Miami Attractions

Not For Your Everyday Tourist…

Out of all the things to disagree on in life, there is not much debate on whether or not to vacation in sun-drenched Miami! Just the thought of finally planning that family or romantic getaway, or that unforgettable trip – should send you packing for your flip-flops!

Here in Miami we will help to further nourish your travel bug exposing you to more than the just the ordinary and everyday hearsay. To follow common practices I will help scratch off all the more familiar and traditional places first for those who are first time visitors, but then tempt you to venture in an array of other equally wonderful events and Miami attractions.

Everyone coming to Miami should set away time to visit all those places that make-up its history and culture unless you are here to implement serious partying with the elite and the famous. There’s no better place to start than at the beach. You might have heard this a thousand times but my challenge to you is to try to cover all grounds of South Beach in one day. Notice the key word is – try since there is just so much to see, eat, buy and do that you might not even get to experience it all in one trip. The undeniable Sobe nightlife for years has given plenty to talk about. For the younger crowds or young at heart, exceptional drinks and dancing could be found in the trendy fashion enforced night clubs like LIV, BED, the clubs from the Gansevoort Hotel and The W.

Miami things to do; the first time musts

For a more romantic note, I suggest Coral Castle in the Homestead area or a palace fit for a queen. The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is where you can literally get lost in the labyrinth of green shrubbery, exquisite flowers, and picturesque Italian and French décor. Right across the street you can spend family time at the Miami Science Museum where the day could end in some fun in the sun at the beaches of Key Biscayne. Go snorkeling and yes Dads even golfing is an option at The Crandon Park Golf Course once you are done with the beaches of course. Other fun family oriented classics are amongst The Miami Seaquarium, the new and improved Zoo Miami, the Miami Children’s Museum, Jungle Island, Monkey Jungle, and if you love nature then you’ll love the Everglades and the bug bites too…consider yourselves warned bring plenty of repellent!

Oh and try Bayside Miami. It’s like a mini city of shops, eateries, bands playing small concerts and even boat rides. You cannot leave without dancing to salsa on the Party Boat especially at night time. For more day boat activities I definitely suggest taking a small sightseeing cruise with Island Queen, or playing with Cats; Hobie Cats that is!

Once you have mastered the first time musts, you are ready to see Miami in a different light. These next set of places are more common amongst locals

Visit the people at Miami Catamarans for rental and lessons in sailing. Same goes for Reel Adventure Charters, where you can go deep sea fishing by chartering the “Spellbound.” Miami is also known for its casinos like the Miccosukee Indian Village where you can take the famous Airboat rides, or for more grown up festivities like the Seminole Hard Rock and Casino or Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino. What is less common among tourists is a more dress down option called the Magic City Casino. You get the only Vegas styled slot machines, plus a dog race show track.

Also on the same residential note, try “hitting the malls.” I suggest the Dolphin Mall so that you could try this casual tentative itinerary, after plenty of window shopping, get a chair massage before going on the perfect impromptu date. Get ready to mix dinner with your movie at the mall’s Cinebistro. This makes for a pretty complete day for two where you can enjoy dinner and drinks while watching a flick amongst a 21 yr old and over audience.

If you are the foodie type of traveler, you may want to pay a visit to the South Beach Food Tour. This tour will introduce you to the culinary scene of the Art Deco District.

Heading towards Coconut Grove and Downtown is also not a bad idea if you are in the mood for good drinks at a lounge or a bar. The local scene will prefer this kind of hangout over the boisterous clubs many-a-times. This is where in South Miami around US1 some great upscale places rank within my favorites. Town Kitchen and Bar especially on Thursday Ladies Night, and Cavas where you can enjoy a pretty different way to taste numerous wines and sometimes listen to a live band. As an insider’s tip, ask to be walked to where they have the “Honey Wine.” Try it and do not “sample” but do a “full glass”… you can thank me later.

Now we enter the part where you should remain open minded to try new things

In a less frequented part called Homestead exists the freshest way to try some mouth-watering foods. A place I love and respect for its commitment to enhance and educate South Florida’s palate. I insist you visit Paradise Farms Organic. They have remarkable elegant events called Dinner in Paradise from December to April where you can purchase a seat to dine gourmet top of the line menus from Miami’s Top Chefs. The owner, the farm and story behind the dinners will literally change the way you  think about food.

In this same area visit Schnebly Redland’s Winery where you’ll taste everything but ordinary flavors like avocado, lychee, and passion fruit wines. And last but not least a beautiful ranch called Good Hope Equestrian Center where all children and adults with mental and physical disabilities could also partake in amusing activities. “The center provides a safe, fun and effective medium for families to better understand, relate and communicate with each other while simultaneously providing equine rehabilitative activities to the family member”.

Switching gears to more Miami time sensitive events

The following will help you work around the calendar so that year after year you can plan accordingly and continue to enjoy them. In July, we have the swimwear fashion event of the year Mercedez-Benz’ Swim Week and the charitable Alonzo Mourning and Dwayne Wade Zo Summer Groove. We also have the biggest trade show event called the International POW WOW known to generate the largest visitor travel.

Miami is huge on all the Superbowl related parties, a yearly tattoo conference called Tattoo La Palooza that happens in June, and last but not least the Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival. For this one I recommend you book a room at the beach months in advance, so that after all the festivals are done you can easily attend the amazing after parties.

I hope to have provided more than enough activities to do here in Miami, to counteract the misconception of it only being about the nightlife. The “Magic City” clearly has so much more to offer!

by Gisset Laverde

Design District Food Tour