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Miami is more than glitzy hotels and parties at the South Beach. Here's more at Travelolo to Miami's best spots to dine, shop, see and more.
To many
people (or at least those old enough to remember) Miami is synonymous with the
early 90s hit TV series Miami Vice. It is the second-largest city in the
“Sunshine State” and one of America’s leading holiday destinations, both with
overseas visitors and domestic holidaymakers.
It
exemplifies the good life with long palm tree lined boulevards, fantastic shopping,
gourmet restaurants and superb sub-tropical sunshine that beams down all year
round.
However frequently (as with Orlando), Miami isn't visited solely for itself. It
is surrounded by other attractions such
as the Everglades, the Keys, Seaquarium, Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy
Space Centre.
But Miami
has a lot to offer visitors and shouldn’t be overlooked. It is laid-back and
cosmopolitan. Much of its appeal comes from its diverse neighbourhoods which
range from the big city of downtown Miami with its skyscrapers, Little Havana
(home to the Cuban community) to the trendy Miami Beach area of South Beach.
It is South Beach that is quintessentially Miami with its art deco buildings,
cloudless skies and Blue Ocean framed by sandy beaches and palm trees.
Miami
enjoys a subtropical climate that ensures plenty of sunshine all year round.
The
temperature is often moderated by sea breezes but you are strongly advised to
always use sun cream. The rain in Miami usually falls during summer and early
autumn. The humidity levels in the summer are normally between 85-90% making it
one of the most humid cities in America.
The average
monthly temperatures are:
|
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Day |
24 |
24 |
25 |
27 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
31 |
31 |
29 |
27 |
24 |
|
Night |
16 |
16 |
18 |
20 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
23 |
20 |
17 |
There is
plenty of shopping to be had in Miami and to suit all budgets. Bal Harbour
offers exclusive designer shopping for those that can afford it. Locals tend to
favour the Lincoln Road area of Miami Beach. The Miracle Mile (Coral Gables)
offers galleries, boutiques and department stores. For some serious shopping
you should head for the Bayside Marketplace waterfront complex of shops and
restaurants.
Miami, like
many American cities, also has several shopping malls such as the Aventura Mall
and Dolphin Mall plus the Sawgrass Mills outlet mall for those looking for a
bargain. If you are looking for something a little different to the norm, head
for Downtown Miami where you’ll find numerous small stalls selling perfume,
knock-off designer wear and handbags.
Miami
offers a wealth of nightlife and entertainment opportunities so you are sure to
find something that suits. If you enjoy classical music you’ll find the New
World Symphony at the Lincoln Theatre (541 Lincoln Road). If you enjoy the theatre,
the Jackie Gleason Theatre (1700 Washington Avenue) hosts Broadway musicals,
touring shows and concerts.
For the
sports enthusiast you can catch the Miami Dolphins America Football team at the
Pro Player Stadium or The Heat (basketball) at the AmericanAirlines Arena.
If you
enjoy dancing the night away, Miami is home to many clubs. Below is just a
small selection of names you should look out for.
January
February
March
July
September
October
November
If you want
to take the opportunity of exploring more of this area of America your hotel
will be able to provide you with details of local tour operators and
excursions. However below are a few suggestions to get you started.
The water
is safe to drink in Miami and you should ensure you drink plenty of it to avoid
dehydration. You should also apply plenty of sun cream to prevent sun burn.
Medical insurance
is a must as in Miami the level of healthcare is superb and consequently very
expensive. As there is no NHS you will have to pay for all treatments which
could prove very costly.
As with
many large holiday towns there are certain areas of Miami that tourists
shouldn't visit. Although the city is relatively safe you should ask your hotel
concierge or local tourist office for advice
on areas to avoid.