What to See in Miami for the First Time Tourist

Miami is a wonderful city with something for everyone to enjoy. Having lived there all my life, I tend to take things for granted. But as a tourist visiting for the first time, I can imagine the city being a wonderful place with tons of things to do.

A lot of people visit Miami during the spring or summertime because they want to enjoy the beach. Of course, this is how a lot of people think so that is when the beaches are most crowded. However, as someone who lives there, I can tell you, you can always find the less crowded parts of the beach if you look hard enough. One easy way to determine that is the parking situation. The beach is split up basically into South Beach, Miami Beach and North Miami Beach. Most people like to go to South Beach because this is where the beach ends. Its right by Collins, which is well known and full of art deco architecture and places to eat and shop. But if you're down at the South beach and you absolutely can't find parking, you should drive up towards North Miami Beach. This part is usually less populated and the beach is just as sandy and enjoyable.

And if you want to get some gelato after soaking up the rays, you can walk around on Lincoln Road which is a huge pedestrian mall right off the beach. This has everything you want from high end stores to restaurants, even a movie theatre. I, for one, love checking out malls whenever I travel because I love shopping. So if this is your cup of tea, Miami is a a place for you. From outdoor malls like Cocowalk and Bayside to huge indoor malls like Dolphin or Dadeland, Miami is truly a shopper's paradise. If you're interested in having a few drinks after a day of shopping, Bayside is the place for you. It's right on Biscayne Bay and it has tons of places to shop, eat, and after dark, you can even catch live music and enjoy happy hour at a bar. You can also take boat tours of the bay from Bayside. And since it's in the heart of downtown, there is tons to see.

If nature is what you're looking for, Miami has that too. The Everglades is one of the country's national parks. You can camp out for a few days or go on a day trip. Enjoy hiking on trails or taking an airboat ride around the park. You're sure to see some alligators and other animals among the mangroves. If that's closer than you would like, you can always take a trip to Miami Metro Zoo and Parrot Jungle. The zoo is one of the largest in the country and has everything from zebras to bears.

If you're interested in the museums the city has to offer, you have many to choose from, including the Miami Art Museum and the Miami Science Museum with a spectacular planetarium show. On the first Friday of each month, the Planetarium hosts a laser show, that a lot of people like attending. Similarly, the third Thursday of every month, the Miami Art Museum holds an event called Jam at Mam, which is an evening of art and drinks and hors d'ouvres.

These are just some of the thrilling things you'll find in the marvelous city of Miami.