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One Day South Beach Itinerary – 10 things to see and do in Miami Beach in just 1 Day
I grew up in South Beach and will always call Miami home. There are so many things you can do in just one day, or you can stretch the itinerary and make several days out of it. Here are ten things to see and in do for a One Day South Beach Itinerary.
1. Watch the sunrise at South Pointe Park
Walk to the beach and see the sunrise from the South Pointe Park Pier. South Pointe Park gets quite busy in the afternoons so enjoy the peace and calmness of the ocean before it gets packed with people. After watching the sunrise at the beach, head west through the park towards the marina and see the skyline of downtown Miami bathed in sunlight.
2. Rent a Citi Bike and bike down the boardwalk
South Pointe Park has 2 stations to rent a Citi bike. Check out the Citi Bike station map. Take a ride down Miami Beach’s beautiful boardwalk as far as you feel like going – it extends all the way from 1st street until 46th street. If you’d like, you can park your bike at one of the stations further north and use the free trolley to head back to South Beach.
3. Have brunch on Ocean Drive
Check out the Art Deco hotels on Ocean Drive and have brunch at one of the restaurants there. You can taste some cuban food at Puerto Sagua or head into the more residential area of South Beach and have brunch at Oliver’s Bistro.
If you need to pick up some snacks, there’s a small Whole Foods, Trader Joe‘s and three Publix super markets in the neighborhood.
4. Head to the beach for a swim
All of the beaches in Miami Beach are public – and beautiful. You can’t go wrong with any beach spot from 1st street up as far north as you feel like going. If you have a car, I would advise parking in a public Miami Beach garage (here‘s a list) where the fee will be a cheaper than either a private garage or public street parking. You can go to the beach at South Pointe, Lummus Park, or 2100 Collins Avenue, for example.
5. Walk along Lincoln Road Mall and have dinner at one of the restaurants there.
I don’t think a visit to South Beach is complete without people watching on Lincoln Road Mall. You can have dinner at Spris Artisan Pizza or choose from one of the many other restaurants Lincoln Road has to offer. If you’re feeling energetic, climb your way to the top of the 1111 Lincoln Road parking garage for a wrap around view of the city. It was designed by the famed Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron.
6. Watch the sunset at the bay.
Watch the sunset at the Maurice Gibb Memorial Park. Almost every day the sky seems to put on a beautiful show, especially after a storm. Soak up the views in the park as your day in South Beach comes to an end.
Have more time than just 1 day? Check out these spots in South Beach:
7. The Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Check out the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, a small yet beautiful oasis in the heart of the city. Admission is free and it’s open from Sunday-Tuesday (closed Mondays). If you have some extra time, head next door to see the poignant Holocaust Memorial.
8. Bike down Venetian Causeway
Rent a bike and head down the Venetian Causeway for beautiful views of the Biscayne Bay. Ride until you get to the end and reach downtown Miami and then head back. It’s about a 15-20 minute bike ride each way, longer if you stop of course to admire the views. You can rest on a bench at the Venetian Causeway Park on your ride back to South Beach.
9. Check out Soundscape Park and watch a free WALLCAST concert
If you’re in town during the fall or spring, you might be able to catch a free New World Symphony WALLCAST concert or movie on the lawn. Soundscape Park is located adjacent to the New World Center concert hall, and they project the indoor concert onto the outdoor wall for residents and visitors to enjoy for free. Most people bring a chair along for optimum comfort, however you can always find a spot in the back on the grass or on one of the park’s cement benches.
10. Rent a paddleboard, kayak, jet ski or scooter
Miami Beach is a haven for water sports. You can rent a paddleboard, kayak or even a jet ski in South Beach. If you’re not a water person, a scooter is also a fun way to go around South Beach.
Staying longer than just one day? Book a photo session for unforgettable memories in beautiful and tropical Miami.
Enjoying my One Day South Beach Itinerary? Let me know in the comments! If you’re in Miami for more than just one day, I plan on writing more travel guides for more ideas and what to see and do in South Florida.