Last reviewed: · Prices in US Dollars ($ USD) are approximate and for orientation only.
Route at a glance
Combine 3 days of Miami's Art Deco South Beach, Little Havana, and Wynwood with Everglades National Park and the 113-mile Overseas Highway (US-1) down to Key West.
Estimated per-person budget ($1,650 – $2,950) covers mid-range hotels, intercity transport, timed attraction or national park passes ($80 America the Beautiful Pass), and daily dining including state sales tax and tip.
Day-by-day plan
Miami Arrival, South Beach Art Deco Walk & Ocean Drive
Arrive at MIA, settle into Miami Beach, stroll Lummus Park and the 1930s pastel hotels on Ocean Drive, and dine on stone crab claws.
Little Havana (Calle Ocho), Wynwood Walls & Pérez Art Museum
Sip a morning cafecito by Domino Park in Little Havana, explore Wynwood's mural streets, and visit PAMM overlooking Biscayne Bay.
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens + Biscayne Bay Boat Cruise
Tour the 1916 waterfront Vizcaya villa in Coconut Grove and take a sunset boat cruise past Star Island and the Brickell skyline.
Everglades National Park (Shark Valley / Anhinga Trail) to Key Largo & Islamorada
Pick up your rental car with SunPass, spot alligators on the Anhinga boardwalk trail in the Everglades, and drive south onto the Upper Keys.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef Snorkel & Seven Mile Bridge to Key West
Snorkel living coral reefs off Key Largo, stop at Bahia Honda State Park's turquoise sandbar, and cross the Seven Mile Bridge into Key West.
Key West: Hemingway Home, Southernmost Point & Mallory Square Sunset
Tour Ernest Hemingway's 1851 Spanish Colonial house and six-toed cats, sample authentic Key lime pie, and celebrate sunset at Mallory Square.
Dry Tortugas Excursion or Return Drive Along US-1 to Miami (MIA)
Take a morning snorkel catamaran or drive back up the Overseas Highway for an evening departure from Miami (or fly out of Key West EYW).
Transport, driving & pass notes
Designed for subtropical coastal & coral-island escape travel. Compare train, flight, and road-trip costs in USD ($) using our Amtrak & Rail Pass Calculator, $80 National Parks Pass Calculator, and US Trip Budget Calculator.
What to book ahead
- Apply for your $21 ESTA at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours before departure (or verify visa validity).
- Book Amtrak Acela / Northeast Regional tickets or rental cars 4–8 weeks ahead for the lowest USD ($) rates.
- Reserve timed-entry slots for high-demand sights (Statue of Liberty Crown/Pedestal, Alcatraz, Capitol/White House tours, or Recreation.gov park entries) 30–90 days out.
Ways to adapt this route
- Add 1–2 buffer days if traveling during summer peak or Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday weeks.
- Use our interactive Itinerary Builder to customize stops and print your day-by-day plan.