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Miami Beach

What to Expect: The palm-studded beach encompasses more than nine miles of the east coast of the barrier island that holds this narrow city; as the matching names imply, the city and the beach are fully intertwined. Be sure to hang out in the historic Art Deco neighborhood of South Beach, the southernmost area of the city and island, arguably the most fun and flamboyant 23 blocks of this hip seaside city.

What to Do: Start your day like some locals do: with yoga on the beach. Meet on the sand near Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Park at 7 a.m. After you're warmed up, take a half-day bicycle tour of South Beach; modern-day highlights include the Versace mansion and locations from Scarface and Miami Vice. Check out Mansion, which swings till 5 a.m., to get a taste of Miami's wild, beach-inspired nightlife.