The Miami area has countless things to do and stunning places to visit. Here are a few points of interest:
Miami Seaquarium, 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne. (305) 361-5705
The Miami Seaquarium is a 38-acre oceanarium located on the island of Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay. Founded in 1955, it is the oldest oceanarium in the United States.
Zoo Miami, 12400 S.W. 152 Street, Miami. (305) 251-0400
Zoo Miami is the largest and oldest zoological garden in Florida, and the only tropical zoo in the United States. It houses more than 700 wild animals in a cage-less environment.
Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami. (305) 400-7000
Located in the heart of the city between Downtown Miami and South Beach. The grounds are home to the world’s most rare and incredible animals.
Coral Castle, 28655 S. Dixie Highway, Homestead. (305) 248-6345
Originally built in 1923 by Edward Leedskalnin, a Latvian immigrant, the original location of the castle was in Florida City before being moved to its present-day location in Homestead around 1936. Completely made of coral (about 1000 tons), the construction of the castle was and is still largely a secret. The stones are held together without mortar and have withstood various weather extremes without shifting.
Bayfront Park, 301 N. Biscayne Boulevard, Miami.
This 32-acre park on the sun-drenched seam of Biscayne Bay and Downtown Miami is one of the oldest parks in the city.
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, 3251 S. Miami Avenue, Miami. (305) 250-9133
This gorgeous early 20th century estate was winter residence of Chicago businessman James Deering. The villa contains more than seventy rooms decorated with an emphasis on 15th through early 19th century European decorative art and furnishings. The Italianate gardens use native plants that thrive in the subtropical climate.
Freedom Tower, 600 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami. (305) 237-7700
Opened in 1925 as the headquarters for the Miami Daily News and Metropolis, the Freedom Tower is most well-known for the role it played during the wave of Cuban immigration in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Española Way, 400 Espanola Way, Miami Beach.
The first historic district in Miami Beach. This is where Desi Arnaz launched the rumba craze in the 1930’s.
The Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables. (855) 311-6903
The hotel’s stunning architecture is inspired by that of the Mediterranean but is unique. Designed in the 1920s, the hotel is the absolute picture of luxury with its own 18-hole golf course and stunning pool.
Venetian Pool, 2701 De Soto Boulevard, Coral Gables. (305) 460-5306
The only swimming pool to be included in the National Register of Historic Places, the pool was created in 1923 from a coral rock quarry and has two waterfalls and cave-like grottos.
Fruit & Spice Park, 24801 S.W. 187 Avenue, Homestead. (305) 247-5727
The only garden of its kind in the United States, a 30-acre park exhibiting over 500 varieties of fruits, veggies, spices, herbs, nuts, and exotic edibles.
Robert is Here, 19200 S.W. 344 Street, Homestead. (305) 246-1592
Started in 1959, here you can find some of the best milkshakes, local produce, and sweet treats.
BEACHES
City of Miami Beach, (305) 673-7400
THE KEYS
The Florida Keys are series of islands connected via bridges and causeways stretching over 100 miles from the tip of Florida to Key West, with Key West being the southernmost city in the continental U.S. There are plenty of guidebooks to help you plan a trip, but here are just a few spots we’ve found fun and interesting. At mile marker 106, you can hop onto the beginning of a 70 mile stretch of bicycle and pedestrian corridor that parallels US 1.
Key Largo
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, 102601 Overseas Highway, Key Largo. (305) 451-6300
The first undersea park created in the United States. The park was established to protect and preserve the only living coral reef in the continental United States. Visitors can visit the reefs via a glass-bottom boat tour or scuba/snorkeling trip. Other activities such as fishing, canoeing, picnicking, and kayaking are permitted.
Florida Keys Wild Bird Center
Free admission, but $5 donation suggested. Birds that have been injured come here to be rehabilitated and released (if possible). The best part of the visit? The birds that freely roam the boardwalk and beach area. You can get close enough to almost touch them.
Dolphins Plus, 31 Corinne Place, Key Largo. (305) 451-1993
Swim with dolphins!
Islamorada
Full Moon Party, 81600 Overseas Highway (Mile Marker 81.6). (305) 664-0604
Bonfires, food, drinks, a reggae band, and performers. 21+ only.
Key West
36 Hours in Key West
The NY Times gives you an easy-to-manage itinerary if you only plan to head down for a couple days.
The Cabaret at La Te Da, 1125 Duval Street, Key West. (305) 296-6706 ×10
The Crystal Room, a Key West landmark for 30 years, is home to top-notch drag performances and comedians.
Duval Street
Over one mile and stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, Duval Street is filled with shops, restaurants, and bars, including the original Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville.
The Flaming Buoy Filet Co., 1100 Packer Street, Key West. (305) 295-7970
Recommended by the NY Times, this restaurant serves up American dishes with a Bahamian twist.
Sarabeth’s Key West, 530 Simonton Street @ Southard. Key West. (305) 293-8181
Key West outpost of the New York based restaurant servicing classic American food, including sandwiches, salads, grilled fish, pancakes, and omelets.
Sunset Celebration, Mallory Square
A nightly arts festival where locals and tourists gather to watch the sunset.
Yoga on the Beach, 3 locations
Check online for class times and prices.
Lazy Dog, 5114 Overseas Highway, Key West. (305) 295-9898
Kayak and Paddleboard tours and rentals.
