Discover Miami and the Keys through 111 hidden gems and unique experiences, from vibrant art and tropical charm to serene escapes in this unforgettable guide. Revised and updated edition.
Miami is a city in constant motion, where luxury high-rises reshape the skyline and vibrant art, neon-lit beaches, and tropical charm create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Beyond the lively nightlife lies the serene paradise of the Keys, a chain of islands steeped in history, hidden gems, and sun-soaked adventures.
This guide uncovers Miami and the Keys’ most unusual experiences, inviting you to explore places you’ve passed or never noticed. Discover rotating art displays in a millionaire’s mansion, dance to Latin rhythms in Little Havana, or slide down a two-story chute into a shopping haven.
Dive into crystal-clear waters to explore pirate shipwrecks, visit the country’s smallest post office, or track down Florida’s elusive Skunk Ape. Seek tranquility at a tropical Buddhist temple, stroll through mango groves, and celebrate sunsets at the southernmost point of the U.S. 111 places are waiting to reveal the magic of Miami and the Keys.
12th Street Lifeguard Tower
Where pride meets the tide | 10
Alabama Jacks
Low-key in the Keys | 12
Alligator Reef
Pirates vs Alligator | 14
Ancient Spanish Monastery
Medieval Spain in Miami | 16
Angelas Flowers
Blossoms under I-95 | 18
Annes Beach
Floridas best rest stop | 20
Aquarium at Frost Science Museum
Window to the sea | 22
Atomiks Orange
Miamis main character | 24
Bahia Honda
Sleep with the fishes | 26
Bathroom Signs at Brickell City Centre
From coladas to commodes | 28
Bay of Pigs Museum
A tragedy remembered | 30
The Betsy Orb
Egg-sploring South Beach | 32
Betsy the Giant Lobster
If only she was on the menu | 34
Big Cypress Gallery
Ansel Adams of the Everglades | 36
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Solitude by the city | 38
The Black Archives Lyric Theater
The sounds and stories of Overtown | 40
Blue Hole
Freshwater oasis in a saltwater desert | 42
The Bobblehead Museum
Home of the happiest helmets in baseball | 44
Boca Chita Key
Paradise found | 46
Bodhi Wishing Tree
The magic of Upper Buena Vista | 48
Brickell Key Bridge
Miamis most scenic run | 50
Brickell Mausoleum
The other mother | 52
Bridal Mile
The aisle to absolutely everything | 54
Brightline Station
Premium perks, Miami style | 56
The Calle Ocho Walk of Fame
Looking down at the stars | 58
Cauley Square
All aboard the kitsch caboose | 60
City Hall
Seaplanes and city managers | 62
Club Nautico
See Miami in its element | 64
Coconut Grove Playhouse
Part cinema, all history | 66
Coppertone Girl
Moon over Miami | 68
Coral Castle
A fortress built to mend a broken heart | 70
Crandon Park Zoo
Free-range peacocks and iguanas | 72
Creos Aetas
The Clock of Faces | 74
Cuba Tobacco Cigar Co.
Up in smoke on Calle Ocho | 76
Dantes Hifi
Vinyl sessions | 78
Deering Estate
Poor mans Vizcaya | 80
Domino Park
Playing by the numbers | 82
El Carajo
Stop for the gas, stay for the food, take home the wine | 84
Ernest Hemingways Cats
For whom the cat meows | 86
Española Way
Pedestrian paradise | 88
Fireman Dereks Key Lime Pie
Set your taste buds ablaze | 90
Florida Keys Brewing Company
Ice cold in Islamorada | 92
Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center
Wings on the mend | 94
Fort Dallas
The unconventional outpost | 96
Fred the Tree
Key Strong | 98
Fruit & Spice Park
Fruit, spice, and everything nice | 100
Los Gallos of Calle Ocho
Cuban humility | 102
Garden of Eden
Clothing optional | 104
Greynolds Park
Miamis Mount Everest | 106
Haulover Inlet
The gateway to Miamis watershed | 108
Hialeah Park
The sport of kings for those who arent | 110
Historic Hampton House
The first echo of a dream | 112
History of Diving Museum
20,000 leagues into the Keys | 114
Holocaust Memorial
Hand of God | 116
Ichimura Japanese Garden
Secret sanctuary on Watson Island | 118
Jackie Gleasons Mausoleum
Ralph Kramdens last stop | 120
The Jewel Box
Elevator to heaven | 122
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Underwater playground | 124
Key West Cemetery
Laugh to death | 126
Knaus Berry Farm
All buns go to heaven | 128
Macks Fish Camp
The last of the Gladesmen | 130
Marys Coin Laundry
Wash, fold, drink, repeat | 132
Matheson Hammock
A beginners beach | 134
Mayfair Lobby
An architects dream | 136
McAlpin Hotel
Quintessential Art Deco | 138
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
Todays the day | 140
Metromover
Miamis monorail | 142
Miami Catamarans
Sailing solace | 144
Miami Circle
Ancient ruins in a modern jungle | 146
Miami Jai-Alai
The worlds fastest game | 148
Miami Marine Stadium
Beautiful urban blight | 150
Mitzis Memorial
R.I.P. Flipper | 152
Monkey Jungle
Catching up with your ancestors | 154
Montys Raw Bar
Marinas meets margaritas | 156
Museum Garages Pink Slide
A luxury playground | 158
National Key Deer Refuge
Bambis baby brothers and sisters | 160
Neptune Memorial Reef
Julia Childs resting place | 162
Ochopee Post Office
Littlest house on the prairie | 164
Old Cutler Road
Banyan-covered bliss | 166
Oleta River State Park
Row into the city | 168
Orion Herbs
Miamis medicine man | 170
Pinecrest Gardens
Bye-bye birdies | 172
Porch Swings at Pérez
Relaxation in motion | 174
River Oyster Bar
No grit, no pearl | 176
Robbies
Fish-feeding frenzy | 178
Robert is Here
The little farm stand that could | 180
Robert the Doll
Before there was Chucky, there was Robert | 182
Schnebly Redlands Winery
No grapes necessary | 184
Shark Valley
Everglades from above | 186
Shell World
They sell seashells by the seashore | 188
The Shop at The Standard
What you didnt know you were looking for | 190
Skunk Ape Research Headquarters
Return of the Yeti | 192
Skyward Kites
Lets go flyyou know the rest | 194
South Pointe Park
Sittin on the dock of Biscayne Bay | 196
Southernmost Point
So they say | 198
Stiltsville
Square feet or square fathoms? | 200
Stone Barge at Vizcaya
Party on a pirate ship | 202
Sunken Garden
Hidden beauty at Fairchild Tropical Gardens | 204
Sunset at Mallory Square
Good night, Key West | 206
Superblue
Beyond the frame | 208
Sweat Records
Vinyl and vegan | 210
Toilet Seat Cut
Shortcut through the absurd | 212
Torch of Friendship
The eternal flame | 214
Trumans Poker Table
Where history took a seat and stayed for a while | 216
The Underline
Brickells backyard | 218
Venetian Pool
The emerald of Coral Gables | 220
Virginia Key Beach Park
The long arm of Jim Crow | 222
Wallcast
An orchestra for the everyman | 224
Wat Buddharangsi
Serenity now | 226
Wolfsonian
Mediterranean marshmallow | 228
World Erotic Art Museum
The Smithsonian of kink | 230
Gordon Streisand is a third-generation Miami native whose family has called Miami and the Keys home since the now dwarfed courthouse was the tallest building in the city. A graduate of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Gordon has been an attorney in Miami since 2019. Outside of practicing the law, he enjoys exploring the lesser-known wonders of his hometown with his better half and co-author, Alexandra. Alexandra Streisand is a storyteller and photographer known for her ability to capture the beauty of hidden places and everyday moments. Her background in sociology and master's degree in business is reflected through her lens and words to share the impactful stories she encounters in the place she now calls home. A New Jersey native, Alexandra fell in love with Gordon in the heart of Miami which they continue to explore together.
