The Top Beaches in Greater Miami vary in atmosphere from gay-friendly to family-friendly crowds. Make sure that going to the beach is on your list of things to do in Miami.

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1. South Beach Miami Florida

When you hear about the top beaches in Miami, it is always South Beach that they’re talking about. South Beach is the place where beach-goers bare witness to the flawless bodies and beautiful people. South Beach is located on Ocean Drive, which is lined with Miami restaurants and affordable South Beach vacation rentals.

2. Virginia Key Beach Florida

Virginia Key Beach is right off the Rickenbacker Causeway and is very easily accessible. Some areas get really packed but there are plenty of isolated areas.

3. Haulover Beach Florida

Haulover Beach, between Sunny Isles Beach and Bal Harbour, is only legal “clothing optional” of the top beaches in Miami. Of course, traditional sunbathing is also allowed. Haulover Beach offers the best surfing of the top beaches in Miami.

4. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Bill Baggs State Park, located in south Key Biscayne, invites visitors to swim, sunbathe, fish from the seawall and enjoy a guided tour of the famous Cape Florida lighthouse. Rent a Key Biscayne vacation rental to stay closer to the top beaches in Miami.

5. Homestead Bayfront Park and Marina

Homestead Bayfront Park is the best of the top beaches in Miami for those hoping to avoid touristy areas. Enjoy swimming and Miami boating options with a full-service marina.

Yes, Miami is known for its parties and its beaches; but there are other things to do in Miami that introduce a whole other side of the city. Some tourists come to visit the Top Places to Play Golf in Miami.

The Top Places to Play Golf in Miami are quite different that the things to do in Miami that you normally hear about. There are several different renowned and quality golf courses around the city. There are some tourists that 0would prefer to spend their time in Miami at the Top Places to Play Golf in Miami. For golf pros and enthusiasts that would rather golf that any of the other things to do in Miami, the following lists has the Top Places to Play Golf in Miami.

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TOP Golf Courses in Miami

Miami Beach Golf Club

2301 Alton Rd
Miami Beach, FL 33140-4200
(305) 532-3350
www.miamibeachgolfclub.com

Normandy Shores Golf Club

2401 Biarritz Dr.
Miami Beach, Fl. 33141
(305) 868-6502
OPEN 6:30AM-6:30PM

Crandon Golf Key Biscayne

6700 Rickenbacker Cswy
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
305-361-9129
www.crandongolfclub.com

Doral Golf Resort & Spa

4400 NW 87th Avenue,
Miami - FL
(800) 713-6725
www.doralresort.com/Golf/golf.asp

Miami Shores Country Club

10000 Biscayne Blvd
Miami Shores, FL 33138
(305) 795-2363
www.miamishoresgolf.com

The Biltmore Resort Coral Gables

1200 Anastasia Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33134
305-460-5364
www.biltmorehotel.com

Don Shula’s Golf Club

6842 Main Street
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
305.820.8106 or 800.24.SHULA
www.donshulahotel.com

Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club

19999 West Country Club Drive
Miami, Florida
(305) 933-6590
www.fairmont.com/turnberryisle/

Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne

455 Grand Bay Dr.,
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
(305) 365-4500

PGA National Resort & Spa

400 Avenue of the Champions
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
866-878-9038

Miami attractions -  Jungle Island Miami

Hank, Jungle Island Miami’s largest crocodile, is dead at 47. He was a 2,000 pound monster crocodile - one of the largest on the planet. Hank was one of the main star Miami attractions in the famous Jungle Island Miami. He was a scary creature that was almost larger than life. Visitors and locals in Miami Beach loved to visit the Miami attractions 20-foot long reptile. Hank’s admirers gazed at him through a thick glass.

He was massive but elegant and was a lonely animal. Hank met a 5-pound turtle that was lost in his habitat and they became inseparable. Their friendship was a spectacle and lured hordes of visitors to the great Miami attractions. Visitors in Miami Beach could just hop in a Taxi and be at Jungle Island Miami in a matter of minutes. If you stay in a Miami Beach or in Miami Beach vacation rentals, you can also call taxi to visit Jungle Island Miami.

Miami Beach shopping will definitely be different from now on. South Beach has very little vacant land so this will probably be the last project of such a magnitude in the area unless an existing structure is knocked down and its lot is used. Miami Beach real estate is expensive, particularly in this area where the Miami Beach Mall was built due to the scarcity of land.

This new Miami Beach shopping mall will host the following retailers:

• Publix
• T.J. Maxx
• Ross
• Dress for Less
• Staples
• PetCo
• Best Buy

Big box stores are not typical within intense urban environments. The addition will certainly thrive in Miami Beach. Up until now, affordable shopping was almost non-existent in South Beach. Locals and tourists would have to drive to other Miami neighborhoods to find such kinds of retailers. Buyers looking for electronics would travel to Aventura, Kendall or MidTown Miami.

Now, locals and visitors can shop in Miami Beach. The retailers operating from this Miami Beach Mall are national brands that offer valuable products. Shoppers will gladly welcome them.

Best Buy will alter its offers to ensure local shopper satisfaction; it plans to offer an expanded line of products for its Latin and gay and lesbian markets. Vacationers staying in nearby Miami Beach hotels or Miami Beach vacation rentals will be thrilled about this new addition to our landscape.

South Beach vacation rentals -  South Beach holiday rentals

The main reason anyone visits South Beach is for its beautiful beach waters and its warm weather. The waters of South Beach are refreshing and feel so nice to the point that they are almost therapeutic.

Imagine stepping out the back of your South Beach holiday rentals or South Beach vacation rentals and being on the sands of South Beach. Avoid the hassle and fees for parking when you stay in South Beach holiday rentals located right on the beach. The beach has more to offer than just refreshment.

Setai South Beach - Beach View

At night, it’s where locals hang out and party at hotel bars and nearby nightclubs. South Beach is famous for its booming nightlife. In addition to easy access to party opportunities, South Beach vacation rentals on the beach have some amazing views of the deep blues.

South Beach vacation rentals - South Beach holiday rentals

What is South Beach without water? The super trendy city attracts vacationers with its tropical weather and infinite supply of sunshine. It is always summer in South Beach.

Flamingo South Beach

So wouldn’t it just seem logical to want to rent South Beach vacation rentals with a pool? Leave your fancy clothes at home and lounge in your bathing suit all day, every day. Fortunately, there are many South Beach holiday rentals with pools. Sit outside your South Beach vacation rentals or South Beach holiday rentals in the warmth of the sun and take a dip in the pool. Take advantage of South Beach’s flawless weather.

Vacationers in South Beach love to engage in water-based activities while they are here. Having a pool right behind your South Beach holiday rentals certainly puts the opportunity of a refreshing dip at your fingertips.

At this cabana, youngsters can feel like they are on their own, away from mom and dad. They can watch DVDs and order smoothies. Basically, they will feel like they are cool and independent…even though they really aren’t.

Loews Hotel Miami Beach

Miami Vacation Rentals

So you are planning your trip to Miami. Being you are not from the city, you may be wondering whether you should rent a car or not. If you are coming to Miami to spend your entire vacation on South Beach, it is not worth the hassle. You will find that having a car to get around South Beach is mostly expensive valet fees, mission-impossible parking and parking garage fees.

It tends to be difficult to find parking in Miami Beach. Cars line the streets and parking lots are filled to capacity. Instead, if the need for a car should come up for any reason, ask the front desk or concierge service to rent a car for you from a rental agency in the area. Otherwise, South Beach has a local, air conditioned bus that circles SoBe and only charges 25 cents per person or you can take one of the many taxis that drive around South Beach which offer rides at reasonable prices. The final verdict? Just rent a car in Miami Beach when you need to because of the following:

• It is hard to find parking
• Particularly around Lincoln Road, Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive
• You need a parking permit for certain areas or your car will get towed
• Parking meters
• Meter should have money in it any time from 9AM to Midnight, 7 days a week.
• It is hard to find available parking meters
• Public parking lots are scarce and busy
• Valet parking can be outrageously expensive and has a long waiting time to get your car back

If you are looking for a central place to stay in Miami Beach, search a long list of affordable, quality vacation rentals and holiday rentals. You can even conduct your search according to whether or not the Miami vacation rentals have parking available.

The quickest way to reach Palm Beach is also the most boring route which will get you there in 75 to 90 minutes without traffic. If making this trip during the week, it is best to leave Miami Beach before 7 AM or latest, by 10 AM. Many visitors in Miami will go to Palm Beach for the day.

The route along A1A provides a truly nice drive through the adorable towns of Del Rey Beach and Lantana. On this route, you will see multimillion-dollar waterfront mansions paving a large portion of the way.

The cities of Lantana and Palm Beach feature their architectural magnificence through huge modern palaces. Visitors in Palm Beach instantly love this upscale historic seaside town with expensive taste. The main commercial street in Palm Beach is named Worth Avenue. It boasts a concentration of the world’s most luxurious brand names such as Cartier, Prada and more.  Shopping in Palm Beach is not for everyone; if you are on a tighter budget, hop on a taxi and head towards West Palm Beach, which is a 5-minute drive from Palm Beach. West Palm Beach is the downtown of Palm Beach with high-rise buildings and its new commercial district City Place. City Place features restaurants, cafes, bars, night clubs and stores.

Our trip to Palm Beach was at the end of June and the city was dead. The streets and restaurants were all empty. High season in Palm Beach is from December to April. If you plan to spend the night in Palm Beach, you may stay in the legendary Breakers Hotel or alternatively, in Palm Beach holiday rental apartments or vacation villas in Palm Beach.

An excursion from Miami to the Bahamas is easy to book and quite inexpensive. Miami is often a required stop along the way to visit the Bahamas so visitors stay in the magical city of Miami for a few days before heading to their next destination.

Visitors can choose between Miami Beach hotels or Miami Beach vacation rentals.

From Miami International Airport, flights to visit the Bahamas are about an hour long. Nassau, Paradise Island and Eluthera are just around the corner.

The Bahamas are a paradise for vacationers and offers accommodations including resorts, traditional hotels or Bahamas vacation rentals. For an excursion from Miami, it is also possible to take a cruise to visit the Bahamas.

The best way to visit the Bahamas is to charter a boat from Miami and explore the wonderful Bahamas Islands. Bimini, Paradise Island and Nassau and Harbour Island are probably the most popular destinations.