Visiting Miami and South Beach tourist destinations
Miami is an international hotspot filled with delicious Cuban cuisine, exotic nightclubs, and miles upon miles of beaches, making Florida one of the most-traveled to states in the U.S. Whether you want to pick up a Cuban-inspired cigar in Little Havana or would like to explore gorgeous neighborhoods famous for their brightly colored art-deco designs, Miami has it all. Before stepping foot into the white sand beaches, be sure to book a hotel, most facilities ranging from $100 – $250, depending on how many stars the place has been rated. A lot of hotels offer guests exclusive offers, including complimentary breakfast and shuttle rides out of Miami International Airport.
Transfers at Miami International Airport
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Local beaches and rides throughout downtown Miami
Located on the southeastern tip of Florida’s massive peninsula, Miami is known for being an American cornerstone with a Cuban flare. With brightly colored buildings on every corner as well as countless amounts of exotic eateries, the city has more to offer than most metropolises, especially in terms of beaches. Spend the day catching rays by checking out a variety of local attractions – it’s almost impossible to see everything there is to see in Miami, but with this quick what-to-do guide, you’ll be on the right path in no time.
Miami International Boat Show If you’re looking to check out some seaside culture, you’re in luck. The Miami International Boat Show is an show that occurs once a year and the city takes incredible pride in every year. Hosted by the NMMA, the special event brings people from all around the world, so many in fact the show is known for hosting events at multiple locations just to control the crowds. Just under 2,000 companies showcase the latest and greatest in recreational boating, making up for an average of $40 billion in the boat market – so be sure to check it out! | |
Ocean Drive in South Beach Located in the South Beach blue neighborhood of Miami Beach, Ocean Drive is a major stretch of road that is home to a wide variety of attractions, from the beautifully colored beachside buildings to the actual beaches themselves. Admire the countless palm trees that sit on the road as you go for an afternoon drive, but don’t go home too soon. After the sun sets, Ocean Drive turns into the heart of Miami’s infamous nightlife, allowing visitors to partake in some of the coolest neon nightclubs, each of which are offers tasty cocktails. | |
Beachfront Hotels and Resorts Because Miami is in such a jaw-droppingly beautiful location, it’s not surprising that the city is filled with beautiful beachfront hotels and resorts. One of the ritziest locales is The Palms Hotel & Spa, which comes with a variety of oceanfront views as well as a full-service spa and a gourmet restaurant in the lobby. If you’re looking for the beauty of the water without the luxurious price, check out The Alexander Oceanfront Resort, a hotel that is a little further from downtown, but with practically the same amenities. | |
Miami Cruise Ship Terminals and Ports Most seaside cities are both drop-off or pick-up zones for cruise ships and Miami isn’t any different. There are a variety of cruises that pick up in the city’s main port, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruises, and Oceania. Luckily, all of these cruise ships can easily be found by going to PortMiami, which is the city’s global gateway of tourism and cargo commerce. The area holds seven different cruise terminals (Terminals D – J), all of which are specially segmented off for tourists, making it quick and easy to find your boat. | |
Miami’s Boat Up Restaurants and Bars A Boat Up Restaurant is exactly how it sounds – the deliciousness of a restaurant and the novelty of a boat-like location all wrapped into one package. One of the most amazing boats up eateries is Garcia’s Seafood Grill and Market, which looks out at the beautiful Miami River. If you’re in the mood to try out something a little less quaint and a lot more lavish, stop by Zuma for drinks and dinner. Located downtown, Zuma gives a rare glimpse of Miami’s iconic skyline by choosing the odd perspective of the bay beside the grandiose city. Stick around for cocktails and see the buildings light up, something that’s sure to spark some fireworks. | |
Beaches of Miami from Key Biscayne towards North Beach From Key Biscane to North Beach, Miami has so many coasts it’s hard to keep count. The most iconic and densely populated of all the shores is Miami Beach, a white-sand, blue-water piece of majesty that hasn’t lost popularity since its 1915 founding. If you’d rather have an afternoon where you can actually have some peace and quiet, visit Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Beach, a local favorite due to its scenic, but relaxing nature. In addition to offering the benefit of solitude, the park also has a ton of trails made perfect for hiking and biking. | |
Miami Art Deco District If there’s one thing anyone who visits Miami can say about the city, it’s that the architecture is truly one of a kind. Located in the South Beach neighborhood, the architecture surrounding the many streets is as intriguing as it is eye-popping. Spend the day taking one of the many architectural tours, including Art Deco Tours and Tour of Art Deco Historic District, both of which offer their own tour operator, vehicle, as well as potential deals for families. If you’d rather see everything for yourself, take a walk through the district and check out the cool landmarks, including The World Erotic Art Museum and The Ocean Drive Gallery. | |
Miami Metromover Every major city deserves their own futuristic form of transportation, and for Miami it’s the Miami Metromover. The free transit train system moves an average of 100,000 people every year, achieving wonders for citizens and tourists looking to travel on a budget. The Metromover offers rides into the greater Downtown Miami neighborhoods, dropping off at 21 different stations; each one located roughly two blocks from one another. Because the train is straight shoot into a variety of interesting locations, there’s not much wiggle room, but for the low cost of absolutely nothing, it’s hard to complain. | |
Homestead-Miami Speedway Many people forget that Miami is part of a greater culture, which is Floridian culture – and Floridians love racing. The Homestead-Miami Speedway is an exhilarating motor racing track that includes professional NASCAR races as well as smaller races, like the Verizon IndyCar Series. With a jam-packed schedule of events filling up just about every day of the week, the speedway has become a second home to many Miami citizens and gamblers alike. If you’re interested in seeing a race, check out the venue’s website for a full list of important dates. | |