Situated on Florida’s southern tip, Miami attracts visitors from all over the world with its unique fusion of urban thrill and glamorous beach scene. However, visiting Miami is differs greatly from visiting other popular Florida destinations because its cultural diversity, vibrant nightlife, and general hustle and bustle make it seem years away. To make it easier on first-time visitors, here are useful travel tips tips.
See the art scene
Miami may not have the highest number of museums, but art is felt and seen in every part of the city in the form of public art, various cultural centres, galleries and major art fairs. North of Downtown Miami is the Wynwood neighborhood teeming with unique street art and murals. The movement started in 2009 with the open-air Wynwood Walls, which incorporates 18 walls painted by international graffiti artists.
Since then, street art started spreading throughout the neighborhood with lots of exhibitions and events organized throughout the year. If you can’t make some of the events, you’ll still be able to see great artworks showcased in many of the participating art galleries all year round. The sizable Rubell Family Collection, Locust Projects and Spinello Projects, and Yeleen Gallery in Little Haiti are just some of the places surely worth a visit.
Visit History Miami
History Miami is the largest history museum in the state that may seem quite plain from the outside but offers rich and insightful content that takes you through the city’s history, from its humble beginnings as a mosquito-loaded swamp to the contemporary, bustling metropolis of today. Among many things, you’ll be able to an entire section about football and a whole gallery dedicated to folklore.
Travel tips on how to get around the city
Miami’s public transportation system is the biggest in Florida including buses, trolleys, Metromover, and Metrorail. Both the Metromover and Miami Trolley are free and can take you to the mainland portions of Miami but are also limited in scope. The Metrorail is an affordable option but it isn’t connected with Miami Beach. The Metrobus is the most extensive public transportation in the city but is delayed by the congested traffic.
For shorter distances, you should consider Freebee – a free electric car service accessible by the Freebee mobile app. You might also like the idea of renting a bike or going on foot. Parking in Miami is quite expensive, difficult to find, and rigorously enforced.
One of the best ways to see the city and many of its exciting areas is by taking Miami tours that will show you around the beautiful Key West. You can explore the dramatic underwater vistas, see the coastline area on the Gulf side of the island or discover different West town attractions with the amazing Key West tours.
You can also use the opportunity to see the magnificent Bimini Island, the sparkling Miami Beach, the splendid Star Island, the enchanting Little Havana, and get a taste of Miami’s diverse cuisine on an exciting culinary tour.
Go clubbing
Miami is one of the most exciting cities in the US when it comes to nightlife. If you love clubbing, this city is the best place to be! The usual entrance fee is around $20-30 with most drinks costing at least $10. Some of the places worth visiting are LIV Miami, E11even, and Basement which has an ice-skating rink and bowling lanes.
Explore Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
The 84-acre Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden provides a home to numerous tropical plants, flowers, and trees, some of which are very rare species. “Wings of the Tropics” is a live exhibition with 40 different species of butterflies, and you can also see a variety of other rotating exhibits, one of which is the widely popular Jurassic Garden with life-sized dinosaurs. This visit is a great escape from the noisy city and glaring sun, and you can choose to see the grounds on foot or take a 45-minute tram tour.
Explore the Art Deco Historic District
The Art Deco Historic District is an area of Miami Beach famous for its miscellany of over 800 Art Deco buildings. These buildings were all built in the popular French architectural style from the early 20th century, and are all located within one square mile. The best way to see them is by taking a walking tour that gives you the opportunity to go past the beautifully restored white and pastel-colored stucco buildings.
Visit the Vizcaya Estate
No visit to Miami can be complete without a stop at the historic 50-acre Vizcaya Estate. This European-style mansion offers an insight into the lifestyle of South Florida at the turn of the century. James Deering, a famous local industrialist built it to show off his wealth and filled it to the brim with Renaissance furniture and artwork. Its 10-acre Formal Gardens were designed to mimic France’s Versailles, but with native plants such as rare orchids, palm trees, and Cuban limestone.
Miami can be a tough cookie to figure out, but with these travel tips and tricks, you’ll be able to dodge the typical rookie traps many tourists find themselves falling into. Having the right information upfront can help you avoid crowded restaurants, disappointing clubs and getting swindled in various ways.