Look, I'm gonna shoot straight with you. Miami isn't actually magical, at least not in the traditional sense. There are no elves, gremlins, witches, or wizards wandering around Miami (outside of the annual Miami Beach ComicCon). However, Miami is known as "Magic City" for good reason. Picture yourself walking along a sun-toasted, soft, white-sand beach, the sunlight refracting into a thousand perfect rays between the leaves of the palm trees far overhead. Sounds magical, right?

Of course, the real reason Miami was nicknamed "Magic City" was because of the city's explosive population growth. It's not hard to see why so many people want to live in Miami and why it's one of America's hottest tourism locales. After all, how many places can offer multiple zoos, 50+ scuba diving opportunities, iconic beaches, 100-ft-tall palm trees, high-end restaurants of every type, and famous feats of architecture? Miami's culture of fun, and the fact that it's 70 degrees year 'round, is what makes this southern destination jewel the Magic City today. Check out these deluxe apartment vacation rentals in Miami: you'll find that just the memory of Magic City is enough to get you through those cold winter months.

Fun in the Sun

All right, outdoor lovers, this section is for you. Slap on your sunscreen and let's get this party started! For those folks who get a sunburn just by looking at a picture of the sun, there's a section devoted to air-conditioned activities below. But for now, let's look at all the sweet outside adventures Miami has in store.

Hug a wolf! Snuggle a gibbon! Provide a baby tiger with his precious tummy rubs! No, this isn't a wild animal outbreak – you're just a guest at the Miami Zoological Wildlife Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to educating people on endangered species. Part of that education is signing up to share a meet 'n' greet with some huge animals you probably never expected to touch in person. Be sure to make reservations to pet the animals ahead of time, because space is limited. If you'd rather not come into contact with any animals but still want to see them, check out the 2,000+ animals at Zoo Miami. The zoo is both the oldest and the largest zoological park in Florida, and it offers a 45-minute tram tour for anyone who wants to ride in style.

This next destination is exclusively for adventurous animal lovers. Just outside of Miami is Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness in North America. This habitat is home to several endangered species, and it is vital that the area be properly maintained for the safety of humans and animals alike. In addition to manatees, crocodiles, and panthers, the park offers a near infinite number of hiking trails that will lead you to glorious views of nature. If you're feeling particularly bold, you can requisition a high-speed airboat to take you deep into the Everglades, back to where the crocodiles lurk. Keep a sharp eye out – it's better for you to see the crocs than for them to see you.

Finally, we come to the single most popular tourist destination in Miami: Bayside Marketplace. With over 250 shops and boutiques spread across a two-story avenue, Bayside easily became the #1 spot in the Magic City. Once the sun goes down, you can catch live music, dancing, and delectable food at Bayside in between hitting your favorite shopping spots. As an added bonus, the reflection of store lights across the bay is an awe-inspiring sight.

Sad in the Shade

Just kidding! Nothing about the Magic City is sad. There's just as much fun stuff to do in Miami when you're inside as when you're outside. Take the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, for example. Not only does the Adrienne Arsht Center have one of the largest performance spaces in the U.S., but it also regularly hosts nationally recognized shows like Fiddler on the Roof and Hamilton. The only heat you'll feel here is the flush coming off of Lin-Manuel Miranda when he finishes his performance.

Alternatively, for a more reserved theater experience, you can check out Olympia Theater. The theater opened in 1926 and has been in use ever since. In addition to having hosted plays for nearly a century, the theater has received national attention because of its unique architecture. Speaking of which, design fans should also take a look at Miami Tower, located just a couple blocks from Olympia Theater. Miami Tower is 47-stories of ridiculously admirable architecture and is the perfect spot to hang out while you wait for your show at the Olympia to start.

Unfortunately, we don't have time to discuss every quality entertainment option in Miami in detail. It would take a whole book at least! So, just know that if you want some comfort food, there's no better place than BurBowl for an American burger. Looking for something with a classier vibe? Jimmy'z Kitchen is a great place for a date. Enjoy your magical Miami mystery tour!