Bayfront Park has a great amphitheater and is conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Miami. It's easily accessible by Metromover (the Bayside stop leaves you across the street from the park) and there's always something going on here.

When the weather's cool it's the spot for a weekly Friday night Downtown Concert Series hosting a variety of local musical acts. The remainder of the year it's the site for great Fourth of July and New Year's Eve bashes. They've got Yoga in the Park Monday and Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings, boat charters and para-sailing and for a no-fuss lunch, the ever-popular lunch trucks (there are several ones that park here on different days of the week) offer a great alternative to a sit-down restaurant and the view can't be beat.

Bayfront Park is located at 301 North Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 305-358-7550 www.bayfrontparkmiami.com

Looking like a Jeep/Limo hybrid, the tricked out ride used for the Tons of Fun Tours offered throughout Miami by Florida Jeep Tours provides an unforgettably unique experience. Climb aboard the eight-passenger vehicle, complete with captain's chair for an open-air and also air conditioned tour of Miami's hottest neighborhoods. Ride through the celebrity playground that is South Beach, take in the serene and natural setting of Key Biscayne, the thriving young hot bed of condominium lifestyle with bustling nightlife and restaurants in Brickell, tour the artsy and urban area of Wynwood and the old-Florida, yacht-filled and still somewhat bohemian Coconut Grove. Here's a breakdown of what they offer: Miami's Best Jeep Tour is a three-hour tour that takes you across Biscayne Bay on the historic Venetian Causeway through some of the 32 man-made islands that dot the Bay, over to South Beach, playground of the rich and famous and home to the largest collection of Art Deco architecture anywhere in the world. There is also a similar albeit shorter two-hour nighttime tour that showcases the area's glowing neon and pulsing all-night-long party atmosphere. The two-hour South Beach Jeep Tour follows the same route as above then heads back to Miami via the MacArthur Causeway past Star Island and Palm Island, the home, past and present, to celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Al Capone, Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, Gloria and Emilio Estefan and Marc Anthony. To book a tour visit their website here.

It's easy to catch the wind in your sails on Key Biscayne's Hobie Beach. Located just a few minutes past the toll booth into the island on the right hand side, this has long been the stomping ground for active beachgoers. The shallow, calm waters and windy conditions make the perfect environment for windsurfers as well as paddleboarders, who are also joining in the fun nowadays. There are plenty of hobie outfitters ready to rent out their equipment. Parking is easy, convenient and free and the view of the Miami skyline is the absolute perfect backdrop. Grab a cool, frosty frozen lemonade and some snacks and make a day of it. Hobie Beach is off the Rickenbacker Cswy., Key Biscayne. Click here for info on catamaran rentals.  

Traverse West Dixie Highway in North Miami Beach and just after the bend in the road, there's a hidden gem where gardens, statues and and gorgeous open-air courtyard of this historic building are enough to get anyone's creative juices flowing. It's the Ancient Spanish Monastery which was dismantled stone by stone in 1925, transported to the United States then re-constructed at its current location in 1952. The result is a gorgeous, inspiring location filled with statue-filled manicured garden pathways with benches for reflecting, writing, drawing or painting. The open-air courtyard with flowing fountains, stately columns and welcoming archways are perfect for meandering through. The grounds easily transport visitors to old-world Spain, so much so if you sit quietly, the once-inhabiting monks' presence can almost be felt. The Ancient Spanish Monastery is located at 16711 West Dixie Hwy., North Miami Beach. (305) 945-1461, www.spanishmonastery.com

The drive to Matheson Hammock Park is just as gorgeous as the natural setting that surrounds the actual park. Located on scenic, tree-lined, woodsy Old Cutler Road, the park is a wonderful glimpse into Miami's past.   Opened in 1930, the original idea of preserving the natural beauty surrounding the park remains today and is evident in the beautiful expansive view of Biscayne Bay. The man-made atoll pool, one of the park's highlights which is flushed naturally with the tidal action of the Bay. The sea breeze is ideal for picnicking at their pavilions, enjoying their nature trail or perhaps grabbing lunch in their coral stone restaurant. Kayakers and canoers love visiting here for a rest stop and grabbing lunch and relaxing before heading back. Matheson Hammock Park is located at 9610 Old Cutler Road, 305-665-5475 , www.miamidade.gov/parks/Parks/Matheson_beach

Miami-Dade professor Dr. Paul George is an iconic figure in the Miami community thanks to his popular walking tours of the city's historic neighborhoods. For more than two decades, Dr. George has shown tourists and locals alike what makes the Magic City tick when it comes to places like Little Havana the home of famed Calle Ocho, the Miami Cemetery where legendary Miami figures like Julia Tuttle are buried and the Miami River cruise along the historic body of water that meanders through the now skyscraper-like landscape of Downtown Miami. His tours touch on the architecture of the area as well as the historic figures responsible for developing it; local black history; the influence of Al Capone and other mafia figures and historic events like the Cuban Missile Crisis. The tours usually depart from History Miami located at 101 W Flagler St. 305-375-1492, www.historymiami.org

The 1920s and 30s may have been the heyday boom in Florida. The time Art Deco got famous, when Flagler's railroad was chug-chugging and visits to Miami were about sun and fun. It was also the time when a little place called Stiltsville on Biscayne Bay emerged. Today, there are a mere three or four "shack" homes built either on wood or reinforced concrete pilings ten feet above the shallow water. They're situated one mile south of Key Biscayne's Cape Florida. There are several tour companies that make trips out to Stiltsville and recount the story of how the houses were built and the transformation of its heyday to the few that still stand. Island Queen Cruises does their tours through History Miami. Miami historian Dr. Paul George conducts the tours. Call 305-379-5119 for reservations. www.islandqueencruises.com

Alligator wrestling to the Miccosukee Tribe is a tradition that's handed down from generation to generation. It is an important part of their history and one of the main attractions at the Miccosukee Indian Village.

Tribesmen perform several times throughout the day, putting themselves up against these ferocious animals in a pit. It's more than just entertainment, they utilize skills that are mastered and perfected after years of practice and training.

It's best to spend the day at the Village since the trek is far but there is plenty to do. Explore the grounds, shop for arts & crafts, watch the tribeswomen sewing intricate pieces and dine at the on-site restaurant.

Micocosukee Indian Village, Mile Marker 70, U.S. 41 Tamiami Trail, 305-552-8365, www.miccosukee.com

 

The once sleepy Wynwood neighborhood over the last decade has become a force in the growing and world-reknowned Miami arts community and pioneering the transformation is Martin Margulies, well known art collector. At the giant Margulies Collection at the Warehouse, located of course in the heart of the Wynwood Arts District, the variety of art on display is impressive and obviously his life's work. Contemporary and vintage photography, sculptures, installations and video pieces. Sculptures by artworld heavyweights Joan Miro, Williem de Kooning and Isamu Noguchi are here for the viewing. Amazing that works by such masters exist in one place together. This is an art lover's dream and give yourself a few hours because working through the space requires just that. The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse is located at 591 NW 27 St. 305-576-1051 www.margulieswarehouse.com

Oleta River State Park makes perfect use of its surroundings in the most unlikeliest of places, near Biscayne Boulevard and on the way to Sunny Isles Beach. It's Florida's largest urban park and just for that is worth exploring for adventure seekers and lovers of the outdoors. The bike paths here are extensive and range from novice trails to more challenging ones that provide an exciting ride for even the most experienced mountain biker. The scenery makes the adventure that much more exhilarating. Kayaking or canoeing along the river provides incredible views of mangrove forest preserves filled with native South Florida plants and wildlife. Picnics are easy here too with nine pavilions available for rent and grills and picnic tables throughout the park. They've also got rustic cabins available for overnight guests. A dip in their manmade beach makes the outdoor experience complete. Oleta River State Park is located at 3400 NE 163 St., North Miami Beach, FL 305-919-1844 www.floridastateparks.org/oletariver

Yes, warehouses are becoming the norm as a venue for showing art but the CIFO (short for Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation) Art Space in Downtown Miami is something extraordinary. The state-of-the-art venue features contemporary art in their galleries while providing a lovely outdoor piazza for special events.

The exterior is just as impressive, a striking building covered in greenery. Inside the galleries they're showcasing the extensive collection of Ella Fontanals-Cisneros including video, photography, geometric abstraction and contemporary works by such notable artists as Ana Mendieta,  Fiona Tan, Andreas Gursky, Ed Ruscha, Manuel Espinosa and many others.

They use the Piazza for plenty of art-related events and receptions and in December during Art Basel CIFO is hopping with daily tours for major art collectors in town shopping for the latest and greatest to expand their collection.

CIFO Art Space is located at 1018 North Miami Ave., Miami, FL 305-455-3380 www.cifo.org

Miami may be a young city but there's still a rich history to be learned and that's what the HistoryMiami CityTour provides for out-of-towners who want to learn about the place called "The Magic City." Tours are done by boat, coach, bike or on foot and feature some of the city's most historic and iconic spots. Dr. Paul George, a professor at Miami leads tours of The City of Miami Cemetery, where Julia Tuttle, one of Miami's most legendary pioneers, is buried as well as historic Little Havana homes , among several others. While long-time Miami resident Frank W. Schena leads the eco-history tours of  The Redland Farm, Cape Florida Lighthouse and Miami Beach Boardwalk. The boat tours go to Elliot Key and Boca Chita while another goes to Stiltsville where seven homes are built on stilts in the middle of Biscayne Bay. This one's a sight to behold. Departure spot depends on which tour. HistoryMiami is located at 101 W. Flagler St. and it's best to call or visit their site to find the departure location.

Walking among cageless wild animals (no fear, they're separated from visitors by a very wide moat) is what makes Zoo Miami, formerly known as Miami Metrozoo, such a unique experience. There's nothing like walking along and seeing lions, tigers, giraffes, monkeys and other wildlife staring right back and roaming free without a cage in sight.

The place is huge, 327 developed acres and more than 2,000 animals representing over 500 species. One mode of transportation that's popular with visitors are the safari cycles for pedaling around. There's also the Monorail which has four stops throughout the zoo and Safari Tram Tours.

The zoo is split into several areas, including Asia, Wings of Asia Family Aviary, Africa, The Americas and Australia along with the Children's Zoo with a petting yard and Butterfly Garden and Dr. Wilde's World with 7,200 square feet of interactive exhibits.

For real "hands-on" experiences, there are giraffe feedings and camel rides.

Zoo Miami is located at 12400 SW 152 Street, Miami, FL

Hands-on, interactive permanent as well as traveling exhibitions are what Miami Science Museum is all about. Add in the interpretive presentations, Wildlife Center and Planetarium laser shows and it's a full day affair! Visiting this attraction means learning about all things scientific, whether it's wind, electricity, the human body, dinosaurs, sharks, energy this place gets people moving since most all displays are interactive. Head outside to the Wildlife Center and see their amazing collection of turtles, snakes, birds of prey and other critters. It's also a rehabilitation center for sick and injured birds so it's an educational lesson as well. And in the Planetarium, daytime shows focus on the telescope and on identifying the stars and planets. In the evening, laser shows take over, they've been a hit here for years and keep going strong. Watch laser lights move and groove while listening to the sounds of the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Bob Marley. On the first Friday of the month they open up the rooftop observatory for star viewing. The Miami Science Museum & Planetarium is located at 3280 S. Miami Avenue, Miami, FL

The Freedom Tower is Miami's Ellis Island, a historic building that symbolizes the city's melting pot of immigrants. The national historic landmark has seen many ups and downs and was on the verge of disappearing when it was donated to Miami Dade College. It has now become a space for provocative art exhibitions, most recently Instruments of Torture. The connection began last Fall with the unveiling of the world map mural located in the Freedom Tower's Mezzanine floor. Other major art exhibitions featured here included the works of masters Goya, Dali, DaVinci as well as presentations by authors and other dignitaries. There's always an interesting cultural artistic or literary presentation happening at the Tower and with a central location in Downtown Miami it's easy to make a day of it visiting here. The Freedom Tower is located at 600 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL

Buzzing, bustling and busy Washington and Collins Avenues, Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road, some of South Beach's busiest streets, are just a stone's throw away from the Miami Beach Botanical Garden and that's hard to imagine with the the zen that overcomes anyone who visits this place. Located across from the always busy Miami Beach Convention Center, the Garden is a place to come and get away from it all. The folks who run this place describe themselves perfectly as "Urban Greenspace in the heart of South Beach." During the annual Art Basel mega month of December the place is abuzz, hosting events and year-round, they're known for their own innovative revolving exhibitions held in the gardens. The shows are far from traditional though, actually pushing the envelope of outdoor installations with unique contemporary pieces like the Giants in the City show which features 22 inflatable pieces fabricated from nylon. There are also regularly scheduled classes and lectures held here. Miami Beach Botanical Garden is located at 2000 Convention Center Drive