Miami may be the retirement capital of the United States, but there is nothing old fashioned about this bright, brash playground city that shines under the sunny Florida skies. This coastal city was a sleepy holiday town until the 1920s, when the 'in crowd' decided to make it their own. The town bloomed into a fun seaside capital and was blessed with a legacy of Art Deco architecture, particularly along South Beach, which has been carefully preserved. During World War II the forces came to town when Miami was an important military base. Today, apart from being a favourite holiday Mecca and sunny spot for retirees, it is also the gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America.

Miami's large Cuban community add to the atmosphere in the sultry neighbourhood of Little Havana. Trendsetters hang out in Coconut Grove, while sunlovers strew the miles of white sandy beaches. For families there are entertaining attractions like the Seaquarium and Metrozoo. The nightlife is sophisticated and varied. The city also gives easy access to Florida's popular Gold Coast resorts and attractions, as well as the natural wonder of the Florida Everglades.

No wonder Miami is America's favourite holiday destination and the hub of a vibrant cruise ship industry, its port jammed constantly with sleek passenger liners. North of the city, miles of beautiful sandy beaches of the Gold Coast are hemmed in by southeast Florida's major tourist resorts: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach and Palm Beach.

Miami Science Museum

Address: 3280 South Miami Avenue Miami

Admission: $14.95 (adults), $10.95 (children 3-12), Free for children under 3. Other concessions are available. Prices include entrance to all museum galleries, planetarium shows and the wildlife centre Daily from 10am to 6pm (box office closes at 5.30pm); closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

Telephone: (305) 646 4200

Miami Seaquarium

Address: 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami

Admission: $38.95 (adults), $28.95 (children 3-9) Daily from 9.30am to 6pm

Telephone: (305) 361 5705

Miami-Dade Cultural Centre

Address: 101 West Flagler Street Miami

Admission: $8 (adults), $5 (children 6-12) to each museum. Free for children under 6 Art Museum: Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 5pm, Closed on Monday. Historical Museum: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday from 12pm to 5pm, Closed on Monday

Telephone: Art Museum: (305) 375 3000; Historical Museum: (305) 375 1492

Vizcaya Villa

Address: 3251 South Miami Avenue Miami

Admission: $15 (adults), $6 (children 6-12). Free for children under 5. Other concessions available Daily (except Tuesdays) from 9.30am to 4.30pm; closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

Telephone: (305) 250 9133

Spanish Monastery

Address: 16711 West Dixie Highway Miami

Admission: $8 (adults), $4 (children 6-12), Free for children under 5, Other concessions available Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm; Sunday 11am to 4pm

Telephone: (305) 945 1461

Coral Castle

Address: 28655 South Dixie Highway Miami

Admission: $12 (adults), $7 (children 7-12); Free for children under 6 Sunday to Thursday from 8am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday from 8am to 8pm

Telephone: (305) 248 6345

Everglades National Park

Address: Miami

Admission: $10 per vehicle, or $5 per pedestrian/cyclist. Passes are valid for seven days Open year round; the main park entrance (near Homestead and Florida City) is open 24 hours a day

Telephone: Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center: (305) 242 7700

Lincoln Road Mall

Address: The Lincoln Road Shopping District runs east to west from Collins Avenue to Bay Road Miami

Admission: Most shops are open daily from 9am to 6pm, as is the Sunday Market

Wolfsonian Museum

Address: 1001 Washington Avenue Miami

Admission: $5 (adults), $3.50 (seniors, students and children). Free admission after 6pm on Fridays Open every day except Wednesday from 9am to 6pm. On Fridays, the museum is open until 9pm

Telephone: (305) 351 1001

Jungle Island

Address: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail Miami

Admission: $32.95 (adults), $24.95 (children 3-10). Other concessions available Weekdays: 10am to 5pm, Weekends: 10am to 6pm

Telephone: (305) 400 7000

Biscayne National Park

Address: Dante Fascell Visitor Center, 9700 SW 328th Street, Homestead Miami

Admission: Entrance is free; Camping is $15 per night (up to six people and two tents), plus the cost of boat transportation Dante Fascell Visitor Center is open daily, from 9am to 5pm

Telephone: 305 203 7275

Crandon Park Beach

Address: 4000 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne Miami

Telephone: 305 361 5421

Gold Coast Railroad Museum

Address: 12450 S.W. 152 Street Miami

Admission: $6 (adult), $4 (children 3-12) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10am to 4pm; Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday: 11am to 4pm

Telephone: 305 253 0063

Miami Children's Museum

Address: 980 Macarthur Causeway Miami

Admission: $15, free for children under 1 year Daily from 10am to 6pm

Telephone: (305) 373 5437

Pinecrest Gardens

Address: 11000 Red Road, Pinecrest Miami

Admission: $3 (adults), $2 (children 2-17) Daily, from 9am to 6pm (Spring and Summer), and 9am to 5pm (Fall and Winter)

Telephone: (305) 669 6990

Calle Ocho

Where: The streets of Little Havana, with the street party centring on the Orange Bowl Stadium,Miami

When: 11 March 2012

Coconut Grove Arts Festival

Where: McFarlane Rd, South Bayshore Drive and Pan American Drive in Coconut Grove,Miami

When: 19 -21 February, 2011

Dade Heritage Days

Where: Various,Miami

When: 1 March to 30 April 2012

Miami Carnival

Where: Bicentennial Park, Downtown Miami,Miami

When: 7-10 October, 2011

King Mango Strut

Where: Coconut Grove, Miami,Miami

When: December 31, 2011

Ultra Music Festival

Where: Bicentennial Park, 1075 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami,Miami

When: 23 - 25 March 2012

Azul

Address: 500 Brickell Key Dr, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Miami

Food Type: Fusion

Emeril's Miami Beach

Address: 1601 Collins Avenue Miami

Food Type: Creole

Palme d'Or

Address: 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Miami

Food Type: French

Shoji Sushi

Address: 100 Collins Ave, South Beach Miami

Food Type: Japanese

Santo Miami Beach

Address: 430 Lincoln Road Miami

Food Type: International

Joe's Stone Crab

Address: 11 Washington Avenue Miami

Food Type: Seafood

News Café

Address: 800 Ocean Drive Miami

Food Type: Café

Señor Frog's

Address: 3480 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove Miami

Food Type: Mexican

Timo

Address: 17624 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Miami

Food Type: Mediterranean

Red Fish Grill

Address: 9610 Old Cutler Rd Miami

Food Type: Seafood