Widely considered to be one of the USA’s biggest holiday destinations, Miami is the perfect place to enjoy Florida’s sun, sea and sand. The Sunshine State’s second most populous city boasts a myriad of diverse neighbourhoods, cultural attractions and exhilarating activities.
For this reason, Miami is becoming incredibly popular among laid-back tourists and intrepid travellers. From South Beach and Little Havana to Downtown and Ocean Drive, every inch of the city has something surprising in store.
So, without further ado, here are some of the best sights and sounds of Miami.
Española Way
To discover more about Miami’s creative arts scene, take a stroll down the bohemian Española Way. On a weekday afternoon, traders and craftspeople have things like handmade musical instruments and beautiful flower bouquets for sale. What’s more, sidewalk shops also sell unique clothing, jewellery and art.
This particular street, which features Mediterranean-revival architecture, also has a gripping history. Al Capone’s gambling syndicate used to run its operation out of a building now more tamely utilised as the Clay Hotel. And future bandleader Desi Arnaz once beat his rumba rhythms at a nightclub in the same hotel in the 1930s.
Jungle Island
Located in the heart of the city, Jungle Island (discounts available here) plays host to some extremely rare and equally fascinating animals. These include Mama Cass, the only tame Cassowary in the world, Pinky, a hi-wire bicycle riding Cockatoo and a 900lb liger called Vulcan.
In addition to getting up close and personal with these amazing creatures, guests can also watch various animal shows and presentations while taking in the park’s remarkable landscapes and vistas. There is also the opportunity to go behind the scenes on a privately guided VIP safari tour, which will bring you face-to-face with Jungle Island’s breathtaking inhabitants.
Pérez Art Museum Miami
One of the city’s greatest and indeed newest cultural attractions is the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAAM). Situated on Biscayne Bay, this attraction’s architecture features indoor/outdoor hanging gardens that drop down from the roof’s fashion-conscious wooden beams and metal frames.
But inside you’ll find 120,000-square-foot dedicated to pieces of art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Even if you’re not a lover of most museums, the PAAM has a constantly changing roster of exhibitions in which you’re bound to find something of interest.
South Beach
Any trip to Miami wouldn’t be complete without visiting the super-stylish South Beach. The city’s most attractive and scantily dressed locals come here to strut their stuff and soak up the sun. But if you don’t want to bare all and compare figures, this is the place to come for a bit of chilled out people watching.
Families are advised to visit the tamer sections of Mid- and North Beach while shade can be found under the chickee huts in Lummus Park, which separates the beach and Ocean Drive.
So no matter what type of holidaymaker you may be, there are numerous attractions and activities to take advantage of in Miami.
