The city of Miami happens to be a vibrant cultural area that can be found within the highly populated county of Miami-Dade in the state of Florida. The entire city covers approximately fifty-six and a half square miles of the state, and most of it is between the infamous Everglades and Biscayne Bay.
Native American tribes used to live in this area thousands of years ago before it was claimed as part of Spain during 1566. Both Spain and Great Britain had control of the entire state until the United States took over in 1821. This city was not incorporated as such until July of 1896 and at the time there were only three hundred people living there. That is much different than the six million plus people that call the city their home today.
The weather in Miami is spectacular throughout the year, although it can get rainy and cooler on occasion. The rain usually falls the most during hurricane season, which is from June through the end of October. The cooler temperatures arrive in January and February, but they usually do not last long at all.
All the beautiful weather is one of the main draws for those who travel to the area, but the attractions and culture ensure that they want to return multiple times in the future. Visitors love to wander along the streets as they look at the intricate details of the art-deco buildings or the intriguing nautical details of the rest of the buildings. Anyone who relishes this type of architecture will want to choose one of the numerous hotels that have these features incorporated in their design.
Travelers can spend their days on the sandy beaches or they can wander around the streets as they look for art galleries, up-and-coming local restaurants, and any of the multiple festivals that take place throughout the year. Culture is everywhere in Miami, which makes it easy for everyone to find traditional and authentic works of art and music wherever they go.
Each day in this unique city turns into nights where everyone is out on the town. Music pours out of the bars and clubs, while lights brighten the streets for those who are taking a stroll to their next destination. Visitors can experience something new each night, as there are plenty of options that keep people wanting more.
There are so many fascinating attractions and things to see in Miami, but these 7 top the list of the ones that visitors must see:
Jungle Island
This interactive attraction is only minutes away from the downtown area and guests can enjoy multiple animal encounters during their visit.
Bayside Marketplace
Shopping is a must when visiting Miami and one of the best places to go is Bayside Marketplace. This shopping mecca can be found on the shoreline of Biscayne Bay, which means everyone can relax in between purchases as they look out over the water.
South Beach
South Beach is the place to go when visiting Miami, which is why thousands of people can be seen there every day soaking up the rays of the sun. It is recommended that visitors take a change of clothes with them so that they can experience the South Beach nightlife after a long day on the sand.
The Gold Coast Railroad Museum
This museum was created during the 1950s and is now the best place to go to learn about the history of trains. There are thirty different locomotives within this museum, as well as an intricately detailed railroad model.
Little Havana
It shouldn’t be a surprise that many of the people living in Miami are from Cuba and that is what makes Little Havana so amazing! Latin music can be heard at all hours of the day and night and authentic Cuban cuisine can be found at any of the restaurants in the area.
Miami Zoo
There are more than two thousand animals to see at this zoo and visitors can even interact with many of them during their time there.
The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
This breathtaking attraction is one of the most popular areas of the city. The museum has thirty-four rooms that look out onto the courtyard and they are all filled with art from the 15th through the 19th centuries. Everyone will want to walk around the grounds after they see the inside, as the ambiance is worth the extra time.
The Everglades
Out of all the attractions and things to do in Miami, every traveler will want to take the time to visit the Everglades. This massive area covers approximately twenty-four hundred square miles, which means that there is plenty of space for everyone! Visitors can take one of the popular gator tours on an airboat or they can hike the trails as they keep an eye out for the local wildlife.
One of the best spots in the Everglades is the Wilderness Waterway, which is ninety-nine miles long. People can be seen out along the waterway in kayaks and canoes, as they paddle along in search of an alligator or the birds that spend time in the vegetation down near the water.
No one will be able to resist participating in one of the ranger-led programs, as it is an excellent way to learn more about the history of the Everglades and how it turned into the destination that it is today. Many of the programs include hikes, canoe trips, tram tours, and slough slogs, but the most popular are the campfire programs.
Miami is such a fantastic place to visit, which is why every traveler should have it as one of their destinations for a future vacation. There is plenty to do in the area and people will find themselves having one adventure after another until it is time for them to leave and return home reluctantly.
