Miami Downtown Explore the City’s History and Landmarks

Gesu Catholic Church

118 NE 2nd St, Miami, Florida, 33132, United States

Stop by Gesu Church, the oldest Catholic parish in Miami and a quiet surprise in the middle of busy Downtown. Your guide will tell you how the parish began in the city's pioneer days, shortly after Miami was founded, and how today's Mediterranean Revival church, completed in the 1920s, became a spiritual home for generations of immigrants, from early settlers to the Cuban exile community. Admire its elegant façade and, if the doors are open, step inside to see the colorful stained-glass windows made in Germany. It's a great place to understand how faith, migration and history shaped the heart of Miami.

Freedom Tower

600 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami Dade College, Miami, Florida, 33132, United States

See the Freedom Tower, a 1925 landmark inspired by the Giralda of Seville. Your guide will explain why it's called the "Ellis Island of the South": in the 1960s and 70s it welcomed hundreds of thousands of Cuban exiles, and today it's a symbol of Miami's immigrant story.

Bayside Marketplace

401 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, Florida, 33132-1977, United States

Enjoy the lively atmosphere of Bayside Marketplace, an open-air hub of shops, restaurants and live music right on Biscayne Bay. Take in the waterfront views, the boats in the marina and the skyline, and get tips on where to eat or take a boat tour after the walk.

Discover the Metromover, Downtown Miami's free, driverless elevated train. Your guide will explain how it works and how you can use it to explore the city, with great views of the skyline between stations.

Brickell City Center

701 S Miami Ave, Miami, Florida, 33131, United States

Explore Brickell, Miami's financial district, often called the "Manhattan of the South." Among its gleaming skyscrapers, your guide will tell you about Mary and William Brickell, the pioneers behind the area's name, and how it grew into one of the city's most vibrant neighborhoods.