AVENTURA
After becoming a city in 1995, Aventura has established its niche as an enclave of tropical landscaping  and water surrounding sleek high-rises and luxurious single-family homes.

Majestic palms and shade trees line the roadways, colorful flowers cover the medians of Aventura Boulevard and Country Club Drive. Aventura Founders Park located in the center of Aventura, features a bayside path, a children's playground, tennis courts and a multi-purpose athletic field. Nearby, the Don Soffer Aventura Fitness Trail sweeps around the golf course inviting the energetic to jog, walk, bike or skate around the 4.3 miles. The Aventura Festival of the Arts attracts 60,000 visitors each February.

Aventura is synonymous with world-class shopping at Aventura Mall. To date, it is the largest in the area with six department store anchors - Bloomingdales, Burdines, JCPenney, Lord & Taylor, Macy's and Sears - and more than 250 shops set among fountains and palms. A multiplex movie theater and an array of interesting restaurants complete the attractions.

There is another multiplex movie theater at Loehmann's Fashion Island, a center for designer clothing for men and women as well as furniture and toys. Barnes & Noble and the International Jewelry Exchange and other smaller shopping centers in the area add to the offerings.

The Waterways replicates a village around the marina. Wander around the shopping area with its boutiques and galleries, meander down to the lighthouse and then enjoy a snack or meal in one of its distinctive restaurants. Eating in Aventura entices with a choice of styles ranging from sophisticated to casual.

NORTH MIAMI BEACH
Planned as a "perfect city" in 1917, North Miami Beach still has the same street layout. Now it is a large residential, business and shopping area that includes The Mall at 163rd Street. Nearby historic Greynolds Park boasts a 9-hole par-36 golf course while the Oleta River State Recreation Area offers kayaking, picnic grounds and more. The oldest building in the Western Hemisphere, the Ancient Spanish Monastery, dating back to 1141, was brought from Spain to the United States in pieces by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst and in 1954 rebuilt on its current site. The North Miami Beach Performing Arts Theater presents a full program of shows during the winter season.

NORTH MIAMI & MIAMI SHORES
The 100-year old community of North Miami stretching inland from Biscayne Bay has grown to include homes, businesses, Florida International University and Johnson and Wales University and 11 parks. Arch Creek Park is the site of Arch Creek Natural Bridge, a natural rock formation used as a roadway bridge until it collapsed and was then painstakingly recreated in the park in 1988. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCa) is a recent arrival on the cultural scene. North Miami is also a center for the television and film industry. Miami Shores remains a village at heart with a charming main street and private homes on tree-lined streets. Miami Shores Country Club offers golf, tennis and a new water park.