Miami is the hub of Florida's culture and nightlife
When one thinks about Miami, Florida, the image that comes to
mind is usually filled with hot night spots, sophisticated urban
hospitality and warm, sandy beaches. It is all of these things
and much more that make Miami one of the hottest vacation spots
both in Florida and in the Eastern United States.
While Miami has been a hot vacation destination for decades, the
city has seen some major development during these infancy years
of the new millennium. Most of this development has taken place
in downtown Miami, but its effect can be felt throughout the
region. But since the numerous new buildings and skyscrapers
have been built in the city's center, the famous beaches of the
area have remained pretty much unchanged.
One of the main attractions of Miami is its temperate,
subtropical weather which allows for year-round outdoor
activities. The many beaches and waterfronts available offer
varied water sports including windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and
scuba diving. And if you prefer land to sea, there are just as
many dry attractions to keep you occupied including golf,
tennis, sunbathing, nightclubbing, fine dining and other area
attractions.
South Beach is perhaps one of the most famous neighborhoods in
the Miami area. The South Beach Historical District, located on
the peninsular southern tip of South Beach, consists of only one
square mile, but is home to numerous 1930s to 1950s style Art
Deco hotels. These hotels are only a short distance away from
some of the major Miami attractions and offer comfortable,
off-the-beaten-path lodging.
The historic district is also home to numerous other attractions
including the Holocaust Memorial, Wolfsonian Museum, The Jackie
Gleason Theater of the Performing Arts and Lincoln Road Mall.
Miami is also the shopping Mecca of Florida and boasts endless
premier shopping malls and boutiques. For shoppers who want a
taste of the local flavor, Bayside Marketplace and Biscayne Bay
have a number of boutiques and specialty shops that sell
everything from plastic fruit to high-tech electronics. The
Mayfair Shops, located in the Grove, is a complex made up of
boutiques and nightclubs. And Sawgrass Mills, with more than 300
shops and kiosks in a 2.4-million-square-foot facility makes
even the most serious and dedicated shoppers feel like they've
died and gone to the great big mall in the sky.
To get to one of the many beaches in the Miami area, you will
likely find yourself on Ocean Drive. This drive extends from 5th
to 15th streets and features historic hotels, shops and open-air
caf