Miami: South Beach Qs
Mar 8th, 2006, 07:46 AM
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Miami: South Beach Qs
My husband and I will be visiting Miami at the end of this week for 4 nights. We have reservations at the Hotel Atlantica located at 321 Collins Ave. Does anyone have suggestions regarding the following:
1. Restaurants - cuban, seafood
2. Tours - city, water
3. Beaches
4. Travel tips - safety, parking, etc.
5. Any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance for your help!
1. Restaurants - cuban, seafood
2. Tours - city, water
3. Beaches
4. Travel tips - safety, parking, etc.
5. Any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Mar 8th, 2006, 08:04 AM
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bailey6325.....I will have to dig a bit, but as I remember there is a series of big international boat races in Miami this weekend....Not sure that it will have much effect on your stay in SoBe itself.If you have a car you'll be able to tool down to Key Biscayne as I think that is a major venue.
Mar 8th, 2006, 08:05 AM
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In order:
1. Cuban restaurants: Puerto Sagua (no atmosphere, great grub); Lario's on the Beach (great atmosphere, great mojitos, great fricasé de pollo and ropa vieja, not-good chicharrones de pollo); David's (based on friends' recommendations-- I haven't gone myself).
Seafood: Grillfish, A Fish Called Avalon.
Best of the Best: Wish.
2. I've never done one, but the tour put on by the Miami Design Preservation League would be a great introduction to the stupendous Art Déco architecture of the District. See mdpl.org/tours.html for more info.
3. I personally haven't hit a bad beach in South Beach. I just rent an umbrella once I find my patch of sand and lay back. Note that topless women sunbathers are tolerated on some stretches of beach. Note also that the beach at 12th Street is essentially the "gay" part. Not that anyone cares; South Beach is really progressive in that regard.
4. I find South Beach to be as safe as any other large city neighborhood. Having said that, you follow all of the usual big-city precautions-- avoid carrying large sums of cash, stay off of unlit side streets or alleys, etc., etc., etc.-- and you'll be fine.
When I rent a car in South Beach (NOTE: It's a small district-- I usually don't rent a car at all), I always use my hotel's valet service. Then again, I go to South Beach to spoil myself, so $18-20 a day isn't excessive. I'm worth it. There are public parking garages sprinkled throughout the District, but they usually don't offer any in-and-out privileges. Side streets have seemingly switched completely to Permit-Only, so don't bother cruising around looking for any free parking in the area of your hotel. In short? Park with your hotel.
5. Here's a handy website to check out the South Beach scene:
www.southbeach-usa.com
And just relax and enjoy!
1. Cuban restaurants: Puerto Sagua (no atmosphere, great grub); Lario's on the Beach (great atmosphere, great mojitos, great fricasé de pollo and ropa vieja, not-good chicharrones de pollo); David's (based on friends' recommendations-- I haven't gone myself).
Seafood: Grillfish, A Fish Called Avalon.
Best of the Best: Wish.
2. I've never done one, but the tour put on by the Miami Design Preservation League would be a great introduction to the stupendous Art Déco architecture of the District. See mdpl.org/tours.html for more info.
3. I personally haven't hit a bad beach in South Beach. I just rent an umbrella once I find my patch of sand and lay back. Note that topless women sunbathers are tolerated on some stretches of beach. Note also that the beach at 12th Street is essentially the "gay" part. Not that anyone cares; South Beach is really progressive in that regard.
4. I find South Beach to be as safe as any other large city neighborhood. Having said that, you follow all of the usual big-city precautions-- avoid carrying large sums of cash, stay off of unlit side streets or alleys, etc., etc., etc.-- and you'll be fine.
When I rent a car in South Beach (NOTE: It's a small district-- I usually don't rent a car at all), I always use my hotel's valet service. Then again, I go to South Beach to spoil myself, so $18-20 a day isn't excessive. I'm worth it. There are public parking garages sprinkled throughout the District, but they usually don't offer any in-and-out privileges. Side streets have seemingly switched completely to Permit-Only, so don't bother cruising around looking for any free parking in the area of your hotel. In short? Park with your hotel.
5. Here's a handy website to check out the South Beach scene:
www.southbeach-usa.com
And just relax and enjoy!
Mar 9th, 2006, 08:43 AM
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bailey..You are welcome.....If this is your first trip to America's Riviera, I'll share the same reaction I had and all my friends have had on similar occasion: Sticker Shock! Just tell yourself that $15 for a Mojito is OK....Enjoy............Stephen
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