Miami

Miami is the youngest major city in the U.S. The first inhabitants of the region were the Calusa tribe, they settled mainly along the Miami River. The name Miami comes from the Calusa word Mayami, meaning Big Water.

The first Europeans in the area namely Ponce de Leon arrived in 1513. By the early 1700s, most of the native population of south Florida had disappeared due to diseases and tribal wars.

Spain supported France during the French and Indian War as a result lost Florida to the British in 1763. In 1783, after the American Revolution, Florida reverted to Spanish possession, but in 1821 Spain sold Florida to the United States for $5 million.

During the Civil War Florida joined the Confederacy, at that time half of the state’s population were slaves.

Julia Tuttle the wealthy widow of a Cleveland businessman arrived in Miami from Cleveland in 1891 and purchased over 640 acres in Miami.

She was the neighbor of other visionaries that believed like her in the future of Miami. Her move was followed by other families such as The Brickells, the Flaglers, the Merricks and the Fishers. Julia Tuttle pledged half of her land to Henri Flagler in order to get him to extend his railway to Miami and to start building a new city from scratch.

On April 15, 1896, Flagler brought his railroad into Miami and began to develop the area. Miami had become a small town that was attracting some of the wealthiest people. The City of Miami was incorporated on July 28, 1896.

On 1914, Miami Beach’s first hotel, the WJ Brown Hotel, opens for business. The hotel was advertised as the ‘American Riviera’.

In the 20′s, Miami was in the midst of an intense expansion and real estate development. During this time George Merrick, the legendary real estate developer created Coral Gables, the first planned community. Carl Fisher developed luxurious hotels with amenities as polo and golf courses.

In September 1926, a large hurricane nearly destroyed Miami Beach. During the depression, Pan American Airways began the era of modern aviation with the Flying Clippers from Miami Dinner Key and advertised Miami as the ‘Gateway to the Americas’.

With the advent of World War II Miami was used by the U.S. army and Navy for training. After World War II, many who had trained in Miami returned to settle in South Florida and Miami experienced accelerated growth.

When Castro came to power in Cuba a wave of immigrants reached the Miami shores, it is believed that approximately one million Cubans moved to Miami.

Today Miami is a multicultural city that has a growing economy based on tourism, banking and trade with Central and South America. The Miami metropolitan area, which includes Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, had a combined population of more than 5.4 million people and ranked fourth in the United States.

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Notable Events and Facts

• Miami is the cruise ship capital of the world with more than 3 million passengers annually and more homeported cruise ships than any cruise port worldwide. Fourteen cruise lines sail from the South Florida seaport.
• Between 1920 and 1929 millionaires like Harvey Firestone, J.C. Penney, Harvey Stutz, Albert Champion, Frank Seiberling, and Rockwell LaGorce build mansions on the three-mile stretch of Collins Avenue know as Millionaire’s Row.
• Miami is the only municipality conceived and founded by a woman – Julia Tuttle.
• Miami is the cruise ship capital of the world, in 3,112,355 passengers in 1999
• Miami is the second largest U.S. airport for international passengers, the first is JFK in New York.
• Miami installed the first bank automated teller machine especially for rollerbladers.
• Miami’s skyline ranks third in the U.S., behind New York City and Chicago.

Historic sites, museums and Places of Interest

South Beach

South Beach is probably one of the most popular beach destinations in the United States, the settings are very cosmopolitan while remaining in a beach setting.

South Beach is many things to many people, it is a place to lose yourself and enjoy. This area is known for its clubs, sidewalk cafes, music and nightlife.

Located south of Indian Creek stretching south for 23 blocks of the main barrier island that separates the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. this was the first area of Miami Beach to be developed, starting in the 1910s by Carl G. Fisher, the Lummus Brothers, John S. Collins, and others. The hurricane in 1926 hurricane, destroyed much of the original area.

Topless sunbathing is legal on certain designated areas of the beach. Ocean Drive Miami Beach, is where the Art Deco District is. It is a very lively and vibrant are which is sure to appeal to any taste.

With over 150 clubs most of which close at 5AM no wonder it’s considered by many as the Sun and Fun Capital of the World.

Bal Harbour

Since Bal Harbour was established in 1946 the tradition of careful and responsible planning to preserve and maintain its charm have continued until today.

Bal Harbour is less than a square mile, and is graced by one of the world’s best beach.
Bal Harbour is known as the jewel-in-the-crown of Miami’s municipalities for its low crime rate, the world renowned Bal Harbour Shops, exquisitely manicured roadways and some of the most spectacular residences and oceanfront resorts.

In 2010, Bal Harbor village has added a children’s camp run by the Miami Children’s Museum at the Sea View Hotel and free yoga and pilates classes on the beach for locals and hotel guests.

Bal Harbor Village is also planning outdoor music performances every month and art nights at the shops, featuring art collections and exhibitions from local galleries and local museums.

Bal Harbor is aggressively promoting itself with their new website
with a catchy slogan, Miami to the south of us, Fort Lauderdale to the north of us, not a single destination above us.

The population of Bal Harbor is 3,200.

Coconut Grove

Coconut Grove is a neighborhood located in the Miami, in Miami-Dade county, and was formed in 1925. Coconut Grove is best known for its quiet breathtaking natural beauty, a lush green landscape bordered by the shimmering blue waters of Biscayne Bay.

Throughout the years Coconut Grove has attracted an eclectic crowd from artists, writers, musicians, and businessman.

There are many activities including the Coconut Grove Arts Festival one of the nation’s premier outdoor fine arts festivals, usually held in February.

Coconut Grove, also offers some of the best vantage points for watching manatees and sailboats, the Barnacle Historic State Park, the National Tropical Botanical Garden, great shopping and nightlife.

Coconut Grove has undergone a renaissance in recent years and has been able to attract tourists and locals with its tropical beauty and artistic disposition.

The Holocaust Memorial

The Holocaust Memorial first opened in 1990, its founders were a small group of Holocaust survivors dedicated to building a permanent memorial to the memory of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

It features The Beginning sculpture of a mother and two nestling children fearful as the signs of the Holocaust first appear, The Arbor of History a semicircular colonnade of Jerusalem stone columns support a wooden arbor with white bougainvillea vines. Following the arbor is a series of black granite slabs etched with photographs of the tortured Holocaust history. Professor Helen Fagin, the Memorial’s historian, wrote the poignant introduction and captions.

A Garden of Meditation a serene and peaceful garden dedicated to the memory of the six million Jewish victims.

The Dome of Contemplation an area enclosed by a dome and semicircular wall with an eternal memorial flame and inscription from the Twenty-Third Psalm.

The Sculpture of Love and Anguish a giant outstretched arm, tattooed with a number from Auschwitz, rises from the earth, the last reach of a dying person.

Followed by a series of bronze vignettes, The Memorial Wall,
The Holocaust Memorial
1933-1945 Meridian Avenue,
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305-538-1663

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

A remarkable attraction in Coconut Grove is Vizcaya originally built as a winter residence by agricultural industrialist James Deering in 1916 a time when America’s wealthiest industrialists created lavish homes inspired by the palaces of Europe.

The residence was built to resemble a 16th-century Italian country villa with 34 decorated rooms surrounding a central courtyard. James Deering traveled Europe collecting art, furniture and tapestries which still adorn this graceful home and exquisite gardens.

Vizcaya’s collections are broad and diverse, including its National Historic Landmark Main House and Village outbuildings, its gardens with their architectural elements and statuary, and the array of art objects on display and integrated within the design of the Main House.

The Garden’s highlights are the Maze Garden which uses formal plantings to create the sense of an outdoor room, the exquisite Secret Garden originally designed to display orchids from James Deering’s shade house, the David A. Klein Orchidarium where you can enjoy rare and colorful orchids in bloom and the view from the South Terrace to the Mound, where a two-roomed pavilion called The Casino offers visitors a refined place to rest and enjoy the view of the main gardens.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
3251 South Miami Avenue
Miami, Florida 33129
305-250-9133

Miami Metrozoo

The Miami Metrozoo is owned and operated by the Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department. The zoo features over 100 exhibits on a massive 740 total acres with over 3 miles of walkways, over 2,000 animals comprising 500 species.

There are over 1000 species of trees, palms and other plants on the zoo grounds with hundreds of orchids in the trees cared for by Eastern Airlines Orchid Society.

Miami Metrozoo is one of the world’s great zoos where wild animals can be viewed in a cageless setting resembling the animal’s natural habitats. Large, open-air exhibits allow visitors to enjoy beautiful and endangered wildlife at a safe yet remarkably close range.

It’s the only zoo in the continental United States located in a subtropical climate.

It is also a sanctuary for endangered species, the zoo has approximately 40 animals on the endangered list.

There’s also a children’s zoo, a unique place for families where visitors can get up close and personal with many small animals making the perfect photo with your little one astride a camel, or the Toadstool where small reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates are housed. Among these are the blue poison arrow frogs, endangered Egyptian tortoises and bearded dragons. Some of the reptiles may be taken out by the zookeepers for little fingers to gently touch.

Miami Metrozoo
1 Zoo Boulevard
12400 SW 152 Street
Miami, FL 33177
305-251-0400

Little Havana

The area dubbed Little Havana, in Miami was created by Cuban immigrants. The area is filled with colorful murals, monuments, men playing dominoes, with and aroma of Cuban coffee and cigar. A cultural hub, Little Havana is the next best thing to sneaking into Cuba. It is the best known neighborhood for Cuban exiles.

The last Friday evening of every month is Viernes Culturales (Cultural Friday). Filled with art shops, outdoor live music and plenty of food.

Little Havana is border to the north by the Miami River, to the south by SW 11th Street, to the west by SW 22nd Avenue and I-95 to the east.

Calle Ocho (S.W. 8th Street) is a once a year extravaganza celebration of Carnaval in February, when over a million spectators gather to celebrate in the city’s largest annual party.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

The 83 acres Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is one of the world’s preeminent botanic gardens, featuring collections of rare tropical plants.

Regarded as an international leader in tropical plant conservation, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden plays an important part in preserving the biodiversity of the tropical environment.

The Botanic garden can be visited by foot or tram.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road
Coral Gables, FL 33156
305-667-165

Museum of Contemporary Art

Known as the museum “where new art is discovered,” the museum originates most of its own exhibitions with a mix of both emerging and legendary artists.

In April 2007, MOCA unveiled architectural plans for the expansion and renovation of its current facility it will triple MOCA’s current exhibition space and offer the public ongoing access to its permanent collection.

The museum is located in the heart of downtown North Miami.

MOCA has attracted high-end design and antiques stores to the same street. There’s always something new on display at MOCA. Past exhibits include works by Gianni Versace, Claire Fontaine, and Salvador Dali.

Museum of Contemporary Art
770 Northeast 125th Street
North Miami, FL 33161-5654
305-893-6211

Shopping

Lincoln Road Mall

Lincoln Road is a pedestrian only mall between Alton Road and Washington Avenue. Most restaurants offer both indoor or outdoor seating, including in the middle of the pedestrian mall area.

You can find specialty shops featuring jewelry, electronics, clothing and art, plus an assortment of restaurants.

Considered South Beach’s premier shopping area

Lincoln Road at 16th Street
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305-531-3442

Bal Harbour Shops

Bal Harbour Shops is no ordinary shopping center, offering an unparalleled selection of world-renowned designers.

The Bal Harbour Shops are set amid the lush tranquility of a breezy, tree-lined locale.

Bal Harbour sets the standard for innovative retail destinations, according to Women’s Wear Daily, no other venue does more business per square foot than the ultra-luxe environs of Bal Harbour Shops.

9700 Collins Avenue
Bal Harbour, FL 33154-2208
305-866-0311

Village at Merrick Park

The Village at Merrick Park You is an upscale shopping where fashion and style come to life in a quaint Village setting with fountains, lush tropical foliage and a serene garden to relax and enjoy the sunshine.

World-class boutiques as Artefacto, CH Carolina Herrera, Juicy Couture, Gucci, Pottery Barn Kids, Hugo Boss, La Perla, Nordstrom and many more.

This is a great place to take a stroll in a park like setting.

Village of Merrick Park
358 San Lorenzo Ave
Coral Gables, Florida 33146
305-529-0200

Nightlife

Nikki Beach Club

Located at One Ocean Drive along the beautiful Atlantic Ocean amid swaying palms trees and warm sunny breezes. Nikki Beach has established itself as the landmark for ultimate parties, celebrations, and entertainment and always lives up to its reputation as a party playground for jet setters, celebrities, VIPs, guests and visitors alike.

Nikki Beach Miami is comprised of a large oceanfront complex featuring an outdoor beach club, restaurant and nightclub.

Club O1 formerly known as Club Nikki is one of the premiere night club destination, where the dress code is strictly enforced, no sandals, no sneakers, no flip-flops, no hats, no shorts, no t-shirts.

One Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305-538-1111

Dolce Miami

Dolce nightclub South beach is a magnificently Asian themed nightclub featuring a fantastic center stage, a 30 foot “rain” water feature, soothing water fountains, a gold embedded pink terrazzo dance floor, Seven separate bars, Four VIP areas, a private VIP guest room, an eclectic Pan Asian Restaurant, and a spacious terrace which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.

Dolce Miami
1501 ocean drive
Miami Beach FL, 33139
305-662-2221

LIV Nightclub

LIV nightclub at Fontainebleau Miami Beach offers a high energy, DJ driven atmosphere to see and be seen with one of best lighting systems.

An ultra exclusive lounge and a high-energy nightclub. LIV™ is home to celebrities, VIPs and Miami’s local party crowd. Within over 18,000 square feet of striking architectural design and lavish decor, DJs spin everything from rock to hip hop to house.

For guests seeking ultra-VIP treatment, the nightclub offers six private skyboxes, each featuring European bottle service, a mini-bar and banquettes with secured purse drawers.

A voyeuristic design throughout the nightclub allows people to see the entire venue from almost every point in the room, while edgy performance vignettes heat up the night with the nightclub scene’s sexiest dancers.

LIV Nightclub
4441 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 3314
305-674-4680

Geo

Latitude: 25.7738889 N
Longitude: -80.1938889 W
County: Miami-Dade County
Elevation is 6 ft (2 m)
Average High Temperature (July): 90.9° F (32.7° C)
Average Low Temperature (January): 59.6° F (15.3° C)

Bio

Miami‘s population according to the Census bureau estimate for 2008 is 413,201 and it is ranked as the 43rd largest city in the United States.