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Miami: Fashionable, Festive, and Fabulous!

Miami, like much of early Florida, has a history written by Native Americans, Spanish explorers, and by farming homesteaders who settled in the area after the Seminole Wars. It wouldn't have been too surprising if Miami had been renamed "Flagler" at the incorporation meeting back in 1896, since it was then that the Florida East Coast Railway, owned by Henry Morrison Flagler, reached the area. The arrival of the railroad started a "boom" of land ownership and development that helped propel Miami into the vibrant metropolis it is today.

It goes without saying that Miami is an outdoor lover's paradise. Every imaginable activity is in immediate reach. Almost twenty beaches tempt sunbathers. With nearly ten marinas, all that remains when planning a sailing, fishing, diving, parasailing, or snorkeling adventure is how big a boat you want to use! Miami is also home to some of the best golf in the area. Nearly thirty courses will challenge all skill levels. The true zealot will seek out Doral Golf Resort and try his or her luck on The Blue Monster, one of the most famous courses in all of the United States.

Spectacular shopping opportunities present themselves around every corner. The Miami International Arts & Design District consists of one square mile of furniture, antiques, art and interior design firms located north of Downtown Miami. Lincoln Road Shopping District spans eight blocks and offers a lively assortment of art galleries, second-hand stores, boutiques and outdoor cafes. The Streets of Mayfair in Coconut Grove is an elegant, atrium-style promenade housing exclusive specialty stores.

For a walk on the wilder side, cross the MacArthur Causeway (Rt. 41) over Biscayne Bay and cruise into South Beach, and some of the most daring night clubs and restaurants you can imagine. The area of 6th to 23rd Streets between Ocean and Alton Roads was designated the Art Deco Historic District by the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. South Beach has a reputation as a hangout for celebrities, models, and all the "beautiful people". Sit in an outdoor café across from Lummus Park and Public Beach on Ocean Drive, and people watch as you enjoy some of the diverse cuisine offered by the many different nosh houses. If you tire of the clubs, Miami Beach, and its white sandy beaches, is a brilliant spot in which to improve your tan!

For an up-close view of some of the incredible creatures residing off of Biscayne Bay, visit the Miami Seaquarium. Witness all the shows, exhibits, and demonstrations being offered by this education oriented theme park. See the centerpiece of Miami Seaquarium, the Whale & Dolphin Stadium, home to the killer whale, Lolita and her Pacific white sided dolphin companions. Watch as the sea lions perform acrobatics (and comedy!) in the Golden Dome Sea Lion Show. And for a truly original experience, feed, train, and even swim with the dolphins in the Flipper Lagoon.

For the nature buff, boating and walking tours are available in the Everglades National Park, the only subtropical preserve in North America. The park is known for its rich bird life, particularly large wading birds, such as the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, great blue heron and a variety of egrets. It is also the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side.

Miami is also a great "jumping off" point for other Florida destinations. Head south to the Florida Keys and visit Earnest Hemmingway's home in Key West, or take in a glorious sunset from Mallory Square. Or, journey northwest and scurry into Orlando and all the theme parks that have made Central Florida famous. Walt Disney World, Epcot, Universal, and Sea World are just 3 hours away.

Known for its dramatic skylines, diverse cultures, gorgeous beaches, sensational nightlife, and superior shopping, Miami is the perfect spot for a Florida getaway!