South Beach is what everyone thinks of when they think of Miami. Here you’ll find bright colors, art deco architecture, and of course the beach. The best way to get to know South Beach is really to stay in one of the hotels and soak up the culture. (You can read about how to book a South Beach hotel at a heavily discounted rate here.) If you end up staying in a different part of Miami, I would recommend spending 1 full day in South Beach. Keep reading for a One day in South Beach Miami Itinerary.
Tips for visiting South Beach
- Go early – The best time to start your day in South Beach is early. The later you go, the more traffic there is. Start your day early to avoid the crowds. (We arrived by 8 AM which was ideal timing!)
- Parking can be a nightmare – Similar to tip 1, the later you go the less parking there is. Depending on where you’re coming from, it may be cheaper and easier to Uber/Lyft around the area as parking meters add up.
- Things are a little spread out – This was most surprising to me! The famous hotels are located in one area (right along the beach boardwalk), but Ocean Drive and other restaurants are a ways away. Plan to bike, drive, or Uber around since it isn’t all walkable.
- Tip is often included – Double check your bill while paying. Many places already add gratuity to your check.
Walk down Ocean Drive
Ocean Drive – arguably the most famous street in Miami – is well known for its art deco buildings, nightlife, and glamorous atmosphere. To be quite honest, you could easily spend the entire day hanging out on Ocean Drive (or even the entire weekend!).
If you’re looking for a quiet walk to admire the architecture and a quick coffee before heading to breakfast, make this your first stop.
Check out some more in-depth suggests on things to do, where to stay, and what to eat on Ocean Drive here.
Have breakfast at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
- Location: 1600 Lenox Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
- Hours: Mon – Fri 11 AM – 12 AM, Sat & Sun 9 AM – 11 PM
Yardbird Southern Table & Bar is known for having the best Southern food in Miami. They are most famous for their fried chicken (which is brined for 27 hours) and their biscuits (made fresh every 30 minutes.)
Stop by Miami Mountain
- Location: Collins Park, corner of 21st Street and Collins Avenue
“Miami Mountain” by artist Ugo Rondinone is part of Rondinone’s series that features florescent stacked stones.
Pop into the Faena Hotel for a look at their wooly-mammoth
- Location: 3201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140
The ‘Gone but not Forgotten‘ installation by Damien Hirst may have been one of my favorite parts of South Beach. The 10 foot tall gold wooly mammoth is an impressive structure at the back of the hotel surrounded by palm trees.
Take a walk along the Miami Beach Boardwalk
The Miami Beach Boardwalk is a 4 mile stretch that goes between the back of the hotels and the beach. Get a little exercise or enjoy some nice ocean views while you walk around.
Pro tip: there are various entrances located throughout Collins Ave. In fact there is one next to the Faena hotel.
Spend the afternoon at the beach & have lunch by the ocean
If you’re only spending one day in South Beach, but still want that “sit by the beach under an umbrella” experience, plenty of hotels offer day passes for use of their facilities. A company called Resort Pass allows you to purchase directly through them and see what options are available. Check out the South Beach options here.
Many of the resorts offer food and beverage service right on the beach. End your day relaxing, snacking, and sipping by the ocean!
