Made in Miami

Miami is a thriving tourist hub, offering Latin flavor and Art Deco surroundings. The city thrives on its cool and hip mystique and its nightclub scene is vibrant and happening. It is the second largest city in Florida behind Jacksonville, and the state’s proximity to Mexico and the Caribbean makes for an eclectic melting pot of Latin spice and excitement. Known as the “Gateway to the Americas,” Miami has many cultural and linguistic ties to North, South and Central America and to the Caribbean, and almost all major foreign countries have consulates in Miami.

Part of Miami’s popularity may lie in its subtropical climate and Gulf Stream warmth. The pleasant year-round temperatures provide the perfect medium for the area’s plethora of activities, attractions and beaches. Also, Miami has many meeting spaces available for groups, conventions and gatherings like the Miami Beach Convention Center (link www.miamibeachconvention.com), the Miami Convention Center (link www.miamiconventioncenter.com) and the Coconut Grove Expo Center (link www.coconutgroveexpocenter.com). The Miami area is the headquarters for many companies, including American Airlines, Cisco, Disney, Exxon, FedEx, Microsoft, Oracle, SBC Communications, Sony, Burger King and Carnival Cruise Lines. With eight cruise lines sailing from the city’s port, it is known as the “cruise ship capital of the world.”

Another catalyst in Miami’s popularity can be attributed to the many television shows that have been based in the city, like “Nip/Tuck,” “CSI Miami,” “The Jackie Gleason Show,” “Good Morning Miami,” “The Golden Girls,” “Surfside 6” and, of course, “Miami Vice.” There is plenty to do in Miami, and group travelers will be excited and enriched by everything the area has to offer.

History

Miami is a vibrant city teaming with Cuban culture, lush everglade wildlife and magnificent beaches bordering the Atlantic Coastline. Miami is the only major U.S. city to be founded and planned by a woman, Julia Tuttle, who hailed from Cleveland. Upon her father’s death in 1891, she took over his citrus plantation along the Miami River. Once in Miami, Tuttle became active in attracting commerce to the area and contracted railroad developers to extend rail lines into the area for transportation. The railroad reached Miami in 1896 and July 28, 1896 is its official “birthday.”
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Fidel Castro’s regime forced many Cubans into Miami, thus enriching Miami with Cuban flavor and pizzazz, both in food and in lifestyle.

Major Area Industries

Miami’s economy thrives on tourism, its beautiful beaches attracting visitors every year. In addition, the city’s nightclub scene is a large draw for tourists. But Miami doesn’t only prosper off tourism; it serves as a financial center in the United States. Miami is a mecca for major company headquarters, including American Airlines, Cisco, Disney, Exxon, FedEx, Microsoft, Oracle, SBC Communications, Sony, Burger King and Carnival Cruise Lines. Also, it is the cruise ship capital of the world. Stone quarrying and warehousing are also important contributors to Miami’s economy.

Top Attractions:

Everglades National Park

www.everglades.national-park.com-The beauty and wonder of Everglades National Park has been attracting visitors for decades. It is the only subtropical paradise in North America, and encompasses a slew of wildlife like alligators, crocodiles, herons and storks. Lush vegetation is abundant in the area’s varying landscape of prairies, swamps and forests. Groups can tour the everglades by airboat and on trails.

Miami Metrozoo

www.miamimetrozoo.com-As one of the top 10 zoos in the United States, Miami Metrozoo is a great place to check out wildlife. The zoo is “cageless” with more than 13,000 animals available for viewing. The zoo can host private group events and parties.

Venetian Pool

www.venetianpool.com-For a dip into the history of southern Florida, Venetian Pool in Coral Gables is refreshing and nostalgic. Established in 1923, Venetian Pool is a lagoon carved out of rocks with caves, stone bridges and waterfalls, offering visitors a picturesque and peaceful break from Florida’s heat.

Art Deco Historic District  

www.gmcvb.com/art_deco_historic_district.asp -Miami is known for its Art Deco architecture and a tour through its historic district is a must for any tourist. This historic district is the largest on the 20th Century National Register, featuring more than 800 buildings from the 1920s and 1930s. A variety of tours is available through the area.

Miami Seaquarium

www.miamiseaquarium.com -Shows and exhibits are abundant at the Miami Seaquarium. Visitors can sea “Flipper” star Lolita, Salty the Sea Lion as well as dolphins, crocodiles, alligators, sea turtles and other water-faring creatures.

Sense of Adventure:

For something outside of the usual tourist hotspots, visitors should opt for adventure and thrills. The hopping city of Miami has much to offer adventurers on its beautiful ocean but also has its share of out-of-the-ordinary attractions.

Zero Gravity Corp

www.nogravity.com– Experience space travel through this astronaut attraction that offers a weightless journey on ZERO-G’s Boeing 727 aircraft named G-FORCE ONE.

Richard Petty Driving Experience

www.1800bepetty.com – Miami visitors with a need for speed can experience high-speed racing first hand at the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Visitors can ride shotgun or get behind the wheel themselves to feel like a NASCAR superstar. Group events are available.

Dolphin World

www.dolphinworld.org– Swim with the dolphins at this interactive, aquatic adventure spot. Bottlenose and spotted dolphins are friendly, graceful and beautiful as they eagerly mingle with visiting swimmers.

World Erotic Art Museum

www.weam.com– For an unusual glimpse into the hidden world of erotic art, check out the World Erotic Art Museum, which houses the largest public collection of its kind in the world.

Skydive Miami

www.skydivemiami.com– Catch a bird’s eye view of Miami while plunging through the atmosphere. Skydive Miami offers lessons and group packages, so visitors can learn the art of skydiving and experience the thrill of freefalling through the sky and gliding back to the earth.

Arts and Culture: 

With a setting of Art Deco architecture, beautiful beaches and a vibrant city, Miami is swarming with culture and art. The city offers an eclectic fusion of modern Americana and Latin flavor, making it an inspiring location for any artist.

Bakehouse Art Complex  

www.bakehouseartcomplex.org– With its unique facility located in an abandoned baking company building, the Bakehouse Art Complex now provides artist studios, gallery space, meeting space and classrooms for the community. The not-for-profit organization’s mission is to attract South Florida’s greatest artists by giving them low-rent workspace.

Bass Museum of Art

www.bassmuseum.org– The museum, which is located amidst Art Deco surroundings, was started after John and Johanna Bass donated their art collection to Miami Beach under the condition that the art would be shared with the public. The museum’s collection spans 500 years and specializes in European works.

Jackie Gleason Theater

www.gleasontheater.com– The 2,700-seat theater has been hosting the best of South Florida’s Broadway music and theater for more than 50 years. It has also featured an amalgamation of performance genres, including comedy, concerts, ballet and television productions.

Jewish Museum of Florida 

www.jewishmuseum.com– This museum’s building was once a synagogue that housed Miami Beach’s first congregation. It has recently undergone restorations preserving its many Art Deco features, like a copper dome and 80 stained-glass windows.

Tee Time: 

With beautiful, subtropical landscapes, it’s no wonder golfing in the Miami area is so popular. The year-round warm temperatures are ideal for hitting the green during every season. The area features many championship golf courses and resorts that will challenge and improve your game.

Doral Golf Resort & Spa 

www.doralresort.com – This 18-hole course offers a beautiful and challenging destination for any golf enthusiast. The golf resort and spa boasts the famous Blue Monster course, the Jim McLean Learning Center and a relaxing spa, perfect for relaxation after a day on the green.

Miami Beach Golf Club

www.miamibeachgolfclub.com – Located in the heart of Miami Beach, the club offers the convenience of the city and beautiful urban and natural surroundings. It was designed by leading golf course architect Arthur Hills, and offers a fun and enjoyable challenge for golfers all skill levels.

Don Shula’s Hotel & Golf Club 

www.donshulahotel.com– The 72-par championship golf course is located in the small but picturesque Miami Lakes and serves as one of Florida’s premier semi-private courses. The resort offers a hotel and spa as well.

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Culinary Scene:

With a great climate for growing fresh produce and with its seaside location perfect for seafood, Miami is booming with culinary creations. Latin and Cuban cuisine are mainstays but the area also offers signature treats like the Sandwich Cubano, submarine-style layering of ham, roast pork, cheese, and pickle between Cuban bread, and Cafecito, a strong, sweet espresso. But the cuisine of Miami is ever-changing, and new restaurants and nightclubs are constantly opening. Here are a few favorites.

Afterglo

www.afterglo-restaurant.com – This romantic restaurant offers healthy gourmet cuisine, Hookah pipes and an original martini list. Beautiful Egyptian art lines the walls, giving Afterglo an eclectic look perfect for Miami. Afterglo serves dinner every day of the week from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

B.E.D.

www.bedmiami.com – B.E.D. offers a unique dining experience as it serves guests in luxurious beds. The cuisine is modern French gone global. Dinner is served Monday, and Wednesday thru Saturday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Bottle service is available from 11:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. B.E.D. is closed Tuesday and Sunday.

Escopazzo

www.escopazzo.com – For contemporary Italian dishes with pizzazz, Escopazzo is the perfect dining destination. The restaurant is family-created, boasting home-cooked flavor with modern tastes. Escopazzo is open from 6 p.m. to midnight every night of the week.

Mojitos

Mojitos are a staple in Miami’s popular beverages and are served at restaurants and nightclubs across the city. The Cuban drink is a combination of mint, rum, powdered sugar, limejuice and club soda, with many restaurants creating their own spins on the simple mixed drink.

Shopping

When in search of souvenirs, collectables and trinkets, Miami has you covered. A plethora of shopping venues are available and many of them offer entertainment and restaurant options.

Bayside Marketplace 

www.baysidemarketplace.com/html/ – Located in downtown Miami and on Biscayne Bay, Bayside Marketplace is a definite hotspot for shopping. It offers more than 150 shops, restaurants and bars.

Dolphin Mall  

www.shopdolphinmall.com – This shopping location is one of Miami’s newest value centers and entertainment complexes. It boasts a 19-screen cinema and more than 250 outlet retailers.

The Shops at the Sunset Place  

www.theshopsatsunsetplace.com – Serving as a shopping and entertainment megaplex, The Shops at the Sunset Place is packed with excitement and fun. It features a 24-screen theater, Gameworks and Dan Marinos restaurant.

Don’t leave town without…

Strolling through the Flamingo Gardens

www.flamingogardens.org – The Flamingo Gardens are 60 acres of lush, tropical paradise filled with exotic plants and wildlife.

Seeing a monkey in the Monkey Jungle

www.monkeyjungle.com – As home to more than 60 primates that inhabit the 30 acres of land, the Monkey Jungle is the only protected habitat for endangered primates in the United States that is open to the public.

Visiting the Coral 

www.coralcastle.com – The Coral Castle is a 1,100-ton structure built and carved entirely out of coral rock by one lone man. Edward Leedskalnin, the man who built and lived in this astonishing Castle, would never reveal his technique for transporting all this rock and it is said that no one had ever seen him work, though it took him the better part of thirty years to build.

Getting There:

With more than 300,000 domestic and international flights operating out of Miami International Airport, it is a bustling airplane hub. But for day-trippers and motorcoach groups, here are some helpful mileages for traveling to Miami on the road:

Contact a local receptive operator – Need help organizing a Miami Group Trip?

178 miles from Orlando
328 miles from Jacksonville
206 miles from St. Petersburg
408 miles from Tallahassee

Non-stop flight times from major airports:

Atlanta – 1 hr. 55 min. Boston – 3 hr. 10 min.
Chicago – 3 hr. 9 min. Dallas – 2 hr. 55 min.
Denver – 4 hr. 7 min. Los Angeles – 5 hr. 15 min.
New York – 2 hr. 50 min. Seattle – 6 hr. 16 min.

More than 30 million passengers fly from or land in Miami International Airport every year, so finding an airline shouldn’t be a problem. Major airlines that travel out of Miami International Airport include American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways. Visit www.miami-airport.com (www.miami-airport.com) for a complete list of airlines.

Here to There: 

Miami boasts more than 460 hotels and motels, with nearly 50,000 rooms to accommodate any size group.

The downtown Miami area is a mere five miles from the Miami International Airport, and there is a variety of ways to get there. A local city bus service runs from the Miami International Airport to all areas of Miami-Dade County. A metro rail service is a fixed rail system connecting the county. A downtown-specific railway for the city of Miami and Brickell is available to maneuver around the area once you’re there. Tri-Rail is a commuter rail line operating along Interstate 95.

Courtesy of: www.leisuregrouptravel.com