Wednesday, April 11, 2012

What To Do In Miami



Top Restaurants


Joe's Stone Crab


http://www.joesstonecrab.com/


News Cafe Restaurant


Cafe Prima Pasta


Tobacco Road Bar


Tropical Chinese


Shorty's Bar-B-Que


Miami Children's Museum
Two floors of hands-on exhibits at the Children’s Museum aim to teach and entertain toddlers and grade-schoolers alike. Young kids like the walk-in sandcastle and six-foot piggy bank, as well as the climb-aboard fire truck and cruise ship. Older kids learn about broadcasting at the interactive television and recording studios, as well as attend to their more star-struck needs.
Miami Children's Museum: 305.373.5437, www.miamichildrensmuseum.org

Miami Metrozoo
This 300-acre zoo presents animals in their natural habitat, confined by moats and landscaping instead of cages. Highlights include the white Bengal tiger, the Caribbean Flamingo lake, the daily pelican feeding, 300 exotic birds in the Aviary Wings of Asia exhibit, and the Children’s Zoo with its petting farm.
Miami Metrozoo: 305.251.0401, www.miamimetrozoo.com

Everglades National Park
About 20 miles from Miami you can experience the unspoiled natural beauty of the Everglades, a 1.5-million-acre subtropical wilderness of mangrove swamps and saw-grass prairies cut by watery channels. These rivers of grass harbor alligators, herons, pelicans, plus the endangered American crocodile and manatee. The easiest way to get a feel for the region is to take a boat or tram tour. Bring water, sun block, insect repellant, and a hat.
Everglades National Park: 305.242.7700, www.nps.gov/ever/

Jungle Island
This Florida classic, great for young kids, is now located on a small island between downtown Miami and South Beach. Meander along its 1.35 miles of lushly planted trails and see vibrantly colored parrots, macaws, cockatoos, and parakeets. The Serpentarium’s reptiles include an albino alligator. White tigers, wolves, and chimpanzees perform at the Jungle Theater. And don’t miss the Parrot Bowl show, famous for its tricycle-riding cockatoos and chariot-racing macaws.
Parrot Jungle Island: 305.2.JUNGLE, www.parrotjungle.com


Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Take a quiet break from Miami’s excitement in this tropical paradise that boasts an extensive collection of tropical plants spread over 83 acres. There are two self-guided tours designed for kids age’s four to ten—the Nature Notebook tour encourages kids to create drawings of the plants they see, while the Adventure Pack takes them on a nature hunt. Both tours end with children planting seeds in a small pot they can take home, a nice touch to an educational experience.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: 305.667.1651, www.fairchildgarden.org


Miami Seaquarium
At this collection of 26 specialized aquariums, plus exhibits and animal shows, kids get to discover things like what the largest mammal on Earth, the blue whale, eats and what it feels like to touch a friendly manatee. Crocodile Flats houses the Nile crocs, one of whom is 20 feet long, and Tropical Wings showcases exotic birds. At the daily whale and dolphin shows, these elegant sea mammals put on a show for the crowd by arcing, diving, tail-walking, and responding to other commands.
Miami Seaquarium: 305.361.5705, www.miamiseaquarium.com

Vizcaya
Vizcaya is a National Historic Landmark; we're also a museum owned by Miami-Dade County and accredited by the American Association of Museums. We invite you to visit this serene and stunningly beautiful retreat in the heart of Miami.  Built by agricultural industrialist James Deering in 1916, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens features a Main House, ten acres of formal gardens, and a rockland hammock
Vizcaya: 305.250.9133, www.vizcayamuseum.org