Miami Beach

Nicknamed 'The Fun and Sun Capital' of South Florida, The City of Miami Beach is legendary as an epicentre of pure hedonism. It’s an artistic Mecca and full of the weird and wonderful; you’ll find everything in Miami Beach, but bigger, brighter, and wackier than you’ve ever seen it before.

Attractions

There’s so much going on in Miami Beach it would be physically impossible to do everything. It’s best to find out what’s going during the month you’re there, and plan your visit around the eclectic calendar. Nonetheless, rest assured that any time you go to Miami Beach you will not be stuck for things to do!

The beach in Miami Beach, is, predictably, sensational. Clean warm water, classic fine white sand, fringed with palm trees, stretching as far as the eye can see. It’s picture perfect.

The city of Miami Beach is the Art Deco Historic district of Miami, which makes for some of the most outrageous buildings in the States. You could spend days wandering around town and not get tired of the architectural impossibilities, which are set in relief by the mixture of 1920’s and 30’s structures. Bars and cafés pepper the streets, making a great opportunity for some relaxed visual appreciation.

The Miami Beach Botanical Garden is a must-see; a gorgeous haven of greenery in the centre of South Beach spilling over with sub-tropical plants, exotic orchids and even a Japanese Garden.

A great event to coincide your trip with is the annual Arts Festival in February. The two day extravaganza takes place on Ocean Terrace, opposite the beach, and attracts around 30,000 punters to browse the market stalls, story-telling, ceramics, jewellery, international cuisine and open-air music. The first week of March brings Funkshion – Miami Fashion Week – to the beach. This is a great opportunity for any fashionistas to prowl the shows for inspiration, or even to get a word in the ear of the famous stylists there. Watch catwalk shows featuring designers like Tommy Hilfiger, Ted Baker, Nicole Miller and DKNY supported by top DJ sets.

If you’re in Miami Beach over July and August, go to the Sea Turtle Hatchling Release, hosted every Wednesday and Friday between 9 and 10.30 pm. Learn about the sea turtles’ journey and help hatchlings reach the sea.

During September there’s the internationally acclaimed Film Festival on South Beach, the Miami Beach Cinematheque. Catch up with the latest in cinematography, go to seminars, meet famous directors and slink along in your glitziest outfit to the awards ceremony.

November and December brings the theatre season to Miami Beach, with a vast range of shows from the Nutcracker Ballet, to Chekov, to Othello, to Emio Greco’s Hell, to the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, to the 2006 Body Building Championships. Truly something for everyone.

Shopping

Miami is superb for shopping; not only will you find anything and everything you could ever want, but things you’ve never even dreamt of besides.

For budget shopping Lincoln Road, Aventura and Dadeland malls have all the standard shops you’d expect in an American mall; Gap, Victoria Secret, Zara, Guess, at bargain prices. For designer shops check out south Collins Street or Bal Harbour where you’ll find Gucci, Prada, Hermes, and lots of vintage.

For a unique shopping trip go to the Antique Collectable Market on Lincoln Road every second week between October and May. Amble among 500 blocks of stalls selling jewellery, vintage clothes, furniture, china and loads more.

Nightlife and Eating Out

Miami Beach nightlife is fashionable, kitch and utterly wacky. There’s a very prominent gay scene in the area so don’t be surprised if you see drag queens rolling around on skates wearing nothing but a thong…

There’s live music every night of the week, theatre, cinema, bars, and clubs, clubs and more clubs. Some of the best include Mansion, Mynt, The Roof at the Townhouse Hotel, Crobar and The Forge.

Remember Miami Beach is a haven for glamour-pusses; slumming it in baggy jeans and trainers doesn’t cut the mustard here. So don your stilettos and practice that pout – boys too!

Vis-à-vis eating out, whatever your palette, dietary requirements, or slightest whim, Miami Beach will cater or you. You’ll find dozens of tempting eateries as you stroll along, scanning every possible global cuisine and culture, Greek, Latino, French, Sushi, Kosher, and many impossible ones, like 'Florribean'.

If you fancy a bit of celebrity-spotting, there’s no better place to do it than the glamorous China-Grill on South Beach. If you want good, reasonably priced food, try News Café.

The Miamians are used to strange requests so you can practically tailor your meal to suit you. Beware though, like many places in the states the portions are large, and so are the prices. For more competitive prices avoid the most obvious places on the main roads and steer clear of set menus.

Tourist Information

Miami Beach Visitors Centre1920 Meridian AveMiami Beach, FL 33139TEL: +1 305-672-1270FAX: +1 305-538-6700

Airport

Miami International Airport is the nearest airport, only about 10 miles to the centre of Miami Beach. You can also fly to Ft. Lauderdale/ Hollywood International Airport which is roughly 25 miles north of Miami Beach.