Travel and Explore Miami Beach, FL!

Miami Beach, FL Situated in southeastern Florida on a marrow on a narrow neck of land and islands on the Atlantic Ocean, Miami Beach is separated from the city of Miami by Biscayne Bay but is connected to it by four causeways. Miami Beach stretches for about ten miles along a succession of renowned ocean beaches on the east; the site varies in width from on to three miles. The founder John Collins failed in an attempt to raise avocados on the lonely stretch of mosquito infested scrub palmettos, he built the world longest wooden bridge to the mainland with financial assistance Collins dredged sand from the bay and built land on the swamp. He sold the newly created properties and the resort he developed became one of the world's most popular. The long strip of ocean front hotels remains unsurpassed in their deco luxuriance. In the 1920's the land boom was in full swing, mammoth hotels sprung up along the island. Gigantic hotels, sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay offer a degree of opulence that long has been a standard for luxury hotel accommodations. Hotels line nine miles of sand palm fringed beach. The Art Deco District contains 16 city blocks and is part of trendy South Beach area of clubs and restaurants. The principal attractions are the art deco district, which preserve the elegant architectural style that predominated in the area from the 1920s to the 1940s. In 1984 the city furthered its accommodating reputation by building a boardwalk between 21st and 46th street allowing for comfortable strolls along the oceanfront. The boardwalk has become very popular for inline-skating and roller-skating, bicycling, and taking a stroll and watching people play in the water. The emerald green water draws many people, who have to play in water, bathe in the sun, build sand castles, or if you feel competitive you can take on the "King of Beach" in beach volleyball. Miami Beach has a vibrant nightlife that offers a little something for everyone. The Art Deco District in Miami Beach is a showcase for the movement's characteristic architectural touches: porthole windows, geometric patterns, rounded corners, and glass block construction as well as walls bathed in fuchsia, turquoise, chartreuse and lavender. The Miami Design Preservation League offers a 90-minute tour of the area. For an interesting drive in Miami Beach is along Collins Ave. with it hotels and motel. Also of interest are the magnificent homes and estates, which run the architectural Samut from Spanish-Mediterranean to bold modern. Not open to the public these homes can be seen by driving around some of the private islands accessible from MacArthur, Venetran, North Bay, and Broad causeways. Biscayne National Park has four biological systems: the mainland mangrove forest, Biscayne Bay, the upper Florida Keys and the underwater reefs. Shallow Biscayne Bay, which is between the coast and the northernmost Florida Keys has clear water and is home to sponges, crabs, dolphins, and manatees endangered mammals that favor the bay's warm water. The undeveloped upper Florida Keys are the result of many thousands of years of construction by the tiny animals collectively known as coral. The 20 mile of parks reefs were formed by more than 100 species of coral and harbor more than 200 different kind of fish, including brilliantly colored parrotfish, angelfish, moray eels and wrasses making this very popular for snorkeling and scuba diving. Boating is very popular in Miami Beach. Boats of all sizes and description are for hire and/or for pleasure cruising, fishing, or water skiing, they are available. With the abundance of water naturally bring plenty of fishing opportunities. Bridge pier and bottom fishing are most popular forms of fishing in the area. The Port of Miami is the home of the largest cruise fleet in the world. The Bass Museum of Art exhibits fine art and the Miami Beach Garden Center and Conservatory contains orchids, anthuriums, and ferns.  American Police Hall of Fame and Museum, The  3801 Biscayne Blvd. (US 1)  Miami  Florida  (305) 573-0070  The center displays over 10,000 items relating to law enforcement and exhibits.  Ancient Spanish Monastery  16711 W. Dixie Hwy.  Miami  Florida  (305) 945-1461  The monastery was built in 12th-century Spain, dismantled and shipped to the United States in 1925, and then rebuilt in 1964, which houses ancient artworks and furniture.  Bass Museum  2121 Park Ave., Miami Beach  Miami  Florida  (305) 673-7530  The museum feature religious paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages, Oriental art, and European and American paintings.  Carl Fisher Monument  Fisher Park, Alton Rd. and Surprise Ave., Miami Beach  Miami  Florida    A monument of Carl Fisher commemorating the man who helped establish Miami Beach.  Historical Museum of Southern Florida  Metro-Dade Cultural Center  Miami  Florida  (305) 375-1492  The museum uses various items like artifacts and media to illustrate the past 10,000 years of the region's history and development.  Holocaust Memorial, The  Meridian Ave.  Miami  Florida  (305) 538-1663  The memorial is dedicated to the memory of six million Jews who suffered and died during World War II.  Main Library  Metro-Dade Cultural Center  Miami  Florida  (305) 375-2665  The library offers a capacity of 1.5 million books and more.  Metro-Dade Cultural Center  101 W. Flagler St. at First Ave.  Miami  Florida    The cultural center includes the county's Main Library, the Miami Art Museum, and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.  Metrozoo  12400 S.W. 152nd St. (Coral Reef Dr.)  Miami  Florida  (305) 251-0400  The zoo is a cageless zoo where animals can roam around in a familiar setting and there is an Asian River Life center.  Miami Art Museum  Metro-Dade Cultural Center  Miami  Florida  (305) 375-1700  The museum houses two stories of works of art by international artists and exhibits.  Miami Museum of Science  3280 S. Miami Ave.  Miami  Florida  (305)854-4247  The museum has over 150 hands-on exhibits, Florida fauna and flora shows, and a natural history gallery.  Miami Seaquarium  4400 Rickenbacker Cswy.  Miami  Florida  (305) 361-5705  The seaquarium has various shows, presentations, and exhibits. Also the park is home to television star "Flipper."  Monkey Jungle  14805 S.W. 216th St.  Miami  Florida  (305) 235-1611  A zoo for primates in their simulated natural habitats.  Parrot Jungle and Gardens  jct. Red Rd. (S.W. 57th Ave.) and Killian Dr. (S.W. 112th St.)  Miami  Florida  (305) 666-7834  The parrot zoo offers a large collection of parrots and other exotic birds in a subtropical jungle.  Port of Miami  east of Biscayne Blvd., by the bay  Miami  Florida    The area was built on a 300-acre landfill next to the ship channel.  Sanford L. Ziff Jewish Museum of Florida  301 Washington Ave.  Miami  Florida  (305) 672-5044  Housed in a restored 1936 synagogue, the museum shows permanent and changing exhibits portraying over 230 years of Jewish life in Florida.  Space Transit Planetarium  3280 S. Miami Ave.  Miami  Florida  (305)854-2222 or 854-4242  The planetarium has changing exhibits and multimedia laser and star shows.  Vizcaya  3251 S. Miami Ave.  Miami  Florida  (305) 250-9133  This Italian Renaissance-style villa is now a museum featuring 34 rooms furnished and filled with art.  Weeks Air Museum  14710 S.W. 128th St.  Miami  Florida  (305) 233-5197  The museum is houses at a hanger at Kendall-Tamiami Airport and shows planes and many collections.