Miami Florida – What to Do on Vacation

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Miami

The mention of Miami conjures images of sultry appeal, dazzling sunshine and beaches narrowing in the vast distance, while oceanfront hotels and skyscrapers dot the landscape. Miami isn’t a city that has a pulse, so much as a pulsating rhythm. It’s laid-back and slow-paced but constantly churning. The days are meant to be spent poolside and the evenings are meant for cruising down Collins Avenue, soaking in the neon lights glowing from art deco buildings. Whatever the purpose for your visit, Miami is different from any other place you’ve ever been. It’s got its own kind of cool and Hyatt knows exactly what that is.

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ARTS/CULTURE

Art Deco Tour

1001 Ocean Drive

Miami, FL

+1 305 531 3484

The art deco architecture is what gives Miami its vibrant appeal, so take a tour and get familiar with the style that made Miami famous.

Bass Museum of Art

2121 Park Avenue

Miami, FL

+1 305 673 7530

With an addition designed by world-famous architect Arata Isozaki and pieces by Rubens and Boticelli, this small museum goes all in for quality, not quantity.

The History Museum of South Florida City Tours

101 West Flagler Street

Miami, FL

+1 305 375 1621

Although Miami isn't ordinary, a personalized tour through the city will acquaint you with a colorful cast of characters and places that will make Miami seem familiar.

Coral Gables Art Cinema

260 Aragon Avenue

Coral Gables, FL

+1 786 385 9689

Dedicated to showing classic and independent film, the stadium seating and a state-of-the-art system in this theater go a long way to helping you appreciate the nuances of film noir.

Museum of Contemporary Art

770 Northeast 125th Street

Miami, FL

This museum built its reputation on discovering new art, which means you can do the same, but without all the hard work.

Rubell Family Collection

95 Northwest 29th Street

Miami, FL

+1 305 573 6090

With a touch of Warhol and a dab of Koons, the Rubell Collection is a constantly rotating exhibition that is always engaging.

The Weintraub Observatory at the Miami Science Museum

3280 South Miami Avenue

Miami, FL

+1 305 646 4200

The first Friday of every month, the observatory has a free astronomy show, but the best show is looking through a telescope and seeing one of Jupiter's moons.

PLACES

American Watersports Miami Tour on Jet Ski

300 Alton Road

Miami, FL

+1 305 375 1621

The great part about a city that's on prime ocean-front property is that you can climb on a jet ski and tour the city from the water.

Atlantis Condominium

2025 Brickell Avenue

Miami, FL

If visions of Crockett and Tubbs dashing through Miami still haunt your dreams, take a glimpse at this building. You may recognize it from the opening sequence of Miami Vice.

Coral Gables Venetian Pool

2701 De Soto Boulevard, Coral

Gables, FL

+1 305 460 5306

If the sand from Miami's many beaches isn't your thing, this is the place to go to relax and enjoy the artesian water and lush tropical surroundings.

The Design District

Northeast 36th Street and Northwest 43rd Street,

Miami, FL

The hallmark creativity of Miami can be found right here, from galleries to shopping and fine dining.

Domino Park

SE Corner of 15th Ave and Eighth Street

Miami, FL

From morning until late afternoon, people gather to play dominos while smoking cigars and talking about the latest news from Havana.

The Glass Tapestry at the Bacardi Building

2100 Biscayne Boulevard

Miami, FL

+1 305 573 8511

It's a great place to go, stand and gawk at the majesty of the structure. Don't worry about looking strange. People do it all the time because it's worth it.

The Historic Lighthouse at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

1200 South Crandon Boulevard

Key Biscayne, FL

+1 305 361 5811

Built in 1825, the lighthouse is the oldest structure in Miami-Dade County. It's also a great place to sunbathe

The Living Room

40th Street and North Miami Avenue

Miami, FL

An outdoor art installation in Miami's Design District, this structure is a funky piece of expression in the heart of a neighborhood known for its creativity.

The Sophie and Nathan Gumenick Chapel

137 Northeast 19th Street

Miami, FL

+1 305 573 5900

An intimate space with experimental architecture, the chapel has a warm, cozy feeling despite looking somewhat like a stone igloo.

EAT/DRINK/PLAY

Caffe Abbracci

318 Aragon Avenue

Coral Gables, FL

+1 305 441 7000

Being seen at this restaurant is only one reason to go here. The top-notch Italian cuisine is the other.

Garcia's Seafood Grille and Fish Market

398 Northwest North River Drive

Miami, FL

+1 305 375 0765

You want fresh? Here's fresh: a waterfront restaurant that actually owns a fleet of fishing boats to catch the seafood and bring it to your plate.

Il Gabbiano

335 South Biscayne Boulevard

Miami, FL

+1 305 373 0063

This restaurant has everything for a perfect night out in Miami: outdoor seating, 200 bottles of wine from which to choose, and porcini ravioli in champagne sauce.

Lucky Number 71

7100 Biscayne Boulevard

Miami, FL

+1 305 759 3999

A hip little lounge that serves drinks with sparklers, nestled away inside a Thai restaurant. It's secret. It's flamboyant. It's Miami.

Quiereme Mucho Morena

1644 Southwest Eighth Street

Miami, FL

+1 305 642 1002

This lounge is underground. Literally. And it'll be hard to keep your hips from wiggling like you're in Havana, with Afro-Cuban rock and mojito martinis.

Red Light Little River

7700 Biscayne Boulevard

Miami, FL

+1 305 757 7773

With inventive cuisine like Granny Smith Apple slaw and oyster pie, when we say this restaurant is funky but casual, we're talking about the food as well as the ambiance.

Tobacco Road

626 South Miami Avenue

Miami, FL

+1 305 374 1198

Open since 1912, this bar used to be the place where Prohibition-era drinkers got their fill. It's maintained the roadhouse vibe as locals gather here for drinks and live music.

Xixon

2101 Coral Way

Coral Gables, FL

+1 305 854 9350

From steamed littleneck clams to the tortilla espanola, the tapas are nothing short of fantastic.

Yuca

501 Lincoln Road

Miami, FL

+1 305 532 9822

Call it the best Cuban restaurant in Miami or the best Nuevo Latino cuisine in Miami. Either way, the Adjiaco Mariscos—a hearty seafood stew—defies any categorization.

SHOPPING

Books & Books

265 Aragon Avenue

Miami, FL

+1 305 442 4408

A comfortable, independently owned bookstore, people come here to hang out as much as they do to find a good read.

The Boutique Pharmacy

900 South Miami Avenue

Miami, FL

+1 305 373 9000

A pharmacy generally isn't the place to go for gift shopping. Then again, this pharmacy is also a gift shop.

The Dressing Room

5829 Southwest 73rd Street

Miami, FL

+1 305 668 4440

Everything a girl needs to blend in to Miami's sultry glamor, from skinny jeans to Aily V. wedges and that perfect clutch.

Ecoist

2628 Northwest Second Avenue

Miami, FL

+1 305 674 0433

Targeted toward the eco-friendly fashionista, this boutique knows the difference between recycled fashion and creating fashion from recyclables.

El Credito Cigar Factory

1106 Southwest Eighth Street

Miami, FL

+1 305 858 4162

Whether you're a cigar aficionado or someone who just wants to puff on a stogie, this place sells handmade cigars that would make Jack Nicholson jealous.

Fly Boutique

650 Lincoln Road

Miami, FL

+1 305 604 6508

In addition to the designer labels and vintage apparel, this shop will surprise you by turning a blouse and a scarf into a one-of-a-kind skirt.

Guayaberas Etc.

270 Miracle Mile

Miami, FL

+1 305 441 9891

If you're staying in Miami, you'll need to dress the part. This store has an array of Cuban shirts that will help disguise you as a local.

Marimekko Concept Store

3940 North Miami Avenue

Miami, FL

+1 305 573 4244

From clothing to housewares, the bold patterns and sleek designs won't leave you straining to find something you like. But you will be straining to push your shopping cart.