|
|
| USA :: USA Travel Guide |
USA Travel Guide |
| USA - Places of Interest |
|
| |
| CANADA - Places of Interest |
|
| |
|
| MIAMI |
 It used tobe called ‘God’s Waiting Room’ because of the many octogenarians eking out their last moments by the pool, but today the old folks mingle with fashion designers, bikini models and Cuban émigrés, and the city that once had the highest murder rate in the US now attracts millions of tourists.
Greater Miami is a melting pot that would make America’s founders swell with pride. Half of Miami’s population is Hispanic, giving the city an international outlook. For the casual visitor this means a city prepared with the flavors of Latin American food, language, music, politics and spirit.
ATTRACTIONS
Bill Bags Cape Florida State Recreation Area
Bill Bags Cap Florida State Recreation area, at the southern end of Key Biscayne, offers acres of exotic plants and nature trails bordered by white- sand beaches. At the parks’ southern tip is the Cap Florida Lighthouse, built in 1845. Key Biscayne is 5 miles (8 km) southeast of mainland Miami.
 Little Havana
After the Marie Boatlift, the section of town to which Cuban exiles had been gravitating for years blossomed into a distinctly Cuban neighborhood, now known as Little Havana. Spanish is the predominant language here, and you’ll run into plenty of people who speak no English. The heart of Little Havana is Calle Ocho (KAH-yeh AW-cho), Spanish for SW-8th st (actually it’s Spanish just for 8th St, but what the hell). The entire length of Calle Ocho is lined with Cuban shops, cafes, record stores, pharmacies, and clothing and (most amusing bridal shops.
But while the wall –of sound-style speakers set up outside places such as Power Records are blasting salsa and other Latin music into the street, Little Havana as a tourist attraction is elusive. It’s not concentrated like a Chinatown; it’s actually not really a tourist attraction at all. It’s just a Cuban neighborhood, so except during the occasional street fair or celebration, you shouldn’t expect Tito Puente and Cella Cruz to be leading colorfully attired, tight-trouser men in a Carnaval parade. You’re more likely to see old men playing dominoes in Maximo Gomez Park.
 Miami Beach
Most period come to Miami Beach for its breaches, clubs and bars, and to witness one of the most spectacular redesigns in modern architectural history. The art Deco Historic District, a collection of bright pink, lavender and turquoise buildings dating from the 1920s, is one of the largest areas on the US National Register of Historic Places. Its protection and renovation has been one of the major reasons for the rebirth of Miami as a top notch tourist destination. The Deco district is the heart of funky South Beach (SoBe), the southwestern section of Miami Beach.
For a city beach, Miami Beach is one of the best around. The water is dear and warm, the sand relatively white the, best of all, it’s wide enough and long enough to accommodate the throngs. The Promenade is a Deco0ish, wavy ribbon of concrete at the Beach’s western most edge. If you’ve ever looked at a fashion magazine, you’ve seen it: it’s the photo shoot site. If you show up early in the morning, you’re likely to see shoots in progress. This is also the hot spot for in line skaters, bicyclists, skateboarders, dog walkers and people watchers to mill about bumping into each other.Miami Beach has a strong Jewish culture mixed with a dash of Latin flair: there’s even a Cuban-Jewish Congregation. The city’s Holocaust Memorial, in the middle of Miami Beach, was created through the efforts of Miami Beach Holocaust survivors. It’s an elaborate, exquisitely detailed and moving memorial. Like the Kaddish, the Jewish prayer for the dead the does not once mention death but rather speaks only of life, the Memorial is a testament to humanity’s perseverance and the hope for a better world. |
| |
|
| |
|
Home 
