Miami is like stepping into a different world and completely out of the realm of Florida. With so much Spanish and Cuban influence in the city, you’re just as likely to hear Spanish being spoken just as much or more than English. Miami has a lively art and culture scene, as well as amazing nightlife, food, and of course, beaches. If you want a getaway where the name “The Magic City” actually lives up to the expectation, visit Miami.
What to Do
If you’re in Miami, of course you’ll want to visit the beaches. There are many regular touristy beaches, but if you want to look for something a little different in a beach, go to one of these. Haulover Beach is a really beautiful beach that has gorgeous dunes, picnic areas, and also is a clothing optional beach. For those who want an all-around tan, this is the beach for you!
Crandon Park is another awesome beach that won’t be super full of tourists, and is great for families. Not only is there a beach though, there’s a nature center and other great destinations for kids.
The Everglades National Park is definitely a place you want to visit, especially if you’re into nature. This park was actually created to protect the indigenous creatures and overall ecosystem that would have been destroyed otherwise. The Everglades National Park is the third largest national park in the country, however, if you visit Miami in the summer, make sure you bring plenty of fluids and ice packs because it’s scorching hot and really humid.
Another fun place to explore the nature of Miami is to visit the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens. With the natural climate of Miami, there are so many interesting and beautiful plants and trees that grow in the region, and visiting the garden is a great way to learn about Miami. There are also lots of festivals held there, so before you go check out if there’s any events going on!
Food and Nightlife
There’s no denying that there is some great nightlife in Miami. A lot of people think that South Beach is the only place to go though, but that’s simply not true! You can go to areas like Wynwood which is the arts district and great to visit during the say, but at night has some awesome bars and clubs like El Patio Wynwood, Brick, and more.
Because of so many Cuban immigrants in Miami, there is some seriously incredible Cuban food going on Miami. For some casual but super traditional Cuban food, you have to go to Luis Galindo’s Latin American Cafeteria & Restaurant. This diner is where the locals go, so you know it’s the place to be. If you want a more upscale version of Cuban classic, head over to Finka Table & Tap for a reinterpretation of Cuban food.
Of course, you can’t go to Miami without trying a Cuban sandwich, also known as a cubano. There are so many places that serve up these iconic sandwiches, but the ones at El Exquisito are known to be some of the best.
