice stroll along the beautiful coast or to lay out and soak in the sun for a little bit. The beach hugs Miami on the east side and most of it is public. You can rent chairs at pretty much any point and a lot of hotels have some sort of beach chair arrangement.
On my most recent stay, I stayed in my new favorite Miami hotel, The Confidante, and I enjoyed the beach in that area. I also spent the morning soaking up the sun and swimming in a heated pool.
Afternoon Exploring
Before you explore, don’t forget to grab a bite. If you don’t want a formal sit down, a good place for a quick but delicious bite is the TimeOut Market. Although they’re pretty touristy, I do enjoy them because they do a good job of gathering the local specialties in a nicely situated place where you can also grab a decent afternoon cocktail!
Now back to exploring. Miami has a ton of exciting neighborhoods which I go into detail about in my full Miami guide. However, here’s a quick recap on some:
- Wynwood – What started as a hipster neighborhood with funky murals, coffee shops, and industrial vibes turned into a highly desired living area with $20 drinks. Nonetheless, a visit is well worth it and if you don’t want to spend too much, stop at a brewery like Veza Sur or Cerveceria La Tropical.
- Little Havana – Always a favorite of mine to grab a fresh Mojito and enjoy the Cuban vibes.
- South Beach – The most touristy yet iconic part of Miami with Art Deco buildings, and streets like Ocean Drive, Collins Ave or Espanola Way.
- Brickell – Financial area of Miami with high rises and drink spots on rooftops.
- Coral Gables – A boujee neighborhood with shopping, tree-lined streets, mansions and the famous Venetian Pool.
or some cool Miami activities …
If you’ve been to Miami a couple of times already or if you’re looking for something outside out of the most touristy spots, here are some ideas for unique Miami things to do:
Miami Nature Activities
Miami has some awesome nature spots that people often forget to check out. If you’d like to check out some unique vegetation, head over to Miami Beach Botanical Garden in South Beach, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden or The Kampong both in Coral Gables.
You can also do a classic Everglades tour on an airboat! Some tours pick you up from Miami while others are located in the Everglades National Park.
Tour ideas
Another fun thing you can do is check out some of the local tours. These are pretty unique and give you a totally new perspective on the city! I always recommend a good boat day but there are many more things to do in Miami. Here is a list of cool activities I found with some top-rated reviews!
That’s a wrap on 2 days in Miami!
Miami is truly one of my favorite cities around. Even a quick 2-day getaway gets me the Miami boost I desperately need. Whether it’s your 1st or 20th time in Miami, this city’s vibe is really unmatched. And while you can totally spend the entire 2 days in Miami on a beach, or boat, or sipping drinks by the pool, if you’re an explorer like myself, I hope this guide gave you some new ideas for your upcoming trip!
Don’t forget to check out my Miami to Key West itinerary! Key West truly feels like another country and is a really iconic place to visit in your lifetime.
Great post and fantastic pictures. Never really had Miami on my radar, but will defo it too my bucket list. Love the picture at the top of the top of this post with the pink beach lifeguard hut! So cute 🙂