| Author | Message | ||
     Shanabana Citizen Username: Shanabana Post Number: 1096 Registered: 10-2005  |
I get kinda skeeved when I see images of Miami. Is it really cool? | ||
| campbell29 Citizen Username: Campbell29 Post Number: 550 Registered: 4-2002 |
I lived there for 4 years - it was great, but I didn't have kids, so my priorites were different. There are plenty of family places around there to live. (or are you talking about visiting?) The lifestyle is much more laid back. | ||
| Maplewoody Citizen Username: Maplewoody Post Number: 1353 Registered: 5-2001  |
Do you like the beach? Lying in the sun? Into Art Deco, go to South Beach. See the Parrot Jungle or drive to Key West while there too. There's lots of nice restaurants, and many clubs you can go out to in Miami. Lots of beautiful people too. | ||
| Psychomom Citizen Username: Psychomom Post Number: 702 Registered: 5-2005  |
Went to Miami on our honey moon and loved it but that was 30 years ago! From what I've heard the tourist areas are still good even more upscale if you go to South Beach but the city itself is kind of schkeevy lot of crime and big city problems. | ||
| eliz Supporter Username: Eliz Post Number: 1728 Registered: 5-2001 |
I go to South Beach for business once a year and enjoy it (and sometimes take advantage and have the family come). I like it but it wouldn't be my pick for a family destination or any kind of vacation longer than a few days. There are a lot of bachelor/bachelorette parties and drunk people stumbling around during the day. The plus is that you can find a nice hotel and a great pool to hang out in and there are some good restaurants and it's fun to walk around at night. | ||
| Mtam Citizen Username: Mtam Post Number: 149 Registered: 11-2005 |
I disagree--it's become one of my favorite places to go with the family. I go once a year, as we have access to a condo, and it lifts our winter blues. What we like about it is the mix of urban/cultural things to do and the physical beauty and style, so it's perfect for adults and kids. The beaches are great, and there's also the bay area, with bikes. There are terrific museums, and the Children's Museum is fabulous. We haven't actually finished checking out many of the places we intend to go to, or even taking trips just outside Miami. | ||
| melicious Citizen Username: Melicious Post Number: 769 Registered: 6-2002  |
Grew up there. I like Coconut Grove and Coral Gables for a more quiet, Florida experience. South Beach is nuts, unless you like drunken, over-tanned, bikini-clad, roller bladers - hey, who doesn't? I think the cool part, comes in with the old-school stuff. I LOVE the Biltmore. It's real old Florida. One of my "kin" was the master builder. http://www.biltmorehotel.com/en/history.asp Diving at John Pennekamp is fun, but you can also take glass bottom boats around the reef if you don't dive. Its in Key Largo, but close enough for a day trip. http://www.pennekamppark.com/ You must eat at Versailles (so much fun I can't even describe it). Think amazing CUban food with TONS of mirrors and laughter. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/miami/D41492.html The Coral Castle is pretty cool for kids and everyone else, too. Its this crazy guy who built a castle (yes, of coral) in the 20s, I think, that no one can figure out how he did it. http://paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa071999.htm The museum isn't bad and the ballet is fabulous. You can walk by the school and watch them practice. Lincoln road has gallery openings, great restaurants, good stores. So, yup, I think it's pretty cool, but I wouldn't go within a light year of South Beach. | ||
| Shanabana Citizen Username: Shanabana Post Number: 1104 Registered: 10-2005 |
Hey, thanks! We're thinking of the 4 day trip, sans enfants. The tips are making it sound pretty good. | ||
| Mr. Big Poppa Citizen Username: Big_poppa Post Number: 873 Registered: 7-2004  |
My wife and I just got back from South Beach, sans enfants. It is a great place to walk around check out beautiful art deco architecture, cool restaurants and bars, and beautiful (often plastic) people. We stayed at the Park Central Hotel on Ocean Drive and loved it. We were on the second floor and thought it might get noisy with the traffic, but we slept soundly. http://www.theparkcentral.com/home.htm | ||
| Tofugrl3 Citizen Username: Tofugrl3 Post Number: 68 Registered: 12-2005 |
If you're going with no kids, it will definitely be a lot of fun. I was there in March and had a blast. They have great nightlife and lots of good restaurants. Just be sure to stay in South Beach. The other areas tend to get a little sketchy, especially at night. I stayed at the Shore Club and really enjoyed it. | ||
| Latrel Spreewell Citizen Username: Spreewell Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2006 |
South Beach is my favorite destination, just be sure to stay in a nice hotel. There are either really nice hotels or absolutely shady ones. |
