About Miami

Vibrant and charged with the energy of Caribbean rhythms, Miami means big-city sophistication and seductive beaches to those who plug into its unique brand of electric charge. A railroad into the old Indian trading post started Miami down its path as Florida's most dynamic city and a few works of modern engineering made Miami Beach a sudden hotspot of the 1920s. With a colorful arts scene, world-class shopping, watersports splendor, professional sports and a load of family attractions, Miami makes one of the nation's most well-rounded metropolitan destinations.

Miami Area Beaches

Miami is where the Atlantic Ocean merges with the Caribbean Sea; where sands turn soft and white and the waters from light blue to nearly-clear aqua. There are more than a dozen areas in this part of the state, ranging from the more subdued North Miami Beach to the world-renowned South Beach, the southern city that doesn't sleep. So whether you are looking for a lazy day on the beach or feeling the need for some serious partying, this is the place to visit.

Area Neighborhoods

These cities sit on a strip of land with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Intercoastal Waterway or Biscayne Bay on the other. In essence, the beach cities are a chain of islands running down the coast of Southern Florida. Starting from the north end of Dade county and moving south we have:

Aventura After becoming a city in 1995, Aventura, Florida has established its niche as an enclave of tropical landscaping and water surrounding sleek high-rises and luxurious single-family homes. Majestic palms line the roadways and colorful flowers cover the medians of Aventura Boulevard and Country Club Drive. Aventura Founders Park located in the center of the city of Aventura, features a bayside path, a children's playground, tennis courts and a multi-purpose athletic field. Aventura, Florida is synonymous with world-class shopping at Aventura Mall. To date, it is the largest in the area with six department store anchors and more than 250 shops.

North Miami Beach Planned as a "perfect city" in 1917, North Miami Beach, Florida still has the same street layout. Now it is a large residential, business and shopping area that includes The Mall at 163rd Street. Nearby North Miami Beach is historic Greynolds Park, which boasts a 9-hole par-36 golf course while the Oleta River State Recreation Area offers kayaking, picnic grounds and more. The oldest building in the Western Hemisphere, the Ancient Spanish Monastery, dating back to 1141, was brought from Spain to the United States in pieces by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst and in 1954 rebuilt on its current site. North Miami Beach, Florida Performing Arts Theater presents a full program of shows during the winter season.

Sunny Isles The scene is changing in the Sunny Isles, Florida resort area. The atmosphere in Sunny Isles is still casual but the funky 50's motels and small beachfront hotels are giving way to luxury apartment towers and hotels. Little has changed on the Newport Fishing Pier, where you can drop a line and fish from shore or for real deep-sea fishing, head to the charter boats docked on the Intracoastal Waterway at Haulover Beach Park. Ocean breezes cool the nine-hole Par 3 golf course and tennis courts, and make the park a mecca for kite flying in Sunny Isles, Florida. Across the way, a one-mile stretch of white sand and open ocean surf invites sunbathing and swimming.

Bal Harbor Discreet elegance is the keynote of Bal Harbour, Florida - long the favored hideaway of the rich and famous. Bal Harbour's crown jewel is an upscale mall that opens to the sky but protects shoppers from the elements. The ambience of Bal Harbour, Florida is meant to be savored amidst an array of cuisines served in a Bal Harbour Mediterranean-style garden café, an elegant dining room or a terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean..

Surfside One of the attractions of quiet family-oriented Surfside, Florida is the wide, secluded beach bordered by a path through the dunes. Rejuvenated hotels and new luxury condominiums in Surfside are changing the style of Collins Avenue, but Harding Avenue, retains the feel of an old-style main street with small shops and a 50's corner drugstore and soda fountain. Small bistros welcome strollers for a casual meal. Shows and events take place at the oceanfront pink Community Center. Just south of Surfside, Florida, the North Shore State Recreation Area offers an unspoiled beachfront nature preserve and picnic area.

Miami Beach Miami Beach, Florida's picture-postcard winter playground has blossomed into a sophisticated community that welcomes visitors at any time of year. Miami Beach offers more than fantasy Art Deco buildings; it is blessed with diverse cultural institutions, public beaches and boutiques that put a designer spin on Miami Beach shopping. Miami Beach, Florida's trendy charms revolve around its cuisine, sizzling nightspots and cultural scene.

South Beach World-famous and as exciting as ever. Features some of the most expensive condo real estate in Miami, but offers a vibrant lifestyle. Also features an large number of historic art deco buildings, many of which have been renovated and put up for sale. Within South Beach there are many distinct areas, each with its own charm: Lincoln Road, Venetian Isles, West Avenue, Park, SoFi (South of Fifth Street--where real estate is seeing an unprecedented boom). At night, South Beach comes alive with crowds dressed in party-casual chic.