Let's Learn About Miami
What if I told you that most tourists never actually enter the City of Miami? And what if I told you that many people claiming to be from “Miami” are, in fact, not?
The City of Miami is often confused with its neighboring cities. This common mix up begins the moment you land at Miami International Airport. The airport sits in an unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County, not within the City of Miami itself. So, when you step off the plane, you are welcomed by the sun of South Florida, but you are not in the City of Miami.
From the airport onward, the boundaries of “Miami” continue to blur.
With Miami-Dade County being so massive, it is easy to get things mixed up. The county sits on 1,899.9 square miles of land. In 2020, around 2,701,767 people called it home, but only 442,241 of them actually lived in the city of Miami. The rest live in the 33 other cities within the county. To put it in perspective: Miami-Dade County is the third largest county in Florida by total area and has a public school system that ranks as the third largest in the United States.
This map shows every single-family home in Miami-Dade with an assessed value of $10,000,000 or more.
1 thing you could do with this data:
Find the cell phone #'s associated with each address, then use them as a custom audience to target Twitter ads to (e.g.) pitch investments. pic.twitter.com/Hj8VEN50ph— Fritz Johnson (@FritzTheDev) March 15, 2024
Consider this: When you are tanning on the sand of Miami Beach, you are actually in a completely different city. The city of Miami Beach. This city is known for its Art Deco District and vibrant nightlife. When visiting the University of Miami or even the Venetian Pool, you are actually in Coral Gables. And remember the 2020 Super Bowl, hosted in “Miami?” Not quite. The Hard Rock Stadium is in Miami Gardens.
Every Memorial Day Weekend, tourists flock to South Florida, eagerly posting about their adventures in “Miami,” even when they are partying somewhere else entirely.
“Miami” is often used interchangeably to describe all of Miami-Dade County. However, each of the 34 cities within the county has its own charm that contributes to the iconic picture people associate Miami with. So, the next time you land at Miami International Airport or meet someone from “Miami,” you can second-guess where you actually are or where they are truly from.
With so many opportunities to explore in Miami-Dade County, it can feel overwhelming. Here is a list of three unique neighborhoods to check out: Downtown Miami (Miami), Miracle Mile (Coral Gables), and the Art Deco District (Miami Beach).
Downtown Miami
The city of Miami is about 9 miles from Miami International Airport. This southeastern coastal city is the seat of Miami-Dade County and home to the tenth-largest port in the United States. Every morning, commuters get stuck in traffic on the South Dixie Highway, also known as US-1, or as my father calls it, “Useless one.” After enduring the traffic, many workers reach the financial hub of South Florida: Downtown Miami and Brickell.
Downtown Miami offers more than just a beautiful skyline and office space. In recent years, massive development has introduced more leisure options. The Brickell City Centre, a stunning outdoor mall, is a prime example. It is built across several buildings with pedestrian bridges connecting them, creating a unique and walkable shopping experience.
So where would a local go in Downtown Miami? Star by visiting the beautiful Pérez Art Museum, then head to Bayfront Park, a 32-acre urban park on Biscayne Bay. For a deeper connection to history, visit the Miami Circle, a 2,000-year-old Native American circle formation that has been transformed into a thriving park.
If you plan ahead, catch a game at the Kaseya Center, formerly the American Airlines Arena; or enjoy a concert by your favorite artist. For more live performances, head over to the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts which is home to the Florida Grand Opera and the Miami City Ballet.
The best restaurant in Downtown Miami: Soya e Pomodoro. This charming Italian eatery, housed in a former bank, offers live jazz performances. It is also conveniently located next to the historic jewelry district. If you are lucky, the development of the Time Century Jewelry Center will be completed, an impressive luxury jewelry mall that will make the area the second-largest jewelry district in the country.
A beautiful retro-inspired bar would be Mama Tried, which has a pool table and even a little library. So there is plenty of space to socialize, or be alone with a good book. Once a year, my parents treat themselves to one of the best seafood restaurants in South Florida: Truluck’s Ocean’s Finest Seafood and Crab. This place is expensive, but it has a half-price happy hour that might just make a dent in the huge, but worth-it, bill.
The real draw to Downtown Miami is its historical buildings. Many of these structures have been revamped into residences, speakeasies, and office spaces. While South Florida is known for new developments, Downtown Miami still holds on to some of that "old charm" that Palm Beach is so famous for.
Miracle Mile
Coral Gables is about 5 miles from Miami International Airport and has a population of 49,248. George E. Merrick began developing this planned community in the 1920s on land from his family’s large citrus farm. The name Coral Gables comes from Merrick’s family house which was made of coral rock walls and gables. The neighborhoods are lined with large trees, a rare sight in South Florida, planted by Merrick to make the community "perfect." Because of this, the mayor’s office often calls Coral Gables “The City Beautiful.”
The city is known for Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Merrick’s boyhood home, the Biltmore Hotel, and the Venetian Swimming Pools. But the must-visit area is Miracle Mile, located in downtown Coral Gables. This half-mile stretch is the city’s Main Street. During wedding season, brides from all over South Florida flock here to shop for gowns, as it is notorious for its bridal shops.
While you are there, catch a show at the Miracle Theatre, built in 1948, and now home to the acclaimed Actors’ Playhouse. For coffee or wine, enjoy outdoor seating at Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar. Otherwise, for a more local flavor, try a cortadito at Cortadito Coffee House. And if you love a good book, visit the Café at Books & Books, where you can enjoy a coffee and occasional live readings in their Mediterranean-style courtyard.
The most well-known restaurant on Miracle Mile is Hillstone, which offers American fine dining; I prefer Canton Chinese Restaurant, just a few feet off Miracle Mile, for a down-to-earth meal. For bar-goers, Giralda Avenue, a pedestrian-only street just off Miracle Mile, has many restaurants, bars and cafes. My favorite café is Threefold Café, and you can never go wrong with The Bar, a classic dive bar with outdoor seating.
When the mayor calls Coral Gables “The City Beautiful,” it is true. Few places in South Florida, except perhaps Palm Beach, offer such well-maintained perfection. Miracle Mile can be explored in a couple of hours and gives a real taste of South Florida.
Art Deco District
The city of Miami Beach is about 13 miles from Miami International Airport and has a population of 82,890. It lies on a barrier island between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
When most people think of “Miami,” they picture the iconic Art Deco style found in the South Beach neighborhood; therefore, this district is a must-visit. Famous streets like Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, and Lincoln Road are lined with stunning Art Deco buildings from the 1920s and 1930s.
For a taste of Italy, visit De Lucia Bakery Buon Pane Italiano for delicious, affordable baked goods. My favorite spot for dining or drinks is News Café, which evokes the charm of 1970s New York City with its dark oak furnishings and green accents. It is perfect for a romantic evening.
A hidden gem for affordable Turkish cuisine is Saffron Grill, located next to the famous gay club, Twist. Even better, if you are looking for dinner with a drag queen performance, Palace Bar & Restaurant is within walking distance and is the place to be. Just remember to bring a few dollars in cash to show appreciation for their performances!
Besides the famous Versace Mansion and the luxurious three-story fashion store, The Webster, South Beach offers other unique spots that nod to its beautiful past. One example is the Burger King that still serves beer. While the building is modern, the old and nearly retired practice of serving beer at Burger King continues to thrive there.
The Art Deco District is not confined to a single street. The small and iconic hotels are scattered across South Beach. Each glows with neon lights and showcases beautiful curved architecture. It feels like stepping back in time, while the lively crowds keep the city alive every hour of the day.
“Miami” means so much, and it can lead to countless adventures in cities and places that differ greatly from one another. That is why more and more people call South Florida home. This is reflected in the counties’ racial diversity: 69% Hispanic, 15% African American and 13% White. Among these residents, 62.4% speak Spanish, 29.3% speak English and 4.9% speak Creole as their native language. Therefore, it is no surprise that the vast area of Miami-Dade County offers an array of unique neighborhoods.
These neighborhoods are often thought of as massive, planned, cookie-cutter house-filled neighborhoods, but as shown by these three distinct neighborhoods, this is not always the case. They are filled with beautiful old trees or architecture inspired from all over the world.
The next time you land at Miami International Airport, take a drive. You will be surprised how many distinct areas Miami-Dade County has to offer.
