Some people might know of Miami thanks to the notoriety that the “Florida Man” has garnered for the cultural, economic, and financial center of The Sunshine State. Located in Southern Florida, Miami is a city that is known around the globe. But, despite the infamous headlines offered by all-too-many Floridian newspapers, The Sunshine State can actually be the optimal spot for you to stop by on your next vacation—and Miami is one of the best spots to visit in Florida.
At Smiles at Sea, we love to set sail from a port in Miami. And while our cruise adventures typically take us to more exotic destinations in the Caribbean like Haiti, Bahamas, or Mexico that doesn’t mean spending time in Miami can’t be one of the best parts of your next dental CE trip. Tons of dental professionals who buy their tickets for Smiles at Sea set aside some time to enjoy Miami before or after they embark on their dental CE cruise.
If you’re interested in joining us for a Smiles at Sea cruise that sets sail from Miami, then you should at least consider spending some time in the area before or after you go on that cruise. The options for what to do are endless and, with a little bit of planning, Miami always offers a good time.
So, that being said, here are some of the popular activities we’ve seen dental professionals enjoy doing when they’re spending their time in Miami.
Hit the Beaches!
Whether you partake in basking upon the sunny sands of the scenic shoreline or diving into the cerulean water for a refreshing dip, Miami Beach has always been known to be an especially fun beach to visit. There are sights to see, places to eat, bars to check out, and a multitude of unique ways to entertain yourself while you’re there. With numerous beachfront restaurants, shops, hotels, and more for you to visit during your stay, you could live there your whole life and never grow bored.
For some tourists who visit Miami beach, taking a venture up Ocean Drive is a must. It’s a section of road located along the oceanfront, and home to some beautiful Art Deco buildings. If you choose to go to Miami Beach, then you’ll quickly realize that these exuberant types of buildings—with lots of pastel colors and neon signs—are particularly prevalent. In case you’re wondering, they’re abundant here because of a devastating hurricane that struck Miami in 1926; a profusion of Art Deco buildings were built to replace the buildings damaged by the hurricane.
Explore the Historic Sites!
Miami is a city full of history. There are an array of sites to see like the Coral Castle, the Freedom Tower, and more. So, when you’re there, be sure to make a list of some historical sites you’d like to see!
A popular site amongst many tourists in Miami is the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. This 28-acre site was once the luxurious winter home of 20th-century industrialist, James Deering, and it was built by more than 1,100 workers and craftsmen—many of whom were brought over from Europe to keep the villa’s Italian Renaissance-style design authentic—in 1916.
The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens don’t just offer some ornate-looking architecture in addition to some colorful displays of flowers. There’s also an impressive collection of European furniture and decorative arts to look at from the 15th to 19th centuries, along with beautiful Italian and French fountains, pools, and sculptures throughout the grounds and gardens.
Enjoy the Nature & Wildlife of Florida!
Miami might be slowly sinking into the ocean, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t tons of nature & wildlife to explore throughout the land surrounding the city. Everglades National Park, just a short drive from Miami, can attest to that. These swamplands, covering about 1.5 million acres, are home to alligators, crocodiles, snakes, and all kinds of birds. The walking trails and boardwalks are great for anyone who loves to go for nature walks and get glimpses of interesting wildlife.
If you’re interested in seeing the Everglades National Park but not so interested in walking through it, then it might be worth getting an airboat tour. These high-speed boat trips take visitors out into the marshes and streams to see alligators and other wildlife. There are several operators in the area, you need only choose the one that best suits your budget and/or agenda.
And if you’d prefer seeing nature & wildlife on a trail that’s wheelchair-accessible or wouldn’t require breaking much of a sweat, the Everglades National Park offers the non-strenuous Anhinga Trail. The Anhinga Trail is less than a mile long, leads through terrain where visitors are likely to see alligators and other animals, and is wheelchair accessible.
Experience the Culture of Miami!
Little Havana, the Cuban district of Miami, is known for its distinctive cultural scene. There, you can browse the many restaurants and specialty food shops lining the streets while authentic Latin music fills your ears. When you’re not feasting on the cuisine, you can feast your eyes upon the breath-taking murals that are decorating the walls of buildings and showing important Cuban figures, scenes of daily life, and more.
While Calle Ocho is the part of Little Havana that hosts the majority of the activity, Little Havana spreads well beyond Calle Ocho into the surrounding streets and avenues. The Calle Ocho Festival, held in March, is a celebration of Cuban culture and the largest of its kind in the world.
Have you ever been to Miami?
Have you ever been to Miami? If so, where was your favorite spot to visit? Let us know in the comments below!
That being said, however, your motivation for coming to a Smiles at Sea event is obviously more than a visit to Miami. We offer quality dental CE in an environment that feels more like a vacation than a means of education, and that’s why you should book a ticket in lieu of getting your CE at a boring, traditional dental conference.
But, if you haven’t been to Miami, maybe you should come along on the next cruise that sails out of there. You could top off a tropical cruise by spending a day or two enjoying the scene in Miami, and maybe even save money by doing so; avoiding prime traveling times, by booking your flight for an earlier or later date, can save you tons of money.
That’s not to mention that if you like the prospect of spending time Miami based on what you read here, then you’d love to hear all about Labadee. From April 18-23, 2021, we’re going to be exploring the seas for a 5-night cruise from Miami, Florida to Labadee, Haiti.
