Miami is the tourist destination par excellence. This city possesses qualities that captivate the most demanding visitors: a bright blue sky, white sandy beaches and a warm climate. It also has a vibrant and cosmopolitan nightlife and a multiculturalism that is expressed in the most varied gastronomy and in the way of being of its inhabitants. Therefore, sightseeing in Miami is a mecca for those who enjoy the experience of traveling.
According to data from the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the number of visitors has experienced continuous growth, especially in the last decade. This propensity is especially noticeable from 2017. Figures from 2018 show this trend; That year the number of visitors reached a record 23.3 million.
However, travelers don’t always have time to see and do all that this magnificent city has to offer. Especially if the objective of the visit is to make investments in Florida and Miami County. If this is your case, it is necessary that you know the key aspects to enjoy this city. It can be overwhelming to choose what to do among so many good offers of fun. That’s why we’re going to give you a guide to enjoy the life and movement of Miami during a weekend trip.
Tourism in Miami: the first tips
For sightseeing in Miami any time of the year is propitious. However, keep in mind that in the seasons of greater tourist influx for example, Christmas or spring break, you should schedule it in more time since there are a lot of tourism visitors and people who have Miami as a second home.
To get around during your weekend stay in Miami, you can make use of the taxi services available. Renting a car is recommended if your itinerary includes driving throughout the city. Renting a car is also useful if you are leaving Miami.
If you are staying in the city, there are other interesting ways to get around for sightseeing in Miami. These include the metrobus, the metrorail and the Brightline. This last means of transport offers the possibility of enjoying a drink while moving from one place to another. After choosing the transport of your preference, it is necessary to establish the itinerary to know the tourist attractions of Miami.
Tourism in Miami: practical guide to enjoy a weekend
1. Take a stroll through the Art Deco District
Sightseeing in Miami involves visiting its beaches, shopping and enjoying its nocturnal rhythm. It is also essential to know the architectural heritage of the city. Among these constructions are the buildings made in Art Deco style. To get to know them, you can take a quiet walk through the district where they are located. In South Beach there are more than 800 buildings that shows this style. As your stay is only one weekend, we suggest you see these ten buildings:
- The Webster.
- The Carlyle.
- Colony Theatre.
- Miami Beach Main Post Office.
- Bass Museum.
- The BreakWater.
- Cavalier Hotel.
- Mr. Frog’s.
- The Essex House.
- The Plymouth.
2. Visit Miami’s beaches
You can’t go sightseeing in Miami without visiting its beaches. Each one is different and is geared towards satisfying a specific type of audience. There are family beaches, beaches to go to party with a group of friends, beaches to visit with the pet. Even, beaches where it is not necessary to use the bathing suit. Among the best beaches in Miami are the following:
- Crandon Park Beach.Three kilometers of sand and sea make up this beach considered one of the best in the United States.During the weekends its atmosphere becomes ideal to enjoy with the family.
- Sunny Isles Beach.If you choose this beach, you can enjoy a sea of clear waters. It has restaurant services, public restrooms and parking.
- South Pointe Park.This beach is ideal to share with children and as a couple. Even at night its spaces are illuminated for the enjoyment of its visitors.
- Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Beach. This beautiful beach is almost 2 kilometers long. The lighthouse that guards it is the oldest structure in Miami County.
- Las Olas Boulevard in Ft. Lauderdale. There you have an ideal mix of an environment to enjoy with family or with your partner. It has a wide variety of first-class restaurants.
- Haulover Beach Park.Open sea and lots of waves. It has a large number of services. For example, tennis courts, areas to fly kites and play golf, also parking lots.
3. Get to know Little Havana
It is one of the most popular and unique neighborhoods in Miami. The focal point of this area is located on 8th Street. There are restaurants where typical dishes of Cuban cuisine are served. In the area there are also artisans whose task is to make tobaccos or cigars. Similarly, there are shops where you can hear dance music from other eras.
Part of sightseeing in Miami is observing everyday life in picturesque Little Havana. To do so, pay a visit to Máximo Gómez Park. There you will see games of dominoes or chess played by the residents of the area. Another alternative is to enjoy a traditional Cuban espresso or red coffee.
4. Get to know Everglades National Park
Visiting this national park of more than 6 kilometers2is an adventure. Imagine traveling at full speed aboard a hovercraft in search of alligators and crocodiles; dodging swampy terrain, long and fine boils, and thick vegetation. This is a unique experience that can materialize when sightseeing in Miami.
But that’s not all. Everglades National Park can provide you with other experiences. On the grounds of this World Heritage Site it is possible: camping, photographing the flora and fauna, boating and hiking. There is even a missile base located in the center of the park that you could also visit.
- Location: extreme southeast of Florida, about 70 kilometers from Miami.
- Hours of operation: every day from 7:00 a.m.
5. The Coral Castle
Miami has its own monument dedicated to love: the Coral Castle. The story of this tourist attraction has it that Edward Leedskalnin built it with his own hands. He used 20 years of his life to finish the work. His motivation was the love disappointment he suffered after his girlfriend Agnes Scuffs left him.
Until today it is not known how a single man managed to erect a work of such magnitude, but that does not take away its charm. When you visit this place you will see a Polaris telescope that still works, a 9-ton door that moves only with the touch of a finger and, of course, a coral castle.
- Location: 28655 South Dixie Highway in Homestead. About 45 minutes from Miami.
- Hours of Operation: Monday to Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
6. The Fairchild Tropic Botanical Garden
This eight-hectare garden is one of the most interesting places you can visit in Coral Gables. Have several hours to contemplate the flowers, fruits, lagoons and butterflies in it. There are more than 3,400 species on display. All have been carefully catalogued and arranged by ecosystems, which produces a beautiful landscape aesthetic. You can discover this paradise for yourself, opt for a guided tour or participate in a free excursion.
The Fairchild Tropic Botanical Garden also hosts concerts, educational activities and festivals. One of the most popular is the International Mango Weekend, held in July.
- Location: 10901 Old Cutler Road Coral Gables.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
7. Enjoy a promenade
Another ideal way to enjoy the sea while sightseeing in Miami is to go sailing. Sightseeing boat tours will not only allow you to enjoy the sun, breeze and crystal clear waters. Likewise, you will be able to know interesting facts about Miami, while recreating with the view of the coasts.
To make the tour there are several types of boats. From sailing and motor catamarans, to very fast or high octane boats. The tour you want to take can be personalized. For example, you could see the luxurious mansions located on Star Island and Fisher Island. It could also reach open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Sightseeing in Miamiis exciting. We hope our recommendations will serve as a guide for your next weekend stay in this vibrant city. Which attraction will you visit first?
References
Dolven, T. (2019, May 2). Miami tourism broke records in 2018. Here’s why officials think 2019 will be even bigger. Miami Herald. Retrieved from: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article229946509.html
Gil, V. (2019, June 10). Art Deco Miami and South Beach’s most beautiful buildings. Time Out in. Retrieved from: https://www.timeout.com/miami/things-to-do/art-deco-miami-tour
Sokol, B. (February 22, 2019). 36 hours in Miami and Miami Beach.New York Times.Retrieved on: May 22, 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/es/2019/02/22/espanol/cultura/que-hacer-en-miami.html
