Areas of Miami

Thinking of going to Miami? Have you thought about which part of Miami you actually want to go to? If you didn't know there was more than one place let us help!

1. Found on the mainland
2. Latin American flavor
3. World class / cosmopolitan city
4. Edgy clubs
5. Live music

Things to do: Eat in Miami's culinary frontier if you are catching a cruise, it is easiest to stay downtown

Sites to See: Hyatt Convention Center's pool is built overtop of a Tequesta village site (only 10% was destroyed)

My favorite tour of the area: Discover Miami with the City Tour in a Luxury Van. Get to know the city of Miami in just half a day on this guided, comprehensive bus tour, perfect for first-time visitors. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Little Havana, Wynwood Walls, and Miami Beach and enjoy walking tours along the way. Hotel pickup and drop-off, unlimited bottled water, and Wi-Fi included.

Explore Little Havana's pulsing Latin heart

1. Surrogate Cuban homeland
2. Popped up during the 1960's
3. Known for it's atmosphere with the liveliest stretch between SW 11th and 17th

Sites to see: Cigar factory, Brigade 2506 Memorial, domino park, Plaza de la Cubanidad, Little Havana to Go, Versailles restaurant, Botanica el Aguila Vidente Viernes Culturales / Cultural Fridays are worth a visit.

My favorite tour of the area: Authentic Little Havana Food and Culture Walking Tour. Learn all about Cuban culture in Miami on this food and culture tour of Little Havana. With a guide in the lead, you'll visit important Cuban landmarks such as Cuban Memorial Park and the Bay of Pigs Museum, listening to in-depth commentary about Cuban heritage in Miami. Your guide will take you to the very best Cuban family-owned restaurants, where you can sample stewed meat and Guava pastries, among other delicacies.

1. The outer bank of the Miami island/peninsula
2. Almost entirely tourist orientated
3. Mostly hotels and vacation rentals Intense variety of bars

Hop between galleries and studios.

My favorite tour of the area: Miami Food and Art Walking Tour of Wynwood Neighborhood. Enjoy an afternoon of eclectic art and exquisite food in Miami’s trendy Wynwood Arts District on this guided walking tour. Hear the stories behind the creation of Wynwood, its history, and the people who helped build the largest outdoor museum in the world. Visit the galleries and learn about the artists while discovering some of the most prominent art in the area. And sample the cuisine from some of Wynwood’s most talented chefs in its best restaurants.

"crown jewel" of Miami and also "American Riviera"

1. Art Deco district with dozens of restored buildings that were refurbished during the 1980/1990 (think Miami Vice)
2. 10 block, One square mile long area from Lincoln Road to Sixth Street, Ocean drive to Alton Road
3. One of the trendiest and most popular neighborhoods in the world
4. Gianni Versace lived and died here (his home is now a hotel)
5. Hundreds of restaurants, hotels, boutiques, and nightclubs; Clubs and bars are usually open until after 4am
6. Topless sunbathing is permitted but not legal

My favorite tours of the area:

South Beach Cultural Food and Walking Tour

Eat your way through the Latin flavors of South Beach on this food‐filled walking tour. Accompany your guide on a sensory journey to 5‐star restaurants and foodie hideaways. The tour serves the following cuisines: Peruvian, Italian, Colombian, Mediterranean, Cuban, and Spanish. Along the way, learn about the commingling of Latin American cultures that define Miami’s culture, neighborhoods, and culinary history.

The Official Art Deco Walking Tour by The Miami Design Preservation League

Get to know the Art Deco history of Miami Beach with a guided walking tour. Learn about local architecture and heritage from a Miami Design Preservation League guide. See a wide range of Art Deco architecture in Miami Beach and hear stories about the history and preservation of this protected district. Tours include admission to the Art Deco Museum and Gift Shop.

Sun-worship in pretty parks and secluded coves

1. Family friendly - Less G-strings and topless beach goers

Sites to see: St. Bernard de Clairvaux church is worth the visit; originally build between 1133 and 1141 AD. William Hearst purchased it in 1925, had is dismantled and shipped to the US where it was rebuilt

Marvel at mansions and villas

Favorite tour of the area: Hunt ghosts in the opulent Biltmore Hotel - tours depart from the lobby every Sunday at 1:30 & 2:30pm

A little bit inside of the Miami-Dade County and a little bit outside, we will include the entire area in this section.

National Park

1. South of Miami via Homestead along the southern tip of the Florida Peninsula, around the northern keys
2. Unspoiled coastline, islands, crystal-clear water, coral reefs
3. Most of it is underwater
4. Bring mosquito repellent and sunscreen

Key

1. Southern tip is a 1-mil stretch of beachfront that is regularly voted the best beach in America
2. you can see Stiltsville from the tip
3. Cape Florida Lighthouse (South Florida's oldest structure) is found here and offers free tours

Bay

Site to see: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens: this 34-room Italian mansion was built by James Deering

My favorite tour of the area: Sightseeing Cruise of Biscayne Bay

See the sites of Miami from the water on this guided, 80-minute sightseeing cruise along Biscayne Bay. Travel the crystal clear waters of Biscayne Bay and enjoy the view of Miami’s breathtaking waterfront. See the sun-splashed downtown Miami skyline, the mansions of the rich and famous, the Venetian Islands, the Port of Miami, Miami Beach and much more. Along the way, look for dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, manatees and other ocean wildlife.

While not exactly a park of Miami, it is extremely close and worth a mention.

1. Largest remaining subtropical wilderness in the USA at over 1.5 million acres (over half is underwater)
2. Known for Alligator spotting and bird watching but you can also find crocodiles, osprey, flamingos, bald eagles, blue heron, spoonbills, manatees, dolphins, turtles, pythons, and the Florida panther
3. Reached via Florida City (south of Miami)
4. Open year round
5. Bring mosquito repellent and sunscreen

Make sure to read our article on the Everglades.