Get Our Newsletter

8 Adventures in Awesome, Authentic Miami

Last Updated on March 4, 2024

Miami is Florida’s big city with palm trees. Still, it’s also filled with century-old mansions, authentic gardens, vintage hotels, natural pools, funky neighborhoods, vibrant art communities, and decadent dining and shopping options.

Miami skyline

Known for sun worshippers and bikini-clad in-line skaters parading the Ocean Beach boardwalk, Miami’s international culture, food, and entertainment come together at “America’s Rivera.”

Things to Do in Miami

Photo of a lifeguard hut on the beach

However, there is so much more to Miami than its beaches, beautiful people, and nightlife.

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens

If you are looking for Florida’s tropical paradise, you may want to start at Miami’s Fairchild Gardens. The vast 83 acres (and 11 lakes) create a premier garden setting with a vast selection of tropical plants, flowering trees, and palms.

Opened in 1938 and named for Dr. David Fairchild, a foremost botanist of his time, the renowned traveler and plant collector retired to Miami in 1935.

Fairchild shared his research and findings with his friend Col. Robert H. Montgomery, an avid plant collector. Inspired by Fairchild, Montgomery founded the botanical garden and named it in honor of his friend.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens

Fairchild Gardens has something for everyone – even those without a green thumb. Ponds and shady walkways line prized collections of palms, cycads, bromeliads, succulents, vines, orchids, and edible gardens.

Visitors will be struck by the sheer immensity of the property, its plant diversity, and the gorgeous vistas from one garden to the next.

Don’t miss the indoor Butterfly Conservatory, where a colorful display of 1000 butterflies from all over the world flutters overhead.

Inside, the Butterfly Metamorphosis Lab exhibits the fascinating and colorful stages of the (butterfly’s) chrysalis.

Photo of Chihuly glass sculpture, Fairchild Gardens
Chihuly glass sculpture, Fairchild Gardens

For those of you who are avid Florida gardeners, stop by the outdoor Butterfly Garden, home to native plants that attract local butterflies.

Also, the Keys Coastal Habitat showcases Florida’s mangroves, including four acres of vegetation attracting migratory birds.

This garden has year-round activities ranging from the annual Mango Festival to the impressive visiting art shows.

As an aside, east of Fairchild Gardens is the 130-acre Matheson Hammock County Park. Shady oak trees with vibrant bromeliads blanket every tree along the pathway.

It is a great place to take a hike and enjoy your lunch while absorbing the peaceful silence. Beyond the walking park is a marina and beach overlooking Biscayne Bay.

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens Address: 10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami, FL 33156

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Photo credit: Meinzahn

Once the winter home to wealthy Chicago industrialist James Deering, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is another Miami-must-see.

A short distance from downtown Miami, the 50 acres of property with waterfront home and gardens combine old European design with Florida’s sub-tropical setting.

Completed in 1922, the huge mansion, partly built from locally quarried coral stone, overlooks Biscayne Bay and is available for guided and audio tours.

The European-inspired home has historic antiques, art, and sculptures on two main floors overlooking an enclosed courtyard.

Rooms in Vizcaya Museum
Source: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

A total of 34 rooms – including a lushly appointed living room and music room, a loggia (or indoor sitting area), and richly furnished bedrooms, are all on display.

Bay or garden views are predominant but don’t miss the dining room with its vibrant wall murals and spectacular garden view.

Outside along the waterfront, you won’t miss the Barge, a concrete dock, and a breakwater that resembles a boat. It’s another unique feature that makes this place seem like a magical castle.

Photo of Vizcaya Gardens
Vizcaya Gardens

Speaking of magical, you will also want to spend some time in the European-inspired gardens. Gracefully designed with soft geometric patterns in a spacious setting, the stunning gardens are sizable overall.

Viscaya Gardens in Miami

There are small, private areas easily accessed for quiet contemplation. The serenity, peace, and calm, combined with breathtaking vistas of the magnificent property, will keep you coming back to Vizcaya again and again.

The luscious garden fountains and colorful walkways attract people from around the world. It is also popular with locals.

Young Hispanic women, in bright formal dresses, photographs for their “Quinceaneras” or “coming of age” 15-year-old birthday celebrations.

Vizcaya pool

It is not unusual to see fashion models posing for frenetic photographers working to capture their beauty against a backdrop of magnificent views.

Don’t let all of the activity deter you! The vast garden experience has a secret passage; everyone visiting will find a peaceful sitting area for rest and reflection.

Bedroom in Vizcaya
Source: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

In the 1950s, Deering’s heirs turned the historic estate over to Miami-Dade County. This created a public museum and space for generations of visitors and Floridians to enjoy.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens Address: 3251 S Miami Ave., Miami, FL 33129

Looking for additional gardens to tour? Check out Celebrate Spring! Tour Four Florida Gardens.

Coral Gables

Photo of Miami Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables Florida
Source: Biltmore Hotel

Our next stop was Coral Gables, southwest of downtown Miami. Banyan and Royal Poinciana trees line the streets accented with tropical gardens of hibiscus and bougainvillea.

Coral Gables City Hall

This timeless, old neighborhood of Mediterranean-style homes was conceived in the 1920s as the “City Beautiful. This created a charming introduction to our next visit to the Biltmore Hotel and Pool and the Venetian Pool.

Looking for things to do in Coral Gables? Check out our 9 Top Things to Do in Coral Gables.

Biltmore Hotel and Pool

Biltmore exterior
Source: Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables

A National Historic Landmark, this elegant hotel was built at the height of the land boom of the 1920s.  Spanish, Moorish, and Italian influences are reflected in its classic Mediterranean architectural designs.

These include a colonnaded lobby with hand-painted ceiling beams, open-air courtyards, fountains, balconies, and also stunning tile floors.

Biltmore coffee
Source: Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables

While standing in the lobby, it would be easy to imagine Ginger Rogers or Judy Garland waltzing in with miles of dutiful bellboys carrying baggage trunks.

Headline names such as Franklin Roosevelt and even Al Capone stayed at the hotel! The Biltmore hotel captivated people with poolside aquatic galas!

Photo of Biltmore Hotel Pool, Coral Gables
Biltmore Hotel Pool, Coral Gables

The Biltmore pool is a historical icon and showstopper. Enclosed by an elegant tropical setting encompassing more than 22,000 square feet, the pool is the largest resort pool in the continental United States.

When you visit, not only will you feel that you are a part of history, but you may never want to leave.

Biltmore Pool
Source: Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables

Legends and tales of synchronized swimmers, alligator wrestlers, and high diving stars drew attention to the famous pool. This is where Tarzan star Johnny Weissmuller was known to have taught swimming.

Called into duty as a hospital during World War II, the Biltmore also served as a Veteran’s hospital until 1968. Reopened as a hotel in 1987, it has changed ownership over the years, and has undergone two major renovations.

Biltmore room
Source: Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables

It also remains one of the most stunning boom-era hotels in all of Florida.

Biltmore Hotel and Pool Address: 1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables, FL 33134

Interested in visiting other historic hotels in Florida? Check out The 20 Best Historic Hotels in Florida.

The Venetian Pool

Photo of The Venetian Pool, Coral Gables
The Venetian Pool, Coral Gables

Speaking of pools, the Coral Gables Venetian Pool is not far from the Biltmore. What distinguishes this old pool is the fact that in 1923 it was created from a coral rock quarry.

It continues to be fed with spring water from an underground aquifer. It also requires 820,000 gallons of water, drained and refilled daily.

As part of a visionary plan to create Florida’s utopian neighborhood, the Venetian pool features waterfalls, a grotto, and diving platforms on two large historical lookout towers.

Mediterranean architecture and lush tropical foliage are also reflected here.

The Venetian is open to the public and the only swimming pool on the National Register of Historic Places. Johnny Weismuller and Esther Williams also spent time at the Venetian.

Venetian Pool

On an interesting note, since the pool was drained and refilled daily, there were occasional parties at the bottom of the empty pool in the evenings! Here orchestras played, and guests danced into the night.

The Venetian Pool Address: 2701 De Soto Blvd., Coral Gables, FL 33134

Little Havana

Photo of Maximo Gomez Park (Domino Park), Little Havana, Miami
Maximo Gomez Park (Domino Park), Little Havana, Miami

If you want to get a taste of Miami’s international flavor, Little Havana is a food haven.

Considered the Ellis Island of Miami, Cuban immigrants often come to begin their American dream. It’s a family-friendly community with a decidedly Cuban flair!

Neighbors not only know each other but greet one another on the street. Friends sit side-by-side, sipping Cuban coffee while playing dominoes and catching up on the daily news.

Calle Ocho, or Eighth Street, is the main drag and the best place to start your visit.

Miami Culinary Tours
Source: Miami Culinary Tours

You might want to contact Miami Culinary Tours, a two-hour tour providing insights into both food and culture while you absorb the multi-ethnic character of the community. (They also offer other Miami neighborhood culinary tours).

Once there, you’ll experience open-air walk-up counters connected to small restaurants, fruit stands, juice bars, and Cuban coffee shops. All of these make eating and drinking a “walking-dining” experience.

Photo of coffee in Little Havana at Versailles Restaurant

Stop by a traditional bakery for a Cuban pastry called guava pastelito. This melt-in-your-mouth fruit pastry pairs perfectly with a cup of dark, intensely rich Cuban coffee.

Admiring the colorful neighborhood murals, we continued the walk to The Little Havana Cigar Factory, a small cigar shop that showcases homemade hand-rolling demonstrations. The shop owner explains the artisan craft while the smell of fresh rolled Cuban cigars permeates the Little Havana air.

Photo of Little Havana Cigar Factory, Little Havana
Little Havana Cigar Factory, Little Havana

Further down the street at Domino Park, Cuban men sip cafecitos, or Cuban espressos, play dominos and argue politics. It’s a great place to window shop and stop at a few local art galleries! These all have vibrant local art on display.

After admiring the Latin art, we stopped for lunch at the El Pub. It’s an open-air counter with seats surrounded by pictures of hometown Cuban-American athletes.

Watching the owner make Cuban sandwiches — Miami style — we ordered a bowl of black bean soup and a side of fried plantains.

Best Cuban sandwiches in Florida

When you think of Cuban cooking, you know Arroz con Pollo, or rice with chicken, and pork dishes such as roast mojo pork.

Mojo is a sauce of citrus, garlic, vinegar, and spices. Sour oranges are a traditional addition. However, there are many variations using lime and grapefruit juice to marinate the pork roast, which is then slow-cooked and typically served with black beans and rice.

While on Calle Ocho, don’t miss Azucar Ice Cream, which is Cuban artisanal ice cream. Try the passion fruit, flan, or also mamey-sapote (fruit) flavors. The intensity of the tropical flavors will transport you to Cuba.

As if we hadn’t had enough, we stopped at the Los Pinarenos Fruteria, another outdoor Cuban bar specializing in Guarapo juice made of fresh sugar cane. It is refreshingly delicious and surprisingly not overly sweet, but will give you instantaneous energy!

Saturated in Cuban Culture, we can still hear the salsa music and the soft beat of conga drums from Little Havana as we depart for the next stop.

Check out Authentic Things to Do in Little Havana for things to do!

The Wynwood District

Photo of Mural Art, Wynwood District

For whimsy and more to satisfy our “art fix”, we visited the contemporary Wynwood Arts District, just north of downtown.

Once a warehouse district, artists and visionaries revitalized the area. They have converted warehouses into studios and galleries and have turned the landscape into works of art.

Colorful murals and dynamic street art cover buildings, warehouses, restaurants, and auto body shops. Anything and everything can be painted. The area is burgeoning with life, color, and a vibrant beat.

Photo of a rainbow mural in Wynwood
Mural Art, Wynwood District

And there is no need to buy a ticket – it’s free! The best places to start your tour are at the Wynwood Kitchen and Bar, or the nearby Panther Coffee – both have become popular places to get advice and directions.

We love the freedom of creative expression that shouldn’t be mistaken for unattractive street graffiti; this is Florida art, without boundaries, joyous, and full of life.

Young creatives gather and mix in the streets, cafes, and more than 70 galleries.

Miami Culinary Tours also features a tour of the Wynwood District. Their guides are foodies with passion. They know the neighborhood and help you glimpse an intimate peek into the food, culture, and art.

Photo of the exterior of R House in Wynwood District

Don’t miss R-House Wynwood for a delicious dinner or for Drag Brunch.

Learn more about this historic district at The Wynwood District in Miami: Beyond the Famous Walls.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne

Photo of Cape Florida Lighthouse, Key Biscayne
Cape Florida Lighthouse, Key Biscayne

After experiencing the excitement, history, culture, and electric vibe that resonated throughout Miami, we knew it was time to decompress and chill.

We then hit the beach to reflect on all the fun we had had. Not far from Miami’s downtown is the upscale Key Biscayne, popular for its tennis and golf exhibitions. It’s also home to the popular Miami Seaquarium.

Something special about Key Biscayne for the authentic Florida traveler is at the island’s tip. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is situated on the Atlantic beachfront with the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County.

On the beach stands a picturesque 95-foot lighthouse built in 1825 and reconstructed in 1846.

Thick, healthy Florida mangroves and a maritime hammock were replanted after the devastation of Hurricane Andrew.

Enchanted Forest Sanctuary butterfly

More than 50 butterfly species, 170 bird species, sea turtles, Florida manatees, and even the American crocodile have been spotted.

This spit of land jutting into the Atlantic, enclosing the north end of Biscayne Bay, got its name from the Cape of Florida.

Ponce de Leon, who led the first European expedition to these shores in 1513 named it. Interestingly, Cape Florida became a port for runaway slaves and Black Seminoles. They were awaiting safe passage to the British Bahamas prior to and during the Civil War era.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Address: 1200 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne, FL 33149

As we stretch out on the beach and reflect on our discoveries, we think about Miami’s lush gardens, century-old mansions, legendary hotels, pools, ethnic neighborhoods, cuisine, and vibrant art. Also, it’s unique history with an unmistakable tropical vibe.

Miami, a city of many “renaissances” has got the beat.

The History of Miami

Historically, Miami is a latecomer to Florida’s growth and even up until the 20th century it was not much more than a trading outpost. Following World War I there was a land boom.

People came in droves searching for new opportunities and a respite from the colder climates as developers lured newcomers to buy into the American Dream.

Hurricanes and the Great Depression stymied growth for a while, but with World War II came the construction of military training bases throughout the state, and guess what? When the war ended many of those soldiers and sailors returned to the land of sunshine.

From the earliest land boom to the post-World War II eras, Miami experienced waves of visitors, many of whom became new residents. These migrations shaped Miami and the state – and to this day, millions come to its beaches enthralled by its magical, tropical allure.

There is plenty to see and enjoy in Miami, but to gain a deeper appreciation of the town and its history, we highly suggest starting with these classic, authentic Florida favorites:

Comments are closed.