Story: Magical Miami: A Destination With History & Heart

From the bustling streets of Little Havana to the elegance of the upscale Bal Harbor Shops, Miami is an appealing blend of big-city sophistication, island and Latin culture. By far, one of the features that sets Miami apart from the rest of Florida's coastal destinations is its flamboyant Art Deco District on Ocean Drive where you'll find ornately crafted buildings colored in playful blues, yellows and ivory.

Many of the architects responsible for the fabulous art deco buildings that went up during the Great Depression were European-born New Yorkers. They could design the latest fashion with the ability to give buildings an identity among their neighbors and fit within the tropical setting. Once in danger of succumbing to seediness and a raging high rise virus, the district is being restored to its original glory, thanks to stringent legislation and the watchful eye of the Miami Design Preservation League founded in l976.
Situated within a rough square mile of area between the Atlantic Ocean and Lenox Court to the west, Dade Blvd. to the north and Sixth St. to the south, many of these deco gems are enjoying a second heyday as atmospheric boutique hotels, complete with palm-shaded verandas, patterned terrazzo floors, etched glass and cool period embellishments like porthole windows and Vitrolite tile. The sense of drama when you walk into these dusky interiors is obvious.

Start your morning with breakfast at the 11th Street Diner, an eatery that came along after the art deco building spree. Located across from the Miami Beach Police Station, the stainless steel restaurant is an original art deco diner made by the Paramount Dining Car Company of New Jersey. It's full of nostalgia and friendly service.

Next, stroll up Washington Avenue to Lincoln Road Mall. Once called the Fifth Avenue of the South, the pedestrian-only thoroughfare is lined with dozens of restaurants and boutiques, and home of the Lincoln Theater, Miami City Ballet and the Art Center South Florida. The busiest stretch of the Art Deco District begins on Ocean Drive, a block south of Versace's Mansion at the Art Deco District Welcome Center. From any one of the many outdoor cafes, you can relax and watch people of all ages casually dressed strolling along the promenade.

Speaking of art, for another unique Miami experience, check out Viernes Culturales in Little Havana the last Friday night of every month along Called Ocho between 14th and 17th avenues. These few blocks are boiling with galleries, cafes, shops, musical acts, street artists and exhibits. The area has a neighborly feel and you'll find a number of high-concept pieces from established artists with prices to match. And while you're in the neighborhood, explore the Grove's many funky cafes, incredible shopping, art galleries, boutiques, exciting nightlife as well as cultural activities. Since its earliest days, the artistic community of Coconut Grove has attracted an assorted crowd. Its first hotel, the Peacock Inn, offered scientists, writers, intellectuals and nobility a place to enjoy a moderate climate with beautiful greenery and breathtaking ocean views. Walk its shaded streets and take in the charms of lively Coco Walk, which offers exquisite shopping and dining options. Hotels and lodgings for visitors are abundant in the Grove, including a Ritz-Carlton with bayside rooms and exquisite amenities.

The most celebrated place in Little Havana is La Esquina de Tejas, a restaurant that former president Ronald Regan once visited. Located at the corner of 12th Avenue and Regan Boulevard, the restaurant prides itself on its pre-Castro cuisine.

A mere two-and-a-half miles southeast of Little Havana, is the magnificent Vizcaya Estate, which features an illuminated reflecting pool. Consisting of a Renaissance-style villa surrounded by formal Italian gardens, the villa was built in l916 as the winter home of industrialist James Deering. Ten acres of exquisite gardens provide countless oases for escape and contemplation. Later, get a glimpse of more southern Florida's beauty at the famed Fairchild Tropical Gardens, which is fulfilled with exotic flowers and shaded by rare palms. Head for nearby Parrot Jungle and snap a photo with a big, brilliant-plumed macaw perched on your arm!

When you've had your fill of sightseeing, slather on the sunscreen and head for Miami's spectacular Atlantic shoreline. Catch some famous Florida rays while relaxing on the soft white sand of Miami Beach. If you prefer the quieter beaches, visit Surfside and Sunny Isles. You can also tour a historic lighthouse at Key Biscayne's Bill Braggs State Recreation Area, or take a cruise in sparkling Biscayne Bay for a cool view of the awesome Miami skyline. Sample the livelier, ultra-trendy South Beach where you can join the surfside crowd, and party till dawn.

Miami loves parties, so slip on your dancing shoes. The action is nonstop, day and night! One of the most popular ports of call on Ocean Drive is Casa Salsa. Situated near the end of South Beach, the restaurant is owned by Ricky Martin, the Puerto Rican singing sensation. The nightclubs really start rocking around midnight. Undeniably dazzling, Miami is an ideal getaway!

To find out more about visiting Miami, call the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau at 305-539-3084, or visit its website at www.tropicoolmiamicom
Year round temperatures average from low 70s to mid-80s. Lodging rates start at $60 to $250 per night based on double occupancy. Refer to the website for pricing on weekend packages and reservations. In addition directions to Miami are available on the website and the area is serviced by Miami International Airport.