In Miami, the Latin roots are close to the surface. Sixty-five percent of the city’s roughly 360,000 residents are Hispanic, and thirty percent are of Cuban decent. Latin food, language, and music permeate the city. In South Beach, that salsa-dancing southern tip of Miami Beach, the party never ends. It’s a great place to people watch—the perfectly tanned, the skimpily dressed and the surgically enhanced. The entertainment ranges from free—performance artists on Lincoln Road—to extravagant—dinner at the Setai Hotel, South Beach’s most opulent dining spot with a large reflecting pool dominating the courtyard. During the day, tourists and semi-locals flock to the beach along Ocean Drive.
For more seclusion, aim for the vast dunes at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne. Check out the palatial homes of J. Lo, Liz Taylor, Shaquille O'Neal, and Gloria Estefan on man-made Star Island, Palm Island, and Hibiscus Island in the Biscayne Bay. A contemporary art wave sweeping across Miami has new galleries popping up every week in the Wynwood Art District and the Design District, and contemporary art show Art Basel Miami Beach draws some 40,000 visitors in December every year. The city also boasts the nation’s first contemporary art shopping mall, the Aventura Mall.
Miami International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. Over eighty airlines serve the airport and connect Miami to roughly 150 destinations around the world.
From downtown Miami to the airport:
Take I-95 North to State Road 836 West. Exit at LeJeune Road Northbound (NW 42 Ave). Follow the signs to the airport.
From the South Beach area to the airport:
Take westbound MacArthur Causeway to State Road 836 West. Exit at LeJeune Road Northbound (NW 42 Ave). Follow the signs to the airport.
Lions, and Tigers, and Bears - Oh, My! Ready for a zoo that won’t leave you wanting more? Miami Metro Zoo is just such a zoo! Natural, roomy, and cage-less habitats are considered “home” by more than 900 animals! Did I say cage-less? YES! But, have no fear on this animal adventure because the animals won’t attack. All your favorites are here – monkeys, lions, tigers and little, tiny tropical fish. Shell out a little extra dough and be a zookeeper for a day, working alongside actual zookeepers and receiving hands on training as well as a couple of little extras!
It’s Deco, darling!
Where else would they dare decorate with seafoam green? Miami’s sexy strip of art-Deco architecture almost distracts us from the surf, sand, and rock-hard bodies! South Beach and sunshine is all Miami has, right?
Gasp! From SoBe to NoBe, Miami’s got….culture. In fact, Miami is servin’ up so much non UV-ray action, I totally forgot to catch skin cancer! The wide pedestrian mall of Lincoln Road offers world-class shopping and al-fresco dining, and don’t forget Little Havana! This thriving local community has the most authentic Cuban cuisine this side of Castro. Que rico!
Since being turned into a boutique hotel and membership club, the former Versace Mansion is suddenly much more than a murder site. On a tour, experience the lifestyles of its rich and famous past visitors. It’s not every day you get to see the toilet where Madonna took a tinkle! The area of Downtown Miami was lost for a time, but it’s back and it’s booming! Luxury hotels are bringing tourists right back to center, along with trendy nightclubs, and an up and coming Design District.
Beach Bum or Culture Vulture, Miami’s got you covered. In a sexy little swimsuit!
Visiting the Magic City, but feeling like a pasty nerd? Fear not, there are plenty of attractions for the culturally minded; visit them during the intense heat of the midday hours and you can gradually ease into your tan.
One personal favorite is The Wolfsonian Museum is in South Beach. Located in a former furniture storage warehouse, the museum hosts an amazing collection of industrial design objects, architectural drawings and political propaganda.
The mission of the collection is to “illustrate the persuasive power of art and design”; what could be more appropriate to the carefully crafted, alluring fantasy of Miami Beach?
The museum also hosts a wonderful museum and café, The Dynamo. With the wealth of design books here, you may never make it back outdoors to bask in the sunshine. No matter, just console yourself by taking home some of the fabulous, affordable design objects available for purchase.
Pack your g-string and flip-flops... we're going to Miami! When it comes to exploring this city, South Beach gets all the attention, but if you'd like to swap the spring-break-esque experience for something a little more relaxing, head to Crandon Park just outside the city. This secluded, natural beach is full of people kite surfing, biking, bbqing and just hanging out. And if a long day at the beach made you work up a thirst, head to my favorite watering hole in South Miami. Bougainvillea’s is a charming, cozy bar located in a rustic cabin. In a sea of big chains restaurants and giant shopping malls, this spot is super refreshing. Most nights have live music- with a packed, eclectic crowd full of people you could easily con into dancing after a few beers.
Little Havana is hot and happening! While Cubans have been enjoying Miami for decades, it wasn’t until the 1960’s when Cubans arrived in droves to Calle Ocho (8th Street) between 12th and 27th Avenue, that Little Havana became what it is today. Plenty to see and do, as well as great places to get amazing and authentic Cuban food. From little diners to fancy pants restaurants, Cuban cuisine has terrific dining options. With choices like ropa vieja, black beans and rice, or just yummy pastries and Cuban Coffee so strong it will put hair on your chest, Little Havana is one of those places to experience and savor. Top recommendations include Los Pinarenos or the lunch counter at El Nuevo Siglo, both on 13th, or Exquisito on 15th avenue. Versailles isn’t actually in Little Havana but down the street a few blocks and is always THE place to be. Meander through Little Havana and check out “Domino Park. “ Chit chat with the mostly older men playing dominos as well as a little chess. Watch the traditional hand rolling of Little Havana’s cigars then go down a mojito for liquid courage and Salsa the night away!
I went there my very last semester in college with 3 life long comrades. I have been to Bangkok, New York and grew up in the DC area, but no city has lived up to my expectations as much as this city has. New York City might have sky scrapers, but they don't carry the classic Art Deco styles of the buildings on South Beach. That classic style made me think I was in a Rat Pack movie then the heart pounding music of club Mansion took me to Europe. Your emotions will run rampant once the night life hits. It is non-stop partying regardless of the fact that it was Wednesday. That's the day my friends and I told the bouncer of Clevelander's VIP that it was Wednesday and the VIP room is empty and he should let us in for $100/bottle instead of $400. After much relentless pursuit he gave in and we were in. Really nice decor with dark lighting around the booths with regular lights coming out of the bar counters. The crowd was a mix of Ivy Leaguers, out of state kids, locals and even some bona fide hip hop dancers. It was great and everyone was in a festive and friendly mood. The DJ kicked into high great around 2am and never stopped. We left around 5am and headed to Key West. You read that right.
One thing I didn't like was the beach itself. Sure the water was beautiful and deep. However, the beach itself was covered with plastic bottles, cigarettes buds and random litter. It wasn't anything special.
I recommend every one to take one trip to Miami and those of us who have knows that it is a real treat. There are other family activities to attend, but my friends and I had no need for them. I am sure I'll visit again to see the safari everyone keeps talking about.
The Vizcaya Museum in Miami is easily accessible by Metrorail, near Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. I was eager to see this historic estate as my father had described trespassing onto the property to gawk at its neo-Mediterranean excess during a 1940s road trip. Now a museum run by Miami-Dade County, the estate is filled with all the art and architectural decoration that industrial magnate James Deering’s money could buy. I especially loved the walking path to the museum through a densely forested area, and seeing the large kitchen that served the residents. Tours and informational materials are plentiful, and I was pleased to find an affordable book of photos in the museum store that I could bring home to Dad. Don’t forget to walk the grounds and take in the outdoor statuary. You’ll also see many young women having their Quinceañera (fifteenth-birthday) portraits taken, a Latin American tradition.
Unless you enjoy bone chilling cold or desolate deserts, regardless of your age, race, creed or color, Miami is the one place on earth where you can have an experience you’ll cherish for life.
On virtually any day of the year you can awake to savor a multitude of things. If you like walking for miles and miles to hit around a little white ball, there are dozens of world-class golf courses, like the famous Blue Monster at the Doral. If being on the water is the way you like to relax, South Florida is, in fact, the yachting capital of the world. (There are more yachts in Southeast Florida than any place on earth) From gawking at celebrity’s homes from a tour boat and sailing to dinner and gambling cruises, there is gigantic fleet at your disposal. For excitement on the water there are jet skis and wave runner’s rentals that are a blast and a half, or you may want to torture a sailfish on one of the hundreds of new clean deep sea fishing charter boats. There is fun for every budget.
As for the beaches, it is the only place on earth you can bask in sun amidst beautifully restored buildings built in the 1920’s. Commonly called, the Art Deco area of South Beach, there is something magical about the nostalgic look of the area. Being a Mecca for international fashion models that are often seen promenading there isn’t hard on the eyes either. I once heard South Beach describe as delicious. (It was a foreign tourist who said it; I wonder what she was thinking)
If you’re more of a landlubber, who likes to stay in the air conditioning, the shopping, art galleries and museums are to die for. For example, the Saw Grass Mall is one of the world largest and the Bal Harbor Mall is one of the most exclusive. The museams are top notch, plus many of the Art Galleries contain actual art.
The choice of restaurants in Miami is second to none. There are countless small mom and pop lunch diners for inexpensive comfort food to five star gourmet cuisine and everything in between from all parts of the world. You would be hard-pressed to find a bad meal.
Now, if watching grown men play kids games excite you, because you are too old or out of shape to play yourself, Miami is the home of the Heat, Marlins and Dolphins, which are threatening to become a professional football team again.
The Miami Area is the heart of Southeast Florida that actually stretches from Miami to Ft Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Everything is easily accessible, the roads are logical and distances acceptable. You can get anywhere within an hour or so and there are plenty attractions safe for the whole family, so you can leave your gun at home. The Metro Zoo is colossal, the Parrot Jungle, Sea Aquarium, Everglades Air Boat Tours and Monkey Jungle are just a few of the many attractions. Plus there are more public parks than you can shake a stick at.
When the sunsets over Miami, you can enjoy live shows of all types, for all ages and all tastes, from opera, plays and ballet to hip hop, jazz, rock, pop and country music, it is all there. Around midnight, every night, a whole other world arises. The nightclub scene kicks into gear on South Beach and throughout the Southeast, where you’ll find the young seeking love, typically dance and party till the sun threatens to rise.
Viscape is so certain you’ll enjoy the Miami area, if you visit Miami and don’t like it, Viscape will pay you twice the amount of money you spent. Simply contact Dorothy at her home phone at…
There are two things this girl needs when it comes to hitting new destinations. Nightlife and some deliciously inspiring art. I got a double dose of work-action fun when I got to see both in action during the internationally acclaimed festival Art Basel. Running around South Beach in the latest Jimmy Choos and soaking in the sun and crowds, along with the latest up-and-coming and staple artists, was to die for when beautiful people are only outshined once a year in December by the dazzlingly posh and eclectic mix of art bombards the hotels, venues and centers of the beach. Even when the festival isn’t in full swing, the posh art deco hotels that line Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue are enough to dazzle with their architectural gems from the 20s and 30s. The ArtDeco District South Beach offers tours of the mix of hotels, but the area's 15 blocks and 10 miles of beach are also overflowing with hip nightlife and plenty of shopping and eclectic dining experiences. And when the lights and the sun go down at night, the live rock and Latin music spill out into the neon covered night.
After we docked in Miami following a cruise, my wife and I could not resist a trip to South Beach. I am a bit fortunate in that my wife has been a regular in Miami for years (she is a Hurricane) and speaks fluent Spanish. Never the less, the locals were more than happy to accommodate a fluent English speaker like me! Once in the heart of the strip my wife and I walked up and down the streets. The hotels and homes have a very 1960's quality with bright colors and lights, and there was no hiding from entertainment. I quickly discovered that dancing in South Beach is a high-energy sport. And if you’re planning on eating, think Cuban, because the Cuban food in Miami is amazing! After dinner, we recharged a bit with another great element that Miami offers… a late night walk near the ocean.
A visit to Everglades National Park is a must for any eco-tourist visiting South Florida. When surrounded by its vast untamed beauty, it is almost unimaginable that the metropolis of Miami exists at all, but it’s just a short drive away. The main Visitor Center is a great place to start and offers an educational exhibit including a brief film. Park Rangers there will help you choose from the many stops on the park's main road which stretches some 40 miles to the Flamingo Visitor Center at the opposite end. The first stop is Royal Palm Hammock, where you’ll find the world-famous Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo Trails. The Anhinga, a half-mile boardwalk over Taylor Slough, offers outstanding opportunities to view and photograph wildlife including alligators, fish, turtles and a variety of the area’s more than 350 species of birds, including the Anhinga for which the trail is named. The Gumbo Limbo offers a half-mile adventure through a tropical hardwood hammock, which is a jungle-like home to plants and animals you’ll find nowhere else in North America. The next stop on the road is Long Pine Key, a less visited quiet spot to experience the sites and sounds of nature undisturbed on the hiking trail or with a lakeside picnic. Six miles farther is the Pay-hay-okee (Seminole Indian for grassy waters) Overlook Trail featuring an observation tower with a spectacular 360 degree view of that is well worth the trip. There are many more stops, hiking and canoeing trails, waterways and eco-ponds too numerous to mention – check it out for yourself!
About 6 miles and 15 minutes south of Miami, there is a little island called Key Biscayne. It is a small, exclusive island, with limited commercial development. My grandparents had two condos right on the beautiful beaches and that is where I spent many school vacations growing-up.
The beaches are pristine – I would say some of the most pristine in the world because they are relatively uninhabited and unknown. There were times when it was just me, my kite, the sand and the water.
If you ever find yourself in Miami, make the trek to Key Biscayne and enjoy the island’s secluded, relaxed low-key atmosphere! Tennis and golf are huge on the island, so don't forget your racket and clubs!
My friends and I would travel down to Miami to visit south beach, dance, and check out fun areas around the beaches. South beach is pretty unique, an experience for sure. Miami is fun, but I enjoyed other parts of Florida much more.
Write a Review
