Miami is an exciting place to visit with some of the most beautiful
beaches in the USA. Half the population is Hispanic (mostly Cuban), and
there's a large influx of Jewish and Jamaican culture flourishing as well.
Miami Port
The port of Miami is the largest and busiest cruise port in the world
and makes Miami the cruise capital of the world. Most passengers embark
here on a cruise to anywhere in the Caribbean. The port hosts several major
cruise lines as Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Lines, and
Norwegian Cruise Lines. Almost eight hundred cruises start in Miami each
year. The port is located only 5 minutes from downtown on the north side
of Dodge Island. If you can you should spend two or three days sightseeing
in Miami.
Miami Airport
Miami International Airport (MIA) is the third busiest airport in the
United States. The port of Miami is only a 30 minutes drive away. To travel
from airport to cruise port, catch a taxi or catch the shared-ride blue
supershuttle bus.
Attractions
Downtown Miami
One of the features that sets Miami apart from other big cities is
the way it integrates itself with the water. To witness this, look no further
than the downtown waterfront area. Whether you're interested in history,
shopping, art or entertainment, you can't miss this scenic part of town!
Biscayne Bay
Many rich and famous people have their luxurious multi million dollar
homes on the artificial islands of the Biscayne Bay. The celebrity filled
islands are located between Miami Beach and Downtown Miami and known as
"Millionaire's Row". There is a mix of beautiful, extravagant, and luxurious
waterfront homes facing the Biscayne Bay. In front of Tommy Hilfiger's
villa lies one of his yachts with a helicopter on board.
Biscayne National Park
Southeast of Miami, this National Park is 99 percent underwater and
features colorful coral reefs and undeveloped keys in Biscayne Bay.
South Beach
South Beach (widely known as SoBe) is a well-known Art Deco era seafront
district with laid-back cafes, boutique shops, fine eateries, wonderful
people-watching, gorgeous historic hotels, a long, wide beach and funky
shops. SoBe is just a 20 minutes cab ride from the cruise port.
Hard Rock Cafe
The Miami branch of the the famous Hard Rock Cafe is located in the
southern most part of Bayside Mall by the Marina. Hard Rock Cafe is an
international chain of American-style restobars with live music performances
and a collection of rock and roll memorabilia. Every Hard Rock Cafe has
a local theme and in Miami it is the Hispanic culture.
Coral Gables
Coral Gables, known as "The City Beautiful", is a city southwest of
Downtown Miami with a wonderful Mediterranean flair and a timeless grace
and beauty. Built in the 1920s it is one of the first planned communities
in the United States. One of the mainstays of Coral Gables is the Venetian
Pool. This unique public pool was originally a rock quarry used as a source
of coral rock for construction.
Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove at the edge of Biscayne Bay is Miami's oldest district.
It is a charming walking village with tree lined streets. Founded in the
late 1800s it has a rich history. In the heart of coconut grove is the
cocowalk with plenty of stores, boutiques, small cafes, restaurants and
a movie theater. As well there is an impressive yacht club.
Art Deco District
The Art Deco District is the largest collection of Art Deco architecture
in the world. It is known for its colorful architecture and style and comprises
hundreds of hotels, apartments and other structures. They were erected
during the 1920s and 30s with distinct features including stucco walls,
flat roofs, and pastel-colored buildings that are a combination of industrial
and modern design. The buildings of the 1920s in the Art Deco District
are considered decorative while the buildings of the 1930s are considered
streamlined.
Fairchild Tropical Garden
Garden enthusiasts should make time to see Fairchild Tropical Garden
which was established in 1936. There are four thousand colorful and vibrant
species of plants including, cycads, ferns, orchids, aroids and bromeliads.
Little Havana
After Fidel Castro assumed power in Cuba in 1959, many Cubans emigrated
to Miami to get away from Fidel Castro's communist regime. Little Havana
is the district where lots of migrant Cubans live.
Bayside Marketplace
It's a short walk from the port to Bayside Marketplace, a popular shopping
mall. The mall is open air, so can be very hot in summer. It has lots of
cafes, fashion stores, tourist stalls and eateries.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is located at the southern end of
Key Biscayne barrier island. It is the home of a historic lighthouse originally
constructed in 1825 then rebuilt in 1846. There's lots to do at the park
including surfing, sunbathing, picnicing, swimming and hiking along over
a mile of sandy Atlantic coastline.
Everglades National Park
Many companies offer a ride on an airboat into the Everglades National
Park. At Gator Park, you'll see all kinds of wildlife such as: alligators,
turtles, snakes, fish and exotic birds.
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