I'm going to Miami...

September 15, 2010 5:43 AM

Help me plan my short vacation in Miami.

I plan on taking a long week vacation in November and traveling to Miami. I'll likely get there Saturday afternoon and leave Tuesday night. I'd like some tips, ideas, advice.

Some more details:

-I'm a 23 year old male and will be traveling with either one or two other guys my age.
-I want to experience the clubs and bars, but also unique to Miami areas at night
-I'd like to spend a day on the beach, but also a day doing some fun activities

Incredibly vague, I know, but intentionally vague as to get a wide range of answers. Some specifics that may helpful:

-Good places to stay? I'd rather not break the bank on a hotel but am open to suggestions
-Good nightlife spots for the nights I'll be there (e.g. where to go on a Monday night?)
-Daytime activity suggestions?
-Brunch/lunch/dinner recommendations? Especially places where you eat outside.
-Any other tips or things you'd recommend from your Miami experience - I've never been before.

When I return home from Miami, I want to be able to look back at it and only remember having a great time.

Thanks.

posted by rastapasta to Travel & Transportation around Miami, FL (5 answers total)

Obviously you need to hit South Beach, and you should also go to the Design District (it's more artistic and has better restaurants than SoBe). If you like crowds and people watching Lincoln Road can be fun (Lincoln also has two great bars Zeke's is on the road, and The Abbey is just one block over). Lincoln Road also has a good symphony, the New World Symphony, that often does some really cool stuff.

What do you think of as fun day-time activities? Are you looking for sports, flirting, intellectual stimulation? You've given us too much latitude, I think.

Random Thoughts:
As for eating outside, it won't actually be cool in Miami in November (well all the natives will tell you it's nice and cool, but unless you're from the Caribbean or such you'll still think it's ungodly hot and humid).

If the UM football team is playing at home that Saturday night, you'll definitely be able to get tickets. They never sell out. (The Heat will be sold out, almost certainly.)

Opera will be in season and Miami's company (the Florida Grand Opera) is actually pretty darn good. I would totally recommend it.
posted by oddman at 6:03 AM on September 15, 2010

If you're a beer fan, check out Abbey Brewing Co. - it's one of the best beer spots in Miami and only a block off of Lincoln Rd. on 16th.

Coconut Grove is cool but a bit touristy, lots of places to shop/eat away from the South Beach scene.

If you're there on the second Saturday of the month, don't miss the Wynwood Art Walk. I was blown away by the quality/quantity of artists and galleries when I attended. Plus they relax the open container laws and it becomes a really cool party!
posted by brand-gnu at 8:03 AM on September 15, 2010

Daytime go see Vizcaya.
posted by Anitanola at 8:14 PM on September 15, 2010

South Beach is fun for cruising but for the love of god do not get sucked into one of those outdoor restaurant tourist traps. They will part you from your hardearned cash before you can say "watered down mojito."

The Wolfsonian Museum is excellent, if you're into small art museums.
posted by media_itoku at 6:51 PM on September 16, 2010

Oh, and I will put in a plug for Circa 39, which is a funky deco hotel at the unfashionable end of South Beach. Stylishly decorated, not super-expensive, and great smelling Aveda toiletries :-)
posted by media_itoku at 6:54 PM on September 16, 2010