Description:
With a range of lifestyle ameneties to match any city in America (or anywhere else, for that matter), Miami offers seemingly endless possibilities for the traveler. That said, for a first-time visitor, narrowing down the options can be daunting. But there are some things that no oner should miss, even if it means sharing the experience with the crowds that pour onto Ocean Drive on weekends or the caravan of tour buses that arrive year-round.
View Iternary mapDay Note:
After checking into the Indian Creek Hotel, head over the the News Cafe for a quick meal to get your started before making a trip to the must-see beach at Lummus Park. After a few hours of taking in the sights sounds and sunshine, have a late lunch at Joe's Stone Crab (even with the wait and the prices, a trip is well worth it). After gorging on too much seafood, walk off a few calories and do some shopping (actual or window) on Ocean Drive. End the day with...read more
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Indian Creek Hotel
Contact:
- +1 305 531 2727 / +1 800 491 2772
- visit website
Location:
- 2727 Indian Creek Drive
- Miami,FL33139
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Description:
Just a block from the ocean facing the Intracoastal Waterway, Indian Creek Hotel manages to pull off be secluded while close to everything. Considered by many to offer the best value of any hotel in the city, it's housed in a elegantly restored circa 1930s building that provides a nod to its Golden-era without overdoing it. Its public spaces have a tropical theme and guest rooms are bright and comfortable, with thoughtful refrigerators and convenient Wi-Fi service. If you crave more than standard accommodations or plan on an extended stay, the hotel also has six well-appointed suites and four one-bedroom apartments that allow you to settle in for a homey experience. Creek 28, one the Miami's Beach most lauded restaurants is on-site.
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News Cafe
Contact:
- 305/538-6397
- visit website
Location:
- 800 Ocean Dr
- Miami,FL33139
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Description:
Since opening its doors in 1988, this South Beach landmark has been serving up meals, drinks and international publications 24/7, having counted the late fashion designer Versace among its regulars. A combination sidewalk cafe, bar and newsstand, it's popular with tourists and locals, featuring a round-the-clock menu of morning favorites like bagels, pancakes, pastries and omelets, as well as a selection of salads, sandwiches, pasta, burgers and Middle Eastern platters. Although known for its indifferent servers, what it lacks in service with a smile, it more than makes up for in cachet and European style. The perfect place for people-watching, why not grab a house signature espresso and a newspaper and soak up some sunshine here?
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Lummus Park
Contact:
- visit website
Location:
- 10th Street and Ocean Drive
- Behind Setai Hotel
- Miami,FL33139
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Description:
Mention the beach in South Beach and locals immediately think of the long, wide stretch of sand at Lummus Park (which they never refer to by its name) Yes, it's everything you'd expect it to be: warm, crystal-blue waters and fine white sand usually packed with hordes of bronzed, pale and sunburned souls soaking up ultraviolet rays. Volleyball is a popular sport here, as is watching the beautiful people who come from throughout the country and around the world to see and be seen. Most of South Beach's dining and nightlife is only steps away. Looking for peace and quiet? Look elsewhere. This sandy spit is crowded both day and night. And know in advance that finding parking is a pain.
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Joe's Stone Crab
Contact:
- +1 305 673 0365
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Location:
- 11 Washington Avenue
- Miami,FL33139
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Description:
So committed are they to their mission of serving the some of the best and freshest stone crab anywhere, this restaurant doesn't even bother to open its doors until fishing season (from October through May) for its namesake crustacean. But when it is open to the public, this establishment swarms with crowds lining up for seats and a chance to indulge what many feel are some of the finest crab anywhere. Dining here requires more than a little patience and a few dollars, but there are few who complain about the crab, or any of the other seafood offerings, for that matter. It's not hard to understand why this place has been around since 1913.
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Ocean Drive
Contact:
- +1 305 539 3000
Location:
- Ocean Drive
- Miami,FL33139
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Map
Description:
Known as SoBe to the locals, Ocean Drive is quintessential Miami at its finest. Besides being the most picturesque part of the city, this famous stretch of road is the cultural hub of Miami. Trendy hotels, upscale eateries, and beautiful people fill the sidewalks amidst the mass of tourists. Art galleries and clothing boutiques thrive here, offering visitors an insight into one of the worlds foremost fashion and art centers. Ocean Drive is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with over 800 preserved and protected Art Deco Buildings which have put South Beach on the map the world over.
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Automatic Slim's
Contact:
- 305/695-0795
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Location:
- 1216 Washington Ave
- South Beach
- Miami,FL33119
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Description:
This is the bar where Ozzie and Harriet types become more like Ozzy and Sharon. As South Beach's most popular unpretentious bar, Automatic Slim's is indeed a slim space of bar, but it packs people in, thanks to an exhaustive list of cheap(er) drinks, lack of attitude, great rock music, and a decor that can only be described as white trash-chic.
Day Note:
Start the day with breakfast at the Icebox Cafe before moving on to Bayside Marketplace mall to pick up a few souvenirs and gifts. Afterwards, head to Little Havana to the Latin American Art Museum and for Cuban-style lunch at Versailles. Finish off your trip by socializing over drinks at Tobacco Road.
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Icebox Café
Contact:
- 305/538-8448
- visit website
Location:
- 1657 Michigan Ave
- Miami,FL33139
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Description:
Locals love this place for its homey comfort food -- tuna melts, pot pies, and eggs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner -- but Oprah Winfrey singled it out for its desserts, which is really why people raid the Icebox whenever that sweet tooth calls. In the Icebox, you'll discover the best chocolate cake, pound cake, and banana cream pies outside of your grandma's kitchen.
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Bayside Marketplace
Contact:
- +1 305 577 3344
- visit website
Location:
- 401 Biscayne Boulevard
- Suite R106
- Miami,FL33132
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Description:
To get the quintessential Miami experience, visit this lovely open-air market, where you can browse the artist's carts, sip an iced drink and stroll along the pier. More than 100 shops and 30 restaurants make this a wonderful place to shop. This is more than just a mall-it is a sweet slice of south Florida life. Located next to the American Airlines Arena and the Port of Miami, this is a great place to spend a few hours.
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Latin American Art Museum
Contact:
- +1 305 644 1127
- visit website
Location:
- 2206 SW 8th St
- Little Havana
- Miami,FL33135-4914
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Description:
Founded in September of 1991, the Florida Museum of Hispanic & Latin American Art is the first and only one of its type. In addition to the collection, 11 exhibitions are scheduled throughout the year featuring artists of Hispanic and Latin origin, Brazilian and Haitian descent. A permanent collection of 300 works of contemporary art is housed in the museum, located in the heart of Miami's design district. The collection includes (but is not limited to) paintings, sculptures and ceramics. Admission is free. The museum is closed in August.
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Versailles
Contact:
- 305/444-0240
- visit website
Location:
- 3555 SW 8th St
- Miami,FL33135
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Description:
The name aside, Versailles has absolutely nothing to do with France, aside from once being a French restaurant. The only similarities between this Little Havana mainstay and its namesake French palace are the richly-decorated interior and well-dressed wait staff. But underneath it all, it's just a casual, down-home diner that not-so-quietly caters to the city's Cuban movers and shakers (and common folk). Immensely popular with a reputation for excellence that is well-deserved; the food is beautifully prepared and delicious. With a menu that goes well beyond the usual, in addition to the customary Cuban sandwiches and ropa vieja (shredded beef stew), Versailles is well known for its Moors and Christians (black beans and rice), Palomillo steak, breakfast tortas, lechon asado, boliche and other island staples. It's the perfect place to spend the evening. And if you don't have time for a sit-down meal, why not stop by the walk-up window for a steaming-hot cafecito?
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Tobacco Road
Contact:
- 305/374-1198
- visit website
Location:
- 626 S. Miami Ave
- Over the Miami Ave. Bridge near Brickell Ave., Downtown
- Miami,FL33130
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Description:
Al Capone used to hang out here when it was a speakeasy. Now locals flock here to see local bands perform, as well as national acts such as George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars, Koko Taylor, and the Radiators. Tobacco Road (the proud owner of Miami's very first liquor license) is small and gritty, and meant to be that way. Escape the smoke and sweat in the backyard patio, where air is a welcome commodity. The downright cheap nightly specials, such as the $11 lobster on Tuesday, are quite good and served until 2am; the bar is open until 5am.
Miami
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Bayside Marketplace
Contact:
- 305/577-3344
- visit website
Location:
- 401 Biscayne Blvd
- Downtown
- Miami,FL33195
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Description:
A popular stop for cruise-ship passengers, this touristy waterfront marketplace is filled with the usual suspects of chain stores as well as a slew of tacky gift shops and carts hawking assorted junk in the heart of downtown Miami. The second-floor food court is stocked with dozens of fast-food choices and bars. Most of the restaurants and bars stay open later than the stores. There's Lomardi's, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Hooters, Hard Rock Cafe, Fat Tuesday, Captain Joe's Seafood, and Let's Make a Daiquiri. Parking is $1 per hour. While we wouldn't recommend you necessarily drop big money at Bayside, you should go by just for the view (of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline) alone. In June you can watch the Opsail sailboat show, and in February, the Miami Sailboat Show, where sailboats dock in the area and make the view even nicer. Beware of the adjacent amphitheater known as Bayfront Park, which usually hosts large-scale concerts and festivals, causing major pedestrian and vehicle traffic jams.
- Destination(s): Miami
- Type: First time visit
- 2 DAYS
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