Get To Know Greater Miami and the Beaches

With a port known as the Cruise Capital of the World, Greater Miami itself embodies the same rich diversity of experiences that one might find on a multi-island sailing. Vibrant neighborhoods true to their ethnic roots, a variety of architectural styles from Florentine to Art Deco, food of all kinds, festivals, exuberant nightlife, beautiful beaches and outdoor adventure - together with performing arts venues and art, history and science museums - can all be woven into a weekend or week-long stay. In this slideshow, we'll focus on a sampling of outdoor activities that will take your clients out and about on Miami's streets, along the water and through green spaces.

Walking tours abound in this city. For example, local experts on the Official Art Deco Walking Tour in South Beach (SoBe) will tell you about this colorful neighborhood's buildings and equally entertaining people who made it the fun place it is today. Do-it-yourselfers can try a self-guided tour of 20 architecturally significant buildings in historic Downtown Miami, including those in such styles as Florentine (Old Federal Building), Art Deco (Alfred I Dupont Building) and Spanish Renaissance Revival (Miami News/Freedom Tower). Meanwhile, a cigar factory, farmer's market and Cuban art gallery make appearances in the Art Deco & Little Havana walking tour.

Neighborhoods like Little Havana, Little Haiti and the historically Black community of Overton are all delightful places to stroll around. Each has a distinct vibe - Little Haiti with its Caribbean-influenced architecture, eateries, hip boutiques and galleries; Overton with its historic sites and legendary concert venues; and Little Havana with its Cuban bakeries, restaurants, cigar stores and frequent street festivals.

A former warehouse district that now boasts over 70 art galleries and museums, Wynwood also has the highest concentration of street art in the U.S., including the Wynwood Walls' famous open-air murals. Tell your clients to stroll around and view the art at their own pace - or consider hopping on a 15-person "bicycle" for sightseeing fun!

The Bayside Marketplace in Downtown Miami treats the public to live music performances every day and night year-round at the Marina Stage. Grab a seat on a bench or enjoy the sounds from any number of outdoor dining venues that line the marina.

The Bayside Marketplace is also where to board a pirate ship for family fun. Together with Miamarina and Sea Isla Marina, it provides access to all sorts of water activities, from high-adrenaline speed boat rides to yacht sightseeing tours, along with jet ski rentals and banana boat rides.

Greater Miami has stretches of sand perfect for just about everyone, from SoBe's 12th Street Beach, where beach volleyball is played, to crowd-free North Beach's Oceanside Park Beach with its walking trails and shady spots, to Bal Harbour's elegant beachfront.

In addition to jet ski rentals and speed boat rides in Downtown Miami's marinas, your clients can head to Hialeah, where Amelia Earhart Park offers a lake for watersports along with other recreational facilities - and even a petting zoo. Or they can paddle the waterways of Oleta State Park (North Miami) or the Everglades on kayaks. And, for your anglers, there's a fishing pier with great facilities in Sunny Isles Beach, where fishing boats can also be chartered.

In addition to the Everglades, where guided airboat and kayak tours are one way to observe wildlife, including resident alligators, Greater Miami has plenty of other places to connect with nature. Take the kids to Jungle Island, an eco-adventure theme park in Downtown/Brickell, to encounter such creatures as sloths and lemurs. For a stroll through a wonderland of tropical flora, stop by Coral Cable's Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden with its magnificent collection of orchids. Or take a fragrant walk through the Fruit & Spice Park of Miami Dade County.

Every year in February a mile of coastline along Key Biscayne Bay transforms into an arts village, displaying jury-selected works from artists around the world. Live music, gourmet vendors and activities for kids round out the experience that is the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. And on the third Friday evening of each month, Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays) showcases Little Havana's art, music and culture in a festive atmosphere that envelops SW Eighth Street. There are also many other celebrations, including a good roster of Pride events.

You've now seen just a small sampling of all there is to do outside in Greater Miami. There are still the great museums, performance venues, nightlife spots, shopping outlets and world-class international restaurants as well as authentic neighborhood eateries to explore. Spend some time acquainting yourself with all these attractions through the Greater Miami and the Beaches Specialist Program at TravelAgentAcademy.com and see how you can sell this many-faceted destination as much more than a cruise departure point!