Fun Things For Couples To Do In Miami

The city of Miami, located in beautiful south Florida, is a great place for couples who are looking for fun and interesting things to do. We’ll start off with a visit to the

(1) Miami Metrozoo which initially started in 1948 as the Crandon Park Zoo featuring six animals. The zoo has expanded over the years and has more than 300 developed acres featuring more than 900 animals living in a natural habitat environment. The Wings of Asia aviary exhibits an impressive array of exotic and endangered birds while the 7,200-square foot American Tropical rainforest gallery is home to a variety of fish from the Amazon river, reptiles and insects. The zoo itself is home to white tigers, clouded leopards, African and Asian elephants, black rhinos, chimpanzees, Komodo Dragons, zebras and lions, just to name a few. The zoo is open 365 days a year from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Tram and monorail tours are available.

Our second stop is at the (2) Miami Seaquarium. Situated on 38-acres, the aquarium features daily aquatic shows such as the killer whale and dolphin show and the golden dome sea lion show, along with the Tropical Wings and Discovery Bay exhibits and the sea lion and crocodile presentations. Visit the 750,000 gallon saltwater tropical reef aquarium and watch as the diver hand feeds Moray eels, loggerhead turtles and tropical fish. Observe as the trainers feed 200-lb sharks, relax with the manatees at pool side and the underwater viewing areas or sign-up for the 2-hour one-on-one training program where you swim with the dolphins. The aquarium is open 365 days a year from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

If you’re interested in exotic plants and flowers, the (3) Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a must see. Located just 20 minutes from downtown Miami, the 83-acre garden is open every day, except December 24th, from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The botanic garden has been in existence since 1938 and through the years has established an impressive collection of rare tropical plants, vines, palms, flowering trees and fruit trees. Most of these are plants, except for endangered species, are collected in the wild offering visitors the opportunity to examine plant species they might not normally see. Fairchild is a leader in plant research and they offer many educational programs covering the environment and conservation. Tram tours run every hour. Guided walking tours are available November through April and self-guided audio tours through the rainforest are also available.

At the (4) Bass Museum of Art, you’ll experience the permanent exhibits of Flemish tapestries and portraits depicting the Rococo, Renaissance and Baroque style by such artists as Botticelli and Peter Paul Rubens. Ongoing exhibits include photography, drawings, sculptures, portraits, examples of both abstract and primitive art, and three-dimensional models. The exhibits are comprised of items from museums and private collections. The museum is open Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed Mondays and holidays. The Bass Café serves lunch Tuesday - Saturday and the Museum Shop hours are the same as the museum hours.

The (5) Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a lovely Italian Renaissance villa once used as the winter residence of American industrialist, James Deering. Today, the estate, which is listed as a National Historic Landmark, stands as a museum featuring art objects, furnishings and antiques from the 15th to 19th century.The villa has 34 rooms currently opened to the public with an additional 12 rooms, which served as servants quarters, scheduled to be open in the near future. The 10-acres of lush gardens situated on Biscayne Bay include a native forest and a historic village which are currently being renovated. The museum is open 364-days a year, closed December 24th, from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Vizcaya Café is open for breakfast and lunch during museum hours.

For an introduction into Indian culture, a visit to (6) Miccosukee Indian Village, located in the heart of the Everglades, will give you a glimpse into tribal life. Guides will take you on a tour of their past, present and future history with exhibitions by artisans featuring intricate wood carving, detailed beadwork and basket weaving. Examples of these crafts along with lovely patchwork pieces are available at the village shop. The village is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Located 15-minutes west of Miami is the (7) Miccosukee Resort and Gaming facility. Not only does the resort offer beautiful accommodations and fine dining, it also offers nightly live entertainment and dancing at the 24-hour Cypress Lounge, exotic drinks at the Martini Bar, and live entertainment and sporting events at the Sports Dome. If gambling is your forte, the resort offers 24-hour gaming including 1,000 pull-tab machines, numerous poker tables featuring Omaha, 7-card and Texas Hold’em, lightning lotto and high-stakes bingo.

Primate enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to (8) Monkey Jungle, a 30-acre reserve where more than 400 primates reside, most running free, in one of the few protected habitats for endangered species in the U.S. This unique zoological saga began in 1933 when six Java monkeys were released into the wild. Today, the third generation of these Java monkeys welcomes visitors to the reserve and also put on daily presentations of their expert diving skills. More than 30 species are represented at Monkey Jungle from spider monkeys' and lemurs to gorillas and orangutans. Be sure to walk through the semi-tropical Amazonian Rainforest to see the collection of exotic plants, trees and palms and observe the three species of monkeys (squirrel, capuchin, and howler) who call the rainforest their home. The reserve is open daily 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Just west of Miami is the (9) Everglades National Park. This 1.3 million-acre park is an environmentalist's paradise. A multitude of activities are available including camping, canoeing, biking, boating, tram and boat tours, walking trails, back country hiking, birding, fishing, picnic facilities and horseback riding. Permits are needed for many of the activities at the park and are available at the park. The main entrance to the park is open 24 hours a day, year round.

(10) The Historical Museum of South Florida is a great way to spend the day for those interested in history. The museum features permanent and visiting exhibits of photographs, illustrations, handmade items, antique prints and maps all dedicated to the rich history of south Florida and the Carribean. Open Monday-Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and noon to 5:00 PM Sunday. Closed Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Thanksgiving Day.