Travel Guide:

Downtown Miami is a very unconventional city core. It was once the center of all that was Miami, but residents are now scarce, entertainment slow and business has taken over. Buildings dating back to the days of the small town can still be seen next to skyscrapers from the optimistic seventies and new condo construction. On weekdays downtown is bustling with activity—office workers out to lunch, tourists looking for bargains on electronics and clothing, people visiting the court house or another government institution, students from the downtown colleges, and an occasional homeless person. But after six in the afternoon everything slows down and closes, so go during the day. The streets around Brickell Avenue are filled with gleaming skyscrapers and are Miami’s business district. Downtown Miami literally makes you feel like you have come to a different country.

The stretch of land from the southern tip of Miami Beach up to about 20th Street is called South Beach or SoBe. The entertainment capital of the world, this place is all about sun, fun and party. Nearly fallen into oblivion in the late eighties, the old Art Deco buildings started being revamped, and today most of them have been turned into charming boutique hotels, apartments or high-end shops. Ocean Drive is the iconic image of South Beach and Miami in general, and sure there are nice cafes and restaurants, if slightly overpriced. But there’s much more to SoBe than that. One block west is Collins Avenue, where you can find many high-end stores and hotels. Go another block and you’ll find Washington Avenue, where most of the big clubs are and the party never stops until the sun comes up.

For a more laid back environment, head to Lincoln Road. This outdoor pedestrian street stretches between 16th and 17th Streets, from Washington Avenue all the way to Alton Road. From high-end brand stores to cute vintage and novelty shops, there is something here for everyone. Outdoor cafes and restaurants are plentiful on Lincoln Road, so it is a good idea to come dine.

If you are in the mood for romance, take your lovey dovey to Española Way, a quiet street that could just as well be in a quaint Spanish town. Restaurants line both sides of the narrow street; Mexican, sushi, tapas, Italian, fusion, French—you name it, it’s here. On weekends there is usually a bazaar, mostly jewellery and sunglasses, but a good selection.

The area south of 5th Street, commonly called SoFi, is the new up-and-coming place on South Beach. Just a few years back only the very brave set foot here, but now restaurants, clubs and luxury condos are plentiful. The beach at South Pointe is probably the only area in Miami where surfing is even remotely possible. Many clubs make this a good destination for nocturnal activities

Go up Collins Avenue until you hit the streets in the 70’s, and you will hit North Bay Village, which seems like a quiet beach town compared to the craziness of South Beach. In this largely South

American area, there are many good restaurants, and the beach is less packed.

The Gables was one of the first planned developments, and the streets here are lined with lush banyan trees sometimes creating tunnels of foliage. The houses were originally built entirely of coral limestone. The quarry from which the limestone was taken is now the Venetian Pool, a beautiful fresh water pool meant to make up for the fact that Coral Gables lacks a coastline. The water comes from underground springs and is changed frequently with the help of an advanced recycling system. The Gables is mainly a residential area, but the shopping street, Miracle Mile is full of shops, restaurants and bars. This is where the thirty-something’s come to party.

Originally known as Colored Town, this was the only area that did not prohibit blacks form owning land. Despite deep poverty, the area was saturated with culture. The quarter’s main street was Avenue G (today’s N.W. 2nd Avenue), dubbed Little Broadway for its many nightclubs and dance halls, where many famous black entertainers came to perform. The area is unfortunately still poor, but the rich cultural heritage remains. The first Art Deco structure in Miami, the Scottish Rite Temple was built in 1922 and still serves as a meeting place for Freemasons.

The Grove was originally a small bohemian village of artists and radicals; it still retains some of that charm even though it is now more of a commercial place. The Coconut Grove Playhouse dating from 1956 offers many great shows. On weekends, the nightlife here is just as busy as on South Beach. For quietness head to one of the waterfront parks and observe some wild life.

It’s Indian name meaning “high prairie” gives a clue to what Hialeah used to be, a grassy plain where Indians coming from the Everglades would dock their canoes and display the wares they had for sale to the newly arrived people on the shores.

Today, it is Florida’s fifth largest city mostly populated by Latin American immigrants, 92% of which speak Spanish. A very stark contrast to the Miami beaches, this is a largely poor community.

The area around Calle Ocho, S.W. 8th Street, was where most Cuban immigrants settled in the 60s. They created their own little piece of home, still very much reflected in everything from signage to food. You’ll find more hole-in-the-wall cafeterias than you can count, all offering typical Cuban foods. This is the best place in Miami to experience traditional Cuban and Latin foods. Influences from other Latin countries like Nicaragua, Honduras and Peru are apparent as well. There are guided tours of Calle Ocho for those who want to learn more. Buy some cigars to take home, and maybe a traditional guayabera shirt. This area is never quiet, but every March the Calle Ocho festival packs the streets with people, especially as they celebrate the Carnevale on the final day.