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Miami Destination Guide
Bal Harbour
Founded in 1946, the seaside village of Bal Harbour today boasts sunny beaches and a wealth of shopping and fine dining opportunities. However, Ball Harbour still manages to evoke a small-town atmosphere. Bal Harbour is home to the world-famous Bal Harbour Shops, an upscale open-air mall that features a variety of specialty shops, boutiques and outdoor cafes. Spend an afternoon shopping at high-end retail stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. Bal Harbour is conveniently located midway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale international airports.
Coconut Grove There's something for everyone in the eclectic Miami neighborhood of Coconut Grove, from trendy boutiques and large shopping malls to bustling outdoor cafes and world-class restaurants to lively nightclubs. CocoWalk, an open-air shopping, dining and entertainment complex, is located in the heart of Coconut Grove. Other Coconut Grove attractions include Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Miami Museum of Science & Planetarium, Barnacle Historic State Park and Coconut Grove Playhouse. A variety of lively seasonal events take place in Coconut Grove such as the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Coconut Grove Food & Music Festival, Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival, Banyan Arts Festival and Coconut Grove Bed Race.
Downtown Miami
In addition to its role as a major international commerce and financial center, downtown Miami also features a number of worthy attractions such as the Miami-Dade Cultural Center, which consists of the Miami Art Museum, Historical Museum of Southern Florida and the immense Miami-Dade Public Library. The Bayside Marketplace serves as downtown Miami's waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment center. Downtown Miami is also home to the state-of-the-art Gusman Center for the Performing Arts.
Key Biscayne
Billed as a "tropical island paradise," Key Biscayne lies across Biscayne Bay from Coral Gables via the Rickenbacker Causeway. Key Biscayne features one of the world's msot beautiful beaches, along with opportunities for sightseeing, boating, fishing, diving, bicycling, windsurfing, golfing and tennis. Attractions in and around Key Biscayne include Miami Seaquarium, Cape Florida Lighthouse, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area and Crandon Park Beach. In addition to its inviting white-sand beach, Crandon Park features a championship golf course, tennis courts, marina and Family Amusement Park, which boasts a historic carousel, outdoor roller skating rink, splash fountain and marine play sculptures.
Little Havana For a taste of Cuban culture, head to the lively neighborhood of Little Havana, which is located a few miles Southwest of downtown Miami. Calle Ocho (S.W. 8th Street), which serves as the heart of Little Havana., features a number of outdoor cafes and specialty shops. Don't miss the inspirational monuments that line Cuban Memorial Boulevard. Each March, Little Havana is home to the Calle Ocho Festival - billed as "the biggest block party in the world."
South Beach If you're seeking excitement, head to South Beach, the Southernmost 3-mile stretch of Miami Beach, which offers a wealth of specialty shops, trendy restaurants and cafes, and lively nightclubs, many of which can be found along bustling Ocean Drive. The Art Deco Historic District allows visitors an opportunity to view many examples of the vibrant colors and uniquely stylized architecture that have made South Beach synonymous with Art Deco style. Collins and Washington avenues, both of which run parallel to Ocean Drive, serve as South Beach's main commercial thoroughfares. Don't miss the pedestrian-friendly Lincoln Road Mall and Espanola Way shopping districts.
MIAMI ACTIVITIES
Conventions & Meetings: With perfect weather year round, white-sand beaches, numerous accommodation choices, world-class dining, fabulous nightlife, state-of-the-art meeting facilities, unique attractions and a variety of shopping opportunities, Miami has earned its reputation as an ideal locale for business meetings, conferences, conventions, trade shows, retreats and other special corporate events. Ideally located in the heart of South Beach, the Miami Beach Convention Center is the largest meeting facility in South Florida.
Cruise Lines: The Port of Miami has evolved into the "Cruise Capital of the World," homeporting 18 cruise ships and serves approximately 4 million passengers. A wide variety of cruise destinations are available - including The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Europe, Far East and around the world. The Port of Miami serves as the homeport to Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Oceania Cruises and Windjammer Barefoot Cruises.
Deep-Sea Fishing: The waters off Miami, as well as Southwest toward the Florida Keys, are teeming with fish, providing superb deep-fishing opportunities for amateur and professional anglers alike. Half- and full-day charter fishing trips are available. Offshore sightseeing trips can also be arranged through various private charters. Reservations are required in most instances.
Dining: Miami is home to a multitude of world-class dining establishments, whether you are seeking Caribbean, Continental, Cuban, South American, Asian, Italian, Mexican, New American, Polynesian, Spanish, Mediterranean or even "Floribbean" cuisine. During stone crab season, visitors and locals alike flock to such legendary establishments as Joe's Stone Crab and Monty's Stone Crab. Many trendy eateries can be found in South Beach, Bayfront Marketplace, Coconut Grove, downtown Miami, Coral Gables and Bal Harbour, among other area locales.
Golf: The abundance of championship golf courses throughout South Florida - along with perfect weather year round, white-sand beaches, a variety of accommodation choices, world-class dining and nonstop nightlife - combine to make for the ideal golf getaway. Notable Miami area courses include Biltmore Golf Club, Costa Greens Golf Club, Country Club of Miami, Crandon Park Golf Course, Don Shula's Golf Club, Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Haulover Golf Course, Costa Greens Golf Club, Country Club of Miami, Crandon Park Golf Course, International Links Miami, Miami Beach Golf Club, Miccosukee Country Club, Miami Springs Golf Course, Normandy Shores Golf Course and Palmetto Golf Course, among many others.
Health Spas: Dozens of luxurious health spas are located throughout Miami and the beaches, providing state-of-the-art therapeutic treatments, amenities and exercise facilities, allowing you to relax and rejuvenate during your South Florida vacation getaway. Services vary from spa to spa but many health spa facilities feature hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, body massage, deep cleansing, facials, manicures, pedicures, deep tissues or Swedish massage, tanning rooms, free weights, Cybex machines, cardiovascular equipment and more. Some spas are open to the public, while others are reserved for the exclusive use of resort guests.
Nightlife: Party all night long at one of the myriad of trendy bars and nightclubs that can be found throughout the Greater Miami area, especially South Beach, Coconut Grove adn downtown Miami. Many of these hot spots offer dazzling lights, state-of-the-art sound and video, great special effects, huge dance floors, live bands, unique drink specialties, top DJ's and a wide range of musical styles - from disco, techno, hip-hop and Latino to rock 'n' roll, blues and jazz.
Outdoor Recreation: Abundant recreational opportunities exist in Miami and the surrounding beaches such as sunbathing, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, sailing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, golfing and tennis. Biscayne National Park, the largest marine park in the National Park System, offers crystal-clear waters, living coral reefs, beautiful islands and ideal opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving. Crandon Park, which is located on Key Biscayne, boasts one of the world's most beautiful beaches, as well as a championship golf course, tennis courts, marina and Family Amusement Park. Miami also provides convenient access to Everglades National Park, the third-largest park in the country. The park includes campgrounds, hiking trails, picnic areas, boat tours, canoe and bike rentals, and observation towers.
Shopping: A vacation getaway to South Florida is not complete without a visit to some of the Miami area's world-class specialty shops, high-end boutiques, regional shopping malls and factory outlets. A shopper's paradise, the ever-popular Bayside Marketplace serves as Miami's waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment center. The Mediterranean-style Aventura Mall, South Florida's largest regional shopping mall, boasts 250 specialty shops and restaurants. The Miracle Mile in the heart of downtown Coral Gables offers specialty shops, art galleries, bookstores, eclectic restaurants, live theater and more. Sawgrass Mills Mall features more than 270 outlet stores and name-brand discounters, as well as 30 restaurants and the Sawgrass Regal 23 Cinema. Other popular Miami area shopping destinations include the Village of Merrick Park, Dadeland Mall, Miami International Mall, The Shops at Sunset Place, The Falls, Bal Harbour Shops and Dolphin Mall, among others.
For great deals on comfortable accommodations that provide easy access to Miami area attractions, restaurants, nightlife, shopping and outdoor recreation, check out Westgate South Beach! For more information about Westgate South Beach, visit www.wgsouthbeach.com.
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