Travel Guides > Miami, FL

Miami Travel

For the young and glamorous set, Miami is the place to be and the place to be seen. Getting noticed is a popular pastime in Florida's most-visited southern city, with hundreds of young people covering the beaches by day and strutting their stuff each evening at the dozens of clubs that line the streets of the city.

Ever since its beginnings as a tourist area around the turn of the 20th century, Miami has been a playground for those who love warm weather, sand, and surf. The city experienced in a boom in the pre-Depression 1920s, with more than 1,000 subdivisions being built during that time. While Miami remained a community with a large Jewish population through to the 1950s, Fidel's presence in Cuba, beginning in 1959, brought hundreds of thousands of Cubans to Miami. They were followed by others of Hispanic origin, making it the melting pot that it is today.

These days, South Beach, also known as SoBe, is the premiere attraction in Miami. Not only will visitors find excellent beaches here, but they'll also enjoy cool art deco buildings, a wide variety of restaurants, and nightclubs that seem to keep going until dawn. South Beach is a real draw for the young crowd, while other beaches like Crandon Park Beach and North Shore State Recreation Area are attractive to families.

If you're a fan of lighthouses, be sure to make a stop at the Cape Florida Lighthouse. At more than 200-years-old, it's the oldest building in South Florida.

Looking for something a little unusual? Travelers to Miami love to visit the Coral Castle, an amazing one-man creation made of more than 1,000 tons of coral rock, all carved by hand. Twenty years in the making, this remains one of the area's top attractions.

While Miami has gained its reputation as a beach destination and warm weather resort, the city certainly doesn't lack for culture. The Miami Art Museum, built in 1996, was the city's attempt to establish itself in the world of fine arts. The museum boasts an impressive permanent collection and brings world-class temporary exhibitions to the area.

The Historical Museum of Southern Florida presents an outstanding look at the history of the Sunshine State, particularly the lower portion of the state. This museum also sponsors a number of special events, many appropriate for families.

Those traveling with kids will also want to make a stop at Parrot Jungle, the Miami MetroZoo, and the SeaQuarium, a 38-acre complex that offers daily dolphin, whale, and sea lion shows.

If you're into shopping, a trip to the Miracle Mile in the Coral Gables section of the city offers glitzy boutiques, designer clothing stores, high-end jewelry stores, antique shops, and plenty of places to grab a quick bite or enjoy a fine sit-down meal.