Miami-Fl Tourist-Attractions

Miami-Fl Tourist-Attractions information

Art Deco District

The Art Deco District in Miami Beach is the "hot spot" made famous in the movies as well as early-1990s TV series, Miami Vice - a pastel coloured centre of nightlife and culture in Miami Beach. Within this area there are over 800 buildings constructed during the 1920s and 1930s that give the area an architecturally unique style. Besides checking out the Ferraris and Lamborghinis driving down Ocean Drive, or catching a glimpse of celebrities, a tour of this area is worthwhile if only to show that there's more to Miami than the ultra-modern attractions of recent times. The informative guided tours depart from the Art Deco Welcome Center (1001 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. Tel: +1 (1)305-531-3484) and leave every Wed-Sun (reservation only) morning at 10h30, as well as Thursday at 18h30. Cost: USD20 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the centre. Tours last approximately 90mins.

Everglades Safari Park

The Florida Everglades National Park is a massive swampland filled with alligators and wildlife. It's truly an impressive sight, and well worth exploring at length if time allows. The Everglades Safari Park, not too far from the city, gives you an excellent introduction to the area and its unique eco-system. An airboat ride is an experience unique to the area - shallow skiffs that skim across the water driven by massive fans on their stern. A ride is fast and cooling on a hot Florida day, and, best of all, you are guaranteed to see alligators in the wild, up-close and personal. The Safari Park also offers an alligator wrestling show, if you truly want a cultural experience. Airboats depart every twenty minutes from 09h00 to 16h00 daily. Rides last 40 minutes. 26700 Tamiami Trail, 15 miles west of Miami. Admission: USD20, adults; USD10, children. Tel: +1 (1)305-226-6923.

Miami Seaquarium

Seaquarium's populations of killer whales and bottle-nosed dolphins are a must-see attraction in Miami. Although the themepark might look a little dated by modern standards, the performances are still as spectacular as they were when the park first opened decades ago. The original "Flipper" from the popular American TV show lived here and the lagoon named after the aquatic actor is now home to a school of acrobatic dolphins. The show is the undoubted highlight of a visit, and very funny if you don't mind getting soaked. There are many tropical fish, sharks, manatee and other marine life to see elsewhere in the parks. For a rather considerable fee you can even swim with the Dolphins. Call for details. Key Biscayne, 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, south of Miami. Open: 09h30-18h00. Admission: USD25.95, adults; USD20.95, children. Tel: +1 (1)305-361-5705.

Vizcaya Villa and Gardens

Vizcaya is a lavish estate and gardens, furnished with extravagant Italian decor. The Renaissance-style villa actually only dates from 1916, and was the home of millionaire industrialist James Deering. He spent USD20 million on building this sumptuous winter residence and filling it with furnishings and artworks from different periods - creating the impression of a generations old family home. The result is an outstanding eclectic collection of artefacts and decorative styles, and Vizcaya is a great place to spend the afternoon soaking in all the opulence of European history against the perfect backdrop of the Florida sunshine. The interior furnishings span some four hundred years of history, and contain artworks and furnishings drawn from the major epochs of the Renaissance, rococo, baroque and neo-classic periods that influenced Italian style. The meticulous 180-acre gardens, including the splendid recently built orchidarium, provide a great place for a romantic stroll. 3251 South Miami Ave. Open: 09h30-16h30. Admission: USD12, adults; USD5, children. Tel: +1 (1)305-250-9133.

Biscayne Bay & Millionaire's Row

Miami has always been a city that has made a lot of its coastline, and taking a cruise around Biscayne Bay is an excellent way of getting a leisurely look at the city. From the water you can cruise past the spectacular downtown district and the working port of Miami, as well as numerous marinas that are the mooring places for rather less hard-working boats. The tiny islands that surround Miami Beach are known as "Millionaire's Row", which is the minimum criteria you need to be able to buy a property on them. Naturally this means plenty of movie stars, TV celebs and pop musicians have made their homes here, making it star spotters' heaven, the tour fills you in on which mansion belongs to which big name celebrity. Island Queen Cruises at Bayside Marketplace, 10021 Biscayne Blvd. Cruises hourly 11h00-19h00. Cost: USD17, adults; USD8, children. Tel: +1 (1)305-379-5119.

South Beach

Millions flock each year to the beaches of Miami, but the upper crust in the city head for the beach at 5th and Ocean Drive. This is the shoreline playground of Miami's millionaires, celebrities and wannabe stars. Spending an afternoon here, as well as being a great beach, provides ample opportunity to people watch. Flashy show-offs try to impress with ever-more-muscular games of beach volleyball, while models and drag queens try to out-do each other with flamboyant beach wear. The mimimalist bikinis sported here push the boundary of the no-nude sunbathing rule. Promenading is the thing to do here, sports and customised cars line-up as if on show, while those on foot have to sport the very latest in fashion accessories, whether it's the newest rollerblades, shades or outlandish pet. Ocean Drive to 5th St.

Lincoln Road

A gathering place with an eclectic mix of people, restaurants and shops, Lincoln Road is a locals' favourite and a great place to spend an afternoon. The atmosphere oozes laid back affluence and here you can browse art galleries, dine in restaurants ranging from Mexican to Sushi, and shop in a variety of stores, offering everything from club wear to designer suits. Lincoln Rd, between 16th and 18th Sts.

Little Havana

Little Havana is a trip to Cuba right here in the US. On the famous Calle Ocho, or 8th Street, you can find Cuban restaurants, bars, bakeries, and not a word of English spoken. Calle Ocho is lined with memorials to Cuban poets, and heroes of the revolution that freed the island from colonial Spanish rule. It even has its own "Walk of Fame" similar to LA's Hollywood Blvd, and honouring local heroes. Even the famous cigar factories can be found here, just as they can be in Havana itself, although, naturally, there is no Cuban tobacco allowed. The "factories" demonstrate the process of rolling cigars to visitors, and of course sell boxes of the famous creations - almost as good as any from the homeland. Each weekend, the liquor flows and the salsa pulsates through the neighbourhood, while the annual highlight is the Calle Ocho Street Festival with parades and music. Calle Ocho (8th St).

Parrot Jungle

Get up close and personal with thousands of tropical birds and other exotic animals in this classic attraction that is half zoo and half theme park. In 2003 the Parrot Jungle relocated to Watson Island, just minutes from Miami Beach. Originally a nondescript piece of land it has been landscaped and allowed to grow into a lush semi-tropical jungle. Prior to the move the Parrot Jungle had been a Miami attraction for nearly 70 years. From a population of just 25 macaws, the current tropical bird population in the protected park numbers well over a thousand. A delightfully understated and restful place, the park is full of waterways, trails to explore and shows to see. Kids love it, plus there are seldom the long queues and various annoyances of other Florida theme parks. 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail. Open: 10h00-18h00 daily. Admission: USD24.95, adults; USD19.95, children. Tel: +1 (1)305-258-6453.

Venetian Pool

Created in 1925 to resemble a lagoon in Italy's canalled city, the Venetian Pool is a delightful place to cool off from the Miami heat. The pool is carved out of coral rock, and you can swim among features such as caves, waterfalls and under a Venetian bridge. Surrounded by grottoes carved from the rock and European style villas the Pool is a popular place to hang out, grab some lunch and enjoy a dip. 2701 De Soto Blvd. Open: Tue-Sun 10h00-16h30 (Nov-Mar); Tue-Fri 11h00-17h30, Sat-Sun 10h00-16h30 (Apr-Oct). Admission: USD6.25, adults; USD3.25, children (Nov-Mar); USD9.50, adults; USD5.25, children (Apr-Oct). Tel: +1 (1)305-460-5356.