Located between 8th and 27th Avenues within the center of Miami, Florida, is a historic area known as "Little Havana" (littlehavana.biz, the home of many Cuban immigrants who thrive and work in this community. The attractions include authentic Cuban restaurants, small cigar stores, historic tree-lined parks where Cubans still play chess every day, and the famous Walk of the Stars, with its long list of Latin-American actors, artists, and musicians. A popular activity called "Cultural Friday" occurs on the last Friday of each month and is a Latin street party that includes food, dancing, music, and street performers.
The First Friday Art Walk (floridashistoriccoast.com) is located in the historic city of St. Augustine, in northeastern Florida. On the first Friday of each month, more than 20 art galleries offer extended hours from 5 to 9 p.m. where visitors can explore the galleries, attend artist receptions and stroll the brick-lined streets in the five thriving art districts. Parking is free at the San Sebastian Winery on King Street, and the city of St. Augustine provides free transportation on its Old Town Trolley.
The Salvador Dali Museum (thedali.org) is located in downtown St. Petersburg on the central-west coast of Florida. Established in 1982, it offers the world's largest collection of the controversial artist Salvador Dalí, including 96 oil paintings, more than 100 watercolors and drawings, as well as 1,300 different graphics, photographs, and sculptures. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the museum with an audio guide that is free with admission, or take a guided tour, which is offered every hour during operating hours. The museum also includes an on-site cafe that serves specialty dishes such as tapas and gazpacho, and a museum where visitors can purchase anything from posters to Dali Wear.
The city of Key West is located on the southernmost point in the continental United States, with a long, colorful history that dates back to 1822. With its beautiful sunsets and clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico, it has been the home of many well-known figures such as Ernest Hemingway and Harry Truman. Key West Tours (trolleytours.com) is a convenient way to explore all of Key West's major attractions, which include the former homes of many literary figures. The narrated tours cover more than 100 different points of interest, and allow passengers to hop on and off at any of the 12 stops through the city. The tickets are valid for one full day, and children under the age of 12 ride free.
