Judy Mason

The USA Collection...Miami

11 June 2024

From the exotic wildlife of the Everglades to the exciting nightlife of South Beach, from deep blue oceans to shallow emerald bay

GreaterMiami andMiamiBeach

From the exotic wildlife of the Everglades to the exciting nightlife of South Beach, from deep blue oceans to shallow emerald bay, Greater Miami & Miami Beach offers visitors the best of all worlds - a destination where the cutting edge of urban chic coexists with thebeauty and splendour of a tropical paradise. Indeed, there is a lot to explore #GreaterMiamiandMiamiBeach.


Diverse and Exciting Neighbourhoods

From South Beach to Coconut Grove and from Little Havana to Little Haiti, each neighbourhood in Greater Miami is a unique destination unto itself, thanks to the diverse cultures, landscapes and people that call these places home.


Sand and Art Deco

For many, Miami Beach is the first stop to soak up the sunshine at iconic beaches, explore the Art Deco District near Ocean Drive and get a taste of South Beach’s legendary scene, Mid Beach’s glamorous resorts and North Beach’s laid-back vibe.


Arts & Architecture

The Downtown Miami/Brickell area is home to some of Miami’s premier arts and cultural institutions, including the Pérez Art Museum Miami and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, which share a campus in Maurice A. Ferré Park overlooking Biscayne Bay. As you journey a bit farther south, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables open up to glorious architecture, lush tropical foliage and one-of-a-kind attractions such as Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and the Venetian Pool.


Explore Hip Enclaves

Just across Biscayne Bay, a different experience awaits when you explore Wynwood and the Miami Design District. Mural-splashed Wynwood is a hip, bustling neighbourhood filled with buzzy restaurants, breweries, bars and art galleries, while the Miami Design District is an upscale, al fresco shopping district with captivating public art and acclaimed fine-dining restaurants.


Miami - A Destination Like No Other

Beyond the city’s world-famous beaches, hotels, and nightlife is a wonderland of great outdoor adventures that are open once again and are ready to be explored and can be found only in Greater Miami. Explore wild and untamed mangrove forests, dive deep into an ocean adventure, and immerse yourself in the splendour of nature. Visit beautiful local beaches, charming neighbourhood parks and lush, tropical gardens. Learn about local agriculture and Miami’s farm-to-table food culture. From paddling in Miami Beach’s Sunset Harbour, to historic nature walks at the Deering Estate, to spying on alligators in South Miami-Dade, to taking a swamp tour, Greater Miami has an adventure for everyone. Best of all, adventures can be found all over Miami and a short drive away, so you can enjoy a day trip and be back in Miami in time for dinner.


Cultural Connections

Miami is also rich in Latin and Caribbean heritage. Visit Little Havana for a taste of Cuba, from the delicious fare at Versailles Restaurant to live music and salsa dancing at spots along Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street). In Little Haiti, you can learn about Haitian culture among a hip, artsy crowd at the Little Haiti Cultural Centre and Caribbean Marketplace before heading out to a neighbourhood gallery crawl. And Miami’s Black heritage can be explored in Historic Overtown, whether it’s at a performance at the Lyric Theatre or breakfast at Jackson Soul Food. Explore all of Greater Miami’s diverse neighbourhoods – there’s something new to experience each time you visit.


Things to Do

While many people come to Greater Miami for its world-renowned hotels, restaurants, and nightlife – and, of course, its spectacular beaches – you’ll find that this beautiful destination is home to all of this plus a range of other exciting activities.


Consider yourself an outdoor adventurer? Whether on land or in the water, you’ll find that nature surrounds you in Greater Miami. Go kayaking, canoeing or stand-up paddle boarding at Oleta River State Park, Deering Estate or Crandon Park. Visit the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center to see its dunes, mangroves and seagrass beds – and have a chance to spot some of the 200 species of birds that live here or migrate through. Stroll past rare palms, tropical fruit and flowering trees at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Hop on a boat and sail through one of Miami’s natural treasures – Biscayne National Park, which is 95% underwater and includes the Florida Reef, the only living coral barrier reef in the United States and one of the largest in the world. Experience true wilderness with a variety of hikes, scenic drives and guided tours available in Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve.


If you want to immerse yourself in the cultural side of Greater Miami, don’t hesitate to explore its art galleries, wander past its mind-blowing street art, spend an afternoon at The Bass or the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), or get a glimpse of local Art Deco architecture in South Beach’s Art Deco District with one of the Miami Design Preservation League’s walking tours. Check out attractions such as Zoo Miami, the Venetian Pool, Miami Seaquarium, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science and many more. Enjoy a taste of Greater Miami’s diverse culinary scene at tantalizing restaurants, or spend an afternoon sipping wine and beer made from local fruits at Schnebly Redland’s Winery & Brewery. If you want to live in the lap of luxury, book a well-deserved day at one of Greater Miami’s luxurious hotel spas or stroll through the stores at Aventura Mall, Brickell City Centre, Dadeland Mall or Bal Harbour Shops.


Events

Greater Miami’s exciting annual events are part of what makes this such a dynamic place to be all year long. From Art Basel Miami Beach, North America’s largest (and splashiest!) contemporary art fair, to the South Beach Wine and Food Festival®, which draws celebrity chefs and foodies to the beach, the atmosphere is always jubilant.


For those who appreciate South Beach’s colourful architecture and fascinating history, Art Deco Weekend in January is a fun and festive celebration on Ocean Drive. February is action-packed, with the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Miami International Boat Show and Art Wynwood. All take place over Presidents’ Day Weekend. In March, spring break coincides with Ultra Music Festival, one of the top electronic dance music festivals in the world.


With the destination’s creative spirit comes a wide range of fashion events and film festivals, from the Miami Film Festival to Miami Swim Week. It’s also a beautiful place to compete in (or just watch) endurance events like the Miami Marathon and Half Marathon and a host of triathlons, races, and other sporting events, especially around the time our friends up north are stuck in ice and snow. A highlight is the Miami Open, when the world’s top tennis players come to compete at Hard Rock Stadium.


Miami’s deep embrace of the LGBTQ+ community is evident in annual events such as the Winter Party, with beach bashes and pool parties across South Beach.


From the FTX Arena for Miami HEAT games and major concerts, to the Adrienne Arsht Centre for the Performing Arts for touring Broadway productions and symphony performances, there’s always a concert or theatrical event to catch while you’re in town.

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