Miami Travel Tips, Vacation To Miami, Best Beach Vacations

Miami Vacations

Miami is a major city in southeastern Florida, in the United States. The city covers 55.27 square miles (143.15 km²) and is the county seat of Miami-Dade County. Miami is a gamma world city with an estimated population of 404,048. It is the largest city within the South Florida metropolitan area, which is the largest metropolitan area in the Southeastern United States with 5.4 million. Miami and its surrounding cities make up the fifth largest urban area in the United States.

Miami is one of the country’s most important financial centers. It is the major center of regional commerce, and boasts a strong international business community. According to the ranking of world cities undertaken by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network (GaWC) and based on the level of presence of global corporate service organizations, Miami is considered a “Gamma World City.”

Because of its proximity to Latin America, Miami serves as the headquarters of Latin American operations for over 1400 multinational corporations, including American Airlines, Cisco, Disney, Exxon, FedEx, Microsoft, Oracle, SBC Communications, Sony, and Visa International. Several large companies are headquartered in or around Miami, including but not limited to: Alienware, AutoNation, Bacardi, Brightstar Corporation, Burger King, Carnival Cruise Lines, Citrix Systems, DHL, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Ryder Systems, and Spirit Airlines. Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami are among the nation’s busiest ports of entry, especially for cargo from South America and the Caribbean. Additionally, downtown Miami has the largest concentration of international banks in the country. Miami was also the host city of the 2003 Free Trade Area of the Americas negotiations, and is one of the leading candidates to become the trading bloc’s headquarters. This effort has been guided by Florida FTAA.

Tourism is also an important industry in Miami. The beaches of Greater Miami draw visitors from across the country and around the world, and the Art Deco nightclub district in South Beach (in Miami Beach) is widely regarded as one of the most glamorous in the world. However, it is important to note that Miami Beach is not a part of the city of Miami. Even major TV networks sometimes forget this, as when Good Morning America visited Miami Beach and Charles Gibson thanked the mayor of Miami (but he was standing next to the mayor of Miami Beach). In addition to these roles, Miami is also an industrial center, especially for stone quarrying and warehousing.

Miami Beach

Miami South Beach:

People watching is a great pastime in Miami’s South Beach, which draws celebrities and beautiful people in skimpy swim attire to see and be seen. The wide and fine, white sand-covered beaches are popular spots for fashion photo shoots, so you’re sure to see models. The area is known for its hip clubs and wild nightlife as well as numerous excellent restaurants.
Address: Miami Beach, Florida

Art Deco Historic District:

An area of Miami Beach noted for its concentration of over 800 Art Deco buildings all within one square mile. Consider joining the walking tour which takes you past the white- and pastel-colored stucco buildings beautifully restored to their former splendor thanks to the Miami Design Preservation League.
Address: Miami Beach, Florida

Miami Art Museum:

Since 1996, MAM has been a showcase of international and Western art, including photographs, paintings, sculpture and other mediums, from 1940 to the present.
Address: 101 W Flagler St, Miami, Florida

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens: Built in 1916 as a winter retreat, this lavish villa is a tribute to the Italian Renaissance. The museum contains much of the original furnishings and artwork, and is surrounded by lush, formal gardens.
Address: 3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, Florida

Miami Metrozoo:

Recently rebuilt, the Metrozoo is a sanctuary for endangered, rare and threatened animals including, tigers, crocodiles and the infamous Komodo Dragon. Special animal education programs are available for children of all ages.
Address: 1 Zoo Blvd, 12400 SW 152 St, Miami, Florida