Miami Holidays

Holidays in Miami

Often, it's the people of a city that make it unique. In this part of Southeast Florida, you'll find 400,000 of them.

Florida's capital, Tallahassee, is 410 miles away from Miami, while Biscayne National Park lies 20 miles away.

Not sure where the best place is to start your adventures in this fascinating travel destination? The PortMiami and the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens would be the obvious choice.

If you're holidaying with the entire family, outings to the Tower Theatre and Grapeland Water Park will no doubt put smiles on everyone's faces! If that isn't enough to wear the young ones out, why not make the trip to Everglades Alligator Farm and the Miami Children's Museum as well?

Press your hand up against the glass and watch the different underwater creatures go about their daily business at Miami Seaquarium.

Acquaint yourself with the animals, big and small, that call the Zoo Miami and the Jungle Island home. You can also learn about the world of our furry and feathered friends at the Zoological Wildlife Foundation and the Monkey Jungle.

Watch fearless drivers fly around the track at the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Afterwards, if you haven't yet scratched the itch, follow the oil fumes to the Miami Exotic Auto Racing.

There's nothing like a night out at a casino to kick start the festive spirit! Take on the baccarat dealer and watch the high-stakes gamblers or simply walk around and soak up the sights at the Magic City Casino and the Miccosukee Casino. The Casino at Miccosukee Resort & Gaming and Aquasino are also highly recommended.

This area takes its plant collecting seriously, so there are plenty of places where you can go and see botanic specimens from both local and international environments. A wander through the beautiful gardens at the Pinecrest Gardens and the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a must. For those who are more dedicated, the Kampong and the Miami Beach Botanical Garden also have some incredible displays.

From tossing a ball around to simply chilling out on the grass, there are plenty of reasons to head to a green spot like Biscayne National Park or Oleta River State Park. You can also sit down with your favourite read and watch life go by at Tropical Park and Bayfront Park.

It doesn't matter if you want to know the best cafe or where to venture after dark, you'll find the help you need at Art Deco Welcome Centre or Shark Valley Visitor Centre. Ernest F. Coe Visitor Centre and LGBT Visitor Centre Miami Beach are two more excellent places to get the inside scoop on things to see and do around town.

Find some peace of mind and see if you can spot the colourful birdlife at Bear Cut, a picturesque natural waterway.

If the ocean beckons, grab your shades and spend some time at Lummus Park Beach or Surfside Beach. You can also enjoy a leisurely walk along Crandon Park and Indian Beach Park.

Miami has a number of natural reserves, such as Flamingo Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. For those who haven't quite had their fix, Barnacle State Historic Park and Old Cutler Trail are a couple more worth checking out.

Interesting displays are waiting to be seen at the Frost Art Museum and Patricia And Phillip Frost Museum Of Science. They're calm sites to unwind or escape a rainy day. Want more? Also go to the Perez Art Museum Miami and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

The awesome scientific gizmos and gadgets on exhibition at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science could keep you stimulated for days on end. To get stuck straight into the most impressive stuff, you might like to check out if there are any upcoming guided tours.

Nowadays you don't need to travel the globe to experience the many wonders of the natural world. You can stop into places like the Jewish Museum of Florida and the Haitian Heritage Museum instead, where an incredible variety of weird and wonderful objects and specimens are concentrated all in the one place.

Whatever style of art floats your boat, there's a chance you'll find it in Miami. Why not start your day of gallery hopping at the Bass Museum of Art and the World Erotic Art Museum? If you're feeling inspired, also feast your eyes at the Bernice Steinbaum Gallery and the Wolfsonian Museum.

Learn about the influence that Miami's past people and events had on the country, and sometimes the world, at the Coral Gables Museum and the HistoryMiami. The Historical Museum of South Florida and the Sanford L Ziff Jewish Museum are also worth a trip for an even greater insight into yesteryear.

Travel back in time by visiting the University of Miami and Freedom Tower. They're excellent places to get a real sense of Miami's history. If you're still looking for more, the Holocaust Memorial and the Deering Estate at Cutler should be next on the list.

Make sure you take a few minutes to wander around Brickell Ave Bridge. This timeless structure has proudly stretched over the water for what seems like an eternity, adding a bit of old world atmosphere to Miami.

Get your fill of both spirituality and history at Ancient Spanish Monastery and Cloisters of the Monastery of Saint Bernard de Clairvaux. Our Lady of Charity National Shrine and Life Pointe Church also interest lots of spiritually curious travellers.

You'll probably think there's nothing left to do after exploring Miami's most impressive attractions, but don't check in for that flight home just yet. There are still plenty of surprises left. Why not spend time at the La Gorce Country Club and the African Heritage Cultural Arts Centre? The Miccosukee Golf and Country Club and the Hialeah Racetrack also promise a great day out.