by Rick Munarriz - 406 Reviews - 155 List
South Florida is blessed with a plethora of natural and manmade attractions. Whether it's a state park where guests skim across jaw-snapping reptiles or an eatery where its signature dessert features four pounds of bubbling chocolate, Miami offers many unforgettable experiences. Tourists will rarely have a chance to take them all in, but they have to start somewhere.
Updated: August 31, 2009
There are plenty of ways to explore the subtropical wetlands where sawgrass, cypress and mangrove tower over an exotic variety of wildlife. The snazziest mode of travel, though, is to hop on a guided airboat ride. You'll be skimming over the water at dizzying speeds, safely above the snappy clutches of gators and snakes that inhabit the national park.
The Florida Marlins play all 80 of their home games at this rectangular stadium, which naturally hosted the successful World Series runs of 1997 and 2003. However, those who want to rub elbows with diehard enthusiasts know that this is a football town. As many as 75,000 fans pack the routinely sold-out venue for the Miami Dolphins 10 annual home games.
There are plenty of celebrated eateries in the club-happy South Beach district. This eclectic restaurant excels in its "over the top" presentations. The lobster pop tarts come in their own toaster. The gargantuan chocolate fountain desert comes with its own bubbling fountain, offering up four pounds of rippling fondue and plenty of dipping options.
South Florida offers glitzy nightlife, decadent restaurants and hard bodies on the beach. The one thing it lacks is legalized gambling. For a taste of Vegas, locals pack into this casino resort, watched over by the tribe of Seminole Indians. More than just slots and card games, the complex offers several dance clubs and eateries.
The Basque sport of jai-alai offers gamblers of all stripes a shot at winning at this fronton, immortalized in the opening "Miami Vice" credits. Wagers can be made for as little as a buck, as players take to the fenced-in racquetball court and sling balls that travel as fast as 150 miles an hour.
The country's only underwater national park affords first-time snorkelers and seasoned scuba divers a submerged glimpse into exotic marine life. Chartered expeditions leave throughout the day, laying anchor on dazzling coral reefs where the fish are even more colorful than the vibrant rocks.
By day, this mammoth flea market is home to hundreds of merchants, selling everything from fine discounted jewelry to handmade crafts. Carnival rides and live music performances make shopping an entertaining rite. Once the merchants call it a night, the massive concrete market is transformed into a 14-screen drive-in theater.
The first sign of strawberry-picking season is the long queue at this Homestead fruit stand. Open from Thanksgiving through Easter, this seasonal institution is legendary for its strawberry shakes and sticky buns. Naturally, the fresh produce is also a draw, but the longest lines form at the bakery.
When tourists fill up the beaches, locals know they can count on this watery lagoon on the Coral Gables coast. The manmade atoll is a throwback swimming hole, with nary a beach resort in sight. Park guests can also explore the mangrove-lined hiking trail.
Roadside attractions were a Florida staple during the middle of the 20th century, but the wing-flapping macaws and acrobatic mermaids have moved on to new digs in recent years. This roadside staple can't, since the stately castle was chiseled out over 20 years from a single piece of coral. Ed Leedskalnin's monument to unrequited love is as bizarre as it is picturesque.
