Seven Touristy Attractions That Are Fun for Locals

Flickr CC / Smart Destinations

Hey, it's your Island Queen too.

For locals, summer in Miami is slow going. The temperature rises, the tourist traffic trickles, and there's a whole lot less action to keep us aroused. As jaded locals, we're more likely to nurse our sorrows in air-conditioned comfort than get out and explore our city when the hordes have thinned out.

Still, with crowds of out-of-towners at a minimum, the summer is the only season this city is really ours. Perhaps now's the time to take to the streets and discover some of the attractions we might otherwise overlook. Here at Cultist, we've rounded up seven touristy outings that are worth sacrificing a summer afternoon to explore.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Why Tourists Love It: Kodak moments up the wazoo. There are few better places in the 305 to take 5,786 photos you'll never look at again than the picturesque grounds of this botanical wonderland.

Why Locals Love It: Annual memberships cost about as much as three visits, and it's the perfect place to be reminded that you live in a tropical paradise. Snag a spot on the perfectly manicured grass and read a book with birds, butterflies, and blooms in the background.

Fairchild is located at 10901 Old Cutler Rd. in Coral Gables. A day pass for adults is $25, $18 for seniors 65 and over, $12 for children 6 to 17, and free for children 5 and under. It's open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 305-667-1651 or visit fairchildgarden.org.

Everglades National Park
Why Tourists Love It: Where else can they live a real-life episode of Swamp People? Talk about a thrill ride for a Midwesterner.

Why Locals Love It: It's fun to play redneck every now and then. Try "slough-slogging," a little-known sport that basically entails trekking through Glades swampland on foot. Cheap and dirty -- just how we like it.

The park is located at 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead. Park entry is $10 per vehicle, with fees varying for different activities. Call 305-242-7700 or visit nps.gov/ever.