December 23, 2006
What to do and where to stay in Miami Beach/Miami
I'm thinking about visiting Miami Beach/Miami for New Years so I'm looking for any recommendations regarding things to do (esp water sports), places to shop, places to eat, and things to sightsee? I've collected a little information from friends, but if you know anything, please leave a comment below.
Answer 1: I lived there a few years after college. Watch out for the late night walks on the beach heading into unlit areas. Overall the area is pretty safe so long you don't go off the beaten path and be aware of your surroundings. Regarding what/where to go, water sports are easy to access, you can get info through the hotel or just walking down the beach.
Answer 2: Upstairs at the VanDyke on Lincoln Rd is a great jazz club with live jazz 7 nights per week. And you should definately stay at one of the boutique hotels in SoBe. there's a place called "The Hotel" rooftop upscale bar -neat rooms and walk to everything.
Answer 3: Speaking of Lincoln Road, go for a walk there. Check out Pacific Time for Asian fusion. I'm too old and married for the club scene anymore. One thing is for sure, the clubs don't start kickin till late. After 12. Prime 112 is also a great restaurant. Nobu at the shore Club. This sounds stupid but you will enjoy Parrot Jungle. I'm not joking.
Answer 4: If you're willing to stray away from SoBe in Miami, swing by Coconut Grove or Bayside for a night. The Grove is more of a party atmosphere while Bayside is more event/mall/boardwalk driven. Good times - Love me some SoBe.
Answer 5: If you're into the whole club thing check out Blue on Espanola Way. And for a good party just hop in a cab and tell him to take you to Pawn Shop its like a 10 min ride. You won't be sorry; a lot of locals there love the place. The VIP room is a school bus and the DJ booth is the inside of a truck. Enjoy!!
Posted by James Trotta at December 23, 2006 1:29 PM | TrackBack
I moved to Miami in 2000 and have seen it change amazingly since then. For example, while it used to be "not as safe" to go off the beaten path, unless you drive into Liberty City, which is no where near where you want to be, it is always safe... now...
To that end, let me add to the list you already have:
1. If you like Jazz, Van Dyke's is cool, but Arturo Sandoval opened up a new Jazz Club that is like the way Jazz Clubs used to be. According to a famous Jazz critic, including the Arturo Jazz Club there is only 1 other Jazz club like this in the world and its in London. Amazing!
2. The Pawn Shop is a very cool club to try where the theme is based on an old Pawn Shop.
3. You MUST go to the Delano. If you are with friends, say 6 or more, go to the garden where you you will see these amazing Cabanas. To sit there you need to buy at least one bottle of something. Vodka, Whisky, whatever... but those bottles are prices per shot. I know one of the managers there and he told me to negotiate that price down a bit and if you are with 6 or more friends, it will work out to be less than $20/person. And to be sitting in the Delano Garden for that price is amazing!
4. If you like hip shopping, meaning the latest fashions, you must go to Scoop in the Shore Club Hotel. The Shore Club is also an amazing place to hang out for New Years, if you can get in.
5. Other clubs that are musts: Nikki Beach on Sunday Afternoon only, Pearl's, Prive, Crobar, Opium Gardens, Space...
6. You MUST go to Taverna Opa. The original one is in Hollywood, but they have one in South Beach now. It is a Greek restaurant and after the food, people go crazy. Dancing on tables, breaking plates, thrwoing tissues everywhere. Words can not do this place justice. You must try it.
7. If you are watching your weight, go to the Galleria Mall in Ft. Lauderdal (20 minutes away) and shop there and then eat at a place called Season's 52. Nothing on the menu is more than 475 calories, including desert!
8. Do you like Meat? Go to The Knife. It's an Argentinian Buffet. All you can eat meet, Argentinian style. Here is a tip, when you go to the grill, order yourself a filet minon or a strip steak. They will cook it just for you and it is included in the price. The most expensive evening is weekends and the buffet includes: All the meet, salad, chicken, pig, etc. you can eat. Plus, it ibcludes a bottle of win PER PERSON, or 2 Beers per person or unlimitted soda per person. PLUS, it includes desert and any side dish you want. All for $23/person.
If you go during the week, its $17/person and if you eat at lunch and don't want desert, its $13/person.
Amazing!
9. Go to Trina in Lauderdale. Amazing Mediterranean restaurant right on the beach in the Atlantic Hotel. Great view, great food.
10. In Espangola Way, try Tapas y Tintos, amazing Tapas bar.
11. On lincoln road, go to Touch, but only after 9pm, otherwise you will miss the "Show"...
12. Like Pizza? You have to go to Fratelli La Buffala. They are right off the boat from Naples, Italy. It will be the best Pizza you eat outside of New York. And Im Italian so I know good pizza... Washington & 5th in South Beach.
13. Go to the Swap Shop. Its a flee market with a twist. The owner is one of the richest men in America and has a collection of exotic automobiles: Ferrari Enzo, Carrera GT, SLR, GT 40, etc.. and at the same time you will find amazing deals on just about anything.
Bought a 7 piece luggage set there for $65!
14. Go to South Beach in Key Biscayne during the week. This is a Beach right next to Virginia Key and it is amazing!
If you however, you like the hustle and bustle of a busy tourist beach, this is not it. This is where you go to see a great view of Miami and pretty much have the whole beach to yourself. The water is clear, shallow and beautiful.
15. There is a great Asian restaurant in Weston, but that is 30 minutes away... Stir Moon.
16. Like Sushi? Go to Bond St. Cafe, amazing!
17. B.E.D. in South beach. You eat on a BED, amazing!
18. try the everglades tours, again 30 minutes away, but since Florida's natural vegetation and wildlife, including their orchids are unique to the world, its worth it. I think only parts of Louisianna have some of the natural wildlife of Florida, outside of that it is one of a kind.
19. China Grill, across the street from Fratelli on Washington & 5th is an amazing family style, polynesian inspired hot spot. When you order, if you are 4 people, don't order 4 entrees, it will be too much food. Order 2 or max 3 entrees, with the duck fried rice. Have the banana in a box for desert. Yummy!
Unfortunately, I can go on and on, it is never ending in Miami and the surrounding areas. People already mentioned the usual spots like Sawgrass Mall for outlet shopping and Lincoln road for a nice walk so I tried to list things that are different.
And the truth is I could keep going, but unless you plan to stay for a year, you won't have enough time!
Enjoy :)
a.
P.S. I almost forgot:
20. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Its not too far from Miami beach, 15 minutes off the 441. It is an amazing Vegas type Casino (but smaller) with its own community of restaurants, bars, ice cream shots, stores and more.
Also, you won't believe the talent they are bring to this place. In December we had Andrea Bocelli, Billy Joel, Shakira, Aerosmith, etc... all big acts... Huey Lewis iis coming soon if you are from the 80's :)
I beg to differ from Anthony on the subject of Pizza in So.Be. Presto Pzza on Lincoln road is the best I have ever eaten and I am italian fron NYC what more can I say and oh yes don't forget Joes Stone Crab
Posted by: Sonny Leonard at December 26, 2006 3:40 AM