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Adjacent to the impressive American Airlines Arena, this complex feels part Disney themepark, part international bazaar. Right on the waterfront, it’s always good for a stroll (see Bayside Marketplace and Bayfront Park).

Walking through the heart of Downtown Miami is reminiscent of a marketplace you might encounter in Latin America – colorful, brash, rather seedy – and none too safe at night.

The area between 11th and 17th Avenues is excellent for walking. You can check out ethnic shops and sample various Cuban delicacies along the way (see Calle Ocho and Around).

The buildings highlighted on pages 83–5 are lined up over about six blocks along NE–SE 1st and 2nd avenues. Another building worth a look is the Neo-Classical-Revival Miami-Dade County Courthouse, three blocks away. Don’t miss the ceiling mosaics in the impressive lobby.

To get the overall feel and extent of Little Havana, it’s best to drive, from José Martí Park in the west to about 34th Avenue in the east, where the Woodlawn Cemetery and Versailles Restaurant are located.

Some of the best views of Downtown are afforded from the freeways. Coming across MacArthur Causeway from South Beach, you’ll get some dazzling perspectives, especially at night. The finest view of the skyline is from the Rickenbacker Causeway.

The Metromover consists of two elevated loops around Downtown, so it’s a great way to get an overview of the area (see Metrorail and Metromover).

The Exquisito Cafetería (see Exquisito Restaurant) is the best on the street and a wonderful place to listen to the music and watch the fascinating street life all around.

This charming little park by the Miami River is graced with colonnades and pavilions, Spanishstyle clusters of street lamps, palm trees, and an excellent children’s playground.

Right on beautiful Biscayne Bay, Noguchi designed this park “as a wedge of art in the heart of the New World.” Here, in addition to Noguchi’s sculptures you will find lush greenery, a small sand beach, tropical rock garden, cascading fountain, palms, and olive trees.