Ultimate Guide To Planning Your Miami Holiday

When you think of Florida, you have to consider the fabulous city of Miami, known for its beautiful beaches, lively nightlife and tropical weather. Miami is the biggest metropolitan area in Florida, with Hollywood only a 30 minute drive away. If you are planning a holiday, this guide will help you plan the trip of a lifetime.

GETTING TO MIAMI

Plane

Miami International Airport lies in a suburban area, west of the city. It is a major international airport and an important traffic hub between Europe, North America and Latin America. You have a few options for getting from the airport to to the city. There is a free shuttle available, which takes you to the nearby Tri-Rail station or the Metrorail. However, the best option is probably to rent a car or take a taxi, which you can find at the airport’s central Rental Car Center.

Train

Amtrak’s Silver Service offers trains to Miami from New York City, Washington, D.C. and several other cities along the East. There are also frequent Tri-Rail trains from West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.

Car

Three main highways lead to Miami: the I-95, I-75 and the U.S. Highway 1. The I-95 will let you travel along the Atlantic Coast. The 1-75 originates in the Midwestern US and goes through Atlanta and Tampa. The US Highway 1 is the only southern route and goes through the Florida Keys towards the Key West. Florida’s Turnpike is a toll road which can be useful if you are driving from Orlando.

WHERE TO STAY IN MIAMI

Areas Of The City

There are three districts: Downtown, North, West and South. Downtown is the cultural, financial and commercial centre of Florida, and is home to many museums, parks, shops and other attractions. The North is a vibrant and diverse section of the city, home to the artistic design district and the historic “MiMo” district of modern architecture. The West and South are home to some of city’s largest attractions, including the Cuban Little Havana and the vegetation of the Coconut Grove. Miami Beach is also an area worth considering; it is located on an Island just east of Miami and is home to a large number of luxurious beach resorts.

Accommodation

Miami has a lot of great places to stay in, and is particularly known for its boutique hotels. The South Beach is home to many of these unique and creative hotels. If you are looking for value for money, Miami does have a choice of budget chain hotels in all areas of the city.

The Fontainebleau Hotel is one of the most historic and wonderful hotels in the area. It is situated on Miami Beach. It is a beautiful piece of architecture and has been the set for many famous
movies and series such as Goldfinger (the 1964 James Bond movie), Scarface, and The Sopranos. The Provident Doral at the Blue Miami is another notable hotel, located in a convenient area close to Downtown, Miami Beach and the airport.

WHAT TO VISIT IN MIAMI

Original Miami City & Boat Tour

The five-hour long boat cruise is ideal to discover Miami in style. It has occasional stopovers, allowing you to further explore the city by foot, and maybe even do some souvenir shopping.

Miami Zoo

Home to the biggest zoo in Florida. The free-range Miami Zoo houses over 1200 wild animals. Given the great tropical weather, the zoo can keep animals from all over the world.

Miami Seaquarium

If you want to see even more animals the Miami Seaquarium is a 38 acre tropical paradise which features marine exhibits and live shows. It is only ten minutes away from the Downtown area.

Frost Art Museum

If you have a taste for art, there are many museums to visit in Miami. The Frost Art museum at the Florida International University exhibits a large variety of artwork, from 1960’s American Photography to ancient African and Asian artifacts.

Lowe Art Museum

The Lowe Art Museum offers a large range of pottery and ceramics, from the ancient to the Greco-Roman times and beyond.

WHAT TO DO IN MIAMI

If you are visiting you cannot leave without enjoying the famous beaches and festivals. Miami Beach is on a reef across Biscayne Bay and it is active all year long. South Beach is the perfect choice for beach partiers and Haulover Beach Park is great if you prefer to get tanned on a nudist beach.

Miami also has a lot of festivals and events throughout the year. One of the most famous ones is the Ultra Music Festival, featuring Djs well-known around the world. This festival takes place
on the streets of downtown Miami. If you want to try some of the finest cuisines in Miami don’t miss the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, in late February.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN MIAMI

Miami offers cuisines from all over the world, owing to its vibrant and diverse culture. It is known for its unique “New World” cuisine, which blends local produce and Latin American tradition
with a touch of European influence. The city offers a great selection of Latin and Cuban restaurants, but you are also never short of Asian and Italian restaurant choices, in addition to cafés, steakhouses and chain-restaurants.

The La Carreta is a famous Cuban restaurant which is highly recommended by locals and tourists.

TRAVEL TIPS

- Parking and traffic can be quite a nightmare in Miami. Always leave your accommodation early since you might spend quite some time on the road, stuck in traffic or searching for a parking spot.

- Don’t forget to get the local currency, US dollars, in advance, to avoid paying high fees at the airport or local exchange shops. Holiday Currency Exchange is the best place to compare exchange rates and find out what the best deal is on buying US dollars.

Don’t forget your sunscreen and umbrella. The weather is sunny all day long, with frequent tropical rain showers.

Enjoy your trip to Miami!