Taking in everything from the untamed Everglades to the wild, raucous samba of Calle Ocho, the city of Miami attracts millions of visitors each year to drink in its incredible fusion ambiance.
Known as the Magic City after the extraordinary building boom of the 1920s which transformed the city seemingly overnight, the Miami of today is a tropical paradise of exquisite beaches, striking art deco architecture and voracious nightlife. Packed with high end shopping, a superb fine dining venues, fascinating museums and – of course – incredible Oceanside stretches such as Miami Beach and South Beach, Miami is popular with all kinds of visitors ranging from families to those seeking a romantic getaway. Needless to say, with such a hot nightlife, the city is also popular with the rich and famous.
Despite its reputation as a part town, Miami is an extremely family friendly destination. The Miami Seaquarium boasts literally hundreds of marine animal exhibits, including the extraordinary dolphin and killer whale shows the venue is famous for. Zoo Miami close to South Beach is also hugely popular with families – not least as its status as the US’ only tropical zoo means that it has a number of particularly rare species on display. For even more animal fun, Jungle Island on Watson Island offers fantastic walking trails that are sure to delight.
Miami itself is a very striking city and nowhere more so than at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a European-inspired estate brought alive by its exceptional collection of rare and beautiful orchids. The city is also famous for its Art Deco influences, which can be viewed most spectacularly at the Miami Beach Architectural District which boasts the largest collection of original 1920s and 1930s resort architecture in America. With the stunning beach just metres away, this is an ideal place to grab a cool drink at one of the many bars and enjoy the Miami sunset.
Whilst many consider Miami a summer city, one of the area’s most interesting events takes place in Winter when the Little Havana district plays host to the Calle Oche street festival – one of the largest in the world. A riotous celebration of Latin America culture, it is impossible not to be swept into the swirl of colour, food and music. Miami truly is a city that makes people come alive!
