One Day in Miami Itinerary - Experience Miami in a Day for Under $100

Published: July 18, 2024

In Miami with limited time to explore? We’ve put together a handy guide to help you make the most of your one day in Miami, complete with top attractions, free activities, and even dining options. This one day itinerary includes:

  • Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Sightseeing Tour
  • Miami Seaquarium
  • Miami Beach Botanical Garden (free!)
  • Bike and Roll Bike Rental OR Duck Tours South Beach

Spending more time in Miami? Take a peek at one of our sample 2 day or popular 3 day itineraries.

Save on Attraction Admission

Visit all of these attractions with the 3-Choice Miami & The Keys Explorer Pass® and save on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Remember, this one day itinerary is just one of many ways to experience Miami, there are so many attractions and things to do in Miami to choose from. Depending upon which attractions you choose, you could save up to 40%! Our pass gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so you can choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests. There are tons of great things to do down in Key West, too. Check out our Florida Keys road trip itinerary for ideas on ways to expand your vacation!

Stop #1: Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Sightseeing Tour

sundrenched-hotels-on-ocean-drive-art

These open-top, double decker buses offer comfortable seating (and a nice way to work on your tan) and ensure you’ll see the attractions from a great vantage point. Along the way, your charismatic tour guide will provide an in-depth background to everything you see. With two routes to choose from (a beach loop and a city loop), you're sure to find exciting attractions to explore. Featured stops on the beach route include Central Station, the Perez and Frost Museums, Bass Museum, the Riviera, and more. Stops on the city route include Coconut Grove, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Little Havana, Downtown Miami, and more. A hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour is a great way to get acquainted with the city and visit popular attractions. However, tours follow a specific route and time schedule and factors such as traffic or weather can lengthen the amount of time between each stop, so be sure to plan accordingly if you have timed tickets or reservations. Getting In: Big Bus Miami 1-Day All-Loops Tours are available as an attraction option on the Miami & The Keys Explorer Pass.

Stop #2: Miami Seaquarium

dolphins-swim-by-underwater-miami-seaquarium

Start off your day with a visit to one of the most unique attractions in all of Miami -- the Miami Seaquarium. Watch live animal shows, witness scheduled feedings of crocodiles and sharks, and enjoy other interactive animal exhibits. Spanning 38 acres, this must-see marine park is a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike. Some featured critters include Lola the Orca, sea turtles, sharks, colorful tropical birds, and dozens of fish species. They are also particularly known for their work with manatee rehabilitation, so be sure to see those amazing creatures during your visit! Its view of Downtown Miami's skyline is one of its hidden gems, be sure to bring your camera for a fun tourist photo with Miami in the backdrop! We recommend reserving between 3-4 hours to explore the Seaquarium, especially if you plan on taking in one of their animal shows. Getting In: Miami Seaquarium tickets are available as an attraction option on the Miami & The Keys Explorer Pass.

Stop #3: Miami Beach Botanical Gardens (free!)

miami-florida-usa-miami-beach-botanical-gardens

This tiny little oasis in the middle of Miami Beach is 2.6-acre garden that's well worth a half hour or so of your time. Home to various subtropical plants from across the globe, bizarre palms, and plants native to South Florida, the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens is the perfect little piece of nature in the middle of an urban setting. They also frequently offer themed guided tours (for a small suggested donation), so if you're traveling in a group or want to spend more time here, you might want to consider that option. Getting In: Admission to the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens is free.

Stop #4 (Option 1): Bike and Roll Bike Rental

bicycle-rent-on-beach

Miami is such a beautiful city. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the ocean and filled with the striking Art Deco facades, there is always a lovely sight on the horizon in Miami. So why not explore the great outdoors with a bike rental from Bike and Roll? It's an easy and fun way to get around the South Beach area - especially near the beaches - and is even a sneaky way to get some exercise into your vacation. Everyone will love the chance for a leisurely pedal along the beach. After all, if you only have one day in Miami, you can't risk missing out on the gorgeous ocean vistas! Your bike rental comes with a free, easy-to-use map of Miami Beach to make for convenient route planning. Guests typically take a few hours to explore by bike, although you have the rental all day if you want to use it to get around to other attractions. Bike and Roll's helpful staff can help you decide on which route is best for your sightseeing interests, too! Getting In: Miami Bike rentals by Bike and Roll are available as an option on the Miami & The Keys Explorer Pass.

Stop #5 (Option 2): Duck Tours South Beach

End the day with an entertaining-yet-relaxing 90-minute Duck Tour of South Beach. One of the loveliest parts of Miami, this famed beachfront locale has plenty of sights and sounds for tourists to enjoy. You'll get to see sights from both land and sea in the famed amphibious vessels that travel on both roads and in the water. Some of the amazing places you'll see on this informative tour include the Art Deco District, Fisher Island, Millionaire's Row, Star Island, and more. And besides, who doesn't love the aquatic fun of a duck tour? Be sure to bring your cameras -- you'll go by lots of iconic landmarks on this interactive tour! Reservations are required for South Beach Duck Tours, so be sure to make them in advance, and arrive a fifteen minutes before your scheduled departure time. Getting In: Duck Tours South Beach tickets are available as an option on the Miami & The Keys Explorer Pass.

Let's Recap

Follow this one day in Miami itinerary and save on combined admission to the Miami Seaquarium, Duck Tours South Beach, and a Bike and Roll Bike Rental with the 3-Choice Miami Explorer Pass®. Or, choose from over 25 included attraction options to make a sightseeing itinerary tailored to your interests. Either way, your one day in Miami is sure to be tons of fun! The Go Miami® Card is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility during your vacation. Pick whichever Miami attraction pass works for you and get exploring!

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

image
Blog

Things to do in Downtown Miami

Downtown Miami Set along the southeastern coastline, Miami is a sprawling tourist hub drawing in millions of visitors each year – and with good reason. At its core, downtown is a modern and culturally-rich area perfect for exploring on foot. Interesting activities to do here run the gamut – known particularly for its wealth of fantastic galleries, theaters, event venues and more, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing great things to do here. Still, daunted by the prospect of figuring out the best things to do in downtown Miami? Don’t worry – we've done all the research for you! So, grab a notepad and get ready to jot some things down. We promise that you won’t regret it. Find Fun Activities Lively and bursting with culture, downtown is one of the best places for getting in touch with the local art scene. There are countless fantastic galleries in this area of the city, but our favorite has got to be Pérez Art Museum for its unique and well-established collection of 20th- and 21st-century art. The institute’s small but carefully considered collection features around 2000 works from the Americas, Western Europe and Africa. Walking around the institute, you’ll be able to view seminal pieces from many recognizable names, including Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Christo and Jean-Claude. Make sure to stop by the gift shop, where you’ll find great homewares, stationery and posters to bring home with you. A fantastic stop for all art lovers, we love this spot because it’s impossible to leave without having learned something new. Those who are travelling with family might be looking for great stops to please the kids. Downtown Miami is filled with some fantastic crowd-pleasers, but none are quite greater than Bayside Marketplace. Much more than just a mall, this enormous entertainment complex has pretty much everything you could ask for all in one space. For shopping addicts, there are of course countless stores ranging from popular high-street brands to designer boutiques. In addition, this place veers off from the typical mall experience, but in a totally great way with live music and events each day. If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, you’ll be able to kick back and chill at some of its many waterside cafes and restaurants out by the marina. Perfect for those travelling in groups, this place has a lot to give. Learn Something New Though downtown is known as Miami’s financial district, it has much to offer for sightseers. For those looking to incorporate learning into their vacation experience, we recommend heading over to the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum, which is well-recognized for its broad range of engaging and educational exhibits. This place has both a planetarium and aquarium, so you know that there’s a whole lot to see and do here. The institute’s exhibitions cover everything from the Ice Age and dinosaurs to the future of scientific discovery. In addition, this place has special family workshops and mini-me science sessions, making it a great place to take the kids. As fun as it is fascinating, the museum works to provide an exciting educational experience for those of all ages. Some of the best trips include a day or more spent in the halls of a museum. There are many great cultural institutions in downtown Miami, but if you’re looking to learn more about the background of the area, the HistoryMiami Museum is the place to be. The institute is the largest history museum in the state of Florida, and one of the most popular visitor attractions in this part of town. Upon entrance, visitors can learn about the city’s fascinating origins, going back over 12,000 years. Within the institute’s expansive collection, you can see photographs, paintings, artefacts and artwork showcasing the development of the city. There’s truly no better place for travellers interested in social and archaeological growth. Soak Up the Sun Seated along the southeastern coastline, Miami is well-recognized for its year-round beautiful weather and lush greenery. If you’re looking to take advantage of the city’s wonderful natural attributes, look no further than Virginia Key Outdoor Center. Kayak your way through a secluded tropical lagoon. Get up close with a real-life manatee. Or simply rent a bike and explore downtown on your own. This place offers a wide array of options as well as lessons for beginners, so don’t worry if you’re not quite the sporty type. We recommend that if you’re planning to try your hand at something sporty in Miami, take a lot of water and sunscreen to keep comfortable and hydrated. Great for all nature lovers, this place works to highlight the intrinsic beauty of the area whilst getting our adrenaline pumping! One of the biggest draws of the Miami area is its beach scene. The city boasts countless wonderful seaside attractions to be explored, but if we’re talking about those specifically in the downtown district, then Hobie Island Beach Park is a total winner. Whilst you won’t quite be able to sprawl out on a lounge chair with a podcast here, this spot is perfect for a breath of fresh air and soaking up the sun. The park also grants spectacular views of downtown skyscrapers across the bay – perfect for taking some fun vacation snaps! If you’re looking to get active, you’ll find that surfing, windsurfing, paddleboarding and boating are all popular activities here. We recommend taking some time to explore the surrounding area, since there are plenty of stores, restaurants and bars to be enjoyed. Miami is a city that urbanites and nature lovers can both appreciate. Downtown has an authentic cultural buzz that you won’t find in any other district. With a vibrant mix of the old and the new, this exciting walkable neighborhood is perfect for spending time with friends and family. Whether you’re a history buff, a shopping addict, or an outdoorsy type, you’re sure to find something to pique your interest. Explore the city to its full potential with GoCity’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.