Planning a visit to Miami? Perhaps you're a new resident or a long-time local looking for an interesting afternoon? This page presents your About Guide to Miami's top picks for Miami tourism.
The Miami culture is very dynamic and has a heavy Latin influence. Immigrants can be found from Cuba, Haiti and Puerto Rico, among other Latin American countries. In fact, 58 percent of the people living in Miami city in 2003 were foreign born. It is not uncommon to walk down any street in the city and not hear English spoken. It is a wide variation of people and backgrounds, influencing cultural celebrations found throughout Miami. You can also see a generous difference in wealth. Miami is full of those living a life full of riches and fame, driving expensive cars and owning high rises with oceanfront views. On the opposite side, you will also find suburbs with little income.
If you had arrived here 40 years ago with a guidebook in hand, chances are you'd be thumbing through listings looking for alligator wrestlers and you-pick strawberry fields or citrus groves. Things have changed. While Disney sidetracked families in Orlando, Miami was developing a unique culture and attitude that's equal parts beach town/big business, Latino/Caribbean meets European/American—all of which fuels a great art and food scene, as well as an exuberant nightlife and myriad festivals.
Traditional Cuban dishes meet exotic Caribbean spices and an ocean of seafood to create Floribbean cuisine. Sample pork dishes and stone crab claws and wash them down with Cuban coffee.