24 Hour Trips
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24 Hour Trips 〰️
24 Hours in Miami | How to Make the Most of One FULL Day in Miami
Miami in a Day 🇺🇸
Miami has a way of pulling you in — part beach town, part big city, and a whole lot of personality. The day I mapped out here isn’t about racing from one landmark to the next. It’s more about slipping into the rhythm of the city: a big, easy breakfast to start, wandering through art and music in the afternoon, then letting the evening roll into seafood, drinks, and a walk by the water.
There are tons of guides out there, but a lot of them feel like checklists. This one’s slower, more personal, the kind of stuff I’d actually recommend if you asked me where to spend your time. If you’re into a mix of good food, culture, and those little in-between moments that feel real, you’ll feel at home here.
9:00 AM ~ Breakfast at Big Pink 🍳
Start the day in South Beach at Big Pink, a retro-style diner with neon lights and big pink booths. Portions here are famously huge, so it’s a place where locals and tourists mix after a night out or before hitting the beach. If you’re hungry, try the banana pancakes or their classic Cuban breakfast with eggs, plantains, and toast — both are crowd favorites. If you’re just easing into the day, the smoothie bowls are surprisingly good.
💡 Pro Tip: Big Pink is busiest on weekends, so if you’re going on a Saturday or Sunday, aim to get there before 9:30 to skip the wait.
10:30 AM ~ Walk Along Ocean Drive 🌊
Ocean Drive in the morning feels completely different than at night. The pastel art deco buildings, some dating back to the 1930s, glow in the soft light, and you can actually stop to admire the details without weaving through big crowds. Grab a coffee from News Café, a Miami institution, and sip while you walk. It’s also fun to cut across to Lummus Park Beach for a quick dip if you brought your swimsuit.
💡 Pro Tip: The best photos are around 10th Street and Ocean Drive, where the curved neon signs and palm trees line up perfectly.
12:00 PM ~ Visit Wynwood Walls 🎨
By midday, head to Wynwood, Miami’s most famous street art neighborhood. The Wynwood Walls are the centerpiece, but don’t stop there — wander the side streets where smaller murals live, some tucked behind breweries and cafés. Locals often skip the main entrance and just drift through the free outdoor art in the surrounding blocks. Pop into Panther Coffee for a cold brew — it’s a local favorite spot to cool down.
💡 Pro Tip: Look out for the alleyway murals near NW 2nd Ave and 26th Street , they’re some of the most underrated, with less foot traffic.
2:00 PM ~ Lunch at Versailles in Little Havana 🥘
A trip to Miami isn’t complete without eating at Versailles, the most famous Cuban restaurant in town. Order a Cuban sandwich if you want something classic, or the ropa vieja (shredded beef with peppers and onions) if you’re looking for comfort food. Pair it with a café con leche or a shot of cafecito (sweet Cuban espresso) Miami runs on this stuff. The mirrored dining room is a bit flashy, but the ventanita outside (the little walk-up coffee window) is where locals grab coffee and chat.
💡 Pro Tip: If you don’t want to sit for a full meal, just grab a pastelito (guava pastry) and a cafecito from the ventanita, it’s the most authentic way to do Versailles.
4:00 PM ~ Explore Little Havana 🍦
After lunch, stroll along Calle Ocho. You’ll pass cigar rollers at work, live salsa music spilling out of bars, and locals playing dominoes in Domino Park. For dessert, swing by Azucar Ice Cream Company and order their signature Abuela Maria flavor — vanilla ice cream swirled with guava, cream cheese, and Maria cookies. If you want something stronger, try a mojito at Ball & Chain, a historic bar with live music in the afternoons.
💡 Pro Tip: The best people-watching is at Domino Park around 4–5 PM, when the regulars come out to play.
6:00 PM ~ Sunset Cruise from Bayside ⛵
Head to Bayside Marketplace for a boat tour of Biscayne Bay. The cruises take you past the skyline, Star Island, and the homes of celebrities like Gloria Estefan and Shaquille O’Neal. Locals might roll their eyes at the touristy vibe, but the mix of city lights and ocean breeze at sunset is hard to beat.
💡 Pro Tip: Sit on the left side of the boat (port side) when leaving the dock — you’ll get the best sunset views with the skyline behind them.
7:30 PM ~ Dinner at Joe’s Stone Crab 🦀
This legendary spot has been serving stone crab claws since 1913, and it still feels like a Miami ritual. Order the stone crab with mustard sauce, plus the hash browns and creamed spinach — those sides are just as iconic. Don’t leave without a slice of key lime pie, which is widely considered one of the best in the city. The atmosphere is lively, a little old-school, and always buzzing.
💡 Pro Tip: Stone crab season runs from October to May. If you visit in the off-season, go for the fried chicken, locals say it’s the best-kept secret on the menu.
9:00 PM ~ Drinks in Brickell 🍸
For nightlife, head into Brickell, Miami’s sleek financial district that transforms into a bar scene after dark. Sugar, a rooftop bar on the 40th floor, is the move. It’s surrounded by a garden, so it feels like you’re tucked away, even with the city skyline all around. Try the Lychee Blossom cocktail or one of their zero-proof drinks if you’re not drinking alcohol.
💡 Pro Tip: Arrive before 9:30 to avoid the line, the rooftop is small, and once it fills, it’s one-in-one-out.
11:00 PM ~ Late-Night Walk on South Beach 🌙
Wrap up the night back at South Beach. The boardwalk is calm compared to the daytime chaos, and the ocean breeze feels cooler at night. If you’re still hungry, swing by La Sandwicherie for a late-night French baguette sandwich — it’s a favorite of locals leaving the clubs.
💡 Pro Tip: Head to the beach entrance at 12th Street for a quieter stretch, fewer crowds, but still close enough to the lights and energy of Ocean Drive.
