Miami, Florida — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Miami
This lively city has more to it than Miami Vice or Horatio's crime scenes in CSI. With stunning white sand beaches, trendy shopping malls and a variety of both cultural and historic sites, Miami offers a wealth of things to see and do; save money and avoid queues with the Go Miami Card, available throughout the city.
Antique lovers should visit the Vizcaya Villa, built in the Italian Renaissance style in 1916. The Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux is the oldest building in the Western Hemisphere; definitely a 'must see' for history buffs. A romantic, cultural attraction is Coral Castle, which was apparently hand-carved by a man experiencing unrequited love. Famous for its marine life, Miami's Seaquarium is the place to spend time indulging aquatic curiosity. Also worth exploring, Jungle Island has an exciting array of wildlife, from parrots and macaws to crocodiles and penguins.
At the Miami Science Museum, visitors could run into a few aliens! And collections of rare natural history specimens& Don't be put off by the exterior of Miami-Dade Cultural Center; it houses a plethora of interesting artistic and historic exhibits, and the Miami Art Museum. Another collection of art and design, depicting popular culture from 1885 to 1945, is on display at the Wolfsonian Museum.
This is all made possible by sunny skies and ample public transport, but avoid hurricane season (June to November) and the crowds of spring break in March. While in vibrant Miami, with so many great sightseeing and cultural attractions, there won't actually be time to catch those TV shows!
Shopping in Miami
While Miami may not have too many iconic souvenirs for tourists to work into their budgets, it sure does have a lot to offer the discerning shopper!
A pedestrian promenade lined with palm trees and colorful art deco buildings& doesn't sound like a shopping mall does it? But that's Miami's Lincoln Road Mall, also home to big name labels like G.A.P and Banana Republic. For another 'open mall' experience, The Falls not only has all the usual shops but also a fantastic seating area near the waterfall.
For elite shopping, few places measure up to Bal Harbour Shops, with stores include Tiffany & Co, Prada and Saks Fifth Avenue. Miracle Mile is one of Miami's top shopping locations, hosting over 170 upscale shops and 40 gourmet restaurants within walking distance of each other.
On the waterfront, Bayside Marketplace offers a variety of shops, restaurant and entertainment just moments from downtown Miami. Espanola Way is a quirky, amiable street in Miami Beach filled with stalls selling local arts and crafts on weekends. U.S. 1 Discount Mall is an air-conditioned flea market in Cutler Bay with over 200 vendors ready to satisfy all consumer desires, from belly piercing to tailoring.
Sales Tax of 7% is built into purchase prices; as sales taxes are set at state level, there is no way to obtain a refund from the federal government for non-US visitors. With something for everyone, and then some, Miami is a great city to blow a big wad of holiday cash in.
Miami Nightlife
Miami's nightlife is hot! The South Beach streets pump with clubs and bars, and there's plenty of partying and live music in the Design District area. Downtown Miami hosts a few trendy venues and Coconut Grove is also a popular party zone. With everything from cocktails and comedy shows to lounges and nightclubs, one night in Miami would never be long enough.
Visitors to Miami might like to start their evening at one of the many cocktail bars, or perhaps the Dan Marino sports bar and restaurant. Visit Greater Miami for flamenco or cabaret shows, or even a drag show! There are also various comedy performances out there, including stand-up, sketch and improvizational comedies.
Miami dance clubs and lounges tend to offer a sultry Latin beat, while nightclub music ranges from Afro-Cuban or rumba rap to indie rock and electro-pop. These clubs are prevalent in downtown Miami and Little Havana, as well as west of the Bay area. Mansions and SET in Miami beach are two of the trendiest clubs.
Attractions for Kids
Sunny Miami is a great vacation destination for families with kids. This exciting city offers a vast number of attractions and activities for children, many of which parents will enjoy too! From museums to parks and beaches, there is no shortage of places to take kids while on vacation in Miami.
Miami favorites for kids include the outer-space exhibits at the Miami Science Museum, as well as the entertaining killer whale performances at Seaquarium. Children also love seeing Jungle Island's exotic parrots, crocodiles and penguins. And that's just the beginning...
Summer tends to be a bit too warm and stormy for kids on vacation in Miami; most families prefer to go there in winter when the temperatures are a bit more comfortable, and off-season rates for accommodation and attractions are available.
