Whether it's riding high over downtown Miami on the MetroMover
or cruising the canals of Miami Beach, there’s plenty
to see and do in Greater Miami and almost as many ways to see
it all. From
swamp buggies to the Heat Wave bus to personal watercraft,
MetroRail, parasail or tap-tap jitney; tours
and transportation
are abundant here and extremely useful when one is
attraction-hopping.
Often
overshadowed by sunny beaches and lovely palm trees
is Miami's prolific art scene,
which is quickly becoming one of the best in the
country. Visitors should be aware that Miami's
diverse culture converges in the arts. With
outstanding historical museums
such as the Wolfsonian, the Holocaust
Museum and the Historical
Museum of Southern Florida, the city's art scene
addresses every era of its young existence, as well
as most of the world's. For pure art
lovers, the Bass
Museum, Miami
Art Museum and the Museum
of Contemporary Art are among many museums and galleries
created just for you. In addition, Vizcaya
and the Barnacle
State Historical Site portray a young Miami,
with an historical insight. And
finally, for true tropical philosophers and
wonderers of the area's biodiversity, the Miami
Museum of Science and the Space
Transit Planetarium show how mankind and nature
evolved on the southern tip of the Florida
peninsula.
Other
intriguing attractions also keep many visitors busy.
From historical landmarks
such as the Gold
Coast Railroad Museum and the Holocaust
Museum, to lush tropical parks such as Fairchild
Tropical Garden and Bayfront
Park, Miami attractions are as diverse as its
people.
On
a grander scale, Miami is also famous for its
multicultural and tropical neighborhoods.
For instance, there's the majestic and beautiful Biscayne
Bay and Key Biscayne;
the unique Stiltsville, where a
handful of residents built their bay-side homes on stilts;
and the impeccable Virginia
Key district, where you can lie back on the sand and watch
the influx of planes and
ships while you catch some rays.
Miami
is numero uno when it comes to world-class shopping,
as it is home to hundreds of commercial and
specialty stores that could please just about any
wallet. Looking for big-name retail outlets? Head on
over to Miami
Beach for some of the grandest shopping outlets
this side of the Mason-Dixon line. Do your outdoor shopping at Coco
Walk and Mayfair
for a wild tropical flair while browsing the many
specialty shops. For you upscale shoppers, 
Bal
Harbour Shops is the place for you. And for
you individualists, the eclectic Lincoln Road Mall
and the famed Miracle Mile
are sure to inspire the material maniac in you. Of
course, there is also standard shopping at the many conventional
enclosed malls located all
over town. Without a doubt, Miami
has everything you're looking for when it
comes to shopping.
If
the above attractions don't appeal to you at all,
then you must be a sports
buff, or maybe just really confused. Nonetheless,
athletics is a huge part of Miami culture. The city is home to the NFL's Miami Dolphins,
the NBA's Miami Heat, the 1997 World Series champion Florida
Marlins, the Ericsson Open tennis tournament, the
University of Miami Hurricanes and much more. Also,
the NHL's Florida Panthers are just a
short ride north in Broward County at the National
Car Rental Center.
Bringing
the kiddies along? Well not to worry because 
Miami
has a multitude of family attractions that appeal to
all ages. Be sure to check out some fun and
educational attractions such as the Miami
Seaquarium, the Monkey
Jungle, the Parrot Jungle, and the excellent MetroZoo.
These places are perfect for bringing a date,
especially when it's
raining.
Looking
for attractions that are a little less touristy?
Check out some unique-only-to-Miami sites,
such as the unparalleled Coral
Castle,
the quirky Art Deco District
and the wonderous Venetian Pool.
Then
there 
is Little Havana, where
stogie enthusiasts can
visit the El Credito Cigar
Factory and watch workers craft those amazingly
tasty Cuban cigars. In the vicinity is Calle Ocho, the main
strip of Miami’s
bustling Cuban community.
Some
of the greatest music in the
world comes from Miami. The city's magical combination of salsa, meringue, tejano, disco,
rock, blues and cool jazz creates sounds here that
can be imitated nowhere else.
Even
with all of these wonderful things to do, a stay at
Miami is not complete without at least checking out
the many glorious hotels
available.
Examples include the historic Biltmore in
beautiful Coral Gables,
and the colorful Art Deco hotels
at Miami Beach. Plush!
