By Rami Moorosi
From sexy celebrities to fun-loving families, they all flock here to indulge in the city’s vibrant art and cultural landscape, pulsating nightlife, dining and entertainment.
This coastal city in south-eastern Florida, is made up of a network of barrier islands, coral rock and mangrove swaps connected by bridges and roads. It also boasts a breathtaking coastline of miles and miles of white sandy beaches.
In the 1960s when Fidel Castro came into power, a wave of immigrants fled to Miami. This was followed by another wave of people from the Caribbean and Latin America – thus changing the face of city into a truly multicultural city.
South Beach
Located at the southern end of Miami Beach is the vibrant Art Deco District, which boasts a large collection of architecturally protected buildings dating from the 1930s and 1940s.
For fashion lovers, at the heart of the Art Deco District is the lively fashion district, which is brimming with trendy designer labels and stores.
Ocean Drive in South Beach is a great shopping spot but also a place to see and be seen. With a reputation for being one of the best people-watching spots, bikini-clad in-line skaters are a common sight while the beaches are packed with beautiful young sun seekers.
Little Havana
Everything here is authentically Cuban with fruit stands, quaint shops where you can find hand-rolled cigars and Cuban memorabilia. It is said that you wander here all day and not hear a word of English being spoken.
Eighth Street is the main road but is more commonly known as Calle Ocho. It is lined with restaurants featuring Latin specialties and cafes where people enjoy life while sipping coffee and playing dominos.
Coconut Grove
Located south of “downtown”, Coconut Grove is the place to immerse oneself in restaurants and cafes, art galleries, boutiques, movie theatres, farmers markets and book shops.
This is also home to popular attractions such as the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens which is one of the city’s biggest treasures.
The Coconut Grove Arts Festival in February is the country’s largest annual outdoor celebration of visual arts and crafts.
Eating out and night life
The merging of cultures has also resulted in a melting pot of flavours. Eating out can range from al fresco cafes to the more formal or extravagant places.
When the sun goes down, the night creatures are safe to come out and experience the night life that Miami is well known for. One way or another you are sure to feel the rhythm – places range from Salsa bars in Little Havana to the sizzling hot night clubs of South Beach.
Sunshine, beaches, shopping, nightlife, arts and culture, dining – Miami has something for everyone young or old.
