I adore Miami. This was my fifth or sixth time to South Beach and every time I go, I'm reminded of why I love this city so much. It truly has everything...gorgeous beaches, delicious restaurants, world-class nightlife, amazing Art`Deco architecture and great shopping. The culture in Miami is very cosmopolitan. Every where you go, there are different cultures and foreign languages being spoken. It has a very European vibe, in my opinion.
I usually stay at the Fontainebleau Hotel, which is relatively new and massive. I've also stayed at the Setai (amazing) and Eden Roc on previous trips, but this time, I was booked into the Gansevoort for work. E! was hosting a New Year's Even event on the rooftop there, and the hotel didn't disappoint. When you enter the lobby, they have a giant fishtank with little sharks swimming around...very cool. The hotel used to be a condominium (and still has residences there) so the rooms are very large and spacious and there's restaurants on site, including STK and Phillippe. Also, the location is great. You're right in the middle of everything. The W is right next door and also an excellent option. Honestly, it doesn't matter that much where you stay, because you won't be in the room very much, between the beach, the sightseeing and the nightlife!
Without further ado, here are my Miami must sees:
1. Lincoln Road: This is the perfect place for an evening stroll and to dine al fresco. It's a pedestrian only street with street performers, gardens and fountains in the middle (similar to Third St. Promenade in Santa Monica) which starts after Washington Ave. and goes all the way to Alton Road. Whether you're into shopping, dining or people watching, Lincoln Road has it all. Most of the restaurants offer indoor or outdoor seating, and all of the little cafes shaded by awnings and umbrellas make you feel like you're in Europe.
Famed architect Morris Lapidus (who also redid the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc hotels) was commissioned to redesign it in the 1960's and he did a great job. Today, you can find a performing arts center, movie theater, concert hall, dozens of shops (both high-end and mass market) and tons of fine and casual dining options on Lincoln.
2. Ocean Drive: When you think stereotypical Miami, you're probably picturing Ocean Drive. This bustling street runs parallel to the Atlantic Ocean and is full of unique hotels, bars, restaurants and clubs.
It's a fun place to go for brunch, as many of them have breakfast and drink specials (bottomless mimosas, anyone?) and you can dine outside and see the ocean. We didn't get to do this on my last trip, but my friend Katie though it'd be cool to rent bikes and ride around down here. The architecture is very cool and very Miami.
3. Joe's Stone Crab: This was Miami's very first restaurant when it opened in 1913 and there's a reason it's still one of the most popular spots to dine in South Beach today: the food is delicious! Obviously, stone crabs are their claim to fame. The claws are served cold with a mustard dipping sauce by tuxedo-clad waiters and they're a must-try if you like seafood.
If not, there's plenty of chicken and steak options on their menu. They'll ship their famous crabs anywhere but Miami is their only location, so definitely try it. Joe's is constantly busy, so you may want to make a reservation. They're also open for lunch and takeout.
4. The Biltmore Pool: At one time, this was supposedly the world's largest swimming pool.
I was lucky enough to visit the Biltmore on my very first trip to Miami. It's actually outside the city in Coral Gables, and if you're not staying there, you have rent a cabana. They're $89 for 4 people so it's not terribly expensive if you split it. Anyway, it's really gorgeous and has a lot of history. During WWII, the Biltmore was actually converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers. They have poolside happy hour from 5-7 if you just want to go for a drink instead of a swim.
5. Plunge at the Gansevoort Rooftop: This is another beautiful pool, right in South Beach on Collins Ave. In addition to the pool, Plunge offers 360 degree views of the city and the bright blue ocean below you. They also have a deejay spinning music and lots of good-looking people lounging around. Make sure you go during the day, as it tends to get very windy at night since it's on the ocean and so high up. If you're with a big group of girls, say you're celebrating your engagement and you may just score a free bottle of champagne like we did! My fiancee's name was Joshua, FYI.6. The beach: I can't say enough good things about Miami beaches. They're gorgeous and turquoise and unlike California's, they're actually warm! I couldn't believe I was lucky enough to be swimming in Janauary and not even slightly cold. (One of those specks in the water below is me.) Amazing!
7. The nightlife: Miami nightlife is crazy. They have tons of clubs and in South Beach, people go and stay out late. The clubs don't close until people want to leave and they don't get packed until after midnight. I'll never forget on a prior trip, my friend and I being told that Set was fun on Sundays. We arrived around 11:30 to find it completely empty. "What time does it get good?" I asked a bouncer, who replied, "Around 1:30". On a Sunday night! Toto, we're not in LA anymore.
In my experience, clubs in Miami play much more house and trace music than most places in LA, and a lot of places have cool lights and accompanying visuals. We got to see Kaskade and Tiesto spin one night...it was pretty insane. Liv and Wall are two of the clubs we liked and I hear Mokai is good as well. Avoid Mynt unless you want your ears to ring for days! Just remember to take a disco nap before you go out and drink a Red Bull or something, because Miami parties all night long...which may be why I missed my 10:40 a.m. flight back to LA Sunday morning. Oops!
Happy New Year and happy travels in 2011!
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