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Miami Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Miami
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Miami Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Miami - Miami may be the retirement capital of the
United States, but there is nothing old fashioned about this
bright, brash playground city that shines under the sunny Florida
skies. This coastal city was a sleepy holiday town until the 1920s,
when the 'in crowd' decided to make it their own. The town bloomed
into a fun seaside capital and was blessed with a legacy of Art
Deco architecture, particularly along South Beach, which has been
carefully preserved. During World War II the forces came to town
when Miami was an important military base. Today, apart from being
a favourite holiday Mecca and sunny spot for retirees, it is also
the gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America.
Miami's large Cuban community add to the atmosphere in the
sultry neighbourhood of Little Havana. Trendsetters hang out in
Coconut Grove, while sunlovers strew the miles of white sandy
beaches. For families there are entertaining attractions like the
Seaquarium and Metrozoo. The nightlife is sophisticated and varied.
The city also gives easy access to Florida's popular Gold Coast
resorts and attractions, as well as the natural wonder of the
Florida Everglades. No wonder Miami is America's
favourite vacation station and the hub of a vibrant cruise ship
industry, its port jammed constantly with sleek passenger liners.
North of the city, miles of beautiful sandy beaches of the Gold
Coast are hemmed in by southeast Florida's major tourist resorts:
Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach and Palm
Beach.
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Miami
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Miami Museum of Science and Space Transit
3280 South Miami Avenue
www.miamisci.org |
What is it? Nothing is staid or boring in Miami, least of
all its museums. The Museum of Science north of Coconut Grove,
contains more than 140 exhibits, all designed to be hands-on and
interactive, coupled with live demonstrations and collections of
rare natural history specimens that make discovering and learning a
great deal of fun. The Wildlife Centre boasts more than 175 live
reptiles and birds of prey, and the adjacent Space Transit
Planetarium provides more thrills with projected astronomy and
laser light shows.
Hours of Operation: Daily from 10am to 6pm; closed Thanksgiving and
Christmas
Phone:(305) 646 4200 |
2. Miami Seaquarium
4400 Rickenbacker Causeway
www.miamiseaquarium.com |
What is it? At least a half a day is required to fully
enjoy south Florida's premier attraction. The Seaquarium is
world-renowned for its marine life shows and attractions, including
performing killer whales and television aquatic star and dolphin,
Flipper. Another favourite star is the sea lion Salty and his
colleagues, who amuse and amaze with their
antics.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9.30am to 6pm
Phone:(305) 361 5705 |
3. Miami-Dade Cultural Centre
101 West Flagler Street
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What is it? The outwardly unattractive complex of the
Miami-Dade Cultural Centre, in the rather unsavoury area of West
Flagler Street, is worth a visit because it houses a plethora of
interesting artistic and historic exhibits. The Centre contains the
Miami Art Museum (www.miamiartmuseum.org),
featuring a collection of modern and contemporary works by
American, Latin American and Caribbean artists. There are also
themed exhibits, which bring art and artists to life, as do the
twice-monthly 'happy hour' parties, organised to highlight a
particular exhibit. The Cultural Centre also contains the
Historical Museum of Southern Florida (www.historical-museum.org)
with exhibits that relate to the fascinating history of the area
and the culture, folklore and archaeology of South Florida and the
Caribbean.
Hours of Operation: Art Museum: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday
and Sunday from 12pm. Historical Museum: Monday to Saturday 10am to
5pm, Sunday from 12pm
Phone:Art Museum: (305) 375 3000; Historical Museum: (305) 375
1492 |
Miami
holidays - Top Events
1. Calle Ocho
From 2007-03-11
To 2007-03-11
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What is it? Claiming to be the biggest street party in
the world, and undoubtedly the biggest Hispanic bash in the United
States, Carnaval Miami offers two weeks of concerts, parades,
family entertainment, sport, art exhibits and ethnic food and
culminating in the massive 'Calle Ocho' street party and parade.
Organised by Little Havana's Kiwanis Club in aid of needy children,
Carnaval attracts a million fun-lovers who swarm through 23 city
blocks. More than 40 stages are placed on intersecting avenues,
from which emanates merengue, salsa, pop and Caribbean music. Food
kiosks line the streets, and four blocks are devoted entirely to
children's entertainment. For more information phone (305) 644 8888
or email atorrez@carnavalmiami.com
Where is it? The streets of Little Havana, with the street party centring
on the Orange Bowl Stadium |
2. Coconut Grove Arts Festival
From 2007-02-17
To 2007-02-19
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What is it? The charming village of Coconut Grove south
of downtown Miami on Biscayne Bay becomes the setting for a premier
outdoor fine arts festival during February each year, attracting
more than 150,000 people to view the works of more than 330
contemporary artists, ranging from photography and sculpture to
jewellery, painting and woodwork. Visitors can meet and chat with
the artists, sample delicious cuisine, and enjoy live entertainment
and music.
Where is it? McFarlane Rd, South Bayshore Drive and Pan American Drive in
Coconut Grove |
3. Dade Heritage Days
From 2007-03-01
To 2007-04-30
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What is it? The Dade Heritage Trust is committed to
'preserving the best of the past for the future,' and one way this
organisation has found to do this is the six-week annual line-up of
events designed to stimulate awareness of and celebrate the
architecture, culture, environment and people of Dade country. The
programme of more than 100 events draws visitors and locals alike
to take part in walking and bicycling tours, browse local crafts
and gift boutiques, admire historic and architectural exhibits,
watch historical re-enactments and attend lectures or film shows.
For more information phone (305) 358 9572 or email info@dadeheritagetrust.org
Where is it? Various |
4. Miami Carnival
From 2007-10-07
To 2007-10-07
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What is it? Having become a well-entrenched tradition
over the past 20-odd years, the Miami Carnival is a cultural
festival with a Caribbean-Latin flavour, providing a day of family
fun and frolics that attracts about 50,000 people. Focus of the
carnival is a colourful parade featuring steel bands, performers
and dancers in flamboyant costumes, live bands and huge decorated
floats. Spectators can enjoy food stalls and all sorts of allied
outdoor festivities.
Where is it? Bicentennial Park, Downtown Miami |
5. Super Bowl XLI
From 2007-02-04
To 2007-02-04
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What is it? The Super Bowl is the arguably the biggest
event on the U.S. calendar after 4 July celebrations, and has
become something of a de facto holiday. Each year the top two teams
of the NFL log battle it out for the prestigious Vince Lombardi
trophy. The event is the most popular television broadcast of the
year and advertisers pay millions of dollars to have their latest
commercials shown during the quarters. This, and the number of
massive musical acts in between the game have lead it to become
more than just a regular football event but rather an entire
celebration of grandiosity.
Where is it? |
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