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Fun, interesting, and unusual facts about Miami, perfect for pub quizzes – or just impressing your friends!
The hot and sultry city of Miami has gained a reputation as the number one spring break destination. And with good reason too!
With its semi-tropical weather, cool ocean breeze, and endless stretches of sandy, golden beach, Miami is the perfect place to leave reality behind and enter a world of non-stop parties and outrageous club scenes.
Beyond South Beach’s hyped-up party scene, the city of Miami itself has many fantastic attractions and is a great place for a fun holiday as a couple, with friends, or with your family.
Whether you’re a local or visiting the area for a holiday, here are some fun facts that will shape the way you see this amazing Florida city! Use them as inspiration for your next pub quiz or impress your mates with how much you know about Miami!
Fun Facts About Miami
Below is a mix of cool facts about Miami for you to consider. Enjoy…
1. Miami is home to the world’s largest collection of Art Deco Architecture
The Art Deco District is a must-see when you are visiting Miami. With more than 800 buildings, this area is home to the world’s largest collection of Art Deco Architecture. Take a leisurely stroll along Ocean Drive and soak in the beautiful buildings.
2. Miami used to be a swamp
Did you know that in the early 1900s, Miami used to be a swampland? It only started to become developed in the 1920s. Miami Beach used to be a coconut grove plantation before it was transformed into what it is today.
3. Miami is the most likely city in Florida to be hit by a hurricane
Statistically speaking, Miami is the number one city in Florida for hurricanes. In fact, statistics show that it’s the 6th most likely city in the USA to see a hurricane, with a storm hitting every 1.94 years on average. This is largely due to Miami’s location, situated directly on the ocean.
4. Miami’s cruise port receives over 4 million passengers a year!
Miami has long been considered the “cruise ship capital of the world” and for decades was home to the world’s largest cruise ship port. However, in 2023, Miami’s port was overtaken by nearby Port Canaveral – also in Florida – which became the busiest cruise port (in terms of passengers).
Miami’s cruise port is still pretty big, though, with nine terminals receiving some of the biggest cruise ships in the world. In 2023, the port received 4,022,544 cruise passengers. Miami is also one of the busiest cargo ports due to its convenient location on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
5. Miami was once a popular pirate hangout
According to legends, pirates such as Gasparilla and Blackbeard were regular visitors to Miami in the 18th and early 19th centuries. West African pirate Black Caeser was known to operate off the coast of Florida during the 18th century, preying on ships on the Great Florida Reef very close to Miami.
6. Shipwreck treasure has been found near Miami
While the legendary buried treasure of the pirates mentioned above may be more myth than fact, other treasures have been found in the area.
In 2020, 43-year-old treasure hunter Jonah Martinez found 22 silver coins from a 1715 shipwreck on a beach in Indian River Shores, north of Miami. In June 2015, gold coins from the same shipwreck were found in Ft. Pierce – valued at around $1 million!
7. Miami is the only city in the USA between two national park
Miami is nestled between two national parks: the Everglades National Park and the Biscayne National Park.
8. Everglades National Park is the USA’s largest subtropical wilderness
The Everglades National Park spans over 1.5 million acres of land and is a popular tourist destination with its beautiful subtropical wilderness and numerous activities like hiking, camping, and canoeing. The park conserves the natural landscape of dense mangroves, tropical fauna and towering palms. It’s also home to a wide range of animals.
9. Miami is home to the USA’s largest Cuban population
More than 60% of the USA’s Cuban population lives in the State of Florida, and the highest concentration is found in Miami. Over 1.2 Million Cuban-Americans reside in Miami-Dade County, where they are the largest single ethnic group.
Miami’s Cuban neighbourhood, Little Havana, is the perfect place to discover the Cuban American culture for yourself. Go shopping or grab a bite to eat in one of Little Havana’s authentic restaurants and boutiques and experience the sights, sounds and tastes of a Cuban neighbourhood.
10. Miami was the only US city founded by a woman
The city of Miami was founded by Julia Tuttle. Known as the “Mother of Miami”, she is the only woman to have ever founded a major city in the United States.
11. Copportone sunscreen was invented in Miami
Coppertone, the leading sun care brand in the United States, was invented by Miami pharmacist Benjamin Green (1918-2004). During WWII Green served in the Pacific and saw that he and his fellow soldiers needed some way to protect against the sun. When he came home, he developed what we know as Coppertone.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re on a college spring break trip, a lovely getaway holiday with your partner, or a family vacation, you are certain to love Miami. With so many attractions, activities and things to see how can you not?
Miami is a wonderful, vibrant city throbbing with life with a little bit of something for everyone. And now you have some fun facts to share with your friends while you’re visiting!
Do you know any more cool facts about Miami that I should add to this list? Scroll down to leave a comment!
Maybe steer clear of little Haiti but definitely visit little Havana. Loads cigars being rolled and excellent Cuban food!
Thanks for the tip :)
Nice! I didnt know more than half of it, very interesting :)
Thank you, glad you enjoyed today’s guest post :)
Yes I did :)