For most, Miami is just another background to many Hollywood movies we’ve seen but never experienced – and that’s what makes it all the more exciting to explore! Miami is a coastal city located in the South of Florida, it’s the gateway to Florida Keys, the Everglades and has some of America’s best beaches.
From my personal experience, Miami is one of the best places I’ve been to in America. It’s rich in history, Latin American culture, and atmosphere.
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Take a food & culture walking tour in Little Havana ?
Little Havana is Miami’s vibrant Cuban heart, filled with Latin American restaurants, cafes, bakeries and more! Miami-Dade County’s population is roughly half Latin American – a large amount being Cuban. So it makes sense that this culture is spread all throughout the city. Little Havana is a neighbourhood just west of Downtown Miami – whilst the area itself is small, there is SO much to see and do!
I joined in on a food & culture walking tour for my time in Little Havana to make sure that I saw a little bit of everything – and learned a little along the way. Grasping some history for the area you’re exploring is completely underrated. While I’ve never been a fan of school – I find that the things I learn from walking tours allow me to connect to the destination so much more.
This was the tour that I joined – it cost about US$60 per person and ran for about 3 hours… Being vegetarian, some of the food choices for me were a little different – like plantain chips instead of Cuban sandwiches – which I liked! Cuban food doesn’t have a ton of variety for vegetarians but they definitely made sure I was included which was enough for me!
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Watch a Miami Heat game at FTX Arena ?
One of America’s most popular sports, NBA has been running since 1946. There’s really nothing like watching an NBA game in person – it’s completely different to watching it on-screen. The state of Florida has two NBA teams – Orlando Magic, and Miami Heat. Both teams have had success over the years, but Heat has had the most success overall.
Depending on how close you want to be to the court, the tickets don’t have to be all that expensive. The higher the seats, the cheaper – however the views are still great!
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Check out the Art Deco houses along Ocean Drive ?
South Beach is famous both for its 1960s art deco buildings, and its vibrant nightlife. For those interested in the area’s architecture, you can simply wander around by yourself, or join in on an arts & culture walking tour. The Art Deco Historic District can be found between 5th Street and 23rd Street, along Ocean Drive. Along the way you’ll probably spot the Art Deco Museum which sits within the Visitors Centre. If you want to understand a little bit more about the architectural heritage of Ocean Drive it’s a good place to start (with or without a tour!).
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Wander along South Beach ?️
When picturing Miami, most would immediately picture long white stretches of sand, rollerblades, and the art deco buildings of Ocean Drive. And most wouldn’t be wrong – South Beach is the perfect place to sit and enjoy some alfresco coffees/cocktails and people watch. For those keen to relax on the beach, you can wander down towards the ocean and check out the colourful lifeguard towers.
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Window shop at Bayside Marketplace ?️
For most, Bayside is a pick-up spot for Miami bus tours or day trips – for my Mum and I, it’s one of the few filming locations from one of our favourite family movies – Big Trouble.
“You can squirt me tonight down at Bayside?” You’re gonna remember that line when you’re an old dude”
No, It’s not really how it sounds. If you haven’t seen it – you should! If you’re curious what else you should watch while visiting Miami; check out my list here (coming soon).
Bayside Marketplace is located along the water’s edge of Biscayne Bay. It’s an open-air two-story shopping centre with Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel beside it. It’s also where you’ll find all of the best tour operators and souvenirs for your visit.
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Spot some crocs on an Everglades airboat tour ?
The Everglades National Park is a 1.5 million-acre wetlands preserve in Southern Florida. The area is known for its grassy wetlands, mangroves and marshes and abundant wildlife. To name a few, some of the Everglades native animals include;
- American Alligators & Crocodiles
- West Indian Manatees
- Water snakes & pythons
- Panthers
- Otters
- Plenty of birdlife
One of the most popular things to do when visiting the state of Florida is to jump onboard an airboat tour of the Everglades and spot some gators. There are many many operators that offer tours all over the everglades – prices vary based on the size of your tour and its inclusions.
Alligators have been found in Florida for centuries, and can be found in all 67 counties. They can be found roaming around just about anywhere – but typically inhabit areas like marshes, swamps, rivers, and the odd golf course!
While on an Everglades tour, most operators know who their local gators are, and where to find them. It’s fairly unlikely to go on a tour without being able to spot one!
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Drive down Florida Keys ?
Miami to Key West is a 165 mile drive that takes you across the Overseas Highway – one of the most scenic drives in Florida. It offers some of the most stunning scenery in Florida and can be completed in a few hours – but that’s only without stops!
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Watch some Live Latin Music & flamenco dancing along Española Way ?
Just around the corner from Ocean Drive is a lively pedestrian street called Española Way. As I walked between the alfresco seating areas I felt nostalgic of my time in Spain. The thoroughfare itself has plenty of options for tasty tapas dinners, paella, sangria and a touch of flamenco/salsa dancing!
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Wynwood Walls ??
Wynwood Walls is a unique outdoor museum that features huge, colourful murals and street art from artists all over the world.
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Enjoy the nightlife of South Beach ?
South Beach is so much more than it sounds, it’s the ultimate nightlife destination in Miami. Whether it’s wild day-time beach parties or under the neon lights of Ocean Drive there’s a little bit of everything. You can also find a lot of night clubs along Collins Avenue which is just a short walk from the waterfront.
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