Miami Area, FL

What to do in Miami Area, FL

Miami River History Tour

Take an open-air boat ride along this river that winds through Downtown Miami. A guide will entertain you with tales of the river's contribution to the city's growth and mythology through maritime commerce, fishing, and a good dose of smuggling.

Butterfly World

Stunning butterflies flutter by, then come around and land on your shoulder - or nose - at this enchanting and educational habitat. There's a breeding laboratory where you can observe the entire life cycle of a butterfly, a museum with a collection of creepy crawly critters from around the world, and an aviary with hummingbirds and colorful parrots from down under that you can feed.

Villa Vizcaya Museum

This replica of a 16th-century Italian villa has been host to popes, presidents, queens, and princes. Built in 1916 as the winter residence of Chicago industrialist James Deering, Vizcaya has 10 acres of formal gardens and fountains, and 34 rooms filled with a diverse array of 15th- to 19th- century furniture and art. The gardens facing Biscayne Bay are perfect for a romantic moonlight stroll.

Art Deco Walking Tour

This is great way to get a fascinating education about the history behind the pastel and neon-washed buildings that give South Beach its unmistakable style. It's also the perfect chance to do some people-watching and get a feel for the city beat.

Soak in the Cuban Culture in Little Havana

The savvy visitor will order a traditional media noche (midnight) sandwich at a no-frills café and a fresh squeezed papaya juice from a corner stand. Spend some time at a park and enjoy the rhythmic music coming from dozens of portable radios and listen in on passionate discussions about Cuban-American politics; even if you can't understand the language, the animated gesturing and excitable tones are fun to experience.