A brief glimpse into the history of Miami
The first inhabitants settled on the banks of the Miami River. The inhabitants at the time of first European contact were the Tequesta people, who controlled much of southeastern Florida. Miami's explosive population growth in recent years has been driven by internal migration from other parts of the country as well as by immigration.
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Juan Ponce de León was the first European to visit the area in 1513 by sailing into Biscayne Bay. The permanent European settlers arrived in the early 1800s. And also, the Seminole Indians arrived, along with a group of runaway slaves. The first regularly scheduled train arrived on the night of April 15, 1896 in Miami.
Miami attractions for my date.
Pulsating Miami has evolved from a sleepy outpost near Florida’s Everglades into a world-class cosmopolitan metropolis bursting with attractions, water-sports, nightlife and shopping. Sparkling shoreline, museums, parks, and a diversified line-up of restaurants await, along with a gleaming seaport boasting more passenger cruise activity than anywhere else in the world.
In the 1980s, Miami’s dubious reputation as a haven for drug dealing got a positive spin on television’s artsy Miami Vice, putting Miami Beach’s Art Deco District on the world stage as a trend centerpiece. With Miami’s vice, nice, and spice, little wonder that after Los Angeles and New York, Miami is the third most popular American city for international tourists.
I was wondering where to stay.
Hotel Intercontinental – Miami (call 1-877-314-2424).
The Crowne Plaza - Miami International Airport (1-877-314-2424)
The Holiday Inn - Miami-International Airport (call 1-800-356-3584)
My date is restless; I must find tourist attractions and places to visit.
Ancient Spanish Monastery
Built in Segovia, Spain in 1141, the Monastery Cloister is the Western Hemisphere’s oldest building. 16711 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach. (305) 945-1461
Art Deco Welcome Center
Miami Design Preservation League, 1001 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. (305) 672-2014
The Art Museum at FIU
University Park, Florida International University, 11200 Southwest 8th Street, Miami. (305) 348-2890
Bakehouse Art Complex
561 Northwest 32nd Street, Miami. (305) 576-2828
Barnacle State Historic Park
3485 Main Highway, Coconut Grove. (305) 448-9445
Bass Museum of Art
2121 Park Avenue, Miami Beach. (305) 673-7530
For a quiet stroll and some fresh air
Beach Scene Diversity
Bal Harbour Beach, Collins Avenue from 96th Street to Haulover Inlet. (305) 866-4633
Crandon Park Beach, 4000 Crandon Boulevard. (305) 361-7373
Haulover Beach Park, 10800 Collins Avenue. (305) 944-3040
Hobie Beach/Windsurfer Beach, (305) 230-3040
Homestead Bayfront Park, 9698 S.W. 328th Street. (305) 230-3034
Miami Beach North, Central, South, Collins Avenue. (305) 673-7714
South Pointe Park, Ocean Drive at 5th Street. (305) 673-7714
Sunny Isles Beach, Collins Avenue from 157th Street to 193rd Street. (305) 947-0606
Surfside Beach, Collins Avenue from 88th Street to 96th Street. (305) 861-4863
Virginia Key Beach–North, east of Biscayne Bay, south of Rickenbacker Causeway. (305) 575-5256
Biscayne National Park
9700 Southwest 328th Street, Homestead. (305) 230-1100
Coopertown Airboat Tours
22700 Southwest 8th Street, Miami. (305) 226-6048
Coral Castle
28655 South Dixie Highway, Homestead. (305) 248-6345
Coral Gables Merrick House
907 Coral Way, Coral Gables. (305) 460-5361
Deering Estate
16701 Southwest 72nd Avenue. (305) 235-1668
Everglades Alligator Farm
40351 Southwest 192nd Avenue, Homestead. (305) 247-2628
Everglades Safari Park
26700 Tamiami Trail, Miami. (305) 226-6923
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables. (305) 667-1651
Fruit and Spice Park
24801 Southwest 187th Avenue, Homestead. (305) 247-5727
GameWorks
Shops at Sunset Place, 5701 Sunset Drive, South Miami. (305) 667-4263
Gold Coast Railroad Museum
Gold Coast Railroad Museum, 12450 Southwest 152 Street, Miami. (305) 253-0063
IMAX Theatre
Shops at Sunset Place, 5701 Sunset Drive, Suite 134, South Miami. (305) 663-4629
Island Queen Cruises
401 Biscayne Boulevard, Bayside Marketplace. (305) 379-5119
Lowe Art Museum
1301 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables. (305) 284-3535.
Miami MetroZoo
12400 Southwest 152nd Street, Miami. (305) 251-0400
Miami Museum of Science
3280 South Miami Avenue, Coconut Grove. (305) 646-4200.
Miami Seaquarium
4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami. (305) 361-5705
Miccosukee Indian Gaming
U.S. Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail), 18 miles west of Krome Avenue. (305) 222-4600.
Miccosukee Indian Village
U.S. Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail), 18 miles west of Krome Avenue. (305) 223-8380.
Monkey Jungle
14805 Southwest 216th Street, Miami. (305) 235-1611
Parrot Jungle Island
1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami. (305) 258-6453
Pelican Harbor Seabird Station
1275 Northeast 79th Street Causeway, Miami. (305) 751-9840
South Florida Art Center
800, 810, 924 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. (305) 674-8278
Tropicalboat Charters
(786) 218-3030.
Tropical Fun Center and Planet Paintball
Open 7 days, dawn ‘til midnight.
272nd Street and U.S. Highway 1. (305) 246-3731
Venetian Pool
2701 DeSoto Boulevard, Coral Gables. (305) 460-5356
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, 3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami. (305) 250-9133
World and U.S. Chess Hall of Fame
13755 Southwest 119th Avenue, Miami. (786) 242-4255

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