| Why
Travel to Miami, Florida?
This city has a
bright and sunny ambience with a lot of Caribbean and Hispanic influences,
including a lively night life.
There is a white sandy beach running along much of its length with
a unique art deco hotel section providing colour.
Miami is located near to one of Florida's
top natural attraction - the Everglades - and to the island chain
made famous by Hemingway, the Florida Keys.
It's also warm and sunny when much of the US is cold and grey.
'Miami
Beach is where neon goes to die' Lenny Bruce
Downside:
- Crime specifically directed towards tourists is better than in
recent years, though still a problem at night outside tourist zones.
When
to Travel to Miami, Florida:
Best: Nov-May
Worst: June-Oct [hot, humid, possible hurricane]
Length
of stay not incl. flights:
Minimum worthwhile: 2 days
Recommended: depends if Miami is used as a base to explore the Everglades
or the Keys.
Main Attractions:
Greater Miami is a confusing sprawl, but the interesting
bits are fortunately centralised around downtown.
City
of Miami Beach*** Apart from the excellent beach and clean
waters, the Art Deco Historic District
sports many buildings from the 1920's-30's - most of which are hotels
and public buildings - with no shortage of wacky outdoor bars scattered
among them for a relaxed visual appreciation.
Downtown** well executed high rise meets Mediterranean style, with well designed
pedestrian precincts hosting excellent shops, restaurants and museums.
Coral Gables** a
classy shopping and dining area; try the Biltmore Hotel for Al Capone
stories; the impressive Fairchild Tropical Gardens; the Parrot Jungle;
the beautiful Venetian Pool for water features.
Little Havana and Little Haiti* the two biigest immigrant districts are culturally
interesting with authentic restaurants and shopping, but avoid at
night except for taxi travel to and from restaurants.
Short
Trips:
The Everglades National Park** a vast wild,
wetlands area two hours from the city, with air boating, canoeing and alligator action but hardly comparable to an African experience.
Florida Keys** a few hours drive from Miami, the Keys are great for diving to see
the marine wildlife, and sailing.
Key Biscayne is a few minutes from
Miami; posh, with a couple of kid-friendly museums [see Arts &
Culture], large empty beaches and a park with walking trails. 5m/8km
south of Miami.
Key West is the most visited island
and is still pretty though overcrowded. The Hemingway Home &
Museum is popular, beaches are OK, diving is great. 160/250km miles
from Miami.
Activities:
Scuba diving: off Key Biscayne for
the Biscayne wreck or for coral in the Pennecamp Coral Reef Park.
Also good dives at Key Largo and Key West.
Canoeing: Everglades Park.
Skydiving and ultralights: Dade County,
HGA Airport.
Arts
and Culture:
Museums: Miami Seaquarium, Key
Biscayne. A superb and well organised home to killer whales, manatees
and lots more sea beasts.
Miami Science Museum - also
in Key
Biscayne - focuses on marine and Everglades wildlife; it's
popular with kids.
The Hemingway Home & Museum, Key West,
is a big draw for literary fans.
Forget the kids!
Contemporary Galleries: Miami Art Museum
and Latin American Art Museum, Downtown; Museum of Contemporary
Art.
Major
Festivals and Parades:
January,
2nd w/e, Art Deco Festival, Miami Beach Art
Deco District.
1920's-30's style music and parades.
Beginning March, Carnival Miami. A
huge 9 day, citywide rave, with much Latin influence.
Early August, Miami Reggae Festival, Bayfront
Park.
October, Columbus Day Weekend, Caribbean-American
Carnival, West Indian American Day Carnival.
Dec 31, Orange Bowl Parade. Another
enormous and colourful event.
For
some dates see: English
Speaking Festivals
Nightlife
and Entertainment:
Live
Music: a wide and hi-quality selection, particularly
jazz in Miami Beach to accompany the architecture, but also rock
and rave ups, blues, Latin-American and Afro-Caribbean.
Clubbing:
Miami Beach is hot for round the clock action.
Cuisine:
Broad
international representation but strong on Cuban, Haitian and Italian.
Try Little Havana and Little Haiti for these specialities and Coral
Gables for a more European taste.
Shopping:
Expensive: Miami Design District, for designer gear,
art and antiques; Ball Harbour Mall, the poshest mall.
Midrange: Bayside Marketplace.
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