This is what I wrote a relative:
A driving tour to do over 1 - 2 days (end at any point and pick-up later):
1.
SOUTH BEACH -- Cross the Bay to visit
So-Be (South Beach), drive South on Collins Avenue, and cut over to Ocean Drive to see the Art Deco buildings and
Versace Mansion (Casa Casaurina). Stop for a meal or drink at one of the sidewalk cafes or walk on the beach and people watch. If parking is not available on the street, use a city garage.
2.
JUNGLE ISLAND -- Driving back to the mainland on MacArthur Causeway, you'll find
Jungle Island (
http://jungleisland.com/park_info.php) -- a venerable Miami attraction (formerly Parrott Jungle). You could spend a couple of hours here.
3.
BAYSIDE SHOPS & TOURS -- When back on the mainland (or if you never left), drive South on Biscayne Blvd (US 1), stop at
Bayside Marketplace for shopping or catch a boat-tour that leaves from its docks. I like this 90-minute tour:
https://www.islandqueencruises.com/sightseeing.html
4.
KEY BISCAYNE -- Continue South on Brickell Avenue (still U.S. 1) to
Rickenbacker Causeway -- named after Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, a WWI flying ace and 1st President of Eastern Airlines. Crossing here, you'll come to the
Miami Seaquarium (
http://www.miamiseaquarium.com/) -- a compact version of SeaWorld. If you drive to the very end Key Biscayne, you'll come to
Cape Florida State Park (
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Cape-Florida) -- fee to enter.
5.
VIZCAYA -- Instead of Key Biscayne or maybe on Day #2, I suggest that you head South on Bayshore Drive to the
Vizcaya Estate (
www.vizcayamuseum.org/) -- a Mediterranean mansion built in 1914 by millionaire James Deering, complete with gardens, sculptures and grottos. Its well worth your time.
6.
COCONUT GROVE -- Continuing South on Bayshore, you'll run into the
Coconut Grove (
https://www.coconutgrove.com/) -- Miami's "old town" founded in 1873, a hangout for hippies in the 60's and still somewhat counter-culture). Stop at
Barnacle State Historic Site in Coconut Grove (
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/The-Barnacle) -- A historic estate on the Bay. Drive South on Main Street, a little two-lane, tree-lined road, and make your way to LeJune Road (42nd Avenue).
7.
THE GABLES -- Driving North on LeJune,
Coral Gables (
http://coralgables.com/index.aspx?page=4) will be on your left, the Grove on your right. At U.S. 1, you could turn left to find the
University of Miami, or continue North (you'll see a high school I attended on the left. When you come to SW 8th Street (U.S. 41), turn right to enter "Little Havana."
8.
LITTLE HAVANA -- Drive straight thru Little Havana, down "Calle Ocho" (8th Street). Stop to dine at
Versailles (
http://www.versaillesrestaurant.com/) -- authentic Cuban cuisine. Continue on 8th Street until it dead-ends at Brickell Avenue, then head North, back to your hotel.
OTHER IDEAS:
Ancient Spanish Monastery (
http://www.spanishmonastery.com/) in North Miami
-- An actual 12th century monastery brought over from Spain.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden on Old Cutler Road, South off LeJune (
www.fairchildgarden.org/)
-- Self-guided or tram tours, includes the “Wings of the Tropics” butterfly conservatory.
Miami Zoo in South Miami (
http://www.zoomiami.org/)-- one the top 10 in the country.
Everglades National Park (
https://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm)-- Either the Homestead entrance, or Shark Valley, where they offer a tram tour.
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