Exploring Miami – Destination Spotlight
Recently, we had the opportunity to spend a day exploring Miami, and fell in love with the city. With a wealth of attractions, culture, food, and a gorgeous ocean view to boot, there’s more than enough to do around Miami no matter how long your visit.
One of the best features of Miami from a planning standpoint is how easy it is to get around. Many of the most popular neighborhoods are connected by the free Metromover monorail system. Complimentary trolley services help travelers get to popular areas in Miami, Coral Gables, and Miami Beach that aren’t served by the Metromover route.
Another option for visitors who feel a little more adventure and are comfortable navigating city traffic is the Citi Bike. During our recent visit we used these bikes to get from our hotel on Biscayne Boulevard in Downtown Miami to South Beach and back. You can use the Citi Bike app to find bike “dock” locations and unlock a bike to rent. For a reasonable hourly fee, you can can ride the bikes wherever you like, returning them to any dock when you’re done.
An afternoon exploring South Beach
We started our adventure by taking the Venetian Causeway across Biscayne Bay. This 3 mile road crosses 8 islands, and features beautiful views of the Miami skyline, the bay, and beautiful homes in a mix of ultra modern and traditional hacienda styles.
Once across the causeway, we made our way to South Beach. The southernmost third of Miami Beach is home to colorful palm lined beaches, sidewalk cafes, exciting night life, and famous pastel colored Art Deco buildings.
Since it was unusually chilly when we visited, we stayed out of the water and explored the architecture of Ocean Drive instead. These cotton candy colored buildings were favorite destinations for film and music stars in the first half of the 20th century, and still are favorite locations for television and movie productions. You’ll recognize buildings from Scarface, Miami Vice, Bad Boys, The Birdcage, and more as you walk the street.
More to see while exploring Miami
Once you’ve had your fill of sun and sand, Miami offers so much more to see and do in all of its main 23 neighborhoods. Whichever you choose to spend your time in, you’ll find a celebration of food, art, and the diverse cultures that make up this city.
Located in the heart of downtown Miami is the Bayside Marketplace. This waterfront outdoor mall is the city’s most-visited attraction, featuring more than 100 shops, restaurants, and live entertainment. Visitors enjoy a view of the busy port and giant cruise ships coming and going.
Little Havana is the central hub of Miami’s vibrant Cuban community. A food and culture walking tour is a great way to take in the delicious cuisine, art studios, and monuments along Calle Ocho.
Wynwood is on the cutting edge of Miami’s art scene and is home to art galleries, shopping, eclectic bars, and one of the largest street-art installations in the world. The Wynwood Walls is an art exhibit that includes over 35 hand-sprayed murals, and two galleries. This outdoor museum showcases a constantly changing collection of art by world-class graffiti and street artists.
In addition to art, food, culture, and nightlife, Miami is a great place for adventures in the great outdoors. Biscayne National Park is one of the top scuba diving and snorkeling areas in the United States. The park is over 170,000 acres, 95% of which are underwater. Full of reefs, sea-grass beds, and mangrove forests, it’s an amazing opportunity to explore diverse ocean life without leaving the US.
Everglades National Park is less than an hour from Miami. Visitors can enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities including hiking, kayaking, cycling, and airboat tours. As the only subtropical nature preserve in North America, it also gives guests a chance to see wildlife and plants that can’t be found anywhere else in the United States.
Ready to explore Miami on your own?
Whether you’re visiting Miami to explore everything it has to offer, looking to spend a day or two before or after a cruise, or using Miami as a jumping-off point for an epic adventure across the Florida Keys, you’ll find more to see, do, and eat than you can fit into one, five, or even a dozen trips. An expert travel planner from Key to the World Travel is an invaluable part of the vacation planning process. They can handle finding the perfect hotel for your needs, scheduling ground transportation, booking tours, attractions, and tickets, as well as helping plan out your daily itineraries so you can focus on the important part- relaxation and enjoying your vacation. Contact your Key to the World Travel® advisor to start planning your trip to Miami, or send us a quote request to get started.
