There’s always something fun and interesting happening in the Sunshine State’s busiest city centre, from shows and shopping to history and art.

Just minutes from the beach and not far from Little Havana, Downtown Miami is an attraction unto itself. This is where Miami’s exuberance is on display, both in the skyscrapers dotted between traditional architecture and in the huge stadiums and convention centres that promise a good time to all who come. Get away from the sun for a while to see Miami as a world city, full of exciting entertainment.

Start at one of Miami’s most-visited tourist destinations, the open-air shopping mall of the Bayside Marketplace, for shopping and seaside wining and dining. Watch a musical event or Miami Heat basketball game at the American Airlines Arena or see a blockbuster concert at the James L. Knight Centre. Enjoy eclectic dance shows and other performances at the Olympia Theatre and see the spirit of Miami on display in the extensive collections of the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM).

Take a break on the lawns of Maurice A. Ferre Park or watch the water go lazily by at Bayfront Park. Pay respects to the building that enabled Little Havana to thrive, the Mediterranean Revival masterpiece of the Freedom Tower. See other striking architecture at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. At the nearby Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, learn about the natural world. Fit right into the Miami fashion scene by shopping at the Mary Brickell Village, where local boutiques stand beside international brands.

Downtown Miami sprawls over the mainland as well as Dodge Island, the Port of Miami and Virginia Key. Metromover and Metrorail, as well as several bus lines, provide connections between Downtown Miami’s different attractions and to the rest of the city, but private vehicles, taxis and ride share services are generally the best ways to get around. Miami Beach is a 50-minute bus ride or 20-minute drive away. Little Havana borders Downtown Miami, right across the Miami River.