The city of Miami is located on the shores of Biscayne Bay in southeastern Florida. This city is an extremely popular tourist destination with world-class dining and retail shopping. Miami’s diverse population is approximately 360,000 with more than fifty per cent of the population being of Hispanic descent. Miami is also known as the “Magic City” and is the home of the Miami Dolphins.

Things To Do In Miami

The climate of this area is considered subtropical with winter temperatures averaging in the mid-sixties and summer temperatures in the 80-degree range. If you are visiting the Miami area for a vacation, here are ten great things to do while you are there.

Monkey Jungle Inc

The Monkey Jungle is a thirty-acre reserve that is home to over 400 monkeys living in their natural habitats. The animals roam freely and can be viewed in all aspects of their daily life. The Amazon Rainforest is the only semi-natural rainforest in North America. The Black-Capped Capuchins, the Howlers, and the Squirrel Monkeys inhabit this area. You can view the Orangutans while they attend training sessions and see monkeys being fed in the Wild Monkey Swimming Pool. They also have an Aviary that is home to displaced tropical birds. They have a gift shop and snack bar.

Miami Seaquarium

The Seaquarium is the home of Lolita the Killer Whale. This aquarium features many aquatic animals such as dolphins, sharks, eels, manatees, sea lions, seals, and sea turtles. Here you can see “Flipper’s Lagoon” where the 1960s television show “Flipper” was filmed. Discovery Bay is a way to view wildlife native to Florida. The Seaquarium hosts many live shows and special presentations with beautiful Biscayne Bay as a backdrop. They also have tropical fish and many birds and reptiles from the rainforest on view. For an extra fee, you can spend thirty minutes swimming and interacting with the dolphins.

Gator Park at the Everglades

This company offers airboat tours of the Florida Everglades. The tours will take you through the beauty of the Everglades so you can see the native animals and the beautiful plant life that is unique to this area. Tours depart every thirty minutes and photography is encouraged. They also offer Miami Area Nature Tours and RV camping in the Everglades. They have a free wildlife show where you can hold a python or a baby alligator if you are feeling brave. Gator Park has a gift shop and restaurant.

Miami Beach Botanical Gardens

These gardens offer 4.5 acres of beautiful and exotic plant life. Featured here are subtropical palms, orchids, Japanese Garden, and bromeliads. Other gardens featured here are the Kitchen Garden, Herb Garden, Native Plant Garden, and the Tropical Garden. They offer group tours by reservation only. A special feature of the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens is the autograph tree. Stars that have visited these gardens have signed this tree.

Pirate Adventures

Pirate Adventures offers unique water tours along Biscayne Bay and the Venetian Islands aboard a replica Spanish galleon named “El Loro”. Along with the great views of the bay and the islands, you will see Millionaire Row, which is where many famous Miami residents live. They offer daytime tours and one evening tour. Tours last approximately one hour and fifteen minutes and depart from behind the Hard Rock Cafe in Bayside Marketplace.

Metro Zoo

The Metro Zoo is a cage-free zoo. The animals here roam freely in their natural habitats. They have habitats and animals from all over the world including Australia, Asia, Africa, and Tropical America. There are a variety of ways to see the park including monorail, tram, Safari cycles, or water cycles. They also have an Ecology Theater, picnic area, Aviary, and gift shop. The kids will enjoy the Kids Play Center, carousel, and the children’s section of the zoo.

Museum of Science and Planetarium

This museum hosts a variety of exhibits exploring science, technology, history, and the environment. Their Wildlife Center is dedicated to the rehabilitation of birds of prey. The Planetarium has a four-story viewing screen, and surround sound, and features music and laser light shows. The Weintraub Observatory is open on Friday nights from 8 to 10 in good weather conditions. They have two high-powered telescopes that offer views of the planets and far away stars. The Museum of Science also offers many interactive activities, special shows, and demonstrations.

Santa’s Enchanted Village

This attraction is open from early November to mid-January each year. This is the world’s largest Christmas themed park. Here you will find free shows, pony rides, and a petting zoo. They have a full midway including two roller coasters, over fifty carnival rides, and 20 children’s rides. They also have a large variety of midway style foods and games. This park also features a multitude of spectacular Christmas themed displays.

Larry and Penny Thompson Park

This outdoor park features a 14-acre lake that is spring fed with fresh water. The lake has great sandy beaches, swimming, and lifeguards. The waterslides here are carved from a rock mountain. They also have camping, hiking, nature walks, horseback riding, fishing, and paddleboat rentals. This park also has changing rooms, concessions, and a playground. You can find this park near the Metro Zoo at 12451 S.W. 184th Street, Miami, Florida 33177.

Cocowalk

This multi-level open-air shopping area is popular with locals and tourists alike. Here you will find great shopping, fine dining, live music, artists, and cinema. This is a great place to relax and take in some local Miami atmosphere. Cocowalk is located in Coconut Beach.

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