Get Festive At Miami's 10 Best Holiday Attractions

Overlooking the magnificent Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami, this vast shopping complex offers a wealth of boutiques for men, women, and children of all ages. More than 150 shops are conveniently housed in an upscale, attractive shopping environment. Favorites include Gap, Guess, and Brookstone. When your shopping is complete, entertainment, nightlife, and dining choices abound, with options such as Miami's Hard Rock Cafe, Los Ranchos, and Chilis, and a spacious international food court. Performers often take the stage in the numerous plazas built into the marketplace especially in the evenings on weekends, and you can even take a boat tour for great views of the bay.

Lush and meticulously maintained, this garden showcases a wide range of tropical plants. Within its 83 acres, palms and cycads flourish, and a 16,000-square-foot conservatory shelters rare specimens. The Fairchild also offers a butterfly garden, an arboretum and a rainforest, and it also houses a world-renowned research facility. Leisurely strolls through the grounds are sure to provoke plenty of "oohs and aahs," and you may gain inspiration for your own little patch of paradise back home. There are also often art installations by world-renowned artists like Dale Chihuly, plus moonlight tours and movie nights. A small museum, gift shop and cafe take care of practical needs. Free tram tours run on the hour.

HistoryMiami doesn't sound like the name of a historical museum, which is exactly what its board members had in mind. The less-bulky name signified a new direction for what was previously called the Historical Museum of Southern Florida. Today, the museum, which actually began as a historical association in 1940 continues to offer the exhibits that were developed throughout the previous decades, as well as incorporating new ones. Now a a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, the facility has a newfound ability to launch its own collections and publications, as well as lend and borrow traveling exhibits. In addition, the famed Miami Circle site, unearthed downtown when a new building was being planned, has been incorporated as part of the museum. Ciity tours of the Circle are offered, as well as eco-history bus, boat and walking tours of external attractions ranging from Calle Ocho to the Everglades.

The New World Center is the home and performance space of the renowned New World Symphony, a post-grad orchestral academy directed by the accomplished Grammy-award winner Michael Tilson Thomas. The center itself resemble a gigantic geode from the inside, with impressive convex panels overhead, perhaps there to assist with the incredible acoustics of the building. The exterior has latticed glass windows and a huge projection wall, where free outdoor movies and concerts are frequented by SoBe locals and tourists alike. On nights the symphony plays (it season runs September through May) concerts can also be heard outside via sound speakers and video projections.

Pinto's Farm is a Redland-area attraction that's become extremely popular with local families over the years. That's probably because the farm always does it up right when it comes to holidays. In April, kiddos of all ages love to come here and hunt for easter eggs during their Easter at the Farm event. Come Fall, the farm is transformed into an epic pumpkin patch, complete with spooky decor and pumpkin-related crafts. And during the Winterland at the Farm event all December long, the farm undergoes yet another transformation, including photos and hot chocolate with Nix the Snowman, Sprinkle the Gingerbread Cookie, and of course, Santa! But even when there aren't particular days to celebrate, a trip to Pinto's is always fun thanks to their petting zoo, pony rides, paddle boats, and hay rides.

Long-time Miami locals remember this 20-acre strip of land in the heart of Pinecrest as the original location of Parrot Jungle. The old parrot-themed park has since moved away by the Port of Miami, and what remains has been transformed into a gorgeous botanical gardens with enough shade to keep visitors cool year-round. For younger visitors who might not be too enthralled with gazing on exotic plants, flowers, and trees, there is also a butterfly exhibit, petting zoo, children's playground, and a splash-n-play area in which to cool off. The park frequently hosts community events all year long, including a farmer's market every Sunday, concerts and movie nights, and more.

The luxurious Adrienne Arsht Center is the place to go to catch the Florida Grand Opera, jazz concerts, flamenco festivals, the Miami City Ballet, experimental theatre, traveling Broadway shows, Teatro Avante, quality comedy, and shows and other programming for children and families. Located between Downtown and Midtown, the Center features two separate performance areas: the Ziff Ballet Opera House and the Knight Concert Hall, meaning that multiple, simultaneous shows will be going on at all times. The Arsht is accessible by public transit via the MetroMover, but there's also a large lot right across the street and valet parking available.

Santa's Enchanted Forest, the world's largest holiday theme park, pops up annually in Miami's backyard. Situated in Tropical Park, the amusement park-meets-Christmas extravaganza welcomes the masses every year from late October to early January. This South Floridian cultural institution has been in play for over three decades and features over 100 thrill and kid-friendly rides, interactive animal shows, and all the carnival food one's heart could desire. Santa's is home to South Florida's tallest Christmas tree, as well as a popular holiday light show spectacular. Adrenaline lovers can also head over to the property's bungee jump, high-flying ejector seat, rock climbing wall, or slingshot.

As the only US zoo set in a subtropical climate, Zoo Miami mesmerizes visitors with remarkable exhibits and creatures from around the world. Favorite animals include clouded leopards, Komodo dragons, and tree kangaroos. They get ample competition from exotic standards like giraffes, lions, meerkats, koalas, gorillas and colorful birds. When the heat starts to take its toll, Dr. Wilde's World provides a rainforest-themed, air-conditioned refuge for hands-on fun. A petting zoo and wildlife shows also keep kids engaged. Zoo Miami is also home to various conservation and outreach endeavors, hosting hands-on and volunteer initiatives for Everglades preservation and The Florida Panther Recovery Program.

Teeming with natural, archeological and historical appeal, the Deering Estate proves endlessly engaging. Excavations at the bayfront compound originally owned by Charles Deering (whose brother James built Vizcaya) have uncovered the remains of prehistoric animals, and evidence suggests that Paleo-Indians were here more than 10,000 years ago. Historic buildings also distinguish the 420-acre property � the 1922 Stone House, Richmond Cottage and 19th-century Richmond Hall. For an altogether different perspective of the estate, reserve a spot on the weekend canoe tour. The Deering Estate's monthly events calendars hosts everything from moonlit concerts to nighttime kayaking to community-driven classes and seminars.