Top Rated Attractions in Miami

When Tony Goldman looked at Miami's Wynwood neighborhood, he saw more than just concrete; he saw an empty canvas that had the potential to be transformed into an outdoor museum, and through the Wynwood Walls, has managed just this. Featuring pieces by artists from different parts of the world, the Wynwood Walls is a gallery any street art enthusiast could quite literally lose themselves in. The nearby Wynwood Kitchen & Bar offers exhausted explorers a chance to refuel.

An exquisite estate that once belonged to businessman James Deering, the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is a lavish 20th-century complex featuring Italian Renaissance gardens, historic structures, and the main villa itself. Part of the estate is also composed of a native woodland landscape. The museum at the villa takes visitors back in time and lets one explore the beautiful architecture, European furnishings and other details of its past. Over the years, this stately villa has appeared as a backdrop for several Hollywood movies and soap operas, including Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Iron Man 3, and Days of Our Lives.

Located in downtown Miami, Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts has served as a stage for cultural performances since 1926. Designed in the Spanish style with an old world charm, the building maintains a certain air of sophistication. The center once housed the Miami Philharmonic Orchestra. After undergoing a two-year renovation project in the 1970s, the historic structure became one of the city's main performing arts venues. Today, the center continues to feature an exciting array of theater, music and dance.

Zoo Miami is one of the oldest and largest zoos in the entire state of Florida. The zoo is what is called a "free-range zoo," where none of the animals are caged. Due to its tropical climate, it is an ideal menagerie for observing animals from warmer areas of the world like Australia and Africa. Visit all kinds of animals, from natives like Caimans, to those from the Southern Hemisphere like the Tree Kangaroo. The zoo also has several cafes and concession stands scattered throughout so visitors are refreshed.

A fantastic addition to the downtown skyline, FTX Arena, previously known as American Airlines Arena, opened its doors at the dawn of the millennium for an exciting NBA season. Set on the waterfront of Biscayne Bay, this architectural masterpiece provides an amazing view from the public terraces and balconies of the concourses. Aside from housing the Miami Heat, the venue also functions as the home ground of the Miami Sol. A truly multifunctional arena the stadium also regularly plays host to events such as concerts, ice shows, circuses. Amenities include restaurants, bars, retail shops, on-site covered parking, VIP boxes, luxury suites and club seating sections.

Unlike many of South Florida's state parks, Barnacle State Historic Park is centrally-located and easily accessible by automobile. Just off the main street in trendy Coconut Grove, this five-acre (2.02 hectare) historic site offers visitors a glimpse into a past full of beauty and luxury. This stately structure was originally the home of Ralph Middleton Munroe, a landowner and yacht enthusiast who hailed from New York. Before and after Munroe's passing, measures were taken to assure that the property reflected South Florida's culture and blossoming heritage. Guests can tour Munroe's home or explore the lush land outside. The park also offers ample amenities for wildlife watching and picnicking.