Miami, Florida: 6 Days Touring In and Around the City

It is less than an hour’s drive from the skyscrapers of downtown Miami to the wilds of the Everglades National Park. Outside the national park, take a thrilling airboat ride to get up close and personal with alligators, turtles, rare birds and completely untamed landscapes; there are several airboat companies near the Shark Valley Visitor Center. Afterward, don’t miss a hike up to the Observation Tower on Tram Road for picture-worthy panoramic views.

Just a short drive south of Miami is the historic neighborhood of Coconut Grove. Tour the ornate mansion and exotic gardens at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens – guaranteed to make your jaw drop. From the museum, drive 10 minutes down Bayshore Drive to CocoWalk, a popular outdoor plaza for shopping, dining and entertainment.

Once a cluster of old warehouse buildings, Wynwood Walls is now an urban park of vibrant street art. Colorful graffiti murals by street artists from around the world make for outstanding photo ops. For another only-in-Miami experience, spend the rest of the day in Little Havana and Calle Ocho. Do as the locals do and grab a homemade pastry and cafecito at an open-air coffee counter.

From downtown Miami, take a 15-kilometer drive over the MacArthur Causeway to South Beach for shimmering waves, gorgeous beaches, a glamorous skyline and, of course, those iconic Art Deco buildings trimmed in neon lights. After dark, put on your flashiest club attire and cruise along A1A, South Beach’s main drag. You could spend the entire night ducking in and out of nightclubs and bars pulsing with dance music.

A road trip to the Upper Florida Keys is a must when you’re in Miami. Your first stop is Key Largo, a 110-kilometer drive away. The island’s most popular attraction is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the nation’s first underwater park known for diving, boat tours, beaches and kayaking. From Key Largo, direct your wheels 27 kilometers southwest over the picturesque Overseas Highway and enjoy fishing and water sports in tropical Islamorada.

No doubt, Miami is a car-centric destination. Pick up a rental car after flying into Miami International Airport.