Murl

We are arriving at MIA a day early for our cruise. Thinking that we'd save some $$$, we thought we'd taxi from the airport to the Port of Miami, and book our hotel, rather than the package through the cruise line. We're just interested in a taste of Miami, nice place to have dinner, safe area to walk, etc. Should we be looking at Bayside area, or Miami Beach? Right now, we're looking at Clarion Suites near Bayside. Would appreciate thoughts on our plans. Thanks, Murl

Patrick

Personally, I see no reason to go a day early and hang around Bayside. You will have plenty of "mall" type and souvenier shopping on your cruise, and that is all there is at the Bayside area. I'd head to SouthBeach and then just take a taxi back the next day for your cruise.

Anthony

Would have to 2nd Patrick's advice. There is NO reason you have to stay near the port: you can't walk to the ship port, nor would you want to, so anyplace within 20 mins of the port by taxi will do. South beach qualifies as being a 15-20 min cab ride, so I would stay there and enjoy the sites, restaurants, and nitelife.

Anne

We did the same thing last Easter. We stayed at the Clarion -- very nice spacious suites less than $100. We walked around Bayside, then boarded the ship before noon.

Have a great trip!

Murl

We are arriving a day early because we are traveling from the midwest and never know what to expect weatherwise. On a previous cruise, we ran into travel delays and I didn't have my suitcase for the entire cruise. The only thing I know about South Beach is what I see on the Travel Channel...looks like one big party, and that doesn't particularly interest us. Am I getting the wrong picture? So Anne, can I assume you can safely walk around the Clarion to the Bayside area?

Dawn Ct.

My 13 year old son and I had a great time at Bayside. We enjoyed looking in the shops, he wanted to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe and we took the Biscayne Bay Cruise which we both found interesting. There were live bands playing, people were dancing and it was a fun and friendly place to be. We are glad we went. We spent most of the afternoon and a good part of the evening there.

Anne

Hi Murl

YES you can safely walk from the Clarion to Bayside. There's even a tram monorail type vehicle which runs bewteen the two (with a short walk).

We didn't spend as much time as we'd planned at Bayside since our plane got in at 2am instead of 7pm.

Anthony

Murl:
Your original post states thatyou are intrested in a taste of Miami. I think if you were to spend your time in South Beach area, you would get more of the flavor of what Miami is like. Don't get me wrong; there's nothing wrong with Bayside, just that it's a shopping mall. If you're intrested in shopping, a stroll along Lincolin Rd.Mall in South Beach will give you a great experience of shops, restaurants, and people-watching. Additionally, one of the biggest highlights of Miami Beach is the Art Deco buildings in South Beach; it is lots of fun just strolling around looking at the hotels and how they have been renovated. Bayside is NOT representative of Miami Beach.
If you are not the partying-niteclub type, you don'thave to go to them in South Beach. But Southern Flrida's BEST restaurants are in South Beach; NOT Bayside. If all you are looking for is a Hard Rock Cafe, then bayside will suit you fine. But there are many excellent restaurants that serve regional cusine in the South Beach area.

Murl

Thanks for all your responses. I'm sorry, I still don't get it. Are South Beach and Miami Beach the same area? What is the area called where Eden Roc Hotel, and Fountainbleu Hotel are located?

curious

Murl, My husband, 2 sons and I stayed in Miami a night prior to a cruise. I also suggest staying in South Beach (The Eden Roc and Fountaineblue are near SOBE). It is much more interesting and fun than Bayside, and believe me, the party doesn't get started until midnight, so if you're anything like we are, you will be asleep before then. I will also add that it's perfectly safe. Eat at one of the sidewalk cafe's, we liked Lario's on the Beach - cuban cuisine. We visited bayside after our cruise and there wasn't anything there to keep us interested for more than 15 minutes. As other posters have said, it's just a mall. If you're only in Miami for one night don't waste your time there. Go to South Beach or Lincoln road and get a taste of the real Miami.

Anthony

Murl:
To clarify, South Beach is a SECTION of Miami Beach- as the name implies, it's the southern end of Miami Beach. If you keep going or driving north of South beach, you'll come to Miami Beach proper, which is where the Fountainbleu, Eden Roc, etc are located.
If you keep going north, you'll come to other sections of Miami Beach, like, Sunny Isles, Aventura, and Bal Harbor

Murl

Thanks all! I'm getting the picture.

Barb

Hello Murl, I'm not sure if you'll be checking the replies again...However, I'd like to offer my suggestions. I suggest you stay at a hotel on South Beach (a good web-site is hotel discounts.com; you can find great boutique hotels right in "the area" for about $80.00 a few hotels at this range are the Albion and the Abbey) Eden roc will cost you over $150 per night. There are many many restaurants in South Beach; partically on Ocean Drive (which is one of the main strips). A few suggestions are Larios (owned by Gloria Estefan)there is always a wait...but well worth it (just drink a Mojito and you'll be fine!) Another restaurant is a Fish called Avalon...excellent seafood!...I hope this helps

Murl

I'm still checking...thanks for all the replies and great ideas. Haven't made my final decision yet and still have some time, but am leaning towards the south beach area after all. That' what this is all about...getting good information!

ttt

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