Bayside Marketplace yachts & restaurants at Miami Bayfront Park; credit Miami CVB
Miami General Attractions
Bayfront Park
DESCRIPTION: Within the park is Bayside Marketplace and the park hosts many festivals at the 6,500 seat amphitheater throughout the year, so parking can be a challenge, but some Bayside Marketplace establishments validate parking; this is an excellent place to people-watch and interact with residents; stroll north along the portside to see the spectacular American Airlines Arena where the Miami Heat play basketball
ADDRESS: 301 North Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL MAP
PHONE: 305-358-7550
WEBSITE: http://www.bayfrontparkmiami.com
Bayside Marketplace
DESCRIPTION: Located in Bayfront Park, it’s a collection of restaurants, shops, bars, cinemas similar to Baltimore’s Harborplace; one of Miami’s most popular destinations, it includes a Bubba Gumps, Azteca de Oro, Cache, Hard Rock Café, Kehoe’s Kiddie Train KidZone, and Mambo Café; day cruise ships dock at its waterfront; This Miami Must Visit is great for people-watching too.
ADMISSION: Free
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 10a-10p, Sat 10a-11p, Sun 11a-9p
ADDRESS: 401 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL MAP
PARKING: garage on premises
PHONE: 305-577-3344
WEBSITE: http://www.baysidemarketplace.com
Fairchild Tropical Garden
DESCRIPTION: This 83-acre oasis can justly claim to be one of the world’s best botanical gardens, with extensive collections of rare tropical plants; features a 16,000-square foot conservatory, a museum of plant exploration, vine pergola, sunken garden, winding paths, lakes, lily ponds, and a tropical rainforest. Narrated tram tours, self-guided tours, a garden gift shop and a café rounds things out.
ADMISSION: adults $8, ages 3-12 $4, age 3 and under enter free
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9:30a-4:30p
ADDRESS: 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL MAP
PHONE: 305-667-1651
WEBSITE: http://www.fairchildgarden.org
CocoWalk
DESCRIPTION: Mediterranean-style shopping, dining and entertainment complex with many upscale restaurants that include Fat Tuesday, Bice Bistro, Cheesecake Factory, Los Ranchos Steakhouse, and Café Med. The abundance of nightlife, shops, restaurants and a cineplex in close proximity to yachts in Biscayne Bay often attracts the wealthy. Although it succeeds as a visitor destination, it does not integrate elements of historic Coconut Grove that would make it really special.
ADMISSION: Free
DAYS & HOURS: Sun-Thu 10a-10p, Fri-Sat 10-11p, restaurants and bars stay open later
ADDRESS: 3015 Grand Avenue, Coral Gables, FL MAP
PARKING: on premises and streets
PHONE: 305-854-4247
WEBSITE: http://www.cocowalk.net
Ocean Drive
DESCRIPTION: A world famous entertainment district that faces a beachfront park and features 22 hotels; from 5th Street to 15th Street, check out the stunning collection of nightclubs and restaurants; its a great place to practice your Salsa skills; at daytime skaters and bike-scooters zoom by; celebrities and models can often be spotted at breakfast to enjoy the startling azure skies, ocean views and waving palm trees
ADDRESS: Biscayne Street to 15th Street, Miami Beach, FL MAP
Washington Avenue in South Beach
DESCRIPTION: a well deserved reputation for its dazzling range of night clubs that stay open late; even former US Attorney General, Janet Reno had a bash here in 2002; stroll from 15th Street to 4th Street to see the widest range of restaurants and nightclubs; if you party and can’t find a club here or Ocean Drive that interests you, the problem might be you
ADDRESS: Lincoln Road to 5th Avenue, Miami Beach, FL MAP
Lincoln Road
DESCRIPTION: A pedestrian-only street mall that stretches eight blocks; features more than 150 shops, 50 restaurants, several art galleries; its is also home to the Lincoln Theatre and Colony Theatre; rollerbladers and artists spice up the atmosphere; another great place for people watching during the daytime
ADDRESS: Lincoln Road Mall from Collins Avenue to Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL MAP
Spanish Monastery
DESCRIPTION: An incredible contrast to what you’d expect to see in Art Deco and post-modern Miami Beach; built in Segovia, Spain in 1141 AD, William Randolph Hearst brought this structure; it was rebuilt on its present site in 1952; a favorite venue for weddings and receptions, so make an appointment two weeks in advance
ADMISSION: $6 adults, $4 students and seniors w/ID
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-4p, Sun noon-4p
ADDRESS: 16711 West Dixie Highway, Miami Beach, FL MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 305-945-1462
WEBSITE: http://www.spanishmonastery.com
