Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Venetian Islands

"You can start your trip in Miami Beach, get up early to see the lifeguard stands before the crowds, explore South Point Park and the Marina, go for a run on the boardwalk, enjoy a nice day with a few cocktails by the beach, go on an art deco hotels hunt, do some people watching on Ocean Drive (be ready for a SHOOOW!) and party all night on Miami beach's famous clubs -or, you know, if like us, you have a baby... escape early from the drunk crowd and try to get some sleep."

"Photo courtesy of Greater Miami Conventions and Visitors Bureau. At the most southern point of SoBe, you'll find South Pointe Park. This tranquil stretch of land has something for everyone."

"Bayside Marketplace is a great location for the start of your tour. It is an energetic place with loads of shops, restaurants and shops, plus everything is accompanied by live music. Essentially, this is a shopping mall out in the open, so you can do your shopping or simply sit down for a drink right next to the bay, but in any case, you will be able to get a sense of what Miami is all about very quickly. The place is buzzing with people from all over the world, be they tourists or locals, and visiting it is a great way to energize yourself for the day ahead."

"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."

"Few American parks can claim to front such a lovely stretch of turquoise as Biscayne Bay, but this fantastic green space is packed full of freebies too, including a great playground for the kids. The Tina Hills Pavilion has free concerts and yoga sessions, but Bayfront Park has some interesting public art worth discovering as well. The JFK Torch of Friendship recognizes the accomplishments of US congressman Claude Pepper, while Isamu Noguchi, who redesigned much of Bayfront Park in the 1980s, has three great sculptures: the Challenger Memorial, The Light Tower, and our favorite, the Slide Mantra."

"Perhaps the most famous park in Miami, Bayfront Park is extremely versatile. Located right on Biscayne Boulevard and adjacent to Bayside Marketplace, this park hosts an endless list of events from free yoga to rollerblading sessions, and of course, the annual Ultra Music Festival. Aside from its busy calendar, the park itself is home to a kids’ playground and a sandy bay front lot where pedestrians can settle into comfy loungers and enjoy the ocean breeze under the palms."

"Perfect for families with kids looking for some outdoor fun, Bayfront Park has plenty of activities for all ages. Originally built back in 1896 and known as Royal Palm Park, this park has grown from a small patch of grass to gather on to more than 32 acres of playgrounds, beaches, walkways, gardens, and a waterfall. With other attractions like a pirate ship playground and multiple performance venues, there is always something going on."

"Situated in heart of what many call the “true Everglades”—a river of grass that stretches 100 miles (161 kilometers) from Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico—Shark Valley is part of a freshwater ecosystem with incredible biodiversity. It’s one of the best places in Everglades National Park to spot alligators, birds, and other wildlife.More"

"Around 50-minutes from Miami, Shark Valley is one of the best places in the Everglades that’s within easy reach of Miami. Once here, you can explore the trails and the iconic Bobcat Boardwalk that’s totally stunning on a gorgeous sunny day. Though, take lots of water and sunblock with you – that humidity and mosquitos can be tough."

"If you want to see the vast beauty of the Everglades and more alligators than you can count, then Shark Valley should be your #1 stop. This small section of the park packs in everything you need to see to make your vacation epic!"

"The Barnacle Historic State Park is home to the oldest house in Miami|© William Silver / Shutterstock. Also in Coconut Grove, this fairly small park tops our list for having the oldest house in its original location in Miami. Visitors can tour the 1891 home, The Barnacle, to learn about the frontier life during the “Era of the Bay” at a time when all travel to the city was done by boat."

"The Barnacle Historic State Park offers an opportunity to relax in a serene atmosphere. Also, there are a few beautiful boutiques (The Showroom, First Flight Out, Nikki's Beachouse Boutique) on Commodore Plaza -beach style clothes, cosy decoration, design accessories. Fringed by trees and cafés with terraces, this district has a cool Caribbean vibe going on."

"Plaza of the Spanish Navy at Museum Park|© Phillip Pessar Flickr. Perched along Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami, the urban Museum Park is bordered by the Perez Art Museum, the Frost Museum of Science and the American Airlines Arena. The park which first opened in 1976 as the Bicentennial Park, features a waterfront baywalk where pedestrians can gain access of the museums and enjoy views of the bay."

"The Perez Art Museum Miami and the Frost Museum of Science are both near Brickell, and they’re adjacent to the sprawling Museum Park. If you opt for the science museum, don’t miss the planetarium show!. Afterward, relax at Museum Park, and watch the cruise ships sail away between 4 pm and 6 pm."

"Drive from Miami Beach back to the mainland, and travel along Biscayne Boulevard to get a glimpse at some of the hypermodern, ambitious mixed-use projects under construction: the 10-block, $2 billion Miami Worldcenter, the $1 billion Brickell City Centre, and Museum Park, home to"

"Situated in the middle of Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach developer Carl Fisher dredged this island to create a suitable site for a monument dedicated to Henry Flagler, which remains at its center."

"1111 SW 1st Avenue, MiamiA former El Bulli employee, and recognized as one of the most talented chefs in the world, Diego Muñoz, has created one of the most interesting new restaurants in Miami, in the innovative 1111 Peruvian Bistro. Chef Muñoz travelled the world for work and for inspiration. This inspiration manifests itself food that hints of his global view, his mentors, and the places he has lived."

"Spanish missionaries and treasure seekers first explored the Florida coast as far back as the 17th century, and the Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach is a fascinating bit of local and international history that dates back centuries before that when it was originally constructed in Spain. Inhabited by monks for nearly seven centuries, in the early 1920s, it was bought by American newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst, disassembled, shipped to Florida, and reassembled on its current site. It has been open to the public since the mid-’60s, and for those who don’t mind spending a few extra bucks, the best way to experience it is by guided tour."

"If you need to escape Miami’s madness, consider a green day in one of the country’s largest tropical botanical gardens. A butterfly grove, tropical plant conservatory and gentle vistas of marsh and keys habitats, plus frequent art installations from artists like Roy Lichtenstein, are all stunning. In addition to easy-to-follow, self-guided walking tours, a free 45-minute tram tours the entire park on the hour from 10am to 3pm (till 4pm weekends)."

"The Living Room within the W Hotel is always swarming the beautiful people before a night out in Miami. The menu prides itself on quality ingredients and freshness, incorporating a variety of infusions, molecular mixology and other special..."

"Next up is North Shore's Café Prima Pasta, situated at 414 71st St. With 4.5 stars out of 659 reviews on Yelp, the wine bar and Italian spot, serving desserts and more, has proven to be a local favorite. Yelpers rave about this spot's old-school Italian food and charm. Try an appetizer, like the grilled octopus with potatoes."

"This place has been serving up fresh, authentic Italian food on North Beach for more than two decades. Opened in 1993 by the Argentinean Cea family, brothers Gerardo and Fabian run the restaurant while father Arturo runs the kitchen and their mother Carla bakes bread and desserts. The happy hour from 5 p.m."

"Café Prima Pasta is the ideal location for those looking to enjoy home-style, Italian cuisine in a comfortable, yet refined atmosphere."

"If looking for restaurants in South Beach that serve healthy food head to Go-Go Fresh Food. This restaurant was transformed in 2013 with a new Argentinian owner who wanted homemade empanadas, soups, and salads from recipes that have been passed down from generations before. You must try the empanadas from classic argentinian beef, to a spicy Thai chicken, vegetarian options like spinach and cheese or mushroom and cheese, to meatballs and provolone."

"Otentic is a popular French restaurant located in the centre of South Beach. This restaurant has the feel of a romantic Parisian cafe, yet it’s situated in an Art Deco building in Miami. The dishes served here are prepared daily and inspired by Parisian cuisine."