Miami is called the Magic City because it is a city that grew overnight. It has a little more than 100 years. The word Miami comes from the River Mayaimi name gave by the first people called the Tequestas. The Spanish came to Florida, Juan Ponce de Leon was the first European to visit. A lot of natives came to Florida as US expanded to the West. The most commonly known tribes were the Seminoles and Miccosukees. Spain sold Florida to the U.S. It was hard to settle in this area because the Seminoles went to war many times against the government. Julia Tuttle and Mary Brickell persuade the millionaire Henry Flagler to extend his railroad to Miami (1896). Several years later John Collins and Carl Fisher became promoters of Miami. In 1959, the Cuban dictator Fidel Castro came to power, and a mass of people moved from Cuba to Miami. An invasion of Cuba was planned by the U.S. (“The Bay of Pigs”), but the Soviet Union threatened the U.S. with nuclear war. Miami is now one of the
most popular cities in the country. It is known as the capital of Latin America and has become an important port for business and pleasure as many cruises sail from there.
Want to learn more about U.S. history? Click Here!
I have prepared a two-day guide to help you cover the top attractions. If you wish to make your own, scroll down!
DAY 1
We will start at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens which is the former villa of businessman James Deering; it is inspired
in Tuscan Italian Renaissance style. After your visit head to downtown. We will spend most of the day here.
Our meeting point will be the Freedom Tower; it is the most famous landmark in Miami. It used to be the immigration
office to process Cubans. From here you have two museums close by the PAMM and the Phillip and Patricia Museum of
Science. If you decide not to enter the museums or you finished your visit, have some lunch in downtown. There
are a lot of places and cool rooftops. Bayside or Brickell City Center are excellent places to hang out. There is a funny water/land tour on a Duck that shows you the houses of the famous and you can take it Downtown;
otherwise, go to the next part of our tour.
Once you are done, head to Wynwood. This area has become a very popular site. It is famous for its painted walls,
restaurants and cool bars. Start at Wynwood Walls, the entrance is free and the artists change the art every now
and then. Here is a perfect site to finish the rest of the afternoon dining, walking, drinking or shopping.
Design Distrcit is besides this area.
DAY 2
On this day, probably you will need a car. Florida is not all about parties and shopping, there is also nature.
We will drive to Everglades National Park. You have two options: Take an Airboat to watch the alligators and
explore the swamps or rent a bike and do the 15-mile ride.
After the gators, if you still have energy, head out to Oleta State Park where you can rent a kayak and enjoy
Florida waters.
Our final part of the touristic tour will be Collins Ave on South Beach. Here you can find Versace Mansion which
is a Hotel and Restaurant. You are not allowed if you do not have a reservation. Finally sit down in one of the
restaurants to have a drink. I would not recommend eating here!
You can have dinner at Lincoln Road. Well that is it! Remember my guides are focused on the touristic attractions. Maybe you will be staying more days
in Miami. So enjoy the beach, shopping, partying and if you can rent a boat and go to a sandbar. Enjoy!
Make Your Own
- Wynwood Walls
- Versace Mansion and Collins Ave
- Villa Vizcaya & Gardens
- Everglades $
- PAMM Museum $
- Phillip and Patricia Museum of Science $
- Coral Castle $
- Oleta State Park $
- Duck Tour $
- Bass Museum $
- Freedom Tower
- Cape Florida Light
- Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami
- Venetian Pool
Downtown
There is not much to see in Downtown except at night. The most popular area is Biscayne Boulevard where you can walk from the PAMM to Bayfront Park. There are nice hotels but these are not close to the beach.
Brickell
This area is in Downtown. It has become the financial district and one of the most upscale areas. It has the best hotels in Downtown and rooftop bars.
Wynwood
Art / Hipster district. All the walls of the area are painted with street art. This area is excellent to walk, eat or have a drink. At night it becomes very popular among young people (20s - 30s).
Design District
It is an area that is growing very fast. They want to transform it into the most expensive area, as they have now expensive shops and restaurants. It is perfect area for Brunch.
South Beach
Art Deco! This is the best area to stay on my opinion. The best hotels start from 16 St. The beach is close and you can walk mostly everywhere. It is the most popular area in Miami. Most of the hotels here are famous for its pool parties.
Miami Beach
This area is after South Beach pretty much starts after 27 St. If you want a hotel close to the beach and with less party. Stay in this area.
Aventura
There is not too much to do in this city except for the Aventura Mall. This is more a residential area.
North Miami
Its popular for its expensive mall, Bal Harbour. There are a few good restaurants. There are hotels in this area as well. It is more family oriented area.
Miami Marlins (Baseball)
Season April - October
Miami Dolphins (Football)
Season September - January
Miami Heats (Basketball)
Season October - April
Florida Panthers (Hockey)
Season October - April
Miami United FC (Soccer)
Season March - October
Playoffs October - December
Miami Seaquarium
Monkey Jungle
Jungle Island
Miami Metro Zoo
Key West 165 miles
Southernmost point in the U.S. Snorkeling.
Fort Lauderdale 29 miles
Downtown of Broward County. Famous for its beaches.
West Palm Beach 71 miles
Expensive houses and famous for its golf courses.
Orlando 235 miles
Disney World, NASA, and Universal Studios.
St. Agustine 318 miles
Oldest city in the U.S.
St. Petersburg 270 miles
City in the Golf of Mexico. Bush Gardens.
Miami is a city to enjoy. There is not too much historical places because it relatively new; it has 100 years of being growing. Nowadays is becoming very popular because of its beautiful beaches, excellent nightlife, restaurants, and the unique mix of different Latin cultures. You can rent a car because everything in South Florida has some distance from point to point; however, if you are staying only in Miami area, you can move around with Ubers. Parking is expensive in Miami. This city is very open minded, so if you are not, be patient. You can stay a weekend in Miami and it will be perfect. I would not recommend more than 3 days. The Everglades are 40 min away from the city, so if you don't have a car, ask your hotel for a tour that includes transportation. Spanish is the dominant language in Miami even though English is the official. Clubs are expensive, so consider that as well. Collins Ave is an icon, but I don't really hang out in there because it is expensive and very touristic; however, if it is your first time, sit in a restaurant or bar and have a drink. While going out try to dress nice, most of the people dress nice at night; remember most of the population is Latin and they are used to dress to impress.
It is Miami, so anywhere you go you will have a great time. Here are some places that you might like to hang out
for a drink. Broken Shaker, Pawn Broker, SLS, Lagniappe & Sugar (Bars)
El Patio, Story, Mynt, La Victoria, LIV, & The Wall (Nightclubs)
Treehouse & Baru (local nightclubs).
Wynwood (bars)
Space, Nikki Beach, & Mangos. (classic and touristic nightclubs).
If your plan is shopping check out this malls: Sawgrass Mall, Bal Harbour, Aventura Mall, Lincoln
Road, and Brickell City Centre.
