Places to Visit & Things to Do in Miami
Known for the best beaches in the United States, exceptional nightlife, Art Deco architecture and a strong culturally Caribbean vibe, Miami has justifiably earned the name Magic City. With stunning street art, delectable food and the alluring ocean never far away, it’s impossible not to be enchanted by this city.
Sights & Attractions in Miami
The Art Deco District paints the quintessential image of Miami, with quirky architecture reminiscent of the decadent 1930s. Drop by the Miami Design Preservation League for a self-guided audio tour of the area with the highest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world: it goes along Ocean Drive before diverting through nearby streets. Be sure to visit again at night when the buildings are lit up with neon.
Lesser known is the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, a must for horticulturalist and anyone else with an interest in flora. Covering 83 acres, find an extensive collection of tropical plants as well as a learning centre, concert hall, learning facility and cultural centre.
Over on Key Biscayne, the island is home to Crandon Park in the north and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in the south. Try not to miss the nature trails and the Cape Florida lighthouse at the island’s most southerly point. Another spot for gorgeous ocean views is South Pointe beach, dotted with colourful lifeguard towers, where you can watch the cruise ships roll in.
Art & Culture in Miami
Miami’s well-developed art scene is heavily influenced by the strong imprint of Caribbean communities, especially Cuban and Haitian. Start with the stunning Pérez Art Museum Miami in Downtown Miami, it focuses on local artists as well as those from Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Next head to al-fresco hub Wynwood Walls, near Midtown, where you’ll find more than 70 galleries dedicated to street art. Located in the old manufacturing district, street and graffiti artists have transformed the walls of former warehouses into canvasses depicting colourful and captivating works of art. Spend some time in Little Havana, discover Calle Ocho which is adorned with colourful murals and is home to the Latin Walk of Fame.
Shopping in Miami
Locally-grown retailers line the storefronts at Miami Beach’s Sunset Harbour Shops. For commercial stores and big box names, meander through Lincoln Road. If you’re looking for high-end retail therapy, head north on Collins Avenue to Bal Harbour Shops, where Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue anchor designer outposts.
Back inland, big spending and luxury labels have invaded the Design District: Cartier, Tom Ford, and Louboutin are among the many fashionable names reinventing the neighbourhood. Do stop into Wynwood Letterpress too, for inspired handmade cards and stationery: think local prints alongside delicate illustrations. Boutiques nearby also muse off the street art’s vibe, and the Wynwood Walls Shop sells books featuring the district’s artists. Further north in MiMo, the area’s mid-century furniture stores and funky thrift shops add an air of discovery to a shopping outing.
Bayside Marketplace in Downtown Miami is a top stop for shopping and entertainment. The two-storey structure is home to a number of restaurants and over 150 shops including boutiques and well-known brands. With free live performances and a picturesque waterfront location it’s a tranquil wind down after a day’s shopping.
Food and Drink in Miami
With a flourishing food and restaurant scene drawing on the multicultural influences flowing through the city there is an ample range to choose from.
Macchialina in South Beach has an award-winning wine list while Pubbelly Sushi in Miami Beach and four other locations is decorated as a local favourite. The Broken Shaker’s kick-back cocktail stylings and hipster leanings continue to lure weekend crowds, while its adjacent 27 Restaurant & Bar pumps out excellent home-style food. Top chefs have also planted sand-side roots: don’t leave without a reservation at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Matador Room.
For locally caught crab and key lime pie, don’t miss Joe’s Stone Crab. Leave room to sample some of Miami’s multicultural eateries; try delicious Peruvian food at Ceviche 105, visit Versailles for hearty Cuban fare, and Chef Créole Seasoned Kitchen serves up sumptuous seafood, Haitian-style. Even plant-based foodies are catered for at places like Full Bloom Vegan.
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The Hotel Collection (THC): The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more, with participating properties, made through Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service or American Express Travel Online (americanexpress.com.au/travel or americanexpress.com.au/thc; Online bookings currently only available to Primary Card Members. Bookings are valid only for eligible Card Members of the following American Express Cards: American Express® Rewards Advantage Card, American Express® Explorer Credit Card, American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express® Gold Business Card, American Express® Business Gold Plus Card, American Express® Platinum Card, American Express® Platinum Business Card and American Express® Centurion Card. Excludes Gold Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Rewards Advantage, Gold or Platinum Charge Card Members. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
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