Things To Do In Miami On Vacation

By Petra Berg


What's fascinating about all the things to do in Miami is the variety, from the sizzle and urban decadence of South Beach to the serene beauty of the Ocean Drive Art Deco buildings and historic landmarks like Vizcaya. Visitors can engage in high-end fashion shopping and buy antiques and art works, and families with children can hop around from one family-friendly attraction to the next. Foodies can set out for culinary adventures and taste Cuban cuisine.

But ultimately what it comes down to are the beaches. South Beach is the Miami that visitors dream about, as seen on television, movies and in tourist brochures. With a huge selection of nightclubs and bars on Ocean Drive, most visitors would happily live here forever, let alone just for the vacation.

But there are more beaches to see, including Virginia Beach and the beach at Bill Baggs Park in Key Biscayne. Don't miss the Cape Florida lighthouse in Key Biscayne or the Seaquarium near Virginia Beach. Other options include Haulover Beach and the Homestead Bayfront Park.

Families with children must see the Zoo, which has over 700 animals living in a cage-free sub-tropical zone where they can roam free just like in the wild. Similar must-visit attractions include Jungle Island (formerly Parrot Jungle Island) and the Children's Museum located on MacArthur Causeway. The single most important and historic attraction in Miami is the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

The 50-acre gardens and the 1916 Italian mansion are beautiful enough to warrant moon-light tours, destination weddings and as an outdoor event venue. In terms of events, the most famous one is Art Basel in the Design District. Even otherwise, it's well worth a look-see with 18 blocks filled with art galleries, showrooms and boutiques packed end-to-end with fashion goods, art works and antiques.

The Lincoln Road Mall is a popular tourist hang-out, and so is Little Havana with all its Cuban restaurants. Order the Congri to try some of the famous rice and black beans. The Coral Castle is a unique attraction, and no things to do in Miami list would be complete without a trip to the Everglades. Things to do in Miami




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