Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of swampland throughout Broward, Dade and Monroe Counties. The ever-expanding population continues to threaten this fragile ecosystem, but nearly a thousand species of birds, mammals and plants can be found throughout the park. The Ernest Coe Visitor Center, on State Road 9336 near Homestead, is the main entrance. The Flamingo Visitor Center along Florida Bay, the Shark Valley Visitor Center along the Tamiami Trail and the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in sleepy Everglades City in Collier County have various exhibits and access to trails that lead into the park's more remote areas. Seem like too much work? The gay-friendly Island Queen Cruises offers tours for those who want to experience the Everglades from a climate-controlled bus.

The Miami Beach Architectural Historic District -- better known as the Art Deco District -- was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Miami Design Preservation League offers regular walking tours.

Located southwest of downtown Miami, Little Havana, with Calle Ocho at it's heart, is the center of South Florida's Cuban American community, with a large influx of people, beginning the 1960s. The area has the highest concentration of Hispanics (98%) in Miami --around half Cuban, but is also home to people from Nicaragua and Honduras, plus other Central and South American countries.

Enjoy a cafecito at one of the authentic eateries. Each year Calle Ocho throws one of the biggest street parties in the country, Carnaval, a Cuban-American and Hispanic fiesta with few rivals.

Built in 1926, Tower Theater is a classic movie house gem at 1508 SW 8th. Owned by Miami-Dade college, they screen mostly indie, classic, foreign and cult films.

A number of beaches offer clothing-optional and gay sections for those who want to soak up the sun. These include Haulover Beach Park in Miami Beach and the area around 12th Street in South Beach, which is marked by two gay flags. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area, on Key Biscayne, routinely ranks among the country's best beaches.