InterContinental Miami Staff Picks

The largest, most authentic Chinese Lantern Festivals are always put on by the Zigong Lantern Group. This group of masters puts on large festivals all around the world every year, and they only get better every time. The production includes mesmerizing LED light exhibits that are referred to as Luminosas and, in all honesty, they put traditional Christmas lights to shame. These massive structures create hypnotic patterns and will leave you speechless as you get lost in a sea of lights.

This event will take place on December 22 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Jungle Island will have normal Sunday hours before the event and will transform as night falls. If you’re looking for something new and exciting this holiday season, make your way over to the Luminosa Miami Chinese Lantern Festival.

Basketball season began in late October and there’s only one place in South Florida where you can watch your favorite teams play: the American Airlines Arena. Whether your just visiting or a local rooting for the Miami Heat, there’s nothing quite like bringing the game out of the TV and putting it right in front of you. With near-weekly games, make sure to check out the schedule and see which game is best for you.

Besides basketball, the American Airlines Arena also hosts the hottest artists around, including classic music legends. Whether it's a sold-out Ariana Grande performance or a throw-back Rolling Stones show, you’ll find it here. Check out the arena calendar and entertain yourself like never before!

Hallowyn is a giant block party that will take up the entire Wynwood Marketplace. All ages are encouraged to attend as there will be something for everybody! The entire area will be decked out with local vendors, live entertainment, and artists all showcasing their specialty. Over 20 local food-trucks will display their ghouliest meals for you to enjoy as you partake in the festivities.

Like any great Halloween block party, there will be a costume contest. This one begins at 8:00 pm and prizes include cash and bar tabs. Speaking of bar tabs, your favorite bars have partnered up to offer a huge assortment of drinks to get your night going. Get here early and stay late. We look forward to seeing you at the best all-in-one Halloween party around.

The Island Queen Cruises and Tours is a series of ships that will show you a new side of Miami. Those just stopping for a quick tour are encouraged to partake in the famous Millionaire’s Row Cruise. This 90-minute tour will take you around Star Island and the other private residences that will definitely seem too large for one family. Get a glimpse into the most luxurious part of Miami life.

If you’re looking for a longer cruise or want to see a different side of Miami, The Jungle Queen also offers Everglades safari tours, general Miami tours, and nightly party cruises for those looking to let loose. Book in advance and you can even go all the way to Key West! No trip of Miami is complete without an aquatic tour from Island Queen.

This all-day event begins at 2:00 pm and will be going strong until 10:00 pm. Guests will start their food crawl at the Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove and then wander through the streets and dozens of food tents. At these tents, you will enjoy samples from all of the local legends and the goal is to be as diverse as possible with the grub so that patrons can try every type of regional flair imaginable. Of course, the never-ending selection of food needs to be washed down with something delicious. For this special type of thirst-quenching, Big Daddy’s Liquors will host a rum bar and plenty of craft beer, wine, and spirits tastings will be available.

Four different ticket options exist so you can find the perfect one for your needs. Additionally, all proceeds will benefit the Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove, Shake-A-Leg Miami, and the Wounded Warrior Project, so you’ll feel good about yourself while you try to shake off the food coma!

It can even be hard to imagine how anyone lived here before the era of central air conditioning. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens invites guests to see for themselves what 19th century Miami living was all about. This very well preserved museum was one the estate of a retired millionaire named James Deering. When he decided to set up his grand estate in the heart of Miami, setting up shop was a lot more difficult than what we are used to today. The museum offers a fascinating look at what luxury looked like well over a century in the past. Today, regular tours and special events bring thousands of visitors every year. From InterContinental Miami, you are a short journey away from seeing for yourself a glimpse of Miami’s past.

Fear not, Big Bus Miami is here to show you everything you wanted to see and many things you never knew existed! Bus tours are hop-on, hop-off so feel free to tag along for as little or as much as you want. Each ride is packed with live guides who are here to provide engaging commentary about the city. Each ticket also serves as a coupon for certain free refreshments and a free ticket to the gorgeous Art Deco Museum. Different ticket tiers are available for those who want to see the city across multiple days and those who want the added luxury of a night tour or Millionaire’s Row Boat Cruise. Whatever your plans, make sure to visit Big Bus Miami and start exploring in style!

As you make your way down to the marketplace, the quaint boardwalk will come to life before your very eyes. Every day there is live music, live local performances, and all-around excitement to brighten up your day. Enjoy some refreshing drinks or get your grub on with meals ranging from fine dining to quick bites. As you walk off your fantastic meal, make sure to check out the dozens of unique shops.

Those looking to spend some extra time and learn about the city can take a land or sea tour of Miami and the surrounding area. Bike tours of Miami are available and will show you the rich history and vibe of the city. Several ocean cruises are available as well for those looking to see a new side of Miami. You can even tour around Star Island and see the secluded lives of Miami’s celebrities. Bayside Marketplace is located less than a half-mile walk away from InterContinental Miami and is open every day from 10:00 or 11:00 am to 9:00-11:00 pm so there’s plenty of time for you to experience everything it has to offer.

The result is the 250,00 square-foot waterfront Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. Located just one mile away from InterContinental Miami, this science hub is a must-see attraction for the whole family.

Start your museum tour by visiting one of the carefully curated exhibitions meant to add fun to science. Learn about the weirdest animals and environments on our planet with large models and interactive displays. Some exhibitions stay year-round while new ones are constantly up for temporary viewing.

During your stay, it will be hard to miss the three-story aquarium located at the heart of the museum. Viewable from all levels, this aquarium has hundreds of animals ranging from monstrous Hammerhead Sharks to tiny Seahorses.

No visit would be complete without a mesmerizing viewing of the 16-million-color 8k projection planetarium. During the day, you’ll get the chance of hurl through space or shrink down to investigate a DNA strand in unimaginable quality. Night owls can come back to the museum every first and third Friday of the month to go back in time and experience psychedelic custom-made laser light shows every hour from 7:00 pm to 1:00 am.

Built in the mold of Seville, Spain’s Giralda, the Freedom Tower first opened its doors in 1925 and served as the headquarters of the now-defunct Miami News. However, its fame — and name — would enter the public consciousness in the coming decades.

Following Fidel Castro’s rise to power in Cuba, the Federal Government occupied the building, using it as a checkpoint to process refugees and provide basic medical and dental services.

Among these newcomers, the Freedom Tower was known as “El Refugio,” its cupula a beacon of hope for the displaced. Although processing operations ceased after 12 years, the building’s legacy lives on; it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2008.

Equal parts Cold War memorial, structural marvel, and a testament to democracy, the Freedom Tower is worth more than a visit — it’s worthy of reverence.