Bienvenidos a Miami!

WORDS BY SARA SHERMAN

FROM THE MOVIE-STAR level luxury of Bal Harbour to the thumping beats of iconic South Beach, Miami is one of the hottest destinations in the world.

Filled with sights, sounds, and tastes you won’t want to miss, this ‘Venice of America’ has something for everyone to enjoy.

You’ll be dazzled by its beaches and become obsessed with its food. And the Latin heartbeat of the city will have your feet moving long after you return home.

From the turquoise waters and soft sand to the impeccable music scene and up and coming culinary world, Miami has something for everyone.

Miami has grown to house more than 5.5 million residents, with much of that growth happening in just over 100 years.

This growth contributed to the city being known as the ‘Magic City’—seemingly growing overnight—and is home to one of the largest Cuban-American populations in the USA.

Latin flavour is omnipresent throughout the city and touches every part of Miami’s culture.

The Port of Miami is the world’s busiest cruise port, making tourism, along with the financial industry, a major player in the city’s economy.

With distinctive Latin flavors, seafood is a star of Miami’s culinary scene.

Miami’s food scene is so hot right now, you’ll be hard pressed to find a bite you didn’t like. A melting pot of the city’s cultures are reflected in its cuisine, with a heavy nod to Caribbean and Cuban flavours.

The iconic Ocean Drive has many lovely restaurants, but you’ll pay for the view.

You’ll be dazzled by its beaches and become obsessed with its food

Restaurants like Yardbird and Macchialina serve delicious, comforting food while the ‘up and coming’ culinary scene in the Coconut Grove neighbourhood features modern American food— with a Latin twist—at Ariete.

Seafood lovers will of course enjoy indulging in the many restaurants dedicated to delicacies from the sea.

Food and Wine Magazine just named Miami Beach institution ‘Joe’s Stone Crab’ in its list of the 40 Most Important Restaurants of the Last 40 Years list.

The restaurant has been serving stone crabs for more than 100 years and the chilled dish is a must-have treat when visiting Miami.

No trip to Miami is complete without at least seeing the ocean, and the city’s beaches won’t disappoint.

From the idyllic shores of Miami and South Beaches to the wind surfer’s paradise of Hobie Beach, there are plenty of places to put your toes in the sand.

The Everglades National Park is only an hour south of downtown Miami and offers visitors a chance to experience the vast wetlands and marshes of Florida, while keeping eyes open for gators, egrets, and other wildlife.

Everglades National Park is full of beautiful natural wonders to see and explore.

For those visiting with young ones—or simply the young at heart—Zoo Miami is home to more than 2000 animals and is a fabulous place for families. You can even feed a giraffe or ride a camel.

The Everglades.

Visit the oldest oceanarium in the United States at Miami Seaquarium— home to the original TV set of Flipper, or enjoy Miami as the cultural centre of the southeast, full of art, music, and an eclectic variety of other creative pursuits.

Known for its art deco architecture and decor, the Miami Art Deco District has more than 900 historic buildings to explore.

With the highest concentration of 1920s and 30s architecture in the world, the plentiful bars, restaurants, hotels, and even the Miami Beach post office are all photo-worthy stops.

Miami is famous for nostalgic yet modern art deco architecture and decor.

In addition to the architectural wonders of South Beach, this colourful neighbourhood hosts the pre-eminent art show in North America each year: Art Basel Miami. Featuring works from across the globe from modern artists of all disciplines, this show draws more than 70,000 visitors to Miami and continues to contribute to the vibrant art scene of the city.

Latin culture is ever present in the Miami music scene.

From pumping electronic and dance music in nightclubs to live Latin and jazz in venues large and small, the city itself pulses to a rhythmic beat. Ball & Chain is a stellar Miami club situated between downtown and Little Havana.

From live jazz to thumping dance clubs, nights in Miami are always hopping.

A focal point for Cuban culture in the post-war era, it’s re-emerging as a hot restaurant and live music venue for new generations of locals and visitors to enjoy.

Whether you’re looking for designer goods in the swanky Bal Harbour shops or enjoying the Florida sun on the white sand beaches, Miami is a city that will salsa its way into your heart forever. ■

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