Five Great Reasons to Stay in Miramar (Miami) on a Florida Getaway, USA

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There are hundreds of reasons why holidaymakers hightail it to the US state of Florida.

Top of the list is undoubtedly the weather; Florida enjoys a warm subtropical climate. And while summer can be hot and humid, the winters are warm, mild, and a general all-round delight. As are the State’s justifiably famous beaches — all 1,400 kilometres of them! Think fine golden sand and crystal clear, relatively tranquil water — particularly on the western side of the peninsula and off the panhandle. South Beach (Miami), Siesta Key (Sarasota), Palm Beach, Panama City Beach, Hollywood Beach, and Clearwater Beach are some of the best-known, but there are oodles of others. And even with an eye watering 100 million+ visitors a year, it’s still possible to find your own piece of sandy solace.

Tossing up between a stay in Miami and Fort Lauderdale on the peninsula’s popular south-east coast? Enjoy the best of both world’s by basing yourself in the charming city of Miramar in Broward County, which offers easy access to everything these two holiday hot spots have to offer — minus the ubiquitous tourist crowds. Situated less than 20 minutes’ drive from iconic Hollywood Beach, and with hundreds of acres of lakes within its own boundary, ‘a holiday by the water’ takes on new meaning here. Miramar also boasts a vibrant arts and cultural scene, a wealth of multicultural dining options (including phenomenal Jamaican cuisine), and easy access to one of the world’s greatest natural treasures (did somebody say ‘Everglades airboat ride’?). All in all, this is a destination that will deliver a swag of amazing holiday memories.

Now if all this has you dreaming of owning your own Florida holiday home, that’s not as far-fetched as it sounds! The opportunities to buy property for investment in Miramar are many, and with a range of price points and locations to choose from, who knows? One day you might just call yourself a Floridian!

Here five great reasons to stay in Miramar on a Florida holiday.

1. You can spend time in both Miami and Fort Lauderdale

Miramar is technically a suburb of Miami, and getting to the city centre and islands is a breeze. The travel time by PT is around 50 minutes, but if you have a car you’ll be able to do it in 30. Immortalised by dozens of movies and television shows, Florida’s second largest metropolis is everything you dreamed it would be, and then some. Most visitors come for the beach, but Miami is also a hub for cutting edge design and fashion, innovative cuisine, and pumping nightlife.

In comparison, Fort Lauderdale is somewhat quieter, a little more genteel perhaps, but certainly no less fun. And in the natural beauty stakes, the State’s 10th largest city comes into its own. The beaches are sublime and they don’t call this the ‘Venice of America’ for nothing. Book a canal dinner cruise on the iconic Jungle Queen, which has been in operation since the 1930s. The trip from Miramar into Fort Laudy will take you 30-or-so minutes by car.

2. You can immerse yourself in Miramar’s cultural scene

Throughout the year, Miramar hosts a range of arts festivals, music concerts, and cultural events, and much of the action takes place at the striking Miramar Cultural Center and surrounding Arts Park. Don’t miss a visit to the Ansin Family Art Gallery, which stages exhibitions in collaboration with some of the USA’s most prestigious arts facilities. For an overview of everything happening in the precinct during your visit, just head to the Cultural Center’s excellent website.

3. You can get back to nature

Located literally on Miramar’s western doorstep, the 1.5-million-acre Everglades National Park needs little introduction. This pristine water world is home to a plethora of plant and wildlife species, and an airboat tour is one of the region’s signature experiences. Skim across the landscape at high speed, spotting alligators, snakes, and a wide variety of water birds. Your guide will explain the intricacies of this multi-layered ecosystem along the way.

Over on the eastern side of Miramar, the Snake Warrior’s Island Natural Area packs plenty of wonder into a relatively small 53 hectares. It’s dotted with live oaks, strangler figs, and red maples, and is home to a mix of birds-of-prey, waterfowl, and storks. The reserve is also a significant archaeological site; an Indigenous Seminole settlement was established here in the 1800s, and evidence suggests other human habitation dating as far back as 500 BC.

You can enjoy the architecture

Miami’s cache of pastel-coloured Art Deco buildings are a magnet for snap-happy visitors, but there are architectural treats lining sidewalks right across South Florida. The purpose-built Miramar Town Centre features a wealth of really gorgeous Mediterranean-style shopfronts and dwellings, and the lavish homes that line the city’s lakesides will take your breath away. Lavish would also be the best word to describe construction during what’s known as the Gilded Age of America. Swing by Miami’s Vizcaya Museum and Gardens to see one of the finest examples. Built a century ago, the Italian Renaissance-styled villa is now a museum.

Up in Fort Lauderdale, Mid-Century Modern is the dominant architectural aesthetic and harks back to the city’s rise as a holiday mecca post World War II. With its circular crown, Pier Sixty-Six’s distinctive tower embodies the principles of this popular genre.

You can catch a pro football match

And finally, a stay in Miramar puts you in the box seat to see some great professional football! Hard Rock Stadium is the Miami Dolphins’ home ground and is located just a pigskin’s throw from the city (in neighbouring Miami Gardens). Tickets to an NFL match will set you back around $125 USD and can be purchased online via the club’s website.

This post was published thanks to Florida Real Estate.

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Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of great reasons to stay in Miramar on a Florida holiday? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

Additional images: Envato