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Top 10 Things To Do in Miami Beach , Florida

By , About.com Guide

Miami Beach is full of great tourist destinations for visitors and residents alike!  This list presents the best places to see on the beach. If you'd like to save on admission to over 25 Miami attractions, you may wish to get a Go Miami Card (buy direct)

1. South Beach Weekend

Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
South Beach is the quintenssential Miami hot spot. From shopping to partying, this area of Miami Beach is well-known for being a trendy locale. In the linked article, we outline a weekend trip to this fabulous destination.

2. Hit the Beach!

Florida Department of Parks and Recreation
Miami’s beaches offer a great opportunity to get some exercise or just enjoy some time in the sun! I take a look at a few of my favorite beaches, including a couple of lesser-used spots where you’ll be able to avoid the tourist crowd.

3. Miami Children's Museum

Dana Bowden
If you have kids (or just like to act like them!), the Miami Children's Museum is a must-see destination. Their motto of "Play, Learn, Imagine, Create" shines through in the wide variety of interactive exhibits that allow children to explore everything from a supermarket to a television studio, picking up valuable lessons along the way.

4. Parrot Jungle Island

Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
Parrot Jungle offers visitors a fun, educational opportunity to get an up-close look at tropical birds in replicas of their natural habitats. The attraction routinely hosts field trips and offers frequent educational programs.

5. Monkey Jungle

Renee Chapple
"Where the humans are caged and the monkeys run wild" - it's more than a catch-phrase. Monkey Jungle in southern Miami-Dade County is a truly unique park. While homo sapiens walk through carefully constructed wire pathways, many species of primates scamper above your head, swing through trees and interact with each other in ways difficult to observe in captivity. Keep your eyes open; you never know who's hanging around!

6. South Beach Walking Tour

Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau

Since the 1920s, Miami Beach has been synonymous with glamour, glitz and non-stop sun. The epicenter of the beach is really on the barrier island’s south end, which is why South Beach is really what people mean when they refer to Miami Beach. At 17 blocks long and 12 blocks wide, South Beach is a perfect place for a walk.

7. Enjoy the Nightlife

Photograph by Sandy Ireton

Don’t deny it: you’ve seen the celebrities on E! and Access Hollywood, casually sipping drinks and looking oh-so-chic at one South Beach club or another. While you may not actually spot one of those celebrities, (unless you’re willing to shell out big bucks for the VIP rooms), you can party like a celebrity on Miami Beach.

8. Shop the Beach!

Greater Miami Convention and Visitors' Bureau

Yes, there’s the sugar-sand beach, the hot clubs and the beautiful people. But what good would a visit to South Beach be without a day (or two) of shopping? The beach, after all, is the winter home to many a model, fashion designer and rock star. Which means the shopping is really, really good. From the chain mainstays to tiny, unique boutiques, there’s a store for everyone on Miami Beach. If clothes aren’t your thing, there are plenty of art galleries, jewelry stores and pet boutiques to peruse.

9. Enjoy a Great Meal

Emeril Lagasse
Miami Beach is home to some of the world's most exciting restaurants. Celebrity chefs, international specialties and beautiful views are the hallmark of our dining scene. Join us as we take a look at the "best of the best" in Miami Beach cuisine.

10. Ancient Spanish Monastery

Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Ancient Spanish Monastery was originally constructed during the twelfth century in Spain and was transported to the United States, brick by brick.

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