Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in The Crossings

"They call Miami the Magic City, and if it is, this Italian villa, the housing equivalent of a Fabergé egg, is its most fairy-tale residence. In 1916 industrialist James Deering started a Miami tradition by making a ton of money and building ridiculously grandiose digs. He employed 1000 people (then 10% of the local population) and stuffed his home with 15th- to 19th-century furniture, tapestries, paintings and decorative arts; today the grounds are used for rotating contemporary-art exhibitions."

"Constructed in 1916 for industrialist James Deering, this Italianate palace is often referred to as the Hearst Castle of the East. Intended to appear centuries-old at completion, it is absolutely rife with architectural detail and elaborate accents. In fact, more than a thousand artisans took five-plus years to complete the ornate flourishes."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Averette used under CC BY 3.0. Vizcaya Museum and Garden is one of those places in Miami that cannot be left out of this list. The amazing architecture, arts, and garden are features of this place that will help you reconnect with the past while you still enjoy the present."

"2520 NW 2nd Ave, This is also a huge stop for Instagrammers!. This neighborhood showcases vibrant and colorful murals on the walls of many of the buildings. Get lost in the art and stay for the great restaurants and shopping."

"Between Northeast 25th and 26th streets on Northwest 2nd Avenue, the Wynwood Walls are a cutting-edge enclave of modern urban murals,…"

"South Pointe Park is undoubtedly one of the most Instagrammable places in Miami. I highly recommend visiting if you’re looking to capture some amazing shots by the water. Here, you’ll find a beautiful walking promenade that runs along the channel, offering striking views."

"If you’re lucky enough, you'll get some cruises in the background. The park has hundreds of palm trees and a beautiful ocean view. It is the perfect backdrop to make your landlocked friends jealous."

"Located in the heart of Downtown Miami, the bayside marketplace allows you to experience the best of Miami with delicious international cuisine, live music, and fine shops. The two-level, open-air center overlooking Miami’s waterfront is home to more than 150 national and unique retailers and tourist shops. Overlooking the yacht-filled marina, the Biscayne Boulevard is the place to enjoy live exotic musical performances along with various specialty food shops of international cuisine."

"A post shared by Katarzyna Arkusińska (@kate_through_the_looking_glass) on Sep 14, 2018 at 8:28pm PDT. Miracle Mile features an upscale shopping experience in the Coral Gables area of Miami. Miracle Mile is one of Miami’s coolest shopping centers with boutiques and one of a kind stores lining the beautiful tree-lined street."

"The one-mile street has everything — bookstores to restaurants to boutiques. If you’re looking for a clean and classy backdrop with European vibes then here it is. Also, the Umbrella Sky Project is within walking distance."

"Pop into Threefold Cafe for breakfast, then spend a few moments walking off your meal in the Miracle Mile area."

"Located in the neighbourhood of Miami on the Main Highway in Coconut Grove, Plymouth Congregational Church was built in 1917 and is one of the ancient churches in the city. Plymouth Congregational Church is architecture in mission revival style with inspiration from old city church in Mexico and is a part of the US National Register of Historic Places since 1974. The church is well known as a pretty wedding venue among locals."

"A mere 21 years after Miami was officially incorporated as a city, the mission-style "coral rock" building of the Plymouth Congregational Church was constructed in Miami's oldest neighborhood, Coconut Grove."

"I actually found this parish when I google searched on Miami Perpetual Adoration. It came up as the closest parish to Coconut Grove. The masses are mostly… read more »"

"Shark Valley Tram Tours offers two-hour guided tours of the paved loop trail that runs 15 miles through the Everglades from the Shark Valley Visitors Center. This is a great way to spot some wildlife and get a high-level perspective of the park from the Observation Tower at the loop's most distant point. If you're planning on visiting during the park's busy season (December through April), be sure that you call ahead for a reservation."

"The two-hour tram tour is the best way to tour through the area. A naturalist is aboard the tram who educates about the ecosystem of the wetland, the animals found in the region and the diverse plants present. The tram takes along the Tram Road Trail."

"For those of you who want a little more variety (or for those that don't like shopping), you can stop at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, where there is something for everyone. Guests have the option to enjoy the casino, horse racing, live entertainment and more."

"Part vintage surf shack, part sultry outdoor club, Hyde Beach at SLS South Beach hotel is a prime spot to rub elbows with the young and fabulous of South Beach beneath string lighting and palm trees. Inside the bar, you’ll find VIP tables, a DJ booth and dance floor, while outdoors there’s a sprawling space to mix and mingle in the fresh air by the swimming pools. For a debauched weekend daytime pool party, this is one of the hottest scenes in town."

"Hyde Beach offers artful mixology and cuisine from Jose Andrés — all in an over 8,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor space with a gorgeous pool and beach access."

"You also have the Dolphin Mall relatively close to you. However, if you can’t spare too many hours, there are some interesting things to do in Miami airport, as well. The food is great, and you can try many Cuban specialties to get a taste of what it’s like around here, but the airport also boasts a yoga room, art exhibits and even a spa."

"Shop at Lincoln Road Mall The Mall at Lincoln Road is a shopper’s paradise—a pedestrians-only strip of boutiques and designer shops. Stop by for anything from Armani to Guess to Swarovski."

"Little River’s sprawling multiuse complex launched a bottomless, Mediterranean vegetarian brunch last fall that’s just $54 and includes live jazz and all the mezze and mimosas you can handle in a four-hour time span. Zatounya Foods, a local catering company run by female Syrian refugees, prepares the plethora of small plant-based bites available, while the Cubazz quartet serenades you with live jazz. Brunch takes place in Ironside’s back garden...just follow the tunes to your afternoon oasis."

"The Rubells, comfortably sitting at the summit of Miami’s collecting elite, are able to propel young artists to the top of the art world by grace of purchasing their work at the right time (see the case of Oscar Murillo). Their Rubell Museum includes pieces by contemporary art giants including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama, Cindy Sherman and Kara Walker. Originally established in 1964 in New York, Mera and Don Rubell now exhibit to the Miami public in a 100,000-square-foot space in the Allapattah area of Miami, designed by the buzzed-about Selldorf Architects."

"It was the talk of the town during Art Basel 2020, and not without reason. The Rubells' new museum in Allapattah is by far the best permanent collection of art in South Florida, showcasing the family's vast collection of contemporary art from the '60s onward. You'll find work by Jeff Koons, Sterling Ruby, and Kehinde Wiley and a shrine-like gallery for Keith Haring."

"Originally established in New York City in 1964, this Miami art museum was moved to a former DEA confiscation center by Jason and Jennifer Rubell in 1993. One of the world’s largest privation collections, the Rubell Family Collection features works from Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Kara Walker, and Jean-Michel Basquiat."

"Spread across eight square blocks just off Washington Avenue, this breezy, open-air shopping street offers a high-low variety in a tropical sun-drenched setting. With over seventy-five shops ranging from national brands like H&M and Sephora to specialty boutiques, spend the day window-shopping with a friend or bring the entire family. After some serious retail therapy, sit down at your choice of sixty local restaurants including Havana 1957 for authentic Cuban cuisine or duck into SuViche for a tuna tartare and a glass of Peruvian macerados."

"Arguably Miami's most well-known shopping center, the Lincoln Road Mall in South Beach is full of stores, boutiques, art galleries, and museums. Nearly the entire area of this open-air mall is closed to automobile traffic, making it a great place to stroll and people watch. You'll find Urban Outfitters, Madewell, Steve Madden, Melissa Shoes, Scotch & Soda, Nike, Lacoste, Forever 21, Adidas by Stella McCartney, BCBG Max Azria, Anthropologie, Ted Baker, Zara, Victoria’s Secret, American Eagle, Zadig & Voltaire, Lululemon Athletica, and more."

"Between 16th and 17th Street in South Beach lies Lincoln Road, a "shopping street" of sorts, lined with stores, restaurants, art galleries and cafes. From national chains to eclectic one-of-a-kind shops, there is something around every street corner of this pedestrian mall. When the hunt for a good buy has taken its toll, shoppers take a break and people watch at one of the many restaurants with outdoor seating on Lincoln Road."