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Things To Do
Sports & Outdoors
Kids will love Parrot Jungle Island, where they can come face-to-face with flamingos, snakes and fish at the outdoor exhibits. The temperature in Miami rarely hits triple digits, and the ocean breezes are sure to refresh.
1. The largest freshwater pool in the United States, the four-acre Venetian Pool was abandoned in 1921, then redesigned by an architect in 1924. Today, it displaces more than 800,000 gallons of fresh water daily, and contains a children’s pool and waterfall. Located in Coral Gables, the Venetian Pool is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. For more information, please call 305-460-5306. 2701 De Soto Boulevard, Coral Gables, Fla.
2. Fish, flamingos, parrots and reptiles await at the kid-friendly Parrot Jungle Island in downtown Miami. A wildlife habitat, bird sanctuary and lush botanical garden provide education and entertainment for nature lovers. For more information, please call 305-2-JUNGLE. 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, Fla.
3. Located on Biscayne Bay, the Miami Seaquarium presents exciting shows, exhibits and educational presentations, where guests can swim with the dolphins. For more information, call 305-361-5705; located at 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, Fla 33149.
4. A protected habitat for endangered primates, Monkey Jungle features over 400 animals that roam on 30 acres. The motto, “where humans are caged and monkeys run wild,” is demonstrated as guests observe their uninterrupted lifestyles. Over 30 species of primates are represented, including spider monkeys, gibbons and colobus. For more information, call 305-235-1611; located at 14805 Southwest 216th Street, Miami, Fla 33170.
Arts Museums & Landmarks
Spicy Latin fare, cultural activities and creative arts abound in the melting pot of Florida. Listen to a poetry reading, learn the merengue or stroll through a courtyard in the Florida sun while absorbing all that Miami has to offer.
1. The ethnic enclave of Little Havana is home to Viernes Culturales, which takes place the last Friday evening of each month. Visitors can view art galleries, listen to music, and enjoy dance, theater and poetry, and arts and crafts booths line 14th through 17th avenues. For more information, please call 305-644-9555. 1421 S.W. 8th Street, Suite 202, Miami, Fla.
2. A three-acre complex housed in downtown Miami, the Metro-Dade Cultural Center consists of the Miami Art Museum, the Main Public Library and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida. Art exhibits, historical artifacts and more than four million books can be found at the center, which surrounds a peaceful courtyard. Admission is free. For more information, please call 305-375-3000. 101 W. Flagler Street, Miami, Fla.
3. North Miami’s Museum of Contemporary Art hosts approximately 10 traveling exhibits each year and includes a permanent collection of more than 400 works of art. Events include exhibit openings, jazz concerts, film screenings, art discussions and children’s activities. For more information, please call 305-893-6211. 770 N.E. 125th Street, North Miami, Fla.
4. Located in the center of Miami’s design district, the Latin American Art Museum houses a permanent collection of more than 300 works of art and more than 10 traveling exhibits, featuring artists of Brazilian and Haitian descent. Admission is free. The museum is closed during August. For more information, please call 305-644-1127. 2206 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, Fla.
Dining
Shopping
Neighborhood denizens and tourists alike can embark on shopping expeditions to the numerous boutiques and malls in the Miami area. The open-air marketplaces make shopping feel more like a vacation, with palm trees, glistening ponds and sunshine.
1. Miracle Mile offers myriad shopping opportunities, from European kitchen interiors to wigs to high-end couture. Delis can refresh and recharge tenacious shoppers. This Coral Gables shopping district is located at the corner of Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Miracle Mile. For more information, please call 305-569-0311. 224 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, Fla.
2. The open-air Bayside Marketplace features more than 100 shops, 30 restaurants and numerous artists’ carts and booths. The Marketplace is located next to the American Airlines Arena and the Port of Miami. For more information, please call 305-577-3344. 401 Biscayne Boulevard, R106, Miami, Fla.
3. Lincoln Road, one of South Beach’s premier shopping locales, is filled with boutiques, cafes and nightspots, including Rumi and State. Lincoln Road spans the beach and is located between 16th and 17th streets. For more information, please call 305-531-3442. Lincoln Road at 16th Street, Miami Beach, Fla.
4. Featuring high-end boutiques from Prada and Marc Jacobs to Harry Winston and Tiffany & Co., the Bal Harbour Shops provide a posh shopping experience for visitors to Southern Florida. Dine at the Zodiac Café or grab a latte at the Santa Fe News & Espresso while catching a glimpse of world-class designers and celebrities. The latest designer to grace the mall was Michael Kors at the opening of his Spring 2006 line. For more information, please call 305-866-0311. 9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour, Fla.
5. Anchored by Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, JCPenney, Sears and Macy’s Men Home Furniture, the Aventura Mall offers both upscale and mainstream stores, as well as rental car service, a cineplex, restaurants and concierge services. For more information, please call 305-935-1110. 19501 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura, Fla.
6. The Shops at Sunset Place offer Armani Exchange, Niketown, Martinibar, Virgin Megastore and many teen favorites such as Urban Outfitters, Forever 21 and Hollister. The Shops at Sunset Place include a 24-screen movie theater with stadium seating, several restaurants and an arcade. For more information, call 305-663-0873; located at 5701 Sunset Drive, South Miami, Fla 33143.
7. Miami’s largest mall, the Dolphin Mall, features over 200 stores in an open-air setting, with outdoor dining, valet parking, frequent live entertainment and special holiday events. For more information, call 305-365-7446; located at 11401 Northwest 12th Street, Miami, Fla 33172.
Gay Pride Events and Gay Parades in Miami
Neighborhoods
1. Coral Gables
Located just southwest of Miami, the affluent Coral Gables area was one of the first planned communities in the United States. Home to the University of Miami and just four miles from Miami International Airport, Coral Gables features shopping at the Miracle Mile and outdoor activities such as the Venetian Pool.
2. Miami Beach
Miami Beach is one of the top destinations for gay tourism and the retiree community. Known for its beautiful beaches, Miami Beach features the Bass Museum of Art and the Holocaust Memorial.
3. South Beach/Art Deco District
The lower 23 blocks of Miami Beach are known as South Beach, or SoBe, to the locals. SoBe’s Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue feature flashy hotels, uber-sophisticated restaurants and clubs, and world-class shopping. Art Deco architecture, flashy signage and pulsating nightspots characterize Miami Beach, teeming with sights and sounds for tourists and residents alike. Topless sunbathing is common, due to the number of European tourists that visit the area.
4. Downtown
The downtown area of the city features some of its most well known landmarks, including the American Airlines Arena, where the Miami Heat play basketball and the MTV Video Music Awards are held. The Metro-Dade Cultural Center and Parrot Jungle Island are popular tourist attractions in this locale.
5. Coconut Grove
On the edge of Biscayne Bay is the lush tropical village of Coconut Grove, southeast of Miami. A popular three-day outdoor arts festival is held in Coconut Grove each winter, featuring regional and international artwork, live entertainment and activities.
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