Miami, FL Travel & Vacation Guide

What to Know

Travelers from around the world visit Miami for its famous beaches, glitzy nightlife, glamorous fashion scene, exclusive shops, Art Deco architecture and more. South Beach is, after all, the most popular spot for wild, bikini-clad spring breaks. But there's another side to Miami, that can be found in its neighborhoods and off-the-beaten-path locales. From neighborhood Cuban restaurants serving mouthwatering "arroz con pollo" to the cutting-edge, independent art galleries in North Miami, this tropical playground offers a diverse array of attractions and entertainment. Most visitors think of the city of Miami and its across-the-bay twin city Miami Beachas one entity. However, each is a separate community with its own flavor and attractions.

With the largest Latin American population outside of Latin America itself (nearly 65 percent of its population), much of Miami’s culture, entertainment and food have Latin American influences. Spanish is widely spoken in Miami, and while English is still the city’s primary language, it’s not unusual to encounter people who speak only Spanish. A trip to Miami is not complete without visiting Calle Ocho, otherwise known as "Little Havana", which boasts authentic Cuban restaurants, hand-rolled cigars, fruiterias, and windows selling the Cuban coffee drink cafecito for only 25 cents.

In Miami, eating is one of the best ways to experience this city’s diversity. From authentic Cuban restaurants (try El Pub in Calle Ocho) to an array of spots specializing in seafood, Miami offers an amazing array of incredible restaurants. It was the birthplace for the trendy "New World" cuisine in the ‘90s, a type of food also know as "Nuevo Latino" or "Florribean" that blends Latin American and Caribbean culinary traditions with technical European cooking skills. To sample this unique cuisine, check out restaurants like Norman’s (chef Norman Van Aken) and Chef Allen’s (chef Allen Susser).

Where to Go

South Beach is the quintessential Miami hot spot, a major entertainment destination with hundreds of nightclubs, restaurants and oceanfront hotels. Coinciding with the city’s revitalization efforts in the ‘80s, the TV show "Miami Vice" actually played a role in the city’s revival. Before the show’s popularity, much of what is the now trendy South Beach was seedy and crime-ridden. Two areas of SoBe that tourists should not miss are Lincoln Road, an open-air pedestrian mall, and Ocean Drive, home to many of the area’s hottest nightclubs. Don’t miss seeing the historic Art Deco district between 24th Street southward to First Street in Miami Beach.

The Miami MetroZoo has become one of the best zoos in the nation. Its warm climate allows it to house a wide variety of animals from Asia, Australia and Africa, and it wass one of the first zoos in the country to be free range and cageless.

The 50-acre, European-style estate of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens on Biscayne Bay is a must-see, with lavish furnishings, historical art and beautiful gardens.

The Everglades National Park is the only park of its kind, with its 1.5 million acres of swamps, saw-grass prairies and sub-tropical jungles. The park is home to many endangered species, including the American crocodile, the Florida panther and more.

Then are also plenty of family-friendly tropical attractions like the Miami Seaquarium, Monkey Jungle, Parrot Jungle & Gardens and Dolphin World.

When to Go

Miami has a tropical climate resembling that of the Caribbean, with only two definable seasons as far as weather goes-summer and winter. Summers are hot and humid and often rainy (from May through September) with temperatures predominantly in the 80s. Winters are cooler and drier but still warm (with temps in ranging from the 50s to 70s). The city does experience some cold fronts from November through March but most of the year is warm and humid.

If you don’t mind crowds, summer is the best time of year to check out all of Miami's many festivals-including the Brazilian Film Festival, the Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival and the Tropical AG Fiesta, to name just a few.