| Why
Travel to Miami, Florida?
This city has a
bright and sunny ambience with a lot of Caribbean and Hispanic influences,
including a wild and colourful night life.
There is a massive white sand beach running along much of its length with
a unique art deco hotel section providing special glamour.
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 [or white].
'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 go 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 biggest 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, sailing, beaches and a tropical ambience.
Key Biscayne is a few minutes from
Miami; posh, with a couple of kid-friendly museums, 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 Museum of Latin American Art, 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.
Florida
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