1. Freedom Tower
City: Downtown Miami, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (305) 577-8544
Address: 600 Biscayne Blvd.
Description: Its grandiose appearance and bright yellow color make the historic Freedom Tower impossible to miss almost anywhere downtown. Completed in 1924 it acquired its name as a result of it serving as the office processing political asylum requests for the first wave of Cuban immigrants. It was home to the departed Miami News in the 1960s and modeled after the Spanish Giralda Bell Tower in Sevilla. Today there is a museum dedicated to Cuban culture inside.
2. Captain Jimmy’S Fiesta Cruises
City: Downtown Miami, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (305) 371-3033
Address: 401 Biscayne Blvd. at Bayside Marketplac
Description: This 52-foot catamaran has been cruising around Miami since 1995 and offers tours of the city that view the Port of Miami, Fisher Island, Star Island, and other landmarks during 1-hour daytime cruises. At night, a party cruise features a DJ and dancing.
3. Island Queen Cruises
City: Downtown Miami, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (305) 379-5119
Address: 401 Biscayne Blvd. at Bayside Marketplac
Description: Island Queen Cruises specializes in sightseeing by water. The options are limitless; types of cruises include dance cruises, Millionaire’s Row cruises, fishing cruises, booze cruises, and more. The company also offers other tours and activities such as Jet Ski rentals, ski plane tours, and even activities unrelated to the water such as helicopter tours and a hop-on, hop-off bus. Boat rentals and yacht charters are also available.
4. Thriller Miami Powerboat Tours
City: Downtown Miami, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (305) 373-7001
Address: 401 Biscayne Blvd. at South Pavilion of
Description: This powerboat tour gives the ultimate views of the waters—Biscayne Bay, Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove, and Fisher Island, to name a few. The tours are 45 minutes long on a Thriller SuperCat 55 and depart daily from Bayside at 10 a.m. (call for info about this special tour) 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. Highlights include panoramic views of the landscape and multimillion dollar homes of stars such as Shaq and Gloria Estefan.
5. Bakehouse Art Complex
City: Downtown Miami, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (305) 576-2828
Address: 561 NW 32nd St.
Description: Another museum/gallery hybrid, this complex is home to a nonprofit organization, which hosts artist studios and exhibition spaces. Check out the website to search current artists by name or medium and you’ll have no problem finding something to match your tastes. On display are examples of architecture, ceramics, painting, photography, and sculpture, just to name a few types of art available here. On the second Fri of every month visit the complex for opening receptions of new exhibitions. Entrance is always free and the complex is open every day from noon to 5 p.m.
6. Black Police Precinct And Courthouse Museum
City: Downtown Miami, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (305) 329-2513
Address: 480 NW 11th St.
Description: This unique museum is a great place to learn about the history of the courthouse building, as well as the retired officers who influenced the integration efforts in Miami. It is the only known municipal building of its kind that was devoted exclusively to black citizens. As a significant icon of Miami’s black history, this unique museum opened its doors to the public in 2009. Open Tues through Fri from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
7. Haitian Heritage Museum
City: Downtown Miami, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (305) 371-5988
Address: 4141 NE 2nd Ave., Suite 105C
Description: Through art, historic artifacts, music, films, and literature, this nonprofit museum provides a space for uniting Haitian-Americans across the diaspora, and also for educating the public about their rich cultural heritage. Consider a membership if you’ll revisit; the $15 student membership includes admission to one Museum Series Event, one Art Exhibit event, and advance notice of the museum’s seminar series. Open Tues through Fri from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Sat through Mon.