2 Chileans in Miami

January 26, 2006 4:34 PM

My lovely wife and I will be spending about a week in Miami starting next week. What should we see, where should we go?

Background: Me:35y/architect Her:29y/Film Critic. We have both lived in the US previously, though we now live in Chile. She's never been to FLA, I have but not as a tourist. We're already going to Disney.
What places should we see in Miami and its environs? Are there any design- art- oriented neighborhoods? With lots of little shops and cafes and a bookstore or two? What's a good non-mall shopping area?
We're not party animals, but will be going out, so what nightspots (or areas) are fun and exciting without being too packed and too teenagey? It doesn't have to be super trendy or chic, either.
We've both done a fair bit of travelling and are jaded in regards to museums, churches, organized tours, etc, but would go see a really interesting exhibition or such.
I know about Art Deco in South Beach (right?), what other parts of the city would the architect in me want to sketch?
Anything by the sea is a plus, though I guess that won't be too much of a problem.
We're staying at a relative's house near the airport. Should we rent a car or do they have that new fangled public transportation?
Links to interesting (cool but not too cool) webguides, etc are more than welcome.

posted by skree to travel & transportation (16 comments total)

Check out Vizcaya.
posted by Bucket o' Heads at 4:43 PM on January 26, 2006

I absolutely positively LOVED Monkey Jungle. I know, I know - it's a zoo type thing so you may be jaded toward it. However, if you find monkeys cute at all, this is the coolest thing you will ever see.

Essentially, the monkeys all roam wild out in the trees and such, and the pathways through the forest/zoo area are caged, so that you're walking through a "cage hallway" and monkeys can run around free. It's relatively cheap, and when you walk in you can buy cheap boxes of food (raisins, etc) for the monkeys. There are bowls hanging about from chains, and you put a little food in the bowl and the monkeys reel it on up and eat it, then drop the bowl back down - it's fun!



Another fun thing we did, close to Ft Lauderdale (not that far a drive from Miami - 30-40 minutes if i recall) was the Jungle Queen cruise. It's not a luxury thing at all, so if you're expecting high brow, skip this one. I really liked it though. Basically, it's a short cruise through some scenery and to an island where you get off the boat and have all you can eat BBQ ribs, chicken and shrimp, then watch a little variety show, and then head back. It's a bit campy, and the food is good but not amazing, but I think the overall experience was a lot of fun!


I also went to the Miami Seaquarium for a dolphin swim, which was great, although I was somewhat disappointed in the short-ish amount of time actually spent in the water with the dolphins. Still, it was pretty exhilirating and a once in a lifetime experience, so I was still glad I did it.


That doesn't help too much with nightlife, but hopefully it gives you a few ideas as far as the daytime!
posted by twiggy at 4:57 PM on January 26, 2006

Beware of South Beach. Don't get me wrong- go and see it. But especially beware on weekends. The causeways in and out get CHOKED with traffic and random DUI checkpoints. Stay away on weekends. Any night of the week will be plenty 'happening' anywhere there. The beaches here really are very wonderful, live up to the hype.

That said, check out Lincoln Road, and Española way in South Beach. The Delano hotel (I used to work there when it first opened) is pretty cool and nearby both of these places, all walking distance. It's a Philippe Starcke design, IMO his best. Pricy cocktails, but worth checking out. There's a place called Nikki Beach at the far south end of SB. It's technically a nightclub, but really chilled out, on the beach/oceanfront and outdoors! Highly recommended. Not a teenager place at all. Also pricey.

Check out Coconut Grove. Do it as a morning/afternoon. Lots of old pretty houses there. A big yawn of a mall, too, but lots of little boutiques/cafes around as well. Viscaya, mentioned above, is around here as well. Very cool.

I lived there for five years. Not a lot of culture to be found. Calle ocho (8th street) is only OK IMO... kind of run down, so-so food. Worth checking out for the 'Cuban-ness' though.

Find a nice hotel that's comfortable for your tastes. I have some insight into thse as well, so feel free to ask more here if you want my 2 cents.

Have fun in my old home that I miss very much.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 5:44 PM on January 26, 2006

Also, you need a car. Horrible public transportation.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 5:45 PM on January 26, 2006

Similar question recently asked.
posted by knave at 5:53 PM on January 26, 2006

First, visiting to south Florida requires a car. We don't even have a decent taxi system.

Shopping: Lincoln Road and Española Way are the best suggestions for the beach area. Lincoln is getting a little too chain-store oriented, but it still has some good shops, is a pedestrian mall, and has a Books and Books location, one of the best bookstores in the US (even if this isn't their largest location).

Architecture: The deco stuff on the beach you know, and Coconut Grove is a good suggestion. Also consider a trip to Coral Gables. It isn't on the water, but has some terrific '30s era mediterranean homes. It also has the Biltmore, a grand hotel in the old Miami style. (And if you go this way, the main Books and Books location is in the Gables.)

Let me also plug Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens. It's one of the nation's best botanic gardens, and is currently hosting an exhibit of glasswork by Dale Chihuly. After three hurricanes last year it's taken a bit of a beating, but it is still beautiful, and well worth a visit.

I hope this helps, and feel free to drop me a note if you have any questions.
posted by mkhall at 7:45 PM on January 26, 2006

Ah! but of course. Check out the Miami Design District, a neighborhood with several very interesting galleries and art shops. Second Saturday of each month, free coktails! A lot of (soho-like) bars and clubs. I was there briefly in December for the Design weekend and I was delighted with the atmosphere.

If you like seafood (yes, fried) and loud (but fun music) check out Monty's.

Other than that, what the others said and ... go to the beach, man!
posted by carmina at 8:09 PM on January 26, 2006

Thanks everybody. The Design District is pretty close to what we were looking for.
posted by signal at 4:13 AM on January 27, 2006

The Metro Zoo is amazing, you must go. It's an easy drive from the airport too (I think you will need a car, especially considering where you'll be based).

Also, more animal fun, but a day trip to the Everglades is well worth it; they're only a short hop from Miami.
posted by londonmark at 5:06 AM on January 27, 2006

Yes, check out the design district. Just realize it's pretty small. You could see the whole thing in an afternoon or so.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 5:54 AM on January 27, 2006

Avoid the bribery-laden bullshit (see 1/2way down) that you have to deal with trying to get a table at Joe's Stone Crabs. If you want to try their fare they have a cafe next door where you don't have to slip $50 to the maitre d to get into.

You should probably go to Lincoln Furniture and Lighting at 629 Lincoln Road. I am sure there is a reason for this other than the fact that the owner, Victor, is a friend of mine. (He does, in fact, stock it with an interesting and eclectic mix of things) For bookstores there's Books & Books down on the other end of Lincoln (which is not an unpleasant walk) though the one in Coral Gables is the premier location.

Londonmark is very right about the Everglades. The National Park there is a wonderful time and this is a great time of year to see all the gators sunning themselves.

One of my favorite restaurants is Prima Pasta on Miami Beach. I try to go every time I am home to visit family.
posted by phearlez at 8:17 AM on January 27, 2006

Whoever said stay away from S. Beach is wrong. Get there before 11pm and you will miss the traffic. Leaving is no problem whatsoever at any hour.
posted by eas98 at 8:51 AM on January 27, 2006

Didn't say stay away from S. Beach. I said avoid it on weekends.

And the traffic becomes miserable by late afternoon, and continues until late at night on the weekends.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 12:30 PM on January 27, 2006

I had no problems getting a table at Joe's Stone Crabs thru my hotel conceirge. Food was good but hella expensive.
posted by mmascolino at 12:57 PM on January 27, 2006

I just got back from Miami/Key Biscayne (mine was the original question asked). Joe's Stone Crab was OK, but we have one here in Chicago so I wasn't particularly wowed. However, Barton G completely surprised and impressed me. Truly amazing. Check it out if you have some time and money - dinner took three hours and cost about $100 for one (two glasses of wine, appetizer, main dish, dessert).

Also, if you venture onto Key Biscayne, stop off at the Rusty Pelican. It's a cute little place. Be forewarned, any cab fare from South Beach and surrounding area to Key Biscayne will easily be $35-40.

I really enjoyed the beaches at Key Biscayne. Clean, not crowded, and gorgeous.
posted by MeetMegan at 6:23 PM on January 27, 2006

Got back a few days ago. For the record: loved South Beach (and Miami Beach in general), especially Lincoln Road, had fun in Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. Went to Key West, not really worth the drive IMO. Shopped, etc. Took a bus once, slow but workable, if you like walking.
Thanks, all.
posted by skree at 11:06 AM on February 21, 2006