Miami & South Beach

Miami: history

Miami became a city in 1896, after a local landowner, Julia Tuttle, persuaded Henry Flagler to bring his railway south. It is the only large American city founded by a woman.

The pastel Art Deco hotels of South Beach were built in the 1930s. After 1959 many Cubans settled here and gave the city its Latin character. Everglades National Park, on the city's doorstep, was created in 1947.

Miami: tourist attractions

• Art Deco DistrictOcean Drive and its 1930s hotels, best on a guided walk.
• South BeachWide sand, lifeguard towers and warm water.
• Wynwood WallsAn outdoor gallery of street art.
• Little HavanaCalle Ocho, Domino Park and Cuban coffee.
• Vizcaya Museum & GardensAn Italian-style villa from 1916 on the bay.
• Biscayne Bay cruiseA boat trip past the island homes of the famous.
• Bayside MarketplaceShops and music by the marina.
• Everglades airboat rideAlligators in the wetlands west of the city.

Miami: excursions nearby

• Key Biscayne about 10 milesA lighthouse and a quiet beach.
• Fort Lauderdale about 30 milesCanals, a beach promenade and the cruise port.
• Shark Valley, Everglades about 40 milesA tram ride with alligators beside the road.
• Key Largo about 60 milesGlass-bottom boats over the coral reef.
• Palm Beach about 70 milesGrand houses and Worth Avenue.

Distances are approximate. Tell us which excursions you want and we add them to your quote.