Come closer, and we'll let you in on a little secret
Everyone raves about the more southerly parts of Miami, but trust us when we say the North is where it's at. North Miami vacation rentals often give you much bigger bang for your buck, and the area's more laid-back and self-assured compared to its glam southern counterparts. North Miami's got great beaches, restaurants, and museums, and it boasts one of the best parks in the whole city. It also has the biggest and proudest Haitian community in pretty much the entire of the U.S., so if you notice a Caribbean vibe to the place, that's why.
Hold on, Alfred, where did I leave my Batmobile?
North Miami vacation rentals are well within striking distance of downtown Miami, but the city's also got a couple of aces up its sleeve. If you like your attractions stacked with serious horsepower, you'll want to pay a visit to the Miami Auto Museum. Among the highlights of this vast, gasoline-scented collection are cars from the James Bond and Batman franchises. When you're done with that, how about ramping the culture up a notch with a visit to North Miami's very own Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA), with a range of permanent and temporary exhibitions?
Park yourself in the best spot on Biscayne Bay
If North Miami vacation rentals have one thing going for them above all others, it's Oleta River State Park. Covering more than 1000 acres, this massive state park on Biscayne Bay is a big hit with hikers and mountain bikers, as well as kayakers looking to exercise their paddle power. Just across the water from Oleta River State Park is Haulover Park. Though it's most famous for the crowds of beautiful people working on their all-over tan on the clothing-optional stretch of beach, there's also plenty of sand for everyone (swimsuited or otherwise), plus a golf course and tennis courts.
Feel the cold? Forget about it in North Miami
There's a reason that when snow begins to fall in the colder states, people toss their bags in the trunk and head for Florida. Winters in Miami are kryptonite to Jack Frost, with warm temperatures and low rainfall. Come summer, things start to get totally tropical. The temperature soars, but so does the humidity, and you can expect regular thunderstorms to clear the air. The flipside of this is that the city can be quieter, so if you don't mind the heat and the wet, you might be able to sniff out some decent vacation rental rates.
North Miami by name, North Miami by nature
Most of the main Miami landscape is indeed to the south, but North Miami didn't gets its name by accident, and it shouldn't be confused with its neighbor, North Miami Beach, which is set on Biscayne Bay, a 35-mile-long lagoon that's boxed in from the ocean by the barrier island of Miami Beach. Most famous for its warm waters and sandy beaches, this stretch of Florida's Atlantic coast is fairly built up, but drive less than an hour inland and you'll be welcomed by the swaying sawgrass wetlands and rich wildlife of the Everglades.
Traveling to and around North Miami
Fly into Miami Intl. Airport (MIA), the closest airport, located 8.7 mi (14 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you could also fly into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Intl. Airport (FLL), which is 12.8 mi (20.6 km) away.
If you're traveling by train, you can make your way to Miami Golden Glades Station.
