Visiting Miami – The city of Sun and Sea

Miami – The city of Sun and Sea

Hello!

Miami is a large, coastal metropolis that is located on the southeastern tip of Florida. Its subtropical climate, white sandy beaches and the nightlife that never ends make Miami a heaven for tourists and a place where the rich and famous loosen up. It is also home to a portion of the Everglades National Parkthat is a major tourist attraction of Florida. Today, Miami is a major business center and a leader in finance, commerce, culture, entertainment, fashion, arts and international trade. It has also been conferred the title of ‘America’s cleanest city’. Miami being a city that started with nothing is often described as the ‘only city of the world that started as a fantasy’. Whether you are into sports, beaches, salsa, shopping or adventure, you can enjoy this diverse paradise that is full of life any time of the year.

Best season to visit Miami

Miami is blessed with sunny days and breezy nights all year around. The peak tourist season is during the winter months from January to April when the weather is warm in Miami and cold in rest of the United States. Unlike other places, the crowd in Miami is not off-putting. Instead the continuous string of events and parties make the city a magical place. October to December is the shoulder season with pleasant temperatures. Hotels are available for a relatively lower price and this is a good time to visit. The summer months from May to September are off-season and this is when the days are scorching hot. Hence, the crowd is smaller and hotels cheaper. Irrespective of season, pack your sunglasses, sunscreen, bathing suit, beach towel and you are ready to enjoy Miami.

Highlights (Special things to do and experience in Miami)

• Rejuvenate in the sun kissed beaches of Miami. Whether it is the South beach, Sunny Isles, Haulover beach or the Crandon beach, you will find a beach that will be perfect for you.

• ‘See and be seen’ in South Beach, the world’s trendiest beach.

• Be a part of the electrifying nightlife of Miami.

• Relax in the beautiful Key Biscayne.

• Dive or snorkel in the turquoise blue waters of Emerald Reef and watch the marine life come to life in front of you.

• Sail in a boat, yacht or catamaran and admire the beautiful skyline of Miami from the waters.

• Take an airboat ride and enter a different world that is Everglades National Park.

• Amaze yourself with the city’s iconic skyline and beautiful views of Biscayne Bay from Downtown Miami.

• Take a lovely ride to Key West from Miami.

• Start your day with a delicious Cuban breakfast at Little Havana.

• Enjoy Brazilian cachaca cocktails with picture perfect views of Biscayne Bay at the Sunset Lounge, Miami Beach.

• Take the wheel on a NASCAR race track and feel the adrenaline at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

• Indulge in shopping at the Lincoln road mall, Miami Beach.

• Partake in the Carnaval on the Mile, a lively two day event celebrating Latin music, art and food. Enjoy what feels like an oversized block party in true Miami style.

• Soak up art of all kinds in the free Art Walks hosted in different areas of Miami. The biggest and most popular ones are held in Wynwood Arts District and the Design District.

• After all the fun in sun, unwind at the yoga classes held on the beach.

Hotspots (Places to visit in Miami)

Miami Beach

• South Beach: South Beach, popularly nicknamed as SoBe, is a neighborhood in the city of Miami. This is one beach that attracts people of all varieties. You will see beautiful people everywhere flaunting themselves. The beach often draws celebrities and it is also a popular spot for fashion photo shoots and hip clubs. Sophisticated and hot, South Beach defines cool!

• Lincoln Road: Lincoln Road is an eight-block long pedestrian walkway packed with shops, restaurants and cafes. It features the 1111 Lincoln Road parking garage, which is architecturally acclaimed for its unique appearance.

Key Biscayne Island

• Key Biscayne: Your Miami holidays are incomplete without visiting the scenic and serene Key Biscayne that comprises of four different and beautiful beaches. This secluded island is a short drive over the Rickenbacker Causeway. Just six miles off the coast of Miami,this island is a peaceful paradise that feels a world away from the bustling urban center. It is the perfect place to unwind, relax and connect with Miami’s natural beauty.

• Crandon Park beach: It is the largest and most popular beach on Key Biscayne.It is more than just a beach as it offers beach volleyball courts, kayak rentals, eco-adventure tours and other activities. Crandon Tennis center and Crandon Golf Key Biscayne located here are open to public and home to annual world-class professional events.

• Bill BaggsCape Florida State Park: Located on the southern tip of Key Biscayne, the park includes Cape Florida Light (lighthouse), the oldest standing structure in Greater Miami. The beach itself is listed as one of the ‘Top 10 beaches in America’.

• Virginia Key beach: The historic Virginia Key Beach is a beautiful and isolated beach just off the Rickenbacker Causeway which is the bridge between the mainland and Key Biscayne. Miami Seaquarium is located here.

• Miami Seaquarium: Miami Seaquarium is a marine-life entertainment park featuring eight marine animal shows and presentations. Lolita, the Killer Whale, bottlenose dolphins and Salty, the Sea Lion are some of the animals it is home to. Visitors are allowed to interact with dolphins or walk underwater among tropical fish for additional fees.

Everglades National Park

• Everglades Alligator Farm: The Everglades is the third largest National Park in the Continental U.S and also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Home to more than 2,000 alligators, the Everglades have been a part of Florida history for as long as Florida has had a history. A trip to Everglades Alligator Farm includes a thrilling airboat tour of the surrounding river of grass, a walking train around the farm to see alligators, crocodiles and exotic snakes.

• Shark Valley: Shark Valley is part of the Everglades and is a 45-minute drive from Miami. Rent a bike and travel the 15-mile loop that makes up Shark Valley. Get close to the wildlife here that includes alligators, ibis, raccoons, wood storks and spoonbills among others. If you want to play it safe, opt for the two hour tram tour led by trained naturalists.

Downtown

• Downtown Miami:Located right in the heart of Miami between the busy Brickell area, the beaches and rest of the mainland, Downtown is the perfect place to start your night. The famous American Airlines Arena that is home to the ‘Miami Heat’ of NBA and the Adrienne Arsht Center well known for its Opera and Broadway shows are located in the Downtown. Of course for all the club goers, Miami downtown has some of the hottest and diverse clubs in the world. It is here that you can eat atthe finest restaurants, dance in the hottest clubs, admire the iconic skyline and lose yourself in the beautiful views of Biscayne Bay!

Key west Island

• Key West: No Miami holidays are complete without a journey to the Island of Key West. It is a day trip from Miami city. The 150-mile drive to the Key West is one of the most scenic and great American road trips. Once you are in the island, visit the Mallory Square; take a glass-bottom boat ride visiting the coral reef and snorkel in the blue green crystal clear waters of the Key West. It is the southernmost point in the continental USA between Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The lovely drive is one the unique experiences you will have in Miami.

Coconut grove

• Village west:It is a lovely bayside village situated on Biscayne Bay. Laze around the streets of the village consisting of sidewalk cafes, pretty galleries and interesting boutiques.

• Vizcaya museum and gardens: It is the former villa and estate of businessman James Deeringthat is located on Biscayne Bay in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami. The architecture of this stunningly beautiful American villa was influenced by Veneto and Tuscan Italian Renaissance models. The vizcaya museum contains more than seventy rooms of distinctive architectural interiors decorated with numerous antiques, with emphasis on European art. The villa, museum and the extensive Italian Renaissance gardens altogether make it a charming place to visit.

City of Sunny Isles Beach

• Sunny Isles Beach: With two miles of pristine, white sandy beaches facing the luxurious resorts, Sunny Isles Beach is considered Florida’s Riviera for good reason. Whether it’s lounging poolside in a fancy oceanfront cabana or sinking your toes in the sand, Sunny Isles Beach offers clean, un-crowded and relaxing beaches perfect for a romantic getaway. If you are looking for a quieter, relaxing vacation stay then this is the place to be.

Watson Island

• Jungle Island: It is an interactive zoological park in Miami. One can see a combination of animal and bird life like lions, panthers, lemurs, orangutans, parrots, flamingos, kangaroos and many more. Interactive sessions are available for extra cost.

Shopping in Miami

• Aventura Mall consists of top U.S stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, JCPenney and many more that sum up to more than 300 specialty retailers. Shop and chill at this mall which also features a variety of restaurants and a movie theater.

• A mix of upscale and casual shopping defines Miami International Mall, located near the airport and offering the favorite stores of locals.

• For luxury shopping head to the stylish village of BalHarbour featuring stores like Chanel, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Dolce &Gabana and many more! You could also catch one of the many fashion events held at this place.

• Bayside Marketplace blends shopping with pleasure as national retailers share space with culturally distinctive merchandise. And it doesn’t stop at shopping as it offers great seafood and Latin restaurants, all overlooking the lovely Biscayne Bay.

• At Coconut Grove’s Cocowalk, shop in the sun and dance under the moon! This open-air shopping, dining and entertainment destination has the ambiance of a European town square. When the sun sets, Cocowalk heats up with live music, bars and restaurants.

• Street-smart shopping in Downtown is one of the delights of Miami. It is home to one of the nation’s largest jewelry districts and hundreds of retailers. Clothes, accessories, electronics, sporting goods, cameras, cosmetics- you name it, they sell it!

• Designer shopping on the streets of South Beach, whose Lincoln Road, Espanola Way and Ocean Drive stores provide a unique shopping experience, is a must do. In a place that offers souvenirs to gifts, books to jewelry, fashion to art, chocolate to cheese, you are bound to walk away with something special.

How to reach Miami:

• Miami International Airport (MIA), located west of the city is an important hub for traffic between Europe, North America and South America.
• If you are travelling from one of the U.S cities, then Fort Lauderdale International Airport is a better choice. It is about 30 minutes north of Miami, smaller and less trafficked than MIA.
• Amtrak’s (train)Silver Service operates trains to Miami from New York, Washington D.C and other cities.
• Drive to Miami through its three main highways, I-95, I-75 and U. S. Highway 1.

How to get around in Miami:

• Renting a car is a comfortable option to travel in Miami. It is advisable to do so from Miami International Airport as the city has only a few car rental companies.
• Hiring a Taxi too is a good option especially in North Miami Beach.
• South Beach Local bus service is one of the cheaper ways to get around in the area of South Beach. It runs every 10-15 minutes throughout the day, is air-conditioned, clean and safe.
• Metromover is a free mass transit train system in Miami. It serves Downtown Miami, Brickell, Park West and Omni neighborhoods. It s the best way to travel within Downtown Miami.
• Miami Hop-on Hop-off is another great way to visit the entire city as it covers major attractions like Downtown, Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and more.

Top areas in Miami:

• South Beach: South Beach is more than just white sand beaches and art deco buildings. This is a perfect place to stay for anybody who is vacationing in Miami. From world-class boutiques, casual beachside dining to great nightlife, it is a hotspot in every way.

• Miami International airport: It is a fast-growing area with hotels and corporate offices. It is minutes away from several popular tourist attractions in Miami.

• Downtown Miami: Downtown with its iconic skyline, historic shopping arcades, dining options with variety of culinary styles and of course amazing views from everywhere is the most popular place in Miami. This is a place where work meets play.

• Little Havana:This Cuban neighborhood gives you the opportunity to enjoy the life of Cuba. It is a good place to stay for budget travelers as many Miami hotels are located here. Wake up and have the amazing Cuban breakfast, dance to salsa music that you keep hearing throughout the day from unseen sources, buy in one of the many street shops, eat to your heart’s content in Cuban restaurants and learn a little Spanish! That’s Little Havana for you.

• Coconut Grove: Coconut grove is a very pretty bayside village within the urban dynamic of Miami. It is the oldest continuously inhabited neighborhood of Miami. It is filled with sidewalk cafes, galleries and boutiques. You can also relax in one of its many parks.

• Coral Gables: Coral Gables located southwest of Downtown Miami is one of the most desirable and old-fashioned neighborhoods in the area.

• Sunny Isles Beach: Have an opulent Miami holiday by staying in one of the finer resorts facing the Sunny Isles Beach. Relax in a spa or on the clean un-crowded beach with your loved ones.

• Bal Harbour:Balharbour is a village with upscale hotels and condos offering oceanfront views and resort spas in a quiet and relaxing environment. Apart from shopping and fine dining, the village also offers complimentary fitness classes on the beach for guests of local hotels.

• Key Biscayne: Surrounded by many attractions and a world in itself, Key Biscayne is away from the troubles of the mainland. Stay in one of the many ocean facing resorts located here to make your trip even more memorable.

• Homestead: Located close to Key Biscayne and Everglades National Park and home to the NASCAR race track, this place is fascinating and unique.

Thank You!