Scenic Miami

Miami has some of the most beautiful views in all of Florida. From the infamous beaches to the spectacular Everglades, there are so many outdoor activities to take in here, that it's hard to choose just one.

Outdoor activities in Miami as are varied and diverse as the city’s population itself. From the Dade County Fair to the International Mango Festival to the MetroZoo and of course, the beautiful beaches, outdoor enthusiasts of all levels are bowled over by the numerous activity choices around the Miami area.

Guided tours are found in abundance in the Miami area, with visitors having the opportunity to take advantage of chartered Everglades airboat rides, bike tours, kayaking excursions, gondola rides, sightseeing cruises and more. Seeing Miami by water is the best way to soak in the urban sights while appreciating the natural beauty of the area.

To start, the MetroZoo is one of the nation’s premier zoos, ranking among the top ten in the country. The tropical climate of the area allows the zoo to retain a variety of animals from around the world, including Asia, Australia and Africa, which sets it apart from other zoos in the United States. This is one of the first free-range zoos in the country, which means that each of the animal exhibits are completely cageless, allowing animals to roam around in enclosures made to reflect their natural habitat without feeling confined by bars or cages. Animals are grouped in the zoo according to their geographic homelands and those animals that lived together in harmony in the wild are placed in zoo exhibit spaces together.

A visit to Parrot Jungle is an exhibit in true beauty, as visitors can not only take in the sights of these beautiful birds, but also wander around to view the many exotic plants found at this attraction. The Miami Seaquarium allows visitors to get up close and personal with Flipper and take in the exhilarating Killer Whale show. The Seaquarium is located on the causeway, between the downtown Miami area and Miami Beach. Visitors should allot a least half a day to spend perusing the different ocean life housed in this huge facility; though an entire day is preferable if you want to get the full experience and engage in hands-on activities, such as swimming with the dolphins.

If a sport-oriented Miami experience is what you want, then golfing may just be the way to go. Miami has some of the most difficult, yet beautiful, golf courses in the world. In fact, some of the courses found in the Miami area have been rated among the top ten golf courses in the country by Golfweek. Many professional golf tournaments call Miami home and the city has the only public golf course in the U.S. that uses Paspalum grass. The Miami area boasts one of the four World Golf Championship tourneys, the CA Championship and many more.

If you aren’t an avid golfer and are interested in exploring the beaches, there are plenty of them around the Miami area. In fact, this part of Florida is known for amazing beach spots and there are plenty from which to choose. South Beach is a favorite among tourists and is usually packed to the gills with visitors soaking up rays on the various beachfront locales. However, South Beach is not the only area to frolic in the ocean surf. Virginia Beach is located near the Seaquarium and is one of the more interesting beaches in the South Florida area. It contains a number of secluded spots and is the only beach in Miami that allows residents to bring their dogs (they must be on a leash).

Haulover Beach, which is located in Miami Beach, is the only “clothing optional” beach in the area. There is a good mix of nude and traditional sunbathers on this beach and the nude portion is clearly marked to avoid any accidental wanderings into the area. This is also one of the best places in Miami to surf. For visitors looking to avoid the more congested tourist spots, Homestead Bayfront Park is the place to go. This beach is located in south Miami-Dade County and boasts both swimming and boating. It is usually fairly sparse and is a well-kept beach secret among Miami locals.

In addition to the beaches, visitors can go snorkeling, scuba diving, and more with professional instructors or leisure groups around the Miami region. For additional outdoor options, you can also take the short drive over to the indelible Florida Keys to snorkel among the amazing coral reef formations found from Miami over to the different islands that make up the Keys.

Copyright 2010 MiamiSmarts

1. An Introduction to Miami
2. Getting Around Miami
3. Secrets of South Beach
4. Dolphins in Heat in Miami
5. The Miami Music Scene
6. Things to See in Miami
7. The Miami Cultural Scene
8. Shopping in Miami