Miami is the Dade County seat. Many people view it as Florida’s cultural center. There are tons of exciting restaurants, nightclubs, and tourist attractions there.
The Miami party scene might not be quite what it usually is this year due to Covid-19 concerns. However, you can still visit there from out of town and enjoy yourself, provided you take the proper precautions.
Here are four of the best things that you can do in Miami if you’re an out-of-towner.
Hit the Beach
Miami boasts some of the world’s most gorgeous white sand beaches. It’s legal to drive to the beach barefoot, and if you have a vehicle with no top, you’ll smell the salt air clearing your sinuses before you ever see the ocean. Some of the best Miami beaches include:
- Hobie Island Beach Park
- Lummus Park
- Crandon Park
Hobie Island Beach Park is a local favorite because of the windsurfing that you can do there. Lummus Park is another popular one because, besides beach access, there is also a playground for the kids and fitness gear for the adults. You can get your pump on while keeping an eye on your youngsters nearby.
Crandon Park has a beach, and also a nature preserve and carousel.
Bayside Marketplace
If shopping is more your speed, then the Bayside Marketplace might be right up your alley. It is a two-story shopping center that’s right out in the open air. This is the spot for:
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Family events
- Daily live music
There is also an open container policy, so if you want a little eye-opener, you can get it in a to-go cup and walk around without the police hassling you. There are over fifty kiosks and carts, so you can shop for some new sunglasses as you sample a Cuban sandwich or crab cakes.
The seafood is always fresh at the market, and you can get a good dose of the local color.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Maybe you’re looking for some lush plant life, antiques, and art. You can get all three at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
Located near Biscayne Bay, this is James Deering’s former estate. Deering was a wealthy businessman, and this palatial mansion is the pride of Coconut Grove, one of the most exclusive Miami neighborhoods.
Here, you can see Italian Renaissance-style Gardens, historic village outbuildings, a native woodland landscape, and classic architecture. The house and grounds are examples of the Tuscan Italian and Veneto models.
You can also see some distinctly Baroque elements. It’s gorgeous, and if you favor a more subdued vibe than the bustling streets, you can go there and spend a few hours quietly contemplating or strolling hand-in-hand with a loved one.
Miami Seaquarium
This popular attraction is one of the best places to take your kids, but adults also enjoy it. It is on Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay, located close to downtown Miami. You get access to 38 acres of exhibits and hundreds of marine mammals.
The Seaquarium is home to sharks, manatees, reptiles, fish, birds, and sea turtles. They have overnight camping and Boy Scout events for the locals, but they welcome visitors from all over the world. More than half a million individuals visit the facility every year.
The staff is very friendly, and they’ve packed the gift shop with items that will remind your kids of the fantastic day they had. This is their opportunity to get up close and personal with a wide variety of amazing marine animals.
If you’re more adventurous, you also can do things like paddle boarding, jet boating, and boat rentals. Miami has some of the best fishing in the country, so if that appeals to you, you can charter a boat and head out after marlin or less ambitious prey.
You can easily put in a whole day out on the water, and then come back and try out one of the fine-dining spots like Mandolin Aegean Bistro or KYU. If you’d prefer not to dine out because of the pandemic, you can always get some takeout and head back to the hotel.
The longer you stay in Miami, the more you might fall in love with it. It can get expensive for tourists, but the locals are so friendly, and there’s so much to do.
The laid-back Miami lifestyle attracts some tourists so much that they end up moving there. If you visit, be aware that this city can cast a spell on you.