Miami · 2-day itinerary

2 Days in Miami: A Grown-Up Weekend

A Miami weekend should include the Art Deco beach and the Cuban city. This plan does both, with one glamorous night on Mid-Beach.

Researched and checked by the Trips for Grown-Ups team · Updated · How we research

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Day 1: Miami Beach

Deco by day, Faena by night.

  1. Morning

    Official Art Deco Walking Tour (MDPL)

    Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Dr

    • $$
    • Calm
    • Tickets in advance

    Two hours with a preservationist guide.

    The Miami Design Preservation League's two-hour walk through Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival and MiMo buildings, with a look inside several. Daily at 10:30 a.m.; includes the Art Deco Museum.

  2. Afternoon

    The Standard Spa, Miami Beach

    Belle Isle, off the Venetian Causeway

    • $$$
    • Calm
    • Reserve ahead

    A slow afternoon on Belle Isle.

    More spa than hotel, on the bay just off South Beach: a Turkish-style hammam, sauna, a Roman waterfall hot tub, an ice room and a plunge. Non-guests can buy day access.

  3. Dinner

    Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann

    Faena Hotel, 3201 Collins Ave

    • $$$$
    • Lively
    • Reserve ahead

    Open-fire asado by the pool.

    The Argentine fire chef's only North American restaurant: open-flame asado in a glamorous red-and-gold room by the pool, with live music.

  4. Show

    Faena Theater

    Faena Hotel, 3201 Collins Ave

    • $$$$
    • Lively
    • Tickets in advance

    Dress up: no shorts or sandals.

    A 150-seat gilded cabaret theatre running glossy productions (OBSESSION plays Thursday to Saturday) and a jazz series.

Day 2: Vizcaya and Calle Ocho

A bayfront villa, then music on Calle Ocho.

  1. Morning

    Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

    3251 S Miami Ave, Coconut Grove

    • $$
    • Calm
    • Tickets in advance

    The gardens are best early.

    A 1910s bayfront villa full of European antiques, with formal gardens down to the water. Closed Tuesdays; adults $15.

  2. Lunch

    Versailles

    3555 SW 8th St (Calle Ocho)

    • $
    • Lively
    • Walk-in

    A Cuban classic.

    The Cuban-American community's landmark restaurant, open since 1971: ropa vieja, pastelitos and cafecito from the walk-up window. Open late every night.

  3. Dinner

    Cafe La Trova

    971 SW 8th St (Calle Ocho)

    • $$$
    • Lively
    • Reserve ahead

    Book ahead.

    Cantinero Julio Cabrera's Cuban cocktail bar with food by chef Michelle Bernstein, a Michelin Guide pick. Trova musicians play every day, and sometimes the bartenders put down their shakers and join in.

  4. Late

    Ball & Chain

    1513 SW 8th St (Calle Ocho)

    • $$
    • Lively
    • Walk-in

    Dance, or just watch the dancers.

    A 1930s Calle Ocho club reborn: salsa, bachata and Latin jazz nightly on the pineapple-shaped stage with no cover, and early jazz sets from 6 p.m. Thursday to Saturday.

With a third day, follow the 3-day Miami itinerary and add PAMM, Wynwood and COTE.

Everything here was checked in September 2026. Seasons, show dates and dress codes change, so confirm before you go.

Questions people ask

What should you do with 2 days in Miami?

Take the Art Deco walking tour and have dinner on Miami Beach one day; visit Vizcaya and spend the evening in Little Havana at Cafe La Trova and Ball & Chain the next.

Is Little Havana worth visiting at night?

Yes. Calle Ocho is at its best in the evening, with live trova at Cafe La Trova and salsa and Latin jazz at Ball & Chain.