With parking costs escalating and increased concerns about commuter traffic, free trolleys provide a welcome relief for local commuters. Travelers to Miami Beach now enjoy a broader range of hotel choices from budget to luxurious with easy access to all the excitement of South Beach from the more quiet and family-friendly hotels in the northern part of the city. Some of the perks of the new trolley service include free Wi-Fi on board the vehicles plus real-time tracking and next bus information through the city’s mobile application available on Google and Apple stores.

Hours of Operation

Monday to Saturday 6am to midnight
Sunday 8am to midnight

Approximate Running Times

Every 10 – 15 MINUTES (Middle Beach Loop and North Beach Loop)
Every 20 MINUTES (Collins Express)

Collins Express

Board the Collins Express Trolley in South Beach and make stops at

Washington Avenue/17 Street
Lincoln Road/Washington Avenue
Collins Avenue/21 Street
Collins Avenue/22 Street
Collins Avenue/24 Street
Indian Creek Drive/29 Street
Collins Avenue/31 Street
Collins Avenue/38 Street
Collins Avenue/43 Street
Indian Creek Drive/40 Street
Indian Creek Drive/43 Street

Board the Collins Express Trolley in North Beach and make stops at

Collins Avenue/69 Street
Collins Avenue/73 Street
Collins Avenue/77 Street
Collins Avenue/85 Street
Harding Avenue/87 Street
Harding Avenue/85 Street
Harding Avenue/81 Street
Harding Avenue/77 Street
Harding Avenue/75 Street
Abbott Avenue/72 Street
Abbott Avenue/69 Street

Additionally, Collins Express serves all bus stops along Collins Avenue between 44 Street and 63 Street.

South Beach Loops (Blue and Green)

Starting November 19, 2017, the City of Miami Beach will launch the South Beach Loop, a series of ten new low-floor trolley vehicles that will circle South Beach in both directions from 20th Street in the Sunset Harbour District to South Pointe Park. These city circulators will navigate Washington Avenue, circle to Alton Road and bisect the city along 17th Street, 11th Street and South Pointe Drive. This service will run 365 days a year with runs starting daily at 6am and ending every night at midnight (Sunday service ends at 8pm). Access to popular shops and supermarkets, exciting restaurants and the hot new entertainment district along the western edge of the city is easier than ever before.

South Beach Blue Loop

South Beach Green Loop

Middle Beach Loop

The new Middle Beach Trolley Service connects the residential shopping district along 41 Street to Collins Avenue and Lincoln Road Mall. An added perk for residents and visitors who wish to take advantage of lower priced hotels and private rentals in the Mid-Beach area, the route travels between Mount Sinai Hospital, the 41 Street Commercial Corridor, 42 Street Garage, 36 Street Park, The Bass Contemporary Art Museum in Collins Park, the Miami Beach Convention Center and Botanical Gardens and Lincoln Road Mall.

With a rising number of savvy travelers utilizing the Airport Flyer shuttle service that connects Miami International Airport and Miami Beach, the addition of Mid Beach and North Beach Loops adds a vital free connection for guests staying at Mid-Beach Resorts, as well as North Beach locations including Surfside. Travelers who wish to access the popular kosher markets and restaurants along 41 Street can utilize the Middle Beach Loop to shop and dine.

North Beach Loop

With the launch of luxury resorts along the northern reaches of Miami Beach, guests may access the serene residential areas of Miami Beach, North Beach and Surfside utilizing the North Beach Trolley Loop. The new system provides easy access to Allison Park, Publix on 69 Street, North Shore Open Space Park, O Cinema, North Beach Bandshell, Normandy Isle Park and Pool and other destinations.

Get the App

Using Miami Beach’s new mobile application from TSO MOBILE,
commuters will be able to view all trolley routes, check on timetables,
see detailed stop information and plan their daily trips.

Art Basel has proven to be such a successful venture for South Florida tourism, the City of Miami Beach signed a partnership transaction with Art Basel parent company Messe Schweiz giving them a financial stake in the Miami Beach Convention Center to guarantee that Art Basel returns annually through 2011. Art Basel would not agree to the return of the Fair more than a year in advance until this lucrative deal was ironed out last month. In exchange for this hefty concession, the City gets a promise of just three more years of the Fair.

Last season’s show featured more than 220 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa exhibiting 20th and 21st Century artworks created by over 2,000 unique artists. Additional gallery space is dedicated to young artists, performance art, public art projects and video and sound installations.

Local museums, galleries and collectors also curate installations in tandem with the Basel events to make this a multi-layered art-centered spectacular. As the rest of the world settles in for a long winter’s chill, South Florida heats up with a sizzling celebration of design, painting, sculpture and multi-media works for an international crowd of art enthusiasts, celebrities and scenesters who arrive on private planes and commercial jets and fill literally every hotel room in the county.

We look forward to welcoming you to Art Basel 2008 and promise to keep you posted on the best shows, the hottest parties and all of the late-breaking events.

ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH FAQs

What transportation is available between MIA Airport and Miami Beach?

We recommend taxis which are available for a flat-rate of $32 and drop you off right at your hotel. Here’s a list of all taxi fares in Miami. “Super Shuttle” van service which makes several stops is also available.

What top hotels are closest to Art Basel and the Miami Beach Convention Center?

Beginning one block east you’ll find oceanfront hotels such as the Sagamore, Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Shore Club, Raleigh South Beach, National, Loews Miami Beach and Royal Palm. A block to the south just off of Lincoln Road is the Albion hotel. There are many, many other fine hotels within walking distance of Art Basel that provide a great guest experience, and you can compare prices and availability in the Miami Beach hotels section.

What transportation is available around Miami Beach?

The South Beach section of Miami Beach is a compact area where taxis are readily available, however another great way to transit the city is via the South Beach Local shuttle bus, which costs $0.25 and loops around the island hitting all important areas. The route and all shuttle stops are shown in red on this South Beach Local map.

What transportation is available to the Wynwood Arts District?

Wynwood is approximately 5 miles away on the mainland and can be reached via taxi (around $20). This page gives a complete list of Miami taxi fares.

How far is it from Art Basel (at the Convention Center) to Joe’s Stone Crab?

Joe’s Stone Crab is located 18 blocks south of the Convention Center and takes 5 minutes via taxi ($7-10), or 15 minutes via the South Beach Local shuttle bus ($0.25). Keep in mind that you can get to Joe’s quicker than you can get a table at Joe’s—it’s a very popular restaurant.

How far is it from Art Basel (at the Convention Center) to Ocean Drive?

Ocean Drive begins at 15th Street, 4 blocks to the south of the Convention Center.

Where are the nightclubs located?

Information on all the top clubs in Miami Beach can be found here in the Clubs section.

How late are the nightclubs open and what is the best time to arrive?

Miami Beach clubs are open from 10pm to 5am and are always packed between midnight and 3am. During special events such as Art Basel, table reservations are the best way to enjoy the scene and avoid hassles at the door.

What are the top 5 restaurants within walking distance of the Convention Center?

Quattro on Lincoln Road, Bistro One at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Nobu at the Shore Club, The Restaurant at The Setai and Blue Door Fish at the Delano.

What is the most off-beat restaurant experience in Miami Beach?

Tap-Tap Haitian restaurant at 819 Fifth Street.

For more information about Parallel Fairs in and around the city, here is a list of websites to check out:

Art Miami, www.art-miami.com

Aqua Art Miami, www.aquaartmiami.com

Bridge Art Fair, www.bridgeartfair.com

Design Miami, www.designmiami.com

GEISAI , www.geisai.us

INK Miami Fair, www.inkartfair.com

NADA Art Fair, www.newartdealers.org

Photo Miami, www.artfairsinc.com

Pool Art Fair, www.poolartfair.com

Pulse, www.pulse-art.com

Red Dot Fair, www.reddotfair.com

SCOPE , www.scope-art.com

This should not deter you from considering our seventh idea for a perfect South Florida vacation; See a Game. The upside to our less-than-stellar performance this season is that premium seats are readily available online and at the gate. A professional sporting event is a great deal of fun no matter who wins, and even when Miami loses, we make the other team look really great!  (No hate mail, please. We’re only kidding.)

South Florida is home to exciting sporting events in glorious arenas. Dolphin Stadium is the state-of-the art home to both the Miami Dolphins and the Florida Marlins Baseball team. The folks at ticketmaster.com have even provided a ticket exchange interface that allows you to buy tickets to individual events directly from local season ticket holders online. We advise you to also purchase an online parking pass so that you can arrive early and take in another great Miami tradition – Tailgating! www.miamidolphins.com

For our overseas visitors, a “tailgate party” is a parking lot ritual held on or around the open tailgate of a vehicle in a sports arena parking lot. This pre-game celebration can be as humble as a 6-pack of beer and a bag of chips or as elaborate as a fully catered affair. Sports fans love to tailgate and do so at all Miami football and baseball games and down south at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on race day. NASCAR fans are world-class party animals who often bring along huge recreational vehicles to tailgate all night long. www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com

While there is no tailgating for basketball, if you come to South Florida and love a great spectacle, the Miami Heat will rock your world at the American Airlines Arena. Located in Downtown Miami right at the edge of Biscayne Bay, the home of the Heat features lavish sky boxes, private party suites, the Dewar’s 12 Clubhouse overlooking the court and Flagship VIP lounges to host private gourmet game-day dinner parties. On any night of the week, enjoy a delicious Cuban dinner at Bongo’s Cafe at the AAArena whether on not there is an event scheduled. The Bayside Marketplace is just next door for a pre-game snack or a post-game drink.

The Miami Heat came into the NBA at the start of the 1988 season as part of an expansion that also included new teams for the Orlando, Minnesota and Charlotte markets. Struggling for their first five seasons, the Heat were able to earn a playoff spot before any of the other newly-founded teams by 1992. Winning their first round playoff match in 1993 against top-seeded Atlanta put Miami on the map. Most Miamians feel the seismic shift for the young team happened during the off-season in 1995 when Superstar Coach Pat Riley was named President and immediately set about reinventing the team.

Riley’s signature coaching style involves building a team around a blockbuster Center player. His championship Los Angeles Lakers whirled around Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the world famous New York Knicks came to power around Patrick Ewing. Once established in Miami, Riley signed Center Alonzo Mourning and set about building the team from there. Mourning’s first season yielded a 42-40 record and a personal best of 50 points scored in a single game.

By 2004, the Heat made the record books again when Coach Riley orchestrated the historic trade of three top-performing players and a first-round draft pick to bring NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal to town. 2005 saw the team’s legendary “15 Strong Ring of Faith” motivate the re-energized line up to bring home the Championship Title and MVP honors to Dwayne Wade who led the team down the streets of Miami as 250,000 fans celebrated at a traffic-stopping rally. Flash forward to 2011 and the Hottest HEAT team has captured the imagination of fans across the world now that Dwayne Wade is part of the legendary “Super Friends” trio playing alongside LeBron James and Chris Bosh. While ticket prices have never been higher, if you’re visiting Miami, you definitely want to spend a night with the Heat! More info at www.heat.com

Miami also hosts International Tennis Championships at the Sony Ericsson Open (March 26 – April 6, 2008 www.sonyericssonopen.com), and NHL Hockey at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise. Panther’s regular season home games run through March 2008. www.floridapanthers.com The stadium is actually 45 minutes to our north, but professional hockey is definitely worth the drive. No matter what kind of sporting event you choose, when you visit Miami, get in the game!

Sports fans around the globe are drawn to the unique spectacle of American Professional Games. The music, the crowds, the food and the fun make a day at a ball game something truly memorable. For something a bit more cerebral, we enjoy sharing our rich cultural heritage  with visitors who can tear themselves away from the  beach. Our next segment will help you get a better look at the Sights and Sounds of the City Beautiful! Let the games begin!

Part A
Part B
Part C
Part D
Part E
Part F
Part G
Part H
Part I

Much like the breathtaking ride along California’s coastline, a journey through the Keys is a wonderful way to spend a day. The trip south can be made by car, by bus, by plane or by boat as the first popular destination, Key Largo, is located just 58 miles from Miami.

If you check out a Florida map, you’ll see a tiny trail of islands stretching down and toward the west at the tip of the peninsula. The Florida Keys offer the perfect escape from any landlocked vacation and can be accessed in just over an hour’s drive from the airport. While many visitors seek the quaint vistas of Margaritaville in Key West, the road leading to Jimmy Buffet’s favorite city is lined with great restaurants and bars, sandy beaches and quiet mangroves. At times, the road is surrounded by the sea on both sides. The views are often spectacular.

Visiting the Keys is all about the drive. Once you leave the congestion of the city, check out a few landmarks as you wend your way south. Our favorite stop at the southern edge of the state is the Knauss Berry Farm, a small family-owned property just off the Turnpike at SW 248th Street. Take a quick detour to the west and discover the hot-from-the-oven sticky cinnamon buns, freshly blended strawberry shakes and a chance to pick your own berries out back. Opened mid-November through April, the farm is staffed by a group of German Baptists called Dunkers who most resemble the American Amish in their conservative dress. Locals and visitors line up from sunrise to dusk to get a taste of the fresh baked goodies and creamy fruit drinks. Be certain to buy some home made jam and local honey too!

Back on the road south, you’ll reach the intersection of US- 1 and SW 344th Street at the southern edge of the Florida Mainland. There is an older restaurant on the east side of the street with an enclosed fish pond out back usually filled with tiny ducklings, honking geese and a variety of turtles and other hungry critters. It doesn’t look like much from the road, but a bag of crackers from the near by convenience store makes this little oasis a great way to entertain the kids during a brief rest stop. The Mutineer Restaurant parking lot at 11 SE 1st Ave in Homestead is one of our favorite roadside discoveries. www.mutineer.biz/kid-frame.html

As you make your way along the Overseas Highway to the Upper Keys, find a detour to the east at Card Sound Road. While some folks like to stop here at the shell shops to stock up on treasures from tropical beaches, we suggest you save the souvenir hunt for the road home and turn off to check out this undeveloped scenic route (SR905). Surrounded on both sides by thick cover, narrow waterways and tons of wildlife, the road itself has recently been restored and is often “The Road Less Traveled,” so you’ll make better time. As you find yourself tempted to speed up, try to keep an eye out for scavenging birds of prey and the lush landscape that existed long before developers paved the islands. At the end of the drive, you’ll reach a small 1-man tollbooth which adjoins a roadside bar called Alabama Jacks. This waterfront dive is a favorite watering hole for Miami drivers, motorcyclists and anyone needing a cold beer and a salty snack. With live music weekends, Jacks is a favorite escape after a day on the water or a few hours in the car. www.alabamajacks.com

A mile south of Florida City, you’ll notice the distinctive numbered mile marker signs at the side of the road starting with 126 and counting down the drive to Key West and Mile Marker Zero. Key Largo is located at Mile Marker 188, Islamorada at Mile Marker 90, Marathon at Mile Marker 63 and Big Pine Key at Mile Marker 47. The road through the Keys, US-1 becomes the Overseas Highway south of Florida City. The best way to navigate the Keys is to make note of the Mile Marker number so you can gauge the distance from Mile Marker 127 (the mainland) to Mile Marker 0 in Key West. Once you’ve hit Key West, you are only 90 miles away from Cuba!

For visitors who don’t have time to “Go All the Way,” a day trip to the Upper Keys offers a glimpse of the southernmost parts of our great state. If your family loves National Parks and the chance to get lost in the deep woods, consider a day trip to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park which lies mostly underwater. Just off the coast of Key Largo, the undersea coral reef is home to creatures of every stripe from shiny to spiny. If you’re a strong swimmer with a taste for adventure, let the friendly guides take you out to the reefs just off shore and show you how to snorkel through the schools of brilliant tropical fish.

If you haven’t got the energy to swim around for a few hours, the 65-foot Spirit of Pennekamp glass bottom boat glides over all the best spots three times each day. The park offers 47 full facility campsites and quiet beaches to explore on your own, plus nature trails and guided tours if you want to learn more about native wildlife. You can fish all day or dive an early Spanish shipwreck just 100 feet offshore at Canon Beach. There are barbeque grills and picnic pavilions, plus canoes and kayaks for hire. Log on to the park website to learn more and get rewarded with discount coupons for your great adventure. www.pennekamppark.com

If you’re traveling with kids who like the “Are We There Yet?” method of driving you crazy, a game of Spot the Mile Marker always helps to pass the time. Check out the wonderful local diner Bob’s Bunz (MM81.5), a tiny hole in the wall serving breakfast at sunrise and a variety of sugary sweets to keep you going all day. Bob’s and nearby Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen (MM 99.4) are the go-to spots for breakfast or lunch for Keys residents and the millions of drivers zooming up and down the highway. At lunchtime, find the quiet side street called Garden Cove Drive (MM106.5) where the Buzzard’s Roost Inn offers fresh seafood and BBQ in the shade of a working marina. www.buzzroost.com

The Upper Keys are an easy day trip or a great destination for an overnight stay or a long weekend breakaway from Miami. Hotels, motels and rental cottages line the Overseas Highway from modest to magnificent. Visitors seeking a break from the ordinary can camp out on a sandy beach, drift to sleep aboard a houseboat or spend the night at Jules Verne’s Undersea Lodge 21-feet under the surface of the sea.

An ideal destination for a romantic night in the Upper Keys, Casa Morada is a tiny inn that’s been refurbished to the exacting standards of owner Terry Ford and her two NY partners – all veterans of the Schrager Hotel Group. With just 16 secluded waterfront rooms and a gourmet restaurant on site, it’s possible to feel you’ve ventured to a distant tropical paradise in just over an hour’s drive from the city. Enjoy a cocktail on the beach at sunset and a quiet beachfront dinner for two and then awake refreshed and relaxed at this cozy oasis. While there are plenty of resorts that cater to families, Casa Morada is best reserved for adults seeking a quiet break and a pampering holiday. Children over 16 are welcome. www.casamorada.com 305-664-0044

For longer stays, the Moorings Village at Islamorada offers suites and cottages by the sea in a private community setting that’s tropical and luxurious. An 18-acre coconut plantation was transformed into a vacation paradise with 18 private cottages ranging from one to three bedrooms. Guests can enjoy a game of tennis, a 25-meter lap pool and 1,100 feet of sandy beach lining the sport fishing capital of the world. Local guides offer trips to the backcountry for a quiet day of bone fishing and deep-sea charter boats provide the excitement of catching sailfish, marlin or mahi-mahi. What appeals most to weekly visitors at the Moorings is the chance to find peace and quiet, privacy and simplicity. www.themooringsvillage.com 305-664-4708

If you know how to scuba dive or can pass the three-hour resort dive course, you are welcome to visit the Jules Undersea Lodge at Key Largo Undersea Park. Located 21-feet beneath a mangrove setting, the lodge is surrounded by grouper and nurse sharks, snapper and parrotfish. Entering the pod-like cottage moored just a few feet above the sea bottom, guests experience life in “inner space” which includes hot showers, a fully stocked kitchen, books, music and videos. The lodge is filled with compressed air and includes a central wet room entrance and two adjoining private bedrooms. An eight by twenty-foot common room features a 42 inch round window overlooking the lagoon. Guests can dive around the lodge and explore the marine life beneath the mangrove. On an average night, two separate couples can inhabit the lodge or a family or six friends can book the entire property. Undersea weddings are available by special arrangement. Learn more at www.jul.com

Groups of six to ten people can charter a houseboat in Islamorada to spend a long weekend exploring the coast. With a three-day minimum, guests can pilot their own craft or bring along kayaks and canoes for fishing trips and shore excursions. Catamaran-style houseboats include topside sun decks with lounge chairs for tanning, gas BBQ grills, TV-DVD-CD players and fully equipped living facilities with private bedrooms and futons for extra guests. www.floridakeys.com/houseboats 305-664-4009

If you and up to 7 close friends dream of getting away from it all, why not rent your own private island for a week’s getaway? Seabird Key off the coast of Marathon is accessible only by boat and can host your dream vacation all year round. Families, friends and honeymooners seek out this classic Florida beach house for a week of rest and relaxation on a 10-acre private sanctuary. Built in the old Florida style, the main house features expansive decks, a widow’s walk and cathedral ceilings. With two double bedrooms and a breezy sleeping loft upstairs, the house features private bathrooms plus two outdoor showers. Guests enjoy the use of a 19-foot runabout boat to make the 5-minute trip to Marathon for shore excursions or dinner at a local restaurant. The house includes a Sunfish sailboat, masks, fins, and fishing gear too. From beach towels to board games, a VCR and a music library are at your disposal. Go barefoot, get naked or explore the jungle trails to bird watch. The island belongs to you for the duration of your stay. www.seabirdkey.com

Transfloridian shuttle service runs daily shuttle buses to Key West from Miami International Airport six times a day. www.tforlando.com 877-246-4786 Greyhound bus service is also available through the Keys www.greyhound.com – 800-231-2222.

There are flights from Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Marathon Airport (MTH) and Key West International Airport (EYW) every day as well. Contact American Airlines, Delta Connection, Continental or US Airways to check prices and schedules.

Day-to-day life on mainland Florida is filled with surprises. But living in a resort destination makes it hard to appreciate just how many fun things there are to do on a given day. Locals tend to get caught up in work day stress just like everyone else. The opportunity to hop in the car on a particularly clear morning and drive to a tropical island in under an hour can be balm for the busy soul. That’s why our proximity to the Florida Keys is such a unique gift. Once you’ve passed the last exit on the turnpike and the horizon gives way to the sea, your mood lifts and your outlook improves.

Whether this is your first time visiting Miami or you come back to us year after year, add on a few days visit to our favorite island destination and you will see how much better the journey can be! Be sure to send us your favorite stories about visiting the Keys. We love to hear from you.

Our final installment is coming up… be sure to pack a towel and flip-flops!

Part A
Part B
Part C
Part D
Part E
Part F
Part G
Part H
Part I

Lucky for us, Miami is a shopping mecca with spectacular opportunities to score top designer goodies just off the runways or at drastically reduced prices a few weeks later. Stores compete for newness and thrive on turning their inventories as quickly a possible. Savvy shoppers know that this need to move merchandise out the door can create some remarkable SHOPPORTUNITIES.

The sixth reason we love South Florida is definitely driven by the Fickle Fate of Fashion. If you can find the extra room in your suitcase, we invite you to spend some time wearing down the numbers on your favorite credit card as we Shop ’til We Drop!

Skilled shopping strategy is often handed down generation to generation like fine bone china and recipes for green bean casserole. We learned at our granny’s knee a few simple rules of the hunt like “Never shop with someone who wears the same size shoe,” or “When you see it, buy it – if you hate it, return it; the sale rack offers no second chances.” Granny was a pragmatic and brilliant woman.

If you pass through town and can venture no farther than South Beach, be certain to check out key shopping corridors just north of 5th Street at Collins Avenue and the ever-promising Lincoln Road Mall. Both areas can be successfully scoured in a day’s time with room enough for a fortifying lunch or a mid-afternoon cocktail. For international visitors and those unfamiliar with the clever tricks of boutique owners, know that the best prices are often found in the back of the shop so walk straight through to the far wall and work your way toward the door.

Collins Avenue
For the young and young at heart, there are a cluster of big name clothing boutiques around 600 Collins including the GAP, Banana Republic, Armani Exchange, and the trendy retailer Urban Outfitters (653 Collins) which specializes in quirky clothes and clever gifts. Be sure to find MAC & Sephora (650 & 721 Collins Avenue), two of the best destinations for quickly updating your style with cosmetics, skincare and other beauty products. Even if your budget can’t be stretched as far as a top-level boutique, it’s wise to scout the beauty trends at MAC & Sephora to help put you best face forward for less than a brand new outfit at a nearby shop

Surf inspired fashions at Roxy/Quicksilver (750 Collins Avenue) offer that California Dreamin’ look and the retro styles at Pop Collectibles (1151 Washington Avenue) allow you to factor concert tees or bell bottom jeans into the mix. If vintage clothing makes your heart beat faster, Recycled Blues (1509 Washington Avenue) is a valued resource for gently worn denim and rock star styling since 1990. Local fashion professionals scour these vintage clothing shops to find authentic period looks for movie and music video shoots. As long as you are comfortable knowing someone else took the time to break in your new outfit, Miami offers many resale shops with gently used clothing that is definitely worthy of a second look…

There are a number of women in Miami who spend as much time at social events as they do at the mall. The challenge for these highly visible socialites is to appear at each event in a new ensemble. If you’ve ever wondered what happens to last week’s Prada or this month’s Gucci, look no further than the posh consignment shops of South Beach. This discrete after-market is a fabulous resource for very gently worn, up-to-the-minute designer goods at much lower prices than the original retail. Remembering that most Ladies Who Lunch are rail-thin, you can grab great (and tiny) sportswear, big name handbags and accessories at Consign of the Times just south of Lincoln Mall at 1635 Jefferson Avenue. For trendy girls on a budget, shopping on consignment is a valuable secret resource. At the south end of town, check out Our Secret, a new consignment shop in So-Fi that’s already making waves (110 Washington Avenue).

Lincoln Road
If you would rather be the first person to wear your outfits, Lincoln Road Mall is a shopper’s paradise. Running straight across the city from Seaside to Bayside, most of the mall is closed to autos so shoppers can safely walk back and forth day and night scouting the hottest fashions, the coolest cosmetics, the trendiest jewelry and so much more. Big-name retailers from Macy*s to French Connection join chic boutiques, vintage clothing shops and designer jean stores opened 7 days a week and late into the evening. On alternate Sundays from Fall to Spring, Lincoln Road hosts a fabulous Antique and Flea Market where local stylists and vintage dealers sell trendy clothing, costume and fine jewelry too. The best treasures get snapped up early, so if you want to score a one-of-a-kind item you have to get there first. At the intersection of Lincoln and Alton Roads, a number of chic houseware shops sell furniture, accessories and decorative accents to trendy South Beach residents.

Sawgrass Mills
To score a big-ticket item at a major discount, make plans to visit a giant outlet complex like Sawgrass Mills or the Dolphin Mall. Outlets in America are a fast-growing industry in nearly every city you visit. Stretching more than a mile and filled with highly popular retailers, outlets offer everything from cookware to cashmere sweaters at up to 70% off the retail price. Major manufacturers have been so impressed with the volume of business generated at the outlet malls, some have started creating secondary lines with “Factory Store” labels just to satisfy discount customers. Know that some shops offer last season’s goods, some offer manufacturer’s “seconds,” and some offer current merchandise at a comparable discount to regular malls.

The best strategy for shopping a giant outlet is to review an online map and figure out which stores you prefer in advance.  Plan on spending an entire day at Miami outlets and be sure to get there early, wear comfortable shoes and nab a wheeled cart as soon as your make your first purchase. There are plenty of food shops and coffee bars to fuel your adventure from morning to night. Visitors who have no transportation can book daily shuttle service to either mall for as little as $5. The key retailers at Miami malls offering premium designer merchandise at significant discounts are Neiman Marcus Last Call and Saks Fifth Avenue’s Off-Fifth. Sawgrass Mills recently built an adjoining strip of designer shops called the Colonnade just outside their mail building featuring the biggest designer names including Barney’s Co|Op, Coach, Valentino, Burberry, Prada and more. Sawgrass regulars consider the new annex a real treasure hunt!

Vacations can be the stuff of dreams. Shopping is a dream for some and a nightmare for others. If your taste exceeds your budget or you’ve always been curious about the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, spend a few hours simply window shopping at the Bal Harbour Shops. A place where you’re likely to run into celebrities and sports stars, this tropical marketplace sells only the best in international designer fashions to a moneyed clientele. From Gucci to Chanel, from Armani to Pucci, Bal Harbour provides full concierge service, valet parking and even employs a staff to wax your Bentley while you scout the new deliveries or pop into the beauty salon for some much-needed pampering. While most people find the luxurious merchandise too rich for their budgets, it costs nothing to wander around and ogle the glitzy watches, the sparkling diamonds and the sexy fashions.

From highbrow to discount, South Florida offers the dedicated shopper countless options to stock up and save. Luckily, most retailers have extra suitcases on hand to help you haul your treasures home again. Be certain you budget a little extra time and a lot of extra cash for your next trip. Next to a day at the beach, a few hours in a well-lit dressing room can make all the difference in your post-vacation look!

From the Canes to the Dolphins to the Panthers to the Heat, Miami is home to the teams we love to cheer. Our next chapter will help you become a Super Fan, Miami Style…

Part A
Part B
Part C
Part D
Part E
Part F
Part G
Part H
Part I

Lunchtime alfresco is also an option with South Beach’s many popular restaurants and beach bars like the Beach Bar at the Setai Hotel and the sidewalk tables at BLT Steak at the Betsy Hotel. For a bracing view of the waterway that connects Miami’s Port and the sea, grab a table at Smith & Wollensky or a bar stool at Monty’s at the Marina to feel the wind in your hair as you toast the happy passengers a Bon Voyage!

The area’s most famous dining spot started serving seafood dinners way back in 1913 –Joe’s Stone Crab offers the most authentic taste of Miami because the rock-hard crab claws are harvested in local waters from October to May.

There are also some restaurants that aren’t off the beaten path that you should experience and Joe’s Stone Crab is one of them. The area’s most famous dining spot started serving seafood dinners way back in 1913. Joe’s Stone Crab offers the most authentic taste of Miami because the rock-hard crab claws are harvested in local waters from October to May. Originally a humble lunch counter, Joe’s was the first restaurant on Miami Beach. In fact, Collins Avenue was not even a paved road at that time. In 1921 Joe Weiss started boiling the local crabs and serving them for just 75 cents. Even in the early days, the dining room attracted local celebrities including the notorious gangster Al Capone. Over the years, movie stars, politicians, presidents and gangsters have dined side-by-side at this famous fish joint by the sea.

If you choose to dine at Joe’s during your trip, know that the wait for a table in the no-reservations dining room can take more than an hour at dinnertime. Uniformed captains serve dinner on white linen cloths but the dress code is fairly casual. While an order of the famous crabs starts in the $25 range and doubles for larger claws, the rest of the menu is far more reasonable. Smart diners arrive closer to 5:30pm to avoid the prime time wait and clever locals usually go to Joe’s only at lunchtime. Stories about a handshake discretely lined with a folded $20 bill for the busy Maître d’ are all true. If you must dine at 7pm in the midst of the maddening crowd, you need to enter this negotiation with the utmost savoir-faire. We still think it’s wiser to dine early or late or simply lunch with ease Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30am-2pm. Otherwise, stop next door and have the helpful folks at the Takeaway counter pack everything you need for a perfect picnic from 7:30 breakfast specials to 9pm suppers. www.joesstonecrab.com

Our next installment is the Ultimate Shopper’s Guide to South Florida.

Part A
Part B
Part C
Part D
Part E
Part F
Part G
Part H
Part I

There are many American cities with top-level museums, significant historical sights and important cultural centers. Most people do not consider South Florida a historically significant destination. While we can’t brag that we played a role in the Battle of Gettysburg or the Signing of the Constitution, there are many fascinating sights in the city to pique the curiosity of history buffs on holiday. That’s where our Eighth Wonder of a perfect south Florida vacation fits in. Spend at least a day’s time discovering the Magical History of our City and you’ll be amazed how interesting we truly are!

The obvious first stop in any history lover’s tour is the Spanish-inspired community of Coral Gables. Developed in the Jazz Age by George Merrick, this planned community of businesses, golf courses, parks and theme neighborhoods still remains a distinctive and architecturally significant destination. Framed by stately gateways at Douglas Road and 8th Street, or overlooking the Granada Golf Course, these structures cost millions of dollars and stand as memorials to one man’s Beaux Arts dreams. The Country Club Prado gates overlook an avenue of spectacular homes.

At Anastasia Avenue, stop for a walking tour of the legendary Biltmore Hotel, a majestic structure that looks more like a movie set than the plush resort it is today. Perched at the edge of an 18-hole golf course, the Biltmore still serves as the backdrop for million dollar parties and photo shoots. Converted to serve as a hospital during wartime, legend has it that the hotel hallways are still haunted by a few restless spirits. If that doesn’t scare you away, be sure to pop out back to see one of the largest swimming pools ever built. Sundays at the Biltmore are the highlight of the foodie calendar when the most opulent buffet brunch is served. If you have deep pockets and a big appetite, just try to tackle the groaning tables of gourmet treats. Be warned, the only thing left to do after a Biltmore Brunch is a nap. If you’re still mobile, the hotel offers a free carriage ride through the city when weather permits. Check at the front desk for more information. www.biltmorehotel.com

Just around the corner, the Venetian Pool is a historic oasis that’s still operating as a public swimming facility. Even if you don’t have time for a dip, grab your camera and wander along the edge of this architecturally magnificent structure and imagine the years when bathing beauties floated by on real gondolas.

At the western edge of Coconut Grove, the Villa Vizcaya is open to visitors who want to explore Miami’s answer to San Simeon. Built by millionaire industrialist James Deering, this spectacular waterfront palazzo stands in distinct contrast to the more humble wooden residence at the Barnacle State Park in Coconut Grove. If you have just a day to explore our historical sights, start out early at the lush gardens of Vizcaya and then wend your way through the quaint village of Coconut Grove to the Barnacle Estate. From here, make your way to Old Cutler Road and the John Deering property or explore the lush tropical foliage of the Fairchild Gardens.

The Barnacle Historic State Park features the home of Miami pioneer Ralph Middleton Munroe, a boat designer and civic activist. Originally constructed in 1891, the family home is surrounded by a tropical hardwood hammock that remains one of the few original landscapes in the city of Miami. Locals cherish this quiet refuge because most of the land in the area has been developed and paved. To get a real sense of the history of Miami, spend a while wandering through the grounds and the boathouse where Munroe designed his classic yachts. This is the only public property that truly reflects the image of Florida’s real past, not a tourist venue or theme park. While James Deering was creating his fantasy palace at the nearby Villa Vizcaya, Munroe sought to preserve his 40 acres of lush bayfront property in its natural state. The Barnacle is open to the public Friday through Monday 9am to 4pm. www.floridastateparks.org/thebarnacle/

Architecture buffs have long been drawn to the candy-colored hotels along South Beach. The Art Deco designs of the 1920s and 30s influenced the development of the southern tip of Miami Beach which is lined with small, square, symmetrical low-rise buildings with modern flourishes and metal rails. Many of the classic structures have been preserved and updated to reflect the look of the period when Miami Beach first started attracting visitors to our shores. Some properties are vintage on the outside but modernized enough to accommodate hotel guests who require amenities like WiFi, flat screen TVs and jacuzzi tubs. A few boutique hotels have maintained the original, smaller room sizes while others removed interior walls to create more modern and larger luxury accommodations. Touring the Art Deco district is a wonderful way to visualize the growth of Miami Beach from a small town to a massive resort destination. To see the transition, simply to drive (or take a northbound bus) up Collins Avenue. Buildings gradually grow taller and the evolution of architecture from Art Deco to Mediterranean Revival to Miami Modern Design spreads from the 1930’s at First Street up through the 1960’s at 60th Street.

Built after World War II, the northern part of Miami Beach has a futuristic inspiration. The curved surfaces, swiss cheese holes and breezeways that punctuate these structures make up the “MiMo” movement that is Miami Modernism. Architect Morris Lapidus is the most notable figure of this period. Jet planes, space ships and a completely optimistic vision of the future inspire his signature style. The Fontainebleau and Eden Roc Hotels best capture the MiMo movement, but there are many smaller structures still standing that embody this whimsical design. From the funky fountains and concrete pavilions of Lincoln Road pedestrian mall to the DiLido Hotel and Spa to the kitschy classics of North Beach, MiMo is definitely an important moment in Miami Style.

While some of our outdoor sightseeing opportunities can be a bit daunting when temperatures rise into the 90s, a better way to explore the historical sights on Miami Beach would be by sea. The North Beach Development Group promotes Miami Modern Architecture (MiMo) with printed walking maps and a 90-minute afternoon cruise that departs from the Watersports Center at 6500 Indian Creek Drive. A guided tour encompasses 1920s Mediterranean Revival Estates, Art Deco Resorts and landmark properties including the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc Hotels. Learn all about the history of Miami Beach aboard a 30-foot tour boat cruising Indian Creek, Biscayne Bay, Lake Surprise and the Flamingo Waterway. 305-865-4147 or www.gonorthbeach.com

The pastel palaces of South Beach offer a lasting impression of the Art Deco era. The Miami Design Preservation League takes interested visitors on walking tours that provide an in depth study of the evolution of early Miami Architecture. Gathering at the Welcome Center at 10th Street and Ocean Drive, 90-minute walks start at 10:30am Wednesday through Sunday. Advance tickets and reservations are not necessary for small groups; just comfortable shoes and a camera will do the trick. Explore the Art Deco Historic District which encompasses Mediterranean Revival and Miami Modern hotels, restaurants and other commercial structures. Additional tours of the Lincoln Road Pedestrian Mall and the Collins Park Cultural Campus are also available. For more info – 305-672-2014 – www.mdpl.org

Florida has so much more to offer than mouse ears and thrill rides. The traditional museum and monument visits you’ll find up north can be tough to take when the sea breeze hits your hair. Luckily, you can see the sights and learn more about our state while soaking in the sun. Is it the best of both worlds?

We think so…

Our next segment is all about Great Escapes. Lucky for you, the road to paradise is only 2 lanes and a thousand bars long. Stick around and see where real Miamians go to get away from it all.

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Part B
Part C
Part D
Part E
Part F
Part G
Part H
Part I

We spend our days scanning the city for all the best things to see and do during your visit to Miami Beach. The cultural arts scene is rich and growing, the culinary landscape is filled with
new restaurants, and the shopping – well – if you’ve got the credit, they’ve got the goods!

This morning we’re providing a link for all of you who get jazzed about the prospect of star gazing in town some day. People Magazine has flooded our streets with paparazzi to capture the big names in movies and music as they hit the sand.

If you’re a fan of Queen Latifah, you’ll want to hit her new hamburger restaurant FATBURGER at 947 Washington Avenue. Seems she was spotted after a recent workout at the local Walgreen’s drugstore. And the movie shoot for “Marley and Me” continues on the beach with Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston and hottie Eric Dane in character (and swimwear) by day and partying at the Delano by night. Speaking of the Delano, that’s Kate Hudson pedalling her beach cruiser in the hotel driveway past Renée Zellweger and cuddling with Owen Wilson after hours. Renée was in town shopping at Atrium and trying to dodge the press.

Demi Moore made a brief appearance at the Miami International Film Festival and Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz walked the streets hand-in-hand while in town for a club date at Mansion.

See it all here at People.

With your travel happiness in mind, we’ve scoured the streets and waterways of South Florida to compile a list of the TEN THINGS you definitely want to do during your visit. From Celebrity Spotting to Stone Crabs to Salsa, there’s a lot to do in the Sunshine State, and even if you don’t have time to do it all, we want you to know what’s available. So pack your bags, your snorkel and your sunscreen and follow us…

10 Things We Love About Miami Beach – Part One

1. Celebrity Spotting

Celebrities flock to South Beach for the sun, the sand, and the Super Star treatment they receive at hotels and nightclubs. Rock gods like U2 enjoy the posh private recording studios stashed atop some exclusive SoBe resorts and young Hollywood starlets bare it all poolside at the Delano. Clever valet parking guys keep the local paparazzi on speed-dial so they will not miss a shot of Madonna visiting the Kaballah Center or Shaq shooting hoops at a local gym. A folded fifty sure beats a five-buck tip for parking cars! The bigger the celebrity, the higher the bounty for a well-placed photograph in People Magazine.

Stars are big business in Miami, and that might explain why a nightclub promoter would drop a $100,000 check into Paris Hilton’s tiny handbag just so she’ll shimmy around on a Saturday night. Image is everything! The cache of a celebrity sighting brings weeks of buzz to restaurants and bars all over town. In addition to the hushed commercial ventures between promoters and It-Girls, many big names in music, sports and movies own palatial mansions and million dollar penthouses here too.

If you’re a fan of reality television, you watched Hulk Hogan and his crazy kids spend a season in South Beach. The Hulkster liked to pump iron at an Alton Road gym and then pop across the street to Lime Mexican Grill for a post-workout burrito! Once the season ended, the wrestler’s family moved upstate, selling their ultra-modern cement block fortress to mega-director Michael Bay for $19 million dollars! No doubt Bay fell in love with the city (and made serious bank) while filming Bad Boys 2 here. Few know he also has a screen credit as a goon in the original Miami Vice TV show. It turns out stars love Miami as much as Miami loves stars! We’ve even got the perfect place for them to live – Star Island! Pop by one afternoon to check out Rosie O’Donnell’s house or the big digs of super star Shaquille O’Neil.

Multi-Million dollar real estate transactions take place all over town as Miami is home to Matt Damon, Janet Jackson, Lenny Kravitz and Jennifer Lopez too. While most of these VIPs are not expecting visitors, we do want to help our readers get a wee bit closer to the Big Stars, so we’re providing a comprehensive map to the stars’ homes just for you. Paste this link into your browser, print the map and go stalk someone you love… Our number one tip for making the most of your trip to South Florida is to Spot the Celebrities!

If you have no rental car and still want a peek at the glamorous mansions, take a Duck Tour (www.ducktoursmiami.com) or contact the folks at Jet Ski Miami (www.jetskitoursofmiami.com) to get an up close look at the waterfront estates of all the stars. If you actually want to rub elbows with the big dogs, a Saturday night table at Prime 112 or Joe’s Stone Crab offers a pretty good chance to spot pro athletes, big name fashion designers and even a few superstar chefs. Just recently, Bill Clinton hosted a dinner for 20 at Prime 112 when quarterback Tom Brady and super-model Giselle arrived. Clinton introduced Brady to his table as, “the best quarterback in the world…” Who can say how he would have honored Giselle?!

To get the most updated information on the whereabouts of your favorite celebrities, log onto www.miamitodaynews.com and click the link for Filming in Miami. The site provides updated information on all permits issued for filming and photo shoots around the city including telenovella “Dame Chocolate” and major motion picture and television productions.

Have fun Star Gazing!

For some, the thrill of the hook-up hunt is an essential element to a successful vacation. Chapter two of our ten part series will help you fulfill all of your Florida fantasies…don’t miss it!

Part A
Part B
Part C
Part D
Part E
Part F
Part G
Part H
Part I

City officials have explained that their first priority after the hurricane was protecting public safety on the beaches, which was why they hurriedly erected the new stands to begin with.

While we completely understand the imperative of protecting public safety, we’re somewhat puzzled as to why immediate priority isn’t now being given to creating new stands that possess the same degree of design brilliance that Bill Lane’s now classic units displayed. There appears to be no attempt to mitigate the loss of ambiance to our city caused by the arrival of these new lifeguard stands.

After the section of Ocean Drive anchored by the Colony Hotel’s neon sign, Bill Lane’s unique lifeguard stands were the most photographed scenes in all of Miami Beach. They brought millions of dollars worth of free media exposure to our city and gave travelers one more reason to choose Miami Beach. Their contribution to the city’s style quotient should not be underestimated.

As a matter of principle (and law), the City of Miami Beach must meet the same design standards it holds others to, and to our knowledge the new stands were not approved by the Design Review Board.  One glimpse of the new stands makes that fact painfully obvious.

Anyone wishing to build, modify or restore any structure within the City of Miami Beach is held to the highest standards by DRB, and rightfully so. Maintaining the ambiance of Miami Beach year after year is no easy task in the face of multi-million dollar developers and the legal teams they employ. The City has done an outstanding job of protecting the city’s design legacy, and that’s why these new stands are unacceptable and must be replaced…soon.

In other words, we completely agree with Critical Miami.