Miami, Florida. Does hearing the name of any other city in the United States evoke the same mental picture of sultry nights, Latin style, beautiful people and a thumping nightlife? Surely, not. Whether one is visiting this tropical urban oasis for a day, a week or longer, there is plenty to see and do in “Magic City.”
For starters, the city itself is so visually appealing. The architecture of the city, heavily steeped in art-deco style, offers in itself a museum-like experience. Ocean Drive is lined with stunning 1930s-era hotels, comprising the world’s most significant assemblage of this type of architecture. Pristine white mid-century modern buildings provide the perfect visual foil to the pastel shades of the iconic art-deco buildings. The combined effect, juxtaposed against an often brilliant blue sky, turquoise ocean and swaying green palms, is a spectacular visual display.
Indeed, it is not just the swanky South Beach area that provides a visual palette for art lovers. Wynwood Walls, a large-scale exhibit of graffiti and street art, has transformed a gritty industrial wasteland into a destination in and of itself.
The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens offers a more genteel experience. Located just a mile southwest of downtown, this oasis, reminiscent of an ancient European mansion, offers an experience in tranquility, with a variety of art and furnishings spanning the 15th to 19th centuries on display. The highlight for many visitors are the spectacular gardens that adorn the grounds.
Of course, there’s much more to Miami than art. Zoo Miami entertains visitors of all ages. The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is one of the newest additions to downtown. The Lincoln Road pedestrian mall is a shopper’s paradise. Of course, no “must-do” list for Miami would be complete without mentioning the beaches (technically, located in Miami Beach, just across the causeway). Whether one wishes to stroll the promenade, sunbathe, enjoy the warm, crystal-blue waters, or just take in the scenery (including some of the most glamorous and beautiful people in the world), South Beach is the place to do it.
After a day of partaking any of the above activities, Miami’s dining and bar scene is not to be missed. Head to Espanola Way for some of Miami’s best restaurants. Finish off the evening in true Miami style with a stop at one of the many sophisticated rooftop bars.