Miami Beach is divided into three parts: North, Mid and South. South Beach is the most famous and one of the city's best beaches. A concrete walkway allows people to walk, jog or skate along the beaches. Parts of South Beach are open only to visitors staying in the hotels on Ocean Drive or Collins Avenue.
Bal Harbour Beach features a palm-shaded jogging path along the mile-long beach and Crandon Park Beach in Key Biscayne offers three miles of sandy relaxation.
The Bass Museum of Art is in the historic Art Deco District and includes European paintings, sculptures and modern exhibits from artists around the globe. The Gold Coast Railroad Museum offers train rides and a model train exhibit with an area dedicated to children. The collection includes the engine of a rescue train used after a hurricane and a private car built for President Franklin Roosevelt. At the Miami Science Museum, see laser music shows, the planetarium and more than 60,000 artifacts from zoology, geology, anthropology and paleontology. The Jewish Museum of Florida is on the National Register of Historic Places and covers 250 years of Jewish life in Florida.
The Seaquarium is a nearly 40-acre site where visitors can watch whales, dolphins and sea lions and learn about endangered species such as manatees and sea turtles. At Jungle Island, see tigers, birds and alligators. A petting barn will occupy children. Tour the Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness in North America. Alligators, panthers and other wildlife live in this marshland less than an hour from downtown Miami. Airboat rides are a good way to explore, complete with guides to narrate. Visit Sawgrass Recreation Park, which also features wildlife and tours of the Everglades and an exotic wildlife exhibit. The Monkey Jungle is a wildlife habitat where the humans are the ones in cages. People can visit to watch monkeys roam.
The city's Architectural Historic District is the world's largest set of art deco buildings. Ninety-minute guided walks are provided by the Miami Design Preservation League. Self-guided tours are also available. The Coral Castle is another favorite Miami attraction. For more than 20 years, Miami resident Ed Leedskalnin worked on carving coral as a tribute to his lover. The castle features a working sun dial, a Throne Room and a children's playground, all made of coral.
