3 Days in Miami: Art Deco, Cuban Culture & Coastal Vibes

Miami is a city that knows how to dazzle — not in a showy way, but in that effortless, only-in-Miami blend of culture, coastline, and electric creativity.

Scratch the surface and you’ll find a destination shaped by storytellers, artisans, Cuban cafés, pastel-painted architecture, and a waterfront that seems to reinvent itself with every sunrise.

This itinerary is built the way insiders explore Miami: through the flavors, textures, and people who define it.

From Art Deco icons to Little Havana’s living culture to the wide-open blues of Biscayne Bay, these three days are designed to capture the city’s true heartbeat — the Miami that locals love, the Miami that you’ll long to return to—again and again.

Where to Stay

The Goodtime Hotel (South Beach)

A stay here feels like stepping into Miami’s technicolor daydream — all Art Deco curves, soft pastels, palm-lined pool decks, and that signature Miami playfulness.

It’s walkable to South Beach, close to the Art Deco Historic District, and an easy hub for hopping between Little Havana, Wynwood, and the waterfront. Vibe: energetic, stylish, fun without trying too hard — very Miami.

Day 1:

South Beach: Art Deco, Ocean Air & Sunset Vibes

Ease into the city with a day that blends beachfront energy, pastel architecture, cultural discovery, and iconic local flavors — the perfect welcome to the Magic City.

Breakfast: Start your morning at Big Pink, a South Beach staple serving classic comfort with a retro wink. Go for giant pancakes, hearty omelets, or a Cuban coffee if you want to set the tone early. Bonus: It’s just a stroll from the hotel — roll out, fuel up, and step straight into SoBe life.

From here, dive into the Art Deco Historic District, where South Beach’s famous pastel façades and bold 20th-century geometry take center stage. Join a guided, history-rich walk with the Official Art Deco Walking Tour or Miami Culinary Tours (which blends architecture with small bites), or opt for Art Deco Walks for a more intimate, local-insider feel. You’ll trace Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue past iconic hotels, theaters, and neon signage — uncovering the stories, preservation battles, and design quirks that shaped Miami’s most recognizable neighborhood.

Lunch/Snack: After working up an appetite, settle in for lunch at Lolo’s Surf Cantina, serving light, fresh Baja-Mex plates — think fish tacos, ceviche, and agua frescas — just steps from the sand. Perfect for a post-tour refuel or a pre-beach pause.

Spend your afternoon soaking up South Beach’s signature blend of sun, sea, and scene. Wander the shoreline, browse the boutique-lined blocks, or stop into the Wolfsonian–FIU Museum, a design-forward institution exploring art, propaganda, and modern life — a fitting companion to your Art Deco morning.

For a dose of Miami glam, head to South Pointe Park Pier, one of the best spots to watch fishermen, cruise ships, and bright teal water catch the light. As sunset approaches, walk the paved waterfront path for postcard-worthy views of the skyline.

Dinner: When evening hits, make your way to Joe’s Stone Crab (seasonal) or Joe’s Takeaway (open year-round). A Miami institution for more than a century, Joe’s is old-school elegance without the fuss. If stone crab season is on, lean in. If not, their fried chicken, slaw, and Key lime pie easily hold their own. It’s tradition for a reason.

Day 2:

Little Havana: Cigars, Stories & Café Culture

There’s no Miami flavor quite like Little Havana — the scent of strong coffee in the air, the thrum of salsa drifting from open doorways, and the slow, steady rhythm of cigar rollers at work.

Breakfast: Kick off the morning at Versailles Bakery, the neighborhood’s Cuban kitchen table. Order a café con leche and pastelitos (trust us: guava + cheese is the right move).

After breakfast, head into the heart of Calle Ocho for a guided cultural stroll with Little Havana Tours. It’s the perfect introduction to the neighborhood’s Cuban diaspora history — complete with coffee tastings, cigar demonstrations, and stories you won’t find in guidebooks.

Along the way, you’ll encounter some of Little Havana’s most iconic experiences:

Calle Ocho Walk of Fame: Stars honoring Latin legends like Celia Cruz and Gloria Estefan — a walkable tribute to the music and cultural heritage that shaped Miami.

Rooster Sculptures & Murals: Bold, hand-painted roosters and vibrant murals celebrate Cuban identity, folklore, and local heroes. Each corner feels like a burst of color and a slice of story.

CubaOcho Museum & Performing Arts Center: Part gallery, part rum bar, part performance venue — home to one of the largest collections of Cuban art outside the island. Expect live music, deep cultural roots, and an atmosphere thick with nostalgia.

Lunch/Snack: When hunger hits, slide into Sanguich de Miami, a jewel-box spot turning out Cuban sandwiches, croquetas, and batidos with meticulous, almost obsessive craft. Locals swear by it — and visitors tend to become instant converts.

If you want to dive deeper into cigar craftsmanship, visit neighborhood favorites like Little Havana Cigar Factory, Casa Habano, or Cremo Cigar Factory. These shops are beloved for Cuban-style cigars and warm conversations with the artisans who roll them. Insider tip: Pair your visit with a rum flight or a mojito from a local lounge to lean into the café-and-cigar culture that defines the neighborhood.

Dinner: Settle into Café La Trova — a masterclass in Cuban hospitality. Live trova music, world-class cantineros, and chef-driven Cuban comfort food swirl together in a space that feels both nostalgic and electric. It’s where Miami’s Cuban soul comes out to play.

Still energized? End the night at Ball & Chain, a 1930s nightclub revived with live salsa, Afro-Cuban jazz, and a dance floor that doesn’t cool off — even after midnight. Look for the iconic pineapple stage glowing in the courtyard.

Day 3:

Biscayne Bay: Big Water, Beach Time & Bold Murals

Your final day brings Miami’s waterfront front and center, from breezy brunch to wide-open bay views and a sunset-worthy farewell dinner — with a splash of creative energy if you want to keep the inspiration going. It’s the soft landing that ties the whole trip together.

Breakfast: Ease into your final morning with brunch at The Social Club, a stylish Collins Ave favorite where Southern comfort meets coastal flair. The sweet potato pancakes? Legendary.

From there, head to the waterfront — because Miami isn’t just a city, it’s a sun-soaked playground built around the bay.

Choose your version of adventure:

• Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventure: Adrenaline with skyline views. This high-speed ride slices across Biscayne Bay with Art Deco shores on one side and Star Island’s celebrity mansions on the other.

  
  

• Biscayne Bay Sightseeing Cruise: Prefer to keep things chill? Opt for a narrated or sunset cruise with Miami Top Water Tours, where pastel skies, sea breezes, and skyline silhouettes do all the talking.

Either way, you’ll get a front-row seat to Miami’s love affair with sun, sea, and big, cinematic horizons.

Lunch/Snack: After docking, grab lunch (or an anytime snack) at La Sandwicherie — a Miami icon turning out French-style baguette sandwiches, smoothies, and that magic vinaigrette locals would bottle if they could. Perfect on the go, pre-beach, or post-cruise.

After lunch, spend the afternoon immersed in the vibrant colors and curves of the Miami art scene.

For a quick hit of Miami’s creative side, wander the Wynwood Walls (just a short ride from the waterfront) to snap a few mural shots and grab a cold brew at Panther Coffee.

Keep going and you’ll reach the Miami Design District. This is a perfect way to spend the afternoon if you love art, architecture, and people-watching. Wander through open-air plazas filled with installations, admire the futuristic façades, or pop into galleries showcasing contemporary American and international artists. It’s a refreshing contrast to the beach — creative, polished, and distinctly Miami.

Dinner: As evening sets in, settle into Mandolin Aegean Bistro, tucked inside a 1940s bungalow in the Design District. With blue-and-white tiles, shared plates, and a Mediterranean breeze drifting through the courtyard, it’s the perfect goodbye dinner.

This sample itinerary is just one way to experience Miami, and we’ve got dozens more — tailored to your budget, travel style, and sense of adventure. Whenever you’re ready, we’ll help you build the Miami Statescation that fits you perfectly.

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