Miami Besides South Beach: a Self-Guided Tour of History and Architecture

Welcome to Miami, a city that was nearly uninhabitable land but grew large and fast to what you find it today. Miami is often associated with beaches, hotels, party scenes, but this tour will take you to the city's history and help you embrace another atmosphere. You will make sure that Miami is not only about skyscrapers and see many buildings in various architectural styles. Chaille Block will show you a survived example of commercial architecture. Gesu Catholic Church in the Mediterranean Revival style will introduce you to the charitable work for Cuban refugees. Miami Courthouse in the Classical Revival style is a place Al Capone, a famous Chicago gangster, passed through. The Palm Cottage built in Victorian style will tell you who significantly impacted Florida's development. La Epoca, a building in the Streamline Moderne design, will share a story about one Cuban family. Olympia Theater, built with elements of Moorish architecture, will not try to hide that Elvis Presley was there on stage. After you get such a comprehensive overview of the city's structures, you will find yourself at Miami Circle, a centuries-old site with no architecture and no precise information about when and how it appeared. But it makes you believe that Miami's land was prime real estate already hundreds of years ago. South Beach is no bad thing at all. But if you want more than that, join this tour and get connected with Miami on a deeper level.