MIAMI - ATTRACTIONS

What is there to see and do in Miami? We can't give you much details, because we took it upon ourselves to spend some time at the beach. But if you have come all the way to Miami, we assume that it wasn't to see the museums and zoos.

1. Miami Beach - Taking one of the causeways from downtown Miami east, you will reach the resort town of Miami Beach. Plenty of Art Deco buildings with pastel paint jobs make this one of the most recognizable districts in the U.S. Parking is available on the street, bring lots of quarters. The beach at the south end of the island has parasols ($10) and chairs ($7) for rent. Swimming here isn't that great as the water is not clear and there is a large amount of seaweed floating, but it is a good place to sun. Some beaches are clothing-optional, one of the few places in the U.S. with such lenience. 

Once you are tired of the beach, walk to Ocean Drive where a number of cafes and restaurants are ready to serve you. If you still have time, the Art Deco History District around 8th Street and Washington is worth a quick look. The nightlife here is also lively as tourists get happy before heading back to their hotels.

Overall, you can easily spend a day here, but if you are in Miami for longer, there are other things to see.

2. Historical Museum of Southern Florida - Part of the Metro-Dade Cultural Center, this museum presents the history of Miami and South Florida, as well as temporary exhibits. A good way to escape the heat as well as to learn about the history of the region. The Miami Art Museum is next door and you can buy a combination ticket for only $6, a pretty good deal.

3. American Police Hall of Fame and Museum - A large police car out front should encourage you to pay this unique museum a visit. Inside, the first floor contains a moving memorial to every U.S. police officer who lost his life in the line of duty. Family members have laid flowers and notes and it is a very touching display. This contrasts with the second floor, which is dedicated to describing the criminal element as well as the justice system. A jail cell, an electric chair and other instruments of death, along with hundreds of seized weapons make this a good place to learn about the darker side of humanity. Some of the pictures of famous criminals after their deaths will scare most people straight, some of these photos would never be published in any newspaper and are quite gruesome.

Aya in the blocks