Tours & Attractions - Area Overview

Miami Vice, 8th and Ocean and CSI: Miami are only a few examples of television and film associations that most people have with Miami. When most people think of the city they are probably thinking of Miami Beach, not Miami in its entirety, and certainly not the dozens of municipalities that comprise Miami-Dade County, which also includes Miami and Miami Beach. As the southernmost peninsula of the United States, one thing is clear: water, water, water. But the city offers so much more than simply that.

The latest figures show that the population of Miami-Dade County was 2.5 million and increasing at a rate of over 1 percent annually. It goes without saying that the city is hugely diverse: As of 2010, the Hispanic population in the city was roughly 1.6 million and clearly outweighed any other group. Likewise, each of these municipalities has a distinct vibe and there is a very real disparity between the different neighborhoods in the city in terms of home prices and income, especially.

Overview

The City of Miami is technically one of the municipalities of Miami-Dade County. To avoid confusion, the name Miami (rather than Miami-Dade County) will be used throughout the book to refer to the expansive county, but some listings in the book will indicate Miami as the city, which means it’s within the limits of the City of Miami (as far north as NW 87th Street and as far west as the Palmetto Expressway/SR 826). More specific names (i.e., Downtown Miami, Coral Gables, Miami Beach) will be used when possible.

Tours & Attractions - Attractions

Miami’s unique history, architecture and diversity make it an ideal place to get to know via its attractions. Legendary landmarks such as the Freedom Tower, where the first wave of Cuban immigrants seeking political asylum were processed and Vizcaya, the grandiose 1920s estate of Miami developer James Deering make the city a history lesson come alive. The vibrant art scene in the city yields what seems like hundreds of museums and art galleries, which deserved a chapter of their own.

Walking Miami Beach is an attraction in itself because of the historical Art Deco architecture that still conjures the beach of decades ago. Coral Gables, similarly, is known for its Spanish-Mediterranean architecture and is unlike any other part of Miami. Additionally, there are areas such as Miami Beach, where a slew of “must-see” sites are within walking distance of each other. Beaches and parks also earned their own chapter; lounging on the beach in Miami is as much for relaxation as it is for people-watching.

Tours & Attractions - Museums

Art Basel Miami Beach is one well-known event that attracts thousands visitors to the art and museum scene yearly. However, Miami is typically under the radar when it comes to its ample museum offerings. On any given evening, there is likely a new exhibition or museum opening to be seen. The infusion of cultural flavors gives the museum audience quite a diverse menu, with museums that feature both contemporary and modern art as well as historical museums that reflect the diversity and history of the city. Unsurprisingly, Miami’s museum scene also offers visitors the opportunity to see the content outdoors; this is especially true at sites such as the Holocaust Memorial and Vizcaya, an outdoor memorial and estate with expansive gardens and grounds, respectively. All in all, there is no shortage of museums to visit and facts to learn both about the city’s history and art in general, for overall reasonable prices. Be sure to take advantage of Miami Museum Month, a yearly event that makes entrances that much more affordable.

Tours & Attractions - Kidstuff

Miami is a great place for kids—there is ample outdoor space, public parks, museums, and family-friendly events throughout the year. Residents can take advantage of a slew of summer camps and after-school programs, which are offered throughout the city. Visitors should not miss some of the city’s more unique children’s offerings like the Gold Coast Railroad Museum and Wannado City. Miami is also home to some of the country’s most cutting edge kid’s stores so those with young ones may want to bring an extra large suitcase. What’s best: Many of Miami’s major attractions cater to kids and families as well.

Tours & Attractions - Day Trips & Weekend Getaways

Miami is the gateway to the Florida Keys, the Caribbean, Central and South America, as well as an easy drive to various cities farther north (i.e., Orlando and other northern Florida destinations). While some trips simply require a tank of gas, others require a bit of advance planning. In fact, even road trippers should take traffic, departure times, and other factors into consideration before departing. Florida highways and roads can become notoriously congested during rush hour and with long, narrow roads and no gas stations in sight, some level of planning is a smart idea. It goes without saying that air travel requires some degree of planning and this is especially relevant when airlines are offering rock-bottom fares to nearby destinations.