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

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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

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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!)

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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

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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

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Things to do in Wynwood Miami

Miami itself doesn’t need an introduction. Set off the shores of the southeastern coastline, the city is one of the most popular tourist hubs in the United States. And whilst South Beach was the center of all the action for a long time, in recent years Wynwood has been gaining much traction. Once a gritty and neglected neighborhood, Wynwood is now a vibrant and creative neighborhood known for its cutting-edge galleries and enticing food halls and bars. This historic industrial area has plenty of points of interest for those of a curious mind. Whether you’re looking to discover the city’s art scene, feed your shopping addiction or just grab a drink with some friends, Wynwood has plenty to offer. Still not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Have a read through our list of the best things to see and do in Wynwood. However you choose to explore this fun and unique district, we’ve sure you’ll have a blast! Find Interesting Activities to Do In a city perhaps best known for its sugar-sand beaches and picturesque sunsets, Wynwood is an exciting creative hub, offering a wide array of exciting and unique attractions to be enjoyed. Standing out as the largest open-air graffiti museum in the world, Wynwood Walls is one of the area’s most popular visitor attractions – and with good reason. Covering over 80,000 square feet of wall space, this one-off attraction offers the chance to view pieces from some of the world’s best street artists all in the same spot. This carefully curated spot changes constantly, but past notable artists include Shepard Fairey, Miss Van and Lady Pink. Walking through the space, you’ll notice that the pieces vary a lot; you’ll be able to enjoy everything from fun humor pieces and pop culture references to politically-motivated works and colorful messages of love and hope. A fantastic celebration of innovation and personal expression, this spot is not to be missed. Those travelling with kids might just appreciate the next item on our list. With a long list of games and activities to choose from, Fundimension is an exciting entertainment center that’s fun for all the family. This is a great place to take refuge from the Miami heat and spend some quality time with your loved ones. Fundimension is less of a retro-style arcade and more of a state-of-the-art entertainment complex providing fun for those of all ages. The center truly packs a lot under one roof, with everything from laser tag and rock climbing to 7D theater and virtual reality experiences to choose from. At Fundimension, you can play until your heart is content. If you plan to take a break for a meal, the complex has a great American cuisine style restaurant as well as a bar area for the adults. Trust us when we say that this place is the perfect kid-friendly attraction. Eat and Drink in Wynwood Aside from the area’s wonderful artsy attractions, Wynwood boasts some great dining spots to check out. Whilst the neighborhood is chock-a-block with fantastic restaurants, one of our favorite places to grab a bite has got to be 1-800-Lucky, a sprawling food hall with Asian flair. The spot is built into the style of an Asian market and features both indoor and outdoor seating. 1-800-Lucky offers anything but bland, non-descript dishes, instead serving up a wide array of Asian cuisine made from fresh locally sourced ingredients. Savor a Filipino burger hot off the grill. Cool off from the Miami heat with some black sesame ice cream. And then, wash it all down with a craft beer. 1-800-Lucky seeks to combine amazing food, talented artisans, good music, and a vibrant atmosphere. What’s not to love about that? You won’t have much trouble finding a spot to grab a drink in Wynwood, but of course, some places are better than others. For the ultimate way to cool down from the Miami heat, we recommend Cerveceria La Tropical, a wonderful brewery and restaurant with a lot to offer. Nestled away on a quiet side street, this spot is known mostly for its beers, of which there are over a whopping 800 different options to choose from. When it comes to food, this place serves up some pretty tempting Latin-inspired tropical cuisine from a mix of different cultures. There are sea-salt tostones topped with pulled pork, Cuban sandwich empanadas, and jerk chicken wings – all of which pair well with Cuban beers. Get Cultured As the city’s vibrant center of artistry and culture, Wynwood is home to countless fun and quirky attractions. For those with an affinity for all things creative, the Museum of Graffiti is the perfect place to learn more about the history and development of this unique art form. Founded in 2019, the institute is recognized as the first of its kind, working to celebrate the pioneers of this edgy art form and tell its story through and through. Walking through the museum, you’ll be able to view everything from historic photographs and documents to seminal works which show how street art has made its impact. Deeply fascinating and incredibly insightful, the museum of Graffiti works to provide a fantastic educational experience about one of the modern world’s most important art forms. If you’re a person who really enjoys alternative art, then this place is a total must-see. Wynwood isn’t just a great place to see some beautiful artwork – it's always a great spot for movie nuts. Perfect for kicking back after a long day of touring, O Cinema Wynwood offers the chance to catch a flick in a trendy, intimate space. A total film buff’s fantasy, this spot is known for its thoughtful programming of independent and feature films, meaning that there’s a little something for everybody here. The movie schedule changes weekly, so you could visit every night of your stay in Miami and still see something different! O Cinema also operates a café that’s several steps up from your traditional movie theater concession stand, offering a wide range of snacks to choose from. A favorite for locals and visitors alike, this place offers a fantastic visual experience to remember. So, there you have it – six great spots to check out in Wynwood! Explore the area 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
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3 Miami Tourist Traps to Avoid

Taking a vacation to sunny South Beach, but unsure about how to spend your time? While there are tons of great attractions to keep the whole family busy, there are also a number of Miami tourist traps you may want to avoid. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the most commonly identified problems that tourists often encounter in Miami and some advice on what to do instead. Overpriced Food & Drink South Beach restaurants Sometimes this is a given on vacation, especially when you’re talking about a major urban center like Miami. That said, some neighborhoods are going to always be pricier than others, as they cater to a certain crowd. If you’re looking for the premier experience, then South Beach is the destination for you. However, if you want something a little more affordable, stick to Miami Beach instead. You’ll find top quality restaurants for more reasonable prices. Expensive Beach Spaces South Beach in Miami Everyone who comes to Miami wants at least a little time on the famous beaches. After all, Will Smith’s iconic ode to the city praises their legendary party status! Unfortunately, not all beaches are created equal. Many beaches require a hefty minimum deposit to reserve space, or a minimum on food and beverage purchases just to be on the beach! Fortunately, there are plenty of beaches that require only a small fee for admission and allow you to park your blanket wherever you can find space. We recommend North Beach as an affordable and family-friendly destination. Low-Quality Tours Miami Harbor at night Tours are a great way to get a real feel for Miami, especially since much of its cultural real estate is pretty spread out. However, not all tours are created equal. You’ll find some that are high cost, low value. We recommend a tour like Big Bus Miami, which includes a hop-on/hop-off pass, allowing you to make the most of your explorations without the hassle of driving. If you’d prefer to see Miami by water, then check out the Miami Water Taxi! (Better yet, bundle the two with a Build Your Own Go Miami Card and save 20% off admission tickets) So when you’re planning your next trip to South Beach, pick out a few top Miami attractions while avoiding these common tourist pitfalls. To save even more time and money, pick up an all-inclusive Go Miami Card to save up to 55% on attraction tickets. That way, you can eat, drink, and sightsee to your heart’s content, worry-free! Happy Exploring!
Katie Sagal

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