UM graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Miami

Friday, 14 May 2027 · ExpectedMiami, United States

University of Miami Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Miami for a weekend. The ceremony takes a morning: this guide covers where to stay, the celebration dinner and what to do with the rest of the time.

Tours in Miami Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Confirm the date and ticket rules on the school's commencement page: guest tickets are often limited.
Book the celebration dinner when you book the hotel. Every restaurant in town is full that weekend.

Airport to Watsco Center, Coral Gables

Miami International (MIA) has the Metrorail to downtown; South Beach is 20 to 30 minutes by car. Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is 45 minutes north.

Metrorail to University station.

Public transport directions to Watsco Center, Coral Gables

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Downtown and Brickell	On Metrorail, cheaper than the beach.
Mid-range	South Beach	Art Deco hotels by the sand.
Splurge	Mid-Beach and Bal Harbour	Oceanfront resorts.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Generator Miami
Mid-range: The Betsy - South Beach
Splurge: Faena Hotel Miami Beach

Links search the nights from 13 May to 15 May. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual graduation weekend schedule for Friday, 14 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Thursday 13 May

Check in, walk the campus with your graduate and book a celebration dinner.

FreeBayfront Park.
EatTime Out Market Miami Food hall

Ceremony day

Friday 14 May

Ceremonies take the morning. The afternoon is for photos and a long lunch.

EatVersailles Cuban classics
Easy outingLittle Havana food tour Half day · Food
Cuban coffee and cigars.

The day after

Saturday 15 May

A free day before everyone leaves. A good time for a trip out of town.

Half-dayEverglades airboat tour Half day · Family
Alligators and sawgrass.
EatJoe's Stone Crab Stone crab in season

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickBiscayne Bay boat tour Half day · Low walking · Family
Celebrity homes from the water.
Rain or heat backupVizcaya Museum and Gardens.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Everglades airboat tour

Alligators and sawgrass.

See times and prices

Half day · Low walking · Family

Biscayne Bay boat tour

Celebrity homes from the water.

See times and prices

Frost Science Museum.
Zoo Miami.
Jungle Island.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Low walking · Nightlife

Sunset cruise

Skyline at dusk.

See times and prices

Full day

Key West day trip

Overseas Highway.

See times and prices

After dark

South Beach clubs and Brickell rooftops.

7 tours worth booking for UM

Tour	Length	Good for
Everglades airboat tour	Half day	Families
Little Havana food tour	Half day	Food lovers
Biscayne Bay boat tour	Half day	Tired legs, Families
Wynwood street art tour	Half day	Everyone
Key West day trip	Full day	Everyone
Art Deco walking tour	Half day	Tired legs
Sunset cruise	Evening	Tired legs, Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Versailles Cuban classics
Joe's Stone Crab Stone crab in season
Coyo Taco Wynwood tacos
Time Out Market Miami Food hall

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Pérez Art Museum.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

Getting around on event days

Metrorail, Metromover (free downtown) and rideshare. Brightline trains to Aventura and Fort Lauderdale.

Day trips from Miami

Everglades: 1 hour
Key West: 3.5 hours

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for UM.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is University of Miami Commencement 2027?

The next edition is Friday, 14 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Watsco Center, Coral Gables?

Miami International (MIA) has the Metrorail to downtown; South Beach is 20 to 30 minutes by car. Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is 45 minutes north. Metrorail to University station.

Where should I stay for University of Miami Commencement?

For most visitors the best base is South Beach: Art Deco hotels by the sand.

What else can we do around University of Miami Commencement?

Good short outings in Miami include Everglades airboat tour, Little Havana food tour, Biscayne Bay boat tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near University of Miami Commencement?

Family-friendly picks: Everglades airboat tour, Biscayne Bay boat tour. Frost Science Museum.

How far is Watsco Center, Coral Gables from Miami centre?

About 10 km in a straight line. Metrorail to University station.

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