From Vizcaya Museum and Gardens to the Miami Seaquarium, Miami is chock full of interesting sites and tourist attractions. But why stop there? This magical metropolis is filled with hidden gems and underrated spots waiting to be explored.
Zoological Wildlife Foundation
Visit your favorite animals at this appointment-only private zoo, located in southern Miami. The white Bengal tiger, snow leopard, Toco toucan and Burmese python are but a few of the animals you can experience while on a wildlife tour. ZWF also offers paid photo sessions and five-minute animal encounters. 16625 SW 172nd Ave., Miami, 305.969.3696
Miami Center for Architecture and Design
Delve into Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival or Miami Modern architectural periods at the Miami Center for Architecture and Design. Home to the Miami chapter of the American Institute of Architects, MCAD also operates, in partnership with the Miami Downtown Development Association, the Downtown Miami Welcome Center and plays host to a multitude of exhibitions, lectures, tours, films and other programs celebrating Miami's vibrant architectural history. 100 NE 1st Ave., Miami, 786.636.1207
Lowe Art Museum
You've likely heard of the Pérez Art Museum Miami and The Bass, but maybe not as familiar with South Florida's first art museum, the Lowe Art Museum, the visual arts center at the University of Miami's Coral Gables campus. Opened in 1952, the museum's extensive collection consists of nearly 19,000 objects and the region’s most comprehensive collection of western and non-western art from ancient to contemporary. 1301 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, Florida, 305.284.3535
Curtiss Mansion
Once the home of land developer and aviation pioneer, Glenn H. Curtiss, the Pueblo Revival-style mansion in the city of Miami Springs, features stately royal palms, ponds, oolitic limestone islands and period furnishings. Local volunteers provide mini-tours to walk-in visitors as well as maintain the tropical landscaping. 500 Deer Run, Miami Springs, Florida, 305.805.5000
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Experience an adrenaline rush like no other and take to the track like a star on the famed drag racing movie, "Fast and the Furious." Since 2002, Homestead-Miami Speedway has hosted the final race of the season in all three of NASCAR's series: the Sprint Cup Series, Xfinity Series and the Camping World Truck Series. An hour south of Miami, the 600-acre facility boasts 1.5- and 2.21-mile road courses. 1 Ralph Sanchez Speedway Blvd., Homestead, Florida, 305.230.5000
Pinecrest Gardens
The scenic property located at southwest Red Road and Killian Drive was at one time known as Parrot Jungle.
Now, this 22-acre historic botanical garden is a lush paradise with towering banyans, natural streams, panoramic landscapes, a petting zoo, Splash ’N Water playground for kids and butterfly exhibit within a new municipality called the Village of Pincrest. The garden's main features include its wide variety of rare and exotic tropical plants and palm trees—more than 1,000. 11000 S. Red Road, Pinecrest, Florida, 305.669.6990
Black Point Park and Marina
Drive south from downtown Miami and you'll find Black Point Park and Marina, near Biscayne National Park, a great starting point for fishing and diving expeditions. It has a dockside restaurant and bar, Ocean Grill Restaurant, large picnic pavilion and grill, bikeways, jogging trails and a jetty which extends 1.5 miles into Biscayne Bay where fishing enthusiasts can cast from shore. 24775 SW 87th Ave., Miami, 305.258.4092
Gold Coast Railroad Museum
Catch a weekend ride in one of the museum's diesel locomotives' passenger cars from different eras in Florida's railroad history. With more than 40 trains, the museum tells the history of rail through interactive exhibitions, a large train model display and Thomas the Tank Engine children activities. Book a guided tour and take a peek inside at "Ferdinand Magellan," one of the Pullman railroad cars custom built for the President of the United States in the 20th century, complete with bulletproof glass and escape hatches. 12450 SW 152nd St., Miami, 305.253.0063