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Miami, Florida

City Guide

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Features of this Destination

Although favored by climate and geography, Miami remained a remote tropical village of frame houses until Henry Flagler installed his East Coast Railway there in 1896 and turned his hand to community development. In fact, the fabulous city of Miami Beach was created out of a mangrove swamp!

Sprawling across 2,054 square miles of land, Miami is a huge and cosmopolitan city. Attracted by year-round warmth and sunshine, thousands of visitors pour into the area with the hope of capturing a little sun and relaxation. Greater Miami's list of attractions is long and varied, the city really does have something for everyone! Some of the more popular attractions are Viscaya Museum and Gardens, Little Havana, Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium, and the Miami Metro Zoo. Biscayne Boulevard is a prime spot for shopping. It features the Bayside Marketplace- a shopping experience in the Tropical style. Shopping is also excellent at the Cocowalk shopping and entertainment complex.

A trip into Everglades National Park is a unique sightseeing experience. Multiple boardwalks lead out over the watery area and signs and displays identify and describe the flora and fauna that you may encounter. At Flamingo there are sightseeing boat trips, and naturalists who conduct nature walks along the shore.

World-famous South Beach, located on the southernmost part of Miami Beach, attracts a colorful mix of visitors to its Art Deco surroundings. Celebrities, artists, and International supermodels have all been found to frequent the trendy boutiques, restaurants and art galleries which make up South Beach.

Miami offers a grand array of activities geared towards enjoyment! Visitors can experience deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, golf,tennis, scuba diving, and of course, swimming and boating. Miami has all the ingredients for one of the best vacations Florida offers.

Area Attractions

Parrot Jungle and Gardens
11000 SW 57 Avenue, Miami.
305-666-7834
Admission Charged.
An exotic bird sanctuary, wildlife habitat and botantical garden. Here you will find 100's of varieties of birds and plants. Also, ape exhibits, wildlife shows, and alligators.

Metrozoo
12400 SW 152 Street, Miami.
305-638-6700
Admission Charged.
A giant zoo with more than 250 species and 60 major animal exhibits. The zoo also has a wildlife amphitheater with three shows daily.

Miccosukee Indian Village
US 41 ( Tamiami Trail) West
305-223-8380
Attractions include alligator wrestling, crafts, demonstartions, a small museum highlighting the history of the tribe, and airboats rides. Music and arts festivals are held in July and December.

Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium
3280 S. Miami Ave
305-854-4247
The exhibits describing coral reefs and the Everglades are especially enlightening. There is also a participatory science arcade, a wildlife center housing more than 150 live animals, and a natural history collection with cases of fossils and butterflies. Kids love the hands on exhibits and mini-shows. The Planetarium has several daily shows, explaining what's new in the heavens.

Fairchild Tropical Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami.
305-667-1651
Admission Charged.
An extensive botanical garden with a vast collection of rare tropical plants, a rain forest display, and sunken garden.

Monkey Jungle
4805 SW 216 Street, Miami.
Admission Charged.
See a colony of monkeys living in a topical jungle. Shows are held throughout the day. Shows include Wild Monkey Swimming Pool, Ape Encounter, and Hangin' Wild Orangs.

Historical Museum of South Florida
305-375-1492
The excellent exhibits here chronicle the histories of the various groups that have settled in the region. Numerous displays including a chickee hut, depict Native American Life, while the Spanish exploration period comes alive through the 17th-century maps and a mock fort that kids can climb.

Coral Castle
28655 South Dixie Highway, Homestead.
305-248-6344
Admission Charged.
A coral wonder built by a single man over 30 years. Open daily from 9am to 6pm.

Miami Seaquarium
4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne.
305-361-3705
Admission Charged.
Home to more than 10,000 sea creatures, a killer whale, and dolphin superstar Flipper. South Florida's largest marine aquarium.

Bass Museum of Art
2121 Park Ave.
305-673-7533
Classic Art Deco design, and constructed of Key stone, the exterior of this building is adorned with carved nautical figures and features whimsical touches inspired by traditional Maya architecture. The gems displayed within the museum include works by Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, and Ruebens.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami.
305-250-9133
An Italian Renaissance style villa built in 1916 by James Deering. Over 10 acres of formal gardens and fountains. The house contains 34 rooms with period furnishings.

Everglades National Park
25 miles west of Miami on the Tamiami Trail.
305-242-7700.
Admission Charged.
A 1.4 million acre park complete with endangered species and many birds and animals. Boats tours are available.

Jungle Queen
Bahia Mar Yacht Basin in Fort Lauderdale on A1A, north of 17th Street Causeway.
Sails to a tropical island for an all-you-can-eat dinner of ribs, shrimp and chicken. The dinner is followed by a variety show and sing-along. Daily sightseeing cruises are also available.

Art Deco District
New and restored buildings, cafes, hotels, carry the facades of bright pink, turquois, and peach gleam in the sun. Take a walk through the Revival-style buildings, many containing eclectic boutiques and art galleries.