MIAMI SIGHTSEEING

Aside from the fantastic beaches, the many celebrities and beautiful people, the booming nightclubs, the world-renowned cuisine, the ever-growing art scene,  Greater Miami and the Beaches has some enticing attractions that range from historical landmarks to lush tropical parks to grandiose neighborhoods. 

Miami also has world-class shopping, with numerous outstanding locations to choose from that can match anyone's taste or budget. From the big-name retail outlets at Miami Beach, to outdoor shopping at Coco Walk and Coconut Grove, to the upscale Bal Harbour Shops, to the eclectic Lincoln Road Mall, to the famed Miracle Mile, to a selection of conventional enclosed malls; Miami is indeed a shopper's paradise. 

Miami has several outstanding historical museums, including the Wolfsonian on Miami Beach, the Holocaust Museum and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida. For art lovers, the Bass Museum on Miami Beach, Miami Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art are among a wide variety of museums and galleries to soothe the soul and enrich the spirit. Vizcaya and the Barnacle State Historical Site show us a Miami from a bygone era. The Miami Museum of Science and the Space Transit Planetarium shows how mankind and nature evolved on the southern tip of the Florida peninsula.

Being such a hot tourist destination, the city is dotted with many grand hotels, including the historic Biltmore Hotel in beautiful Coral Gables and the colorful Art Deco hotels in Miami Beach.

If sports are your thing, then you are well aware that Miami is home to the NFL's Miami Dolphins, the NBA's Miami Heat, the 1997 World Series champion Florida Marlins, the Ericsson Open tennis tournament, the University of Miami Hurricanes and much more. Also, the NHL's Florida Panthers are just a short ride north in Broward County at the National Car Rental Center.

For out-and-out tourist attractions, Miami boasts plenty that can interest visitors of all ages, such as the Miami Seaquarium, the Monkey Jungle, the Parrot Jungle, and the captivating MetroZoo.

Additionally, there are other attractions unique only to Miami, such as the beautiful yet puzzling Coral Castle, the funky Art Deco District and the captivating  Venetian Pool in Coral Gables -- which is as much a recreational spot as it is an attraction.

For an in-depth look at Miami's Latino/Cuban influence, there is Little Havana, where visititors can check out the El Credito Cigar Factory and watch workers turn out stogies with old-school Cuban mastery. Don't forget to experience Calle Ocho, the main street of Miami’s bustling Cuban community. Then travel a bit north from Little Havana to Little Haiti, where you’ll see brightly painted homes and shops and have an opportunity to take a ride in a tap-tap jitney.

Life in Miami could not thrive as it does -- constantly bustling with an international charm -- without its musical influence. A mixture of salsa, meringue, tejano, disco, rock, and cool jazz are just some of the magical musical influences that make people here want to Live La Vita Loca, Baby!