Things to Do in Miami

Vibrant Cuban culture permeates every aspect of the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, Florida—you’ll find it in the colorful murals, the monuments to heroes past and present, the residents facing off in the domino park as they discuss politics, and in the cigar rollers at work amidst the ever-present aroma of Cuban coffee.

The Basics
The neighborhood’s colorful spirit unfolds on Calle Ocho, Little Havana’s bustling main street, reminiscent of Cuba. On this block between SW 15th and 17th avenues, the Miami Arts District contains a string of studios and galleries that showcase some of the best Latin American art in the country. Nearby, travelers will find the Bay of Pigs Museum & Library, which enshrines the crew of the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion, and on the two blocks at SW 13th Street, south of Calle Ocho, are monuments of Cuban patriots and freedom fighters. Many tour options combine a visit to Little Havana with tours of other popular spots in Miami and the surrounding area: South Beach and its art deco architecture, Miami Beach, the Everglades, Coconut Grove, or the art galleries in nearby Wynwood.

• If you’re not prepared to sweat through the Miami summer heat, book a bus tour or a private tour with air-conditioned transportation included.
• Walking tours and bike tours are the easiest ways to see the area.
• Half-day Little Havana tours take in the neighborhood’s sights, while full-day options also visit other Miami highlights.

How To Get to Little Havana
The Miami River separates Little Havana from downtown Miami on the northeast border. Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street) is the neighborhood’s epicenter, running between NW 22nd Avenue and SW 10th Avenue. You can get to Little Havana via the Metromover train or by bus. If you’re coming by car, take I-95 to NW 7th Street.

When to Get There
Daily life is always pulsating to the beat of Cuban music in Little Havana. A daytime visit lets travelers see the neighborhood’s charming, banal side; the nightlife that erupts after dark is worth a visit in itself.

What to Eat in Little Havana
One of the best ways to experience a culture is through its food, and Cuban culture in Miami’s Little Havana is no exception. On a Little Havana food tour, you can taste Cuban specialties such as guava pastries, chicken plantain cups, and flan ice cream while learning about Cuban traditions, history, and culinary practices from a local tour guide.

The Port of Miami is one of the busiest embarkation and disembarkation points in the cruising world, so get there a day or two early to minimize stress and see a bit of the city before you set sail. Known for its Art Deco architecture, glamorous South Beach and Cuban influences, Miami is a fast-paced city with endless urban adventures, but if it’s all a bit too much for you, escape the bustle for a shore excursion to the Florida Keys, an Everglades airboat tour or a helicopter ride up in the clouds.

How to Get to Miami

Your ship will be docked at the port on Dodge Island, just a couple of miles from downtown. It’s a 15-minute walk to the Bayside Marketplace shopping and dining center. Most other Miami attractions require a cab, which you’ll find near the port.

One Day in Miami

The beach is a must, but first, head inland to explore one of Miami’s most colorful neighborhoods, Little Havana, just west of downtown. Wander down 8th Street (or ‘Calle Ocho’), where you can watch cigars being rolled, try a Cubano sandwich and see several memorial statues along Cuban Memorial Boulevard.

Next, hop in a cab and head to the Miami Seaquarium, an aquatic park spread across nearly 40 acres (16 hectares) on Biscayne Bay. Watch sharks being fed, manatees being brought back to health, dolphins showing off their tricks and rescued turtles enjoying some rehabilitation.

Now it’s time to visit Miami Beach, which is reached easiest by cab. Ask the driver to drop you off around Ocean Drive and 10th Street, which puts you in the heart of the Art Deco District. Walk around for a bit to admire the historic buildings that put Miami on the architecture map, and then kick off your shoes and spend the rest of the afternoon on the white sands of South Beach.

Jungle Island (formerly Parrot Jungle Island) is a glorious homage to tourism kitsch. This is one of those places kids beg to go, so just give up and prepare for some bright-feathered, bird-scented fun. Actually, the 18 acre (7 hectare) waterfront facility, lushly landscaped and using a minimum of pesticides, is pretty impressive, thanks in part to the parrots, macaws, flamingos, and cockatoos flying about in outdoor aviaries.

The Cape Penguin colony is especially cute, as is Crocosaurus, a 20 foot (6 meter) long saltwater crocodile that lives in Serpentarium. Other critters include snakes, crocodiles, gibbons and orangutans, not to mention tortoises, iguanas, and a rare albino alligator on exhibit.

You can even see animals in action, as Jungle Island host a number of shows starring roller-skating cockatoos, card-playing macaws, and numerous stunt-happy parrots. Nearby is Pinecrest Gardens, which has a petting zoo, mini-water park, and a lake. 

Since 1962 this 2.6-acre urban oasis has provided locals and travelers with easy access to some of the most diverse plant life on earth. Visitors can wander the well-kept grounds where lush green lawns with glittering fountains and stone paths lead the way to impressive atriums filled with colorful blossoms.  

All across America are wealthy suburbs, where the houses are big and new and designed to resemble European abodes. But Coral Gables, called the City Beautiful, was the first. For in the posh neighborhood, you’ll see Italianate villas, Mediterranean mansion, mini-Alhambras, and cookie-cutter Cordobas, shaded and lovely under lving walls of banyan grove and ficus copse.

After you’ve spent some time driving around looking at all the beautiful homes, head up Granada Boulevard to Anastasia Avenue to marvel at the palatial landmark Biltmore Hotel. Then zip up the diagonal Desoto Boulevard, past the gurgling stone fountain of DeSoto Plaza to the perfectly sculpted landscaping, waterfalls, palm groves, and shaded pavilions of Venetian Pool. For a little respite, head east past wedding-cake houses and an organic pavilion of banyan branches to Miracle Mile, a sparkling stretch of the Gables’ finest shopping outlets.

To the south is the University of Miami, where the gorgeous grounds and its student body inject a nice dose of punky youth into this aristocratic neighborhood. Art lovers should stop at the Lowe Art Museum to see the stunning collection of pre-Columbia and Mesoamerican art. The museum also has a lovely collection of Renaissance and Baroque art.

One of Miami’s most delicious and vibrant attractions is Mango’s Tropical Cafe. Offering a quintessential dose of Miami flavor, this two-story nightclub boasts some of the city’s best live entertainment, especially as their shows display Miami’s melting pot culture. The decor has an outdoor beach vibe, with palm trees and tropical artwork, while the menu consists of simple yet tasty dishes like steak, burgers, and mahi mahi. The real draw to Mango’s, however, is the loud and lively entertainment, showcasing talented men and women in vibrant costumes dancing tango, salsa, reggae, congo, mariachi and even pulling out some Michael Jackson moves. Pair the experience with a mojito, caipirinha or Caribbean rum cocktail to really get to know the culture of the dances.

Conveniently, Mango’s Tropical Cafe is located across from Miami Beach. Just like at Miami Beach, you can expect beautiful people at the nightclub and restaurant and a party that seems to never end.