While Miami is teeming with white sand beaches, the hottest restaurants, iconic museums, and historic districts, the city is also filled with hidden treasures. From the floating homes of Biscayne Bay to a mysterious castle, Miami has plenty of unusual attractions just waiting to be discovered.
The team at Miami Culinary Tours has explored the width and breadth of the city on our Miami Food and Culture Tours, uncovering new delights everywhere we go. We’ve created this article on some lesser-known gems to visit in Miami, Florida that are sure to make your trip one to remember.
Ready to discover a different side of Miami? We’re here to guide you off the beaten path! Should you have any questions about our culinary tours in Miami, feel free to get in touch with our team.
In the blue waters of Biscayne Bay, an unusual scene emerges from the ocean. A group of homes built on stilts have stood here since the 1930s, creating a fascinating seascape. Known as Stiltsville, these homes are no longer occupied, but they have played a major role in Miami's history since their construction.
The infamous “Crawfish” Eddie Walker built the first stilt homes, allegedly to run a gambling outfit. More homes went up over the years and Stiltsville gained notoriety as a hub for parties and clubs attended by celebrities, businessmen, and socialites. While many of the homes no longer stand, having been wrecked by storms and fires, you can still see the remaining stilt homes on a boat tour.
With its towering skyscrapers and urban design, Miami is the epitome of modernity. Yet, this city has a little-known ancient history, which you can discover at the Miami Circle National Historic Landmark. This unique archaeological site was uncovered in 1998 and is believed to date back over 2,000 years. It forms a 38-foot circle consisting of post holes which would have formed the basis of a structure used by the Tequesta tribe, who inhabited South Florida as far back as 500 B.C.
Today, you can visit the Miami Circle at Brickell Point and learn more about the site from a series of informative displays. It’s also a popular dog park, enclosed by high-rises on one side and the ocean on another, creating a scene that encapsulates Miami’s past and present.
The Coral Castle is one of Miami’s most unusual attractions. This striking sculptural garden carved out of rock is known as “Florida’s Stonehenge” for its pervading mystery. While it is known to have been built by Edward Leedskalnin, supposedly after having been left by his fiance, how it was built has remained uncertain.
Leedskalnin created Coral Castle alone, carving his sculptures out of 1,000 tons of oolite limestone. Some say he had supernatural powers or uncovered the secret behind the creation of the pyramids. However Leedskalnin built Coral Castle, it’s a sight to behold. You can discover the enigmatic garden for yourself with a guided tour, where you will learn more about the story behind the sculptures.
During the day, SoundScape Park is a sprawling 2.5-acre urban oasis. At night, it turns into a hub of culture. This park was designed to complement the New World Center, home of the New World Symphony. When a concert is being held in the New World Center, it is projected onto a wall outside the building overlooking the park, meaning anyone passing by can enjoy the stunning music.
The park is free to access, allowing locals and visitors to pack a picnic, relax on the grass, and admire the orchestra play. Movies are also displayed on the WALLCAST at certain times of the year, making SoundScape Park the perfect place for a cultural night out at no cost!
Thanks to its romantic atmosphere, SoundScape Park is one of our 20 Things to Do in Miami for Couples. Check out our blog for even more ideas!
Dating back to 1924, the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables has attracted swimmers for decades. Created from a lime quarry, from which stone was excavated for the surrounding buildings, the Venetian Pool is filled with crystal-clear fresh water from an underground aquifer. With its flowing waterfalls, grottos, bridge, and towers, the Venetian Pool brings Mediterranean charm to the city. It’s the ideal place to be on a hot summer’s day, and it can quickly fill to capacity. Make sure to arrive early to claim your spot at this idyllic oasis!
These lesser-known gems are just some of Miami’s most eccentric features. While many may visit the city to explore its most famous tourist attractions, Miami has a quirkier side that’s just begging to be explored. To discover more of the city’s intriguing history and heritage, you can join Miami Culinary Tours for an excursion into local culture on a Wynwood Food and Street Art Tour or a Little Havana Food and Cultural Tour. Our expert guides will show you Miami at its most authentic, sharing with you all of the local lore and knowledge. Contact us today to find out more about our Miami tours!
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