Miami is known for its beautiful beaches, unique culture, warm weather, and fun nightlife. If you are planning a trip to Miami, lucky you! Miami is so much fun, and you are sure to have a blast. Keep reading for the perfect four-day Miami itinerary.
Many travelers admit that the first time they visited Miami, they did not have high expectations. All they had known about Miami was what they had seen in movies- parties and crowded beaches. While there are a lot of parties in Miami, there is so much more than that! They were pleasantly surprised by the culture and the interesting things to do within the city.
This heartwarming revelation shifts perspectives, showcasing Miami’s diverse attractions and proving it to be a destination with a soulful depth that resonates with a broad spectrum of passions and interests. It’s a beautiful reminder of the joy and connection found in exploring and uncovering the layers of a place misunderstood at first glance.
When is the Best Time to Travel to Miami?
In our opinion, the best time of year to visit Miami is December-March. The average temperature is warm but not hot, it doesn’t rain as often, and you shouldn’t have to worry about hurricanes.
The only downside to visiting during this time is the price. Because the weather is so nice (and the weather is so miserable in the rest of the US), everyone wants to head to Miami. Hotels will be expensive during the winter months so be sure to book in advance!
If you are interested in saving a little money and can handle hotter outdoor temperatures, May or June might be better for you.
What to pack for a trip to Miami
If you are heading to Miami, you will probably spend some time at the beach, go out at night, and spend plenty of time walking around the city. That requires a lot of different items to pack! Here is what we recommend taking with you on a 4 day trip to Miami:
Clothing for an Ideal 4-Day Miami Trip
When you go to the beach, you might find yourself wanting to change your clothes a lot because of the sand and sunscreen. It’s a good idea to bring enough clothes for each day you’re there, plus some extra just in case. This way, you’re always ready for another fun day at the beach without worrying about sandy or sticky clothes.
Here is the clothing we recommend packing for 4 days in Miami:
- 2 swimsuits
- 4 pairs of shorts
- 1 pair of pants
- Underwear
- Socks
- 3 nice shirts
- 4 t-shirts
- 1 dress
- 2 pairs of leggings (to exercise in, sleep in, etc.)
- Something comfy to travel home in
- Sandals
- Sneakers/comfortable shoes to walk in
Beach Essentials for an Ideal 4-Day Stay in Miami
If you are planning to visit Miami, you are probably going to spend some time at the beach! Here are some beach packing essentials to bring with you:
- Beach tote bag
- Sunscreen
- Beach towel
- Sunglasses
- Cooler bag (Miami Beach doesn’t allow styrofoam coolers)
- Your favorite book, snacks, and beach games!
Other Essentials for a Perfect 4 Day Miami Itinerary
Don’t forget these other travel essentials for your trip to Miami!
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Hairbrush
- Headphones
- Reusable water bottle
- Camera
Where to stay in Miami, Florida
While there are several different great areas to stay in Miami, we recommend finding the best hotel in South Beach Miami! Hotels in South Beach are close to the ocean, have great restaurants, and lots of fun things to do within walking distance.
When planning a Miami getaway, picking the right spot to stay is a big deal. South Beach might seem cool with all its buzz, but for those who treasure their sleep, it might be a bit too lively at night. Before clicking “book” on that hotel, take a moment to check out where it’s located. It’s all about finding that perfect spot that lets you enjoy Miami by day and still catch some z’s at night!
Here are some recommended hotels in South Beach:
- El Paseo– $212
- Urbanica The Meridian Hotel– $171
- Loews Miami Beach Hotel– $492
- The Setai Miami Beach– $1080
Note: Hotel prices may change due to demand, time of year, availability, location and more. It can be expensive during the winter months, so be sure to book in advance!
How to get around in Miami
The best way to get to Miami is to fly into Miami International Airport (unless you live close enough to drive). Miami is a big airport, and flights are relatively inexpensive.
To get around Miami once you arrive, you will either need to rent a car or use Uber/Lyft. Miami is a very spread-out city and is not very walkable. Even Miami Beach is bigger than it looks on the map.
Renting your own car will allow you to get around easier and at your own pace. They are also better if you want to go on a day trip to the Everglades or to Key West.
While renting a car is more convenient, it is definitely the most expensive choice. On top of the price of the car rental, you also have to take into consideration the cost of parking. In Miami Beach, parking rates are steep, often ranging from $28 to $30 daily. If you want to save money, Uber/Lyft might be your best option.
Now that you know the best time of year to visit, what to pack, where to stay, and how to get around, let’s get into the 4 day Miami itinerary!
Day 1: Beach day!
We recommend spending your first day in Miami at the beach! More than likely, you will be tired from traveling, and you will just want to relax. Miami is known for its beautiful beaches, so a beach day is the perfect way to get your vacation going.
Morning: Start your day off by having breakfast at the Front Porch Cafe (Get Direction), where you’ll find a cherished dining experience that’s surprisingly affordable in Miami Beach, offering a delightful start to the day.
Mid-morning: Once you finish enjoying your breakfast, grab your beach bag and head to the beach! If you are staying at a hotel in Miami Beach, most of them offer beach chairs and/or a beach umbrella. If you are anything like most travelers and you sunburn easily, an umbrella is essential.
Afternoon: After you finish hanging out at the beach, head back to your hotel, wash off the sand, and head to Española Way (Get Direction) for dinner. Española Way is a Spanish-inspired pedestrian street in the middle of South Beach and it is absolutely beautiful. Many restaurants line Española Way, but Oh Mexico (Get Direction) comes highly recommended.
Evening: After having dinner, you can choose to go out on Ocean Drive (Get Direction) or spend the night relaxing in your hotel room. Even though Miami is known for its nightlife.
Day 2: Lincoln Road, South Pointe Park, Ocean Drive
Morning: Before heading over to Lincoln Road (Get Direction) for some shopping, start your day off by grabbing a coffee and pastry at Rosetta Bakery. This small Italian bakery in South Beach has amazing croissants and donuts!
Mid-morning & Afternoon: After having a delicious breakfast at Rosetta Bakery, make your way to Lincoln Road to do some shopping. Lincoln Road is lined with big-name stores, cute coffee shops, and delicious restaurants. It is the perfect place to do some shopping, grab lunch, and people-watch.
Evening: Once you are done hanging out at Lincoln Road, we recommend going to South Pointe Park Pier (Get Direction) to watch the sunset. If you only actually do one thing on this 4-day Miami itinerary, be sure to do this! You get a beautiful view of the ocean, Miami Beach, and the city of Miami. If you are lucky, you will even get to see some big ships come into port.
After the sun sets, head to Ocean Drive to have dinner outdoors. While these restaurants are expensive, they are definitely something you need to experience while in Miami Beach. If you enjoy people-watching, you will not be disappointed.
Day 3: Wynwood Walls, Little Havana, and Brickell City Centre
Morning: Now that you have been in Miami for a couple of days, it’s time to get away from Miami Beach and explore the city of Miami. Start off your morning by grabbing some breakfast and making your way to Wynwood Walls (Get Direction).
Back in the day, Wynwood was an industrial area full of warehouses. After the area deteriorated in the 1970s, an artist decided to bring the neighborhood back to life with art. Now, the Wynwood neighborhood is basically an outdoor art gallery.
While the whole neighborhood is covered in graffiti, the actual Wynwood walls cost $12 to go in. If you are on a tight budget, you can skip paying to go into Wynwood Walls and just explore the graffiti in the Neighborhood. But if you do have the extra money, Wynwood Walls is worth it.
Afternoon: Once you are done getting amazing photos at Wynwood Walls, it is time to head to Little Havana to explore Miami’s Cuban Neighborhood. We recommend trying a Cuban sandwich at Old’s Havana, watching a Cuban cigar be rolled, and playing a match of dominos against the locals at Domino Park.
Evening: End your day in Miami by going to the Brickell City Centre (Get Direction) in downtown! This giant shopping area has high-end stores, beautiful views, and delicious restaurants. Shopping isn’t normally an activity that you spend a lot of time doing while traveling, but you still have a great time at Brickell.
Day 4: Optional Day Trip!
For your 4th and final day in Miami, we recommend spending the day at the beach or going on a day trip! Keep in mind that these day trips will be much easier if you have a car. Here are 3-day trip options for your 4th day in Miami:
#1 Everglades National Park – Spend the day hiking, admiring alligators, kayaking, or taking an airboat ride.
#2 Key West – Go on a beautiful drive, visit Ernest Hemingway’s house, and reach the southernmost point of the United States.
#3 Biscayne National Park – Go on a boat ride through the National Park, spend the day snorkeling, and discover pirate shipwrecks!
Saving Money on Miami Activities with a Go City Miami Pass
You may be thinking that this is going to be an extremely expensive holiday after seeing the list of attractions and things to do in Miami above. However, with a Go Miami Pass from Go City, you can save a ton of money without sacrificing your activities, so that doesn’t have to be the case.
With these passes, you may take advantage of a vast selection of discounted trips, activities, and attractions in Miami and the surrounding area. Either an all-inclusive multi-day pass (available in 1, 2, 3, or 5 day options) or a time-limited multi-attraction pass (available in 1, 2, 3, or 5 day attractions) can be purchased.
Summary: The Perfect 4 Day Miami Itinerary
Miami, Florida, is known for its beautiful beaches, amazing culture, and great atmosphere! Thank you for reading about the Perfect 4 Day Miami Itinerary for travelers. If you are planning a trip to Miami, we hope that this itinerary was helpful!
