Must See Sights and Landmarks in West Miami Area

"Located just off South Dixie Highway in Homestead, the Coral Castle Museum is a unique outdoor attraction that was built by a local man entirely from local limestone. It’s still a mystery how he moved and manipulated the massive limestone blocks used in the castle’s construction; some have suggested he may have had extraterrestrial help. Though the verdict is still out on that claim, there’s no doubt that it’s a popular attraction with children and adults alike, and it’s one of those one-of-a-kind Florida attractions that you won’t see elsewhere."

"Unlike the Medditerian Revival mansions at Coral Gables or the Art Deco buildings of the South beach, The Coral Castle Museum is a singular structure. It is said that the 1,100-ton coral rock castle was built single-handedly by a man who lost his love. The structure alludes to mysteries like that of Stonehenge."

"At this 5-acre gem in Coconut Grove is the oldest home in its original location in Miami-Dade County (1891), which once housed Ralph Middleton Munroe, an American yacht designer. You'll also see plenty of mesmerizing Spanish moss. A post shared by @lizz_ax3 on Feb 26, 2017 at 2:42pm PST"

"3485 Main Hwy This historic Florida State Park is located in the Coconut Grove neighborhood and spans about 5 acres. Dade County’s oldest home resides on this five-acre site that overlooks the scenic Biscayne Bay. It was built by Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe in 1891."

"Located in the neighbourhood of Miami on the Main Highway in Coconut Grove, Plymouth Congregational Church was built in 1917 and is one of the ancient churches in the city. Plymouth Congregational Church is architecture in mission revival style with inspiration from old city church in Mexico and is a part of the US National Register of Historic Places since 1974. The church is well known as a pretty wedding venue among locals."

"A mere 21 years after Miami was officially incorporated as a city, the mission-style "coral rock" building of the Plymouth Congregational Church was constructed in Miami's oldest neighborhood, Coconut Grove."

"Take I-95 south and grab the Rickenbacker Causeway until you hit Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. This beautiful state park is right at the end of Key Biscayne and gives you uninterrupted views of the ocean—a perfect sunset watching spot. The state park has a lighthouse, where guests can climb to the top and look out into the ocean and the beach below. Next to it is a cement lookout spot that serves as a bench to watch the sunset and enjoy your Zak the Baker treats (if you didn't eat them already on the car ride down)."

"Formerly known as the American Airlines Arena, the FTX Arena is home to the Miami Heat basketball team as well as serving as a venue for various shows and events. With almost 20,000 seats, this is a popular and fun spot to watch an NBA game while in Miami. Located along Biscayne Bay with easy access thanks to public transportation, everyone in the family will enjoy a visit to this famous spot."

"The 3,400 square-foot oceanfront basketball arena is the home court of the NBA’s Miami Heat. The 19,00 capacity arena has been awarded the Leed Green Building certification for being an energy-efficient building. When there isn’t an exciting basketball game, the American Airlines Arena hosts more than 80 music and other events, including WWE Smackdown."

"Or you can experience the pulse of a multi-dimensional metropolis, exploring 1930s to 1950s Art Deco glamour in South Beach and Mid-Beach, big city sophistication in Downtown, avant-garde art installations in Wynwood, shopping in the Design District, and a melting pot of Latin heritage in Little Havana. Given short driving distances between these eclectic neighborhoods, it’s possible to explore Miami’s multiple identities in a weekend without feeling rushed."

"After seeing your fill of water views and tropical plants, make your way to Calle Ocho, in the heart of Little Havana. Stop by Versailles, a favorite Cuban restaurant, for a syrupy Cuban coffee, a guava-filled pastelito, or, if you’re already hungry, a meaty Cuban sandwich. Wander around Calle Ocho for some interesting street art, watch locals play dominos in Maximo Gomez Park, and pick up a hand-rolled cigar as a souvenir."

"Put some miles on your car; Little Havana calls. Calle Ocho (Eighth Street) is another world, and you’ll know it immediately by the language of the street signs. Salsa music pours out from storefronts onto the streets. The scent of fresh guava pastries is never far."

"Little River’s sprawling multiuse complex launched a bottomless, Mediterranean vegetarian brunch last fall that’s just $54 and includes live jazz and all the mezze and mimosas you can handle in a four-hour time span. Zatounya Foods, a local catering company run by female Syrian refugees, prepares the plethora of small plant-based bites available, while the Cubazz quartet serenades you with live jazz. Brunch takes place in Ironside’s back garden...just follow the tunes to your afternoon oasis."

"This West Miami dive bar takes you away from the trendiness and lavish bar tabs you might accumulate downtown or by the beach. Wood paneling throughout swallows the nautical-themed decor, but the true charm of the space lies in the fact that it’s the kind of place where everyone knows everyone, even newcomers. Also, patrons are enthusiastically supportive to the daring few who partake in the Thursday and Saturday karaoke nights."

"A post shared by Minty Z Plant-Based Restaurant (@mintyzllc). Minty Z is a chill Miami eatery serving up vegan dim sum and plant-based Asian fusion in the heart of Coconut Grove. You’ll most likely want to plan your visit around one of their event nights, like Sake Cinema (that’s half-off sake, a dope movie, and complimentary spicy popcorn) or Wonton Wednesday ($1 wontons and half-off wonton soup)."

"Chinese , Vegetarian ,  Vegan"

"Bless Palmar for continuing to offer Miami’s best Chinese-Latin cuisine throughout the crisis. Available for pickup via Toast Tab and delivery through Uber Eats, Postmates and GrubHub, indulge in the restaurant’s latest promotion, #PalmarEnCasa, which means you’ll enjoy the same great flavors of the Wynwood restaurant straight from your own home. We’ll take orders of the shiitake edamame dumplings, blue crab fried rice and pork belly bao buns."

"As cool as its Wynwood locale, Palmar offers contemporary Chinese food with unruffled style. Guests enjoy a hefty selection of wine, beer, and dishes such as duck confit dumplings and guava and cheese spring rolls underneath the red glow of modish rattan lanterns. Available for dine-in or takeout."

"The restaurant takes traditional Chinese cuisine and turns it into something that locals and critics have fallen in love with. Some even say it’s the best Chinese restaurant in Miami. For starters, their dim sum is bursting with flavor, along with other colorful dishes."

"If you are a history buff or culture buff, then you will love the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood. Here you’ll find many contemporary visual art exhibitions, live stage performances, educational facilities for aspiring local artists, and much more. Just be sure to check their website for listings and seasonal exhibitions that are so good."

"The Center, which is southeast of Young Circle, has a great reputation for presenting übercool contemporary art exhibitions and providing…"

"South Florida – a land of escaped slaves, guerrilla Native Americans, gangsters, land grabbers, pirates, tourists, drug dealers and alligators – has a special history, and it takes a special kind of museum to capture that narrative. This highly recommended place, located in the Miami-Dade Cultural Center, does just that, weaving together the stories of the region’s successive waves of population, from Native Americans to Nicaraguans."

"Gathering, preserving, and celebrating Miami's history through exhibitions, city tours, collections and publications is the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.[Learn more]"

"Featuring international modern and contemporary art, the museum’s collection showcases the diversity of the 20th and 21st century through art from the US Latino experience, the African diaspora, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The Pérez Art Museum Miami building was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects Herzog & de Meuron based on the 1930s design of Stiltsville homes built offshore. It has wide-open spaces and outstanding views, making it a must in all the things to do in Miami."