Miami, Florida Travel Guide
About Miami
Miami is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida at the southern tip
and is one of the most popular cities visited by tourists from around
the world. Most arrive at Florida’s busiest airport: Miami International Airport.
Miami is also known as the cruise capital of the world with ships
sailing from Port Miami (located in Biscayne Bay) to destinations around
the world.
Miami weather is warm all year around
The weather in Miami is warm year around and usually very hot and
humid during the summer months. Most tourists prefer to visit during
October through April. Outdoor sports and swimming are open all seasons,
so be sure to take your swimming suit and plenty of cool clothing. A
sun hat and a good sunscreen are essential even in the winter months. In
Miami, dress is always casual, with sundresses, jeans or walking shorts
appropriate during the day. A few higher-class restaurants require
jackets and ties, but most do not.
Hundreds of thousands of Hispanic immigrants from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Central America and South America have settled in Miami. Spanish is spoken almost everywhere in the city. Many signs are in both English and Spanish especially those near the Latin district known locally as "Little Havana". Cubans originally settled in the area around Calle Ocho Street (Southwest Eighth Street) more than 20 years ago. Today, this colorful area embraces immigrants from all over Latin America.
Hundreds of thousands of Hispanic immigrants from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Central America and South America have settled in Miami. Spanish is spoken almost everywhere in the city. Many signs are in both English and Spanish especially those near the Latin district known locally as "Little Havana". Cubans originally settled in the area around Calle Ocho Street (Southwest Eighth Street) more than 20 years ago. Today, this colorful area embraces immigrants from all over Latin America.
© Mike Leco / USATourist.comMiami's prevalent Hispanic and Latino population is evident in many of its communities and neighborhoods.
Miami and Miami Beach are two different cities
Miami and Miami Beach are actually two distinctly different cities.
Miami Beach, located on the outer bank is almost exclusively tourist
orientated, and consists mainly of hotels and vacation apartments.
Miami, located on the mainland, is a cosmopolitan city with a distinctly
Latin American flavor.
Find cheap flights to Miami, Florida to experience this fun and exciting city.
South Beach
The Art Deco district of Miami Beach occupies a compact one-square
mile area roughly between Lincoln Road, Sixth Street, Ocean Drive and
Alton Road. It is a showcase for this early twentieth century art
movement and contains dozens of restored buildings with that
characteristic architecture. To help find your way around, visit the
Miami Design Preservation League's Welcome Center on 1001 Ocean Drive
(305) 672-2014. Pick up the league's audiocassette for a self-guided
introduction to the Art Deco Historic District. The South Beach section,
where fashion designer Gianni Versace lived and died, is one of the
trendiest neighborhoods in the world. It has hundreds of restaurants,
hotels, boutiques, and nightclubs. At some of the more popular
nightclubs, guests can wait hours in line before gaining entry, with
many of the clubs and bars staying open until after 4 a.m.
Although not legal, topless sunbathing is permitted in South Beach.
Although not legal, topless sunbathing is permitted in South Beach.
Cheap Flights to Miami
Accommodations
There is a wide variety of lodging choices in Miami including
high-end boutique hotels, national hotel chains, vacation home rentals,
and budget motels. You can find discount coupon codes to save money on your next Miami vacation.
Looking for a good room in a Miami Hotel? Visit EasyToBook.com.
Things to do in Miami
If you can tear yourself away from the beach, you might want to visit
the Parrot Jungle and Gardens, the Monkey Jungle, the Metrozoo, Vizcaya
(a fabulous Italian Renaissance-style villa), the Metro-Dade Cultural
Center, or the Holocaust Memorial. You can also take tours by boat,
plane, helicopter, walking or driving. All sorts of water sports are
available like boating, fishing, skin diving, snorkeling and water
skiing. Golf and tennis are popular. Horse racing, greyhound dog racing
and Jai alai are favorite spectator sports. Our Miami Attractions Guide
features more fun things to do in Miami.
Miami Beach provides plenty of nightlife. The large hotels have elaborate stage shows and you can find a free copy of "This Week in Miami-Miami Beach" at any hotel. It will list all of the current shows and entertainment attractions.
Miami Beach provides plenty of nightlife. The large hotels have elaborate stage shows and you can find a free copy of "This Week in Miami-Miami Beach" at any hotel. It will list all of the current shows and entertainment attractions.
Miami offers good dining and good shopping
Both Miami and Miami Beach offer many excellent restaurants with a
diverse selection of cuisine. Fresh seafood is the local specialty.
Joe's Stone Crab restaurant is a very popular Miami Beach landmark known
for its large portions of excellent food. Wherever you eat, be sure to
try some Key Lime Pie, a famous Florida dessert. Miami always
participates in Restaurant Week, usually during August or September,
with dozens of Miami’s finest restaurants offering a three-course meal
at special rates.
There are plenty of good shopping opportunities in the Miami area. For exclusive shopping, go to the Ball Harbor Mall. Other shopping centers include Bayside Market Place, Coconut Grove, The Falls, Aventura Mall and Cocowalk. If you are a serious bargain hunter, don't miss the 173-store Sawgrass Mills Factory Discount Mall in Sunrise, Florida 40 min north of the city. In the Little Havana area, there are many small shops with unusual and interesting items, but you may have to speak Spanish to get the best deals. Make sure to read our Florida Shopping Guide for more information on where to find the best shopping bargains.
There are plenty of good shopping opportunities in the Miami area. For exclusive shopping, go to the Ball Harbor Mall. Other shopping centers include Bayside Market Place, Coconut Grove, The Falls, Aventura Mall and Cocowalk. If you are a serious bargain hunter, don't miss the 173-store Sawgrass Mills Factory Discount Mall in Sunrise, Florida 40 min north of the city. In the Little Havana area, there are many small shops with unusual and interesting items, but you may have to speak Spanish to get the best deals. Make sure to read our Florida Shopping Guide for more information on where to find the best shopping bargains.
A word about personal safety
Safety and personal security are always
concerns in any large city. Miami received some unfavorable publicity a
few years ago when several tourists were robbed and murdered. The city
does have a high crime rate, but it is still relatively safe for anyone
exercising common sense. Do not venture away from the tourist areas into
dangerous neighborhoods after dark! Always lock cameras, luggage and
valuables out of sight in the trunk of your car! Never leave money or
valuables in your hotel room!
