A trip to Miami Beach is not complete without a jaunt to the city's most famous sandy parcel, South Beach (sometimes called SoBe). Here you'll find the ultimate people- watching perch. And it's not just fellow travelers and lithe locals you'll see prowling the sands. SoBe is one of the most popular Meccas for fashion shoots, so be on the lookout for leggy glamazons heating up the beach in skimpy suits. When you've tired of ogling (is that possible?), stretch those legs with one of Miami Beach's many aquatic adventures. Learn to surf with the South Beach Surf School (305-910-5815) or rent jet skis at American WaterSports (305-538-7549; www.jetskiz.com). If you've got several days on your hands, sign up for a three-day sailing course through Florida Yacht Charters (800-537-0050).

If you want to explore beyond Miami Beach (but still want to stay close), the Everglades National Park is only about an hours drive. Nicknamed the "River of Grass," the marshland is the third largest national park and the largest sub-tropical wilderness in the country—in other words, it's definitely worth seeing. We recommend taking an airboat tour of the area to learn the history of the land and feast your eyes on endangered species like the American Alligator.

Nursing a bad sunburn from all your outdoor pursuits? Stay inside and soothe your wounds with a little retail therapy. In addition to Lincoln Road, the Bal Harbour Shops (9700 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour, 305-866-0311) offer a plethora of high-end shopping like Bottega Veneta, Cartier, Chanel and Jimmy Choo.

There are just about as many ways to get around Miami Beach as there are things to do while you're there. Many of the main thoroughfares are pedestrian friendly including Collins Avenue, Ocean Drive, Washington Avenue and Lincoln Road. There are also plenty of places to rent bikes (like Miami Beach Bicycle Center (601 5th St., 305-674-0150)) or scooters (like Beach Scooter Rental (1341 Washington Ave., 305-532-0977)). The city also boasts a bus system, which makes frequent stops along many of Miami Beach's points on interest.

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