Long-distance first date in Miami.

February 9, 2011 8:02 AM

I'm looking for recommendations for first-date ideas in Miami. The catch is that the first date is with someone who lives 2000 miles away from me, and we're both traveling to Miami from elsewhere. I want to spend time getting to know him in a low-key way, but also see a little bit of Miami while I'm there. Suggestions for places we should see/those we should avoid?

We'll have two full days to spend together, a Sunday and a Monday. Staying very near the University of Miami, and we will have a car. I don't want to spend a lot of time driving or taking tours; I want us to have plenty of time for talking face to face and basically just hanging out since that is the point of the trip.

Since first dates are nerve wracking anyhow, and seeing someone in person for the first time after extended conversations online is also nerve wracking, I am looking for relatively simple things we could do/places we could spend time just getting to know each other in a relaxed way.

I have in mind things like going for a meandering walk somewhere, maybe having a meal of takeout food on the beach, a relaxed but romantic restaurant, stuff like that. Any suggestions for low-key beaches/restaurants/places to hang out? Our price range is inexpensive to moderate.

We're both hugely into books and somewhat into music, and abhor the kitschy and tourist thing for the most part. I want to make sure we have plenty of time getting to know each other, but I also don't want to end up bored and with no idea where in Miami we could go in order to make that process more enjoyable. Additionally, I want to see a little bit of the city since I've never been there before.

(We've been talking for a year + and knew each other briefly many years ago, if that matters to any of you. Since I know MeFites care, I will assure you that I'm taking safety precautions to avoid Stranger Danger type scenarios and such.)

posted by splendid animal to travel & transportation around Miami, FL (9 answers total)

You could walk around Lincoln mall in South Beach, it is an outdoor area. There is excellent people watching and plenty of inexpensive cafes. There's a Books & Books (a bookstore and cafe) which is a great place to hang out/walk around talking about books you like. On Sundays there's a farmer's market and antique fair at the mall. You can walk to the beach from the mall as well.

A fun night time activity could be to go to Splittsville which is a bowling alley with a full bar and restaurant. It's a good first date since you have an activity to do so you don't have as much pressure to talk constantly.

Bayfront Park is a nice area, day or night, but parking is expensive and you don't want to walk around downtown Miami at night. You can catch boats there to take you around Star Island, or the Intracoastal...it's a tour but it not cheesy.

Good luck on your date!
posted by jacindahb at 8:55 AM on February 9, 2011

Lincoln Road and South Beach in general are good. You can park and then it's all walkable.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 9:11 AM on February 9, 2011 [1 favorite]

Coral Gables has lots of fun walkable stuff, with the main Books and Books location there.

The design district/Little Haiti has my favorite indie record shop ever (with the disclaimer that my friend Lauren owns it), there are vegan snacks and coffees in shop (iced and hot I'm not vegan, but it's all tasty!). Also in the neighborhood is Buena Vista Bistro, which is a great place for a romantic meal. Lemoni is also a great cafe in the neighborhood, and a little less pricey.

I recently ate at Tapas & Tintos in South Beach, and while the food was fabulous, the service was a bit...cool. Lincoln road is great for strolling and people watching in the evenings.

I don't know where you'll be staying, but even if it's a trek to get there, Fairchild Tropic Botanic Garden is worth visiting.

There are some places that do night kayaking, and some sea turtle walks for night night time activities, but I've got to run and pick someone up from the airport, so I can't google that for you.
posted by bilabial at 9:17 AM on February 9, 2011

Seconding Fairchild Garden (don't miss it if you like plants and/or beauty) and Books&Books. I'd add The Barnacle and Vizcaya, qv, two examples of very different early Miami architectural design.
posted by fivesavagepalms at 9:41 AM on February 9, 2011

If you are staying near UM you have to go to Cocowalk in Coconut Grove!

Relaxed, fun, romantic, very Miami.
posted by arveale at 10:45 AM on February 9, 2011

I also second the Lincoln Road/South Beach option. It's a nice place to walk around and people watch, and there's always places to eat/drink/relax as well.
posted by eas98 at 11:43 AM on February 9, 2011

Just FYI, South Beach is great and all but some things to consider:

1.) It is easy to spend a lot of money there
2.) It is not that close to UM (timing depends on traffic which can vary widely) - map
3.) The atmosphere can be intimidating for a first date

I love South Beach as much as anyone I am just thinking of what it would be like to go there in a first date type scenario.

I am going to Miami in 3 weeks and this is getting me all excited/depressed about living in CT.

HAVE FUN!
posted by arveale at 11:54 AM on February 9, 2011

I think I'd want to go on a boat ride.
posted by mearls at 1:25 PM on February 9, 2011

My husband and I stayed in Miami and went to Key Biscayne one afternoon to relax - rented bikes and rode around Bill Baggs Park, sat on the beach, and grabbed a bite to eat. We also enjoyed the Viscaya Museum and Gardens. You could spend a leisurely time in the gardens talking and grab a bit there, too. For dinner we enjoyed trying some of the Cuban food in Little Havana - Versaille and La Carretta were good. Have a great time!
posted by LilBit at 4:20 PM on February 9, 2011