3 Best things to see & do in Miami’s South Beach

This 1.5-million-acre park, dubbed the ‘river of grass’, is the US’s largest subtropical wilderness. Alligators, endangered mammals like the Florida panther and more than 360 bird species all dwell here.

Happily, excursions into all that raw nature can be as adventurous or tame as you’d like, from strolls on boardwalk paths to kayaking trips and boat tours into the thick of things.

The most thrilling means to explore is on one of the famous airboats – they don’t damage underwater vegetation with props, and can glide over otherwise inaccessibly shallow areas.

Dive in.

If golden beaches, superb food and a sizzling Cuban-inspired vibe are not enough to get this 25-mile sliver of land offshore from Miami onto your bucket list, then go for the architecture. Hundreds of gorgeous art deco buildings (built 1923-1943) are on display, with beguiling colourful facades and inventive styling.

A great way to enjoy the Everglades without much effort – this short, 0.8-mile paved walkway and boardwalk winds through a mix of forest and freshwater sawgrass marsh; expect to see alligators, turtles, anhingas, herons, egrets, and many other birds, especially during the winter. The trail starts at the Royal Palm Visitor Center, about 4 miles from the park entrance.