Miami has oftentimes been referred to as an imperfect paradise in that it is still growing and developing like a young teenage beauty. The city displays an air of cockiness, is exasperating yet lovable, and is to grasp the latest fashions and fads. As cities go, Miami is relatively young in that a century ago it was an Indian trading post located in the midst of mosquito-infested swampland.
My how that has changed! The beaches, the shopping, the cultural mix, and the variety of cuisine all make the city worthy of a visit. In addition to the sights and sounds of Miami, there are neighboring communities worth exploring while vacationing here. The cities of Doral, Hollywood, and St. Petersburg Beach are worth visiting and exploring as well. Here are some ideas for attractions and sightseeing while you are in the Miami area.
There are 3 beaches that comprise the Miami ocean shore area:
- Mid-Beach – actually called Miami Beach and is the area between 23rd and 63rd Streets
- North Beach – runs from 63rd Street north and forms the northern tip of the island
- South Beach – runs from the island’s southern tip up to 23rd Street
Other attractions to see while you are visiting the area include:
- Ancient Spanish Monastery
- Miami Metro Zoo
- Miami Seaquarium
- Oleta River State Recreational Park
- Venetian Pool
Located in Miami-Dade County’s north central region, the City of Doral is known for being the home of the Carnival Corporation’s (Carnival Cruise Lines) headquarters. The city is a golfer’s paradise with the top three choices being the Doral Resort’s:
- Blue Monster golf course
- Gold golf course
- Red golf course
Hollywood is another one of Florida’s many coastal cities that is located in between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. One of the two main reasons that many tourists visit the city is because of the Seminole Indian Reservation’s Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and the Okalee Indian Village. Here are a few more choices for things to see while in Hollywood:
- Art and Culture Center of Hollywood
- Downtown Hollywood (lots of entertainment, galleries, restaurants, and shops)
- John U. Lloyd Beach State Park
- Seminole Casino Hollywood
Finally, no trip to the Miami area is complete without visiting St. Petersburg Beach. St. Pete Beach is located in the Tampa Bay area near the city of St. Petersburg. Notable attractions in the city and surrounding area includes:
- The Beach Theater
- Dolphin tours
- The many Gulf beaches and the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum
- Hurley Park
- Fort de Soto Park
All of these are our recommendations for what you want to see and do when vacationing in the greater Miami area. However, if you check any of the numerous travel sites online, you will most like find many more interesting and worthwhile things to see and do.
Top 3 Hotels in Miami:
Ocean Surf Hotel
This Art Deco hotel is across the street from a stretch of white sand and great clubs and bars.
Rooms from € 32
Hotel San Juan
The San Juan Hotel enjoys a great location on Collins Avenue in South Beach Miami.
Rooms from € 43
Miami Beach Resort
The oceanfront Miami Beach Resort is located in Miami Beach, Fla., less than two miles from the Miami Beach Convention Center. € 62
Photo by wallyg
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