Miami is synonymous with tropical beaches and a festive atmosphere, but this is not all it offers. The city center combines the urban with the traditional, business with entertainment. These are the best places of interest to explore in Downtown Miami.
History in Downtown Miami
Miami was founded in 1896. Since its creation, it has been a popular destination for visitors, as well as a settlement for people from different backgrounds. Its downtown, known as Downtown Miami, is today a vibrant place for business, culture and entertainment.
This location preserves some historical sites, which represent the spirit of the city and attract tourists from all over the world.
Flagler Street
The railroad entrepreneur Henry Flagler, recognized as a promoter of the development of Florida and founder of Palm Beach and Miami, built in the late nineteenth century the first train line to reach the south of the state.
Later, he built the Royal Palm Hotel in the area; the first in the city that would be known as Miami. Flagler Street, where the lodging was located, is today one of the oldest streets in Downtown Miami. In it there are several shops, especially family businesses. Souvenirs, electronic devices and jewelry stand out.
Gesu Church
This temple of colonial architecture is the oldest Catholic church in Miami. It was built during the founding of the city, in 1896. In 1974, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Freedom Tower
This colonial-style building dates back to the 1920s. It was initially the headquarters of the Miami Times. Then, it was the headquarters of the US government entity that processed stay documents for Cuban immigrants, between 1962 and 1974. For this reason, the tower is known as the Ellis Island of the South. Today it is home to the Museum of Art and Design (MOAD).
Brickell Avenue, the Wall Street of the South
The Brickell Business District is the financial center of Miami. Brickell Avenue is its main thoroughfare. It resembles Wall Street, in New York City. As expected, it is a business hub in various industries.
The area exhibits numerous tall buildings with glass windows, many of them headquarters of international banks. It is also known for its luxurious condominiums. This city landscape makes Brikell a tourist attraction in Miami. The best panoramic view of the Downtown Miami skyline can be seen from the Brickell Bridge.
Biscayne Boulevard: A Downtown Miami Classic
It dates back to the 1920s, when it was designed as a shopping street. It is currently home to some of the city’s most popular cultural centers and other sites of interest. Likewise, it gives rise to multiple businesses due to its variety of establishments and networking opportunities.
Bayside Marketplace
This open-air market sits above Biscayne Bay, or Biscayne Bay, which is the stretch of water that separates Downtown Miami from Miami Beach. It is an ideal place for shopping, as it has more than 140 stores. It also has numerous restaurants and bars. From the Bayside Marketplace you can take short cruises to admire the landscape of downtown buildings on the water.
Perez Art Museum Miami
This museum is famous for its collection of Latin American art. The building as such is worthy of admiration, with its gardens, galleries and outdoor plaza. It was designed by renowned architects Herzog & de Meuron.
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Renovated in 2017, this science learning center has four buildings. They are home to an aquarium, a planetary dome and dozens of interactive exhibits. It is open every day of the year.
Bayfront Park
The twelve-hectare urban park is frequented for its children’s facilities and memorials. Likewise, for its sandy area with furniture to relax in front of the bay. The park also offers outdoor activities such as yoga, pilates and trapeze classes. From Bayfront you can see the Port of Miami, considered the most affluent in the world. Not for nothing is the city called the cruise capital of the world.
Shopping in Downtown Miami
Aside from Bayside Marketplace and Flagler Street, there are other places to shop in Downtown Miami.
Brickell City Centre
Opened in 2016, this complex spans three streets in downtown Miami. In it, visitors find recognized and popular retail stores. Likewise, they can enjoy specialized and designer boutiques. Brickell City Centre also has restaurants serving international cuisine. The entertainment experience is even completed with a luxury cinema serving gourmet food.
Mary Brickell Village
This open-air mall houses multiple stores selling clothing, shoes, accessories, and jewelry, among others. On site stands The Village Humidor, a premium cigar and tobacco shop. The business has a special lounge area to enjoy its products.
Other must-see sites in Downtown Miami
Downtown Miami offers a great diversity of experiences for tourist and business visitors. Below are other activities to enjoy with family, friends, partners or clients.
Entertainment at American Airlines Arena
This massive 19,600-seat stadium is home to the three-time NBA championship-winning Miami Heat basketball team. When it is not used for sports competitions, it is the scene of concerts by artists of international stature.
Salsa classes at the InterContinental Miami hotel
This hotel offers free salsa lessons at its famous Bluewater Rooftop Café. The bar, known for its cocktails and swimming pool, welcomes every Friday those who want to improve their dancing skills. Regularly, the teachers are the best dancers and instructors in town.
Culture at the historic Olympia Theatre
What in 1926 was the first silent film theater in Miami is today the scene of dance, music, comedy and film shows. The Olympia Theatre, in Arabic architectural style, was restored in 2010 to its former glory. Today it is a beautiful enclosure of golden walls and blue roofs, with red velvet seats.
Nature in Virginia Key
Just across from Downtown Miami is Virginia Key. It is a perfect destination to be in contact with nature very close to the city. The 349-hectare site offers various activities such as kayaking, fishing trips, manatee safaris and yoga classes. Between the months of November and April, and during the night, you can admire the spectacle of bioluminescent plankton in its waters.
Downtown Miami is an ideal area to do business and enjoy the unique appeal of Florida. Its spaces for entertainment, culture and tourism offer an unmissable opportunity to take advantage of the charm of Miami. Become part of this extraordinary city.
References
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Brickell and Downtown: Financial and multicultural center. El Nuevo Herald. Retrieved from https://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/finanzas/acceso-miami/comunidades/article110578642.html
Gress, J. (October 15, 2018). Where to shop in Downtown Miami. [Mensaje de blog]. Retrieved from https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/things-to-do/shopping/where-to-shop-in-downtown-miami
Sabrina. (November 7, 2019). Downtown Miami: our insider guide. Miami’s Manhattan. [Mensaje de blog]. Retrieved from https://www.loving-miami.com/downtown-miami/
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Vincent, J. (December 4, 2019). Must-Visit Attractions in Miami. The Culture Trip. Retrieved from https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/florida/articles/20-must-visit-miami-attractions/
