Greater Miami and the Beaches consists of an
eclectic collection of more than 30 municipalities
spread out over 2,000 square miles. The diverse
neighborhoods, though unique in their own right,
form a dazzling mosaic of sites, sounds and cultures
when pieced together. The neighborhoods are
distinct, yet each contains in it the very essence
of Miami. From upscale shopping, to
historical attractions, to fine dining and
nightlife, to leisurely strolls along secluded
beaches, it’s all here in Miami, you just need to
figure out where you want to experience it. Visiting the neighborhoods in this gigantic,
sun-drenched metropolis can be a great time.
The
following are some of Miami’s most charming
neighborhoods.
*Ultra-chic Miami
Beach, where the glitzy people at the next table
at any of the chi-chi Art Deco eateries could be rock
stars, drag queens, Eurotrash or movie people taking
a break from scouting locations, is always
happening. The food is superb,
the drinks are cold and the music rocks both day and night.
*Little
Havana, where, along Calle Ocho and every other
street, the inviting aroma of café
cubano and medianoches
lingers like strong perfume, and the air is always
politically charged.
*Coral
Gables, the coral block and mortar realization
of George Merrick’s genteel dreams for a suburban
utopia. The city
also has plenty of shopping opportunities, the
primary spots for which are Miracle Mile and Downtown
Coral Gables.
*Coconut
Grove, Miami’s first settlement, combines the
Bahamian, the bohemian and beaucoup bucks. Mayfair
in the Grove and Coco Walk and the surrounding shops
in the area make for some of the city’s best
shopping.
*Downtown
Miami, a center for commerce, international
politics, history, architecture, education, and the
arts. It is one of the world’s great tourist
destinations, but please don’t think of it as just
a tourist town. Miami is a little like a
smorgasbord: You might not like everything there,
but you can’t help but love the variety.
*Bal Harbour, one
of the wealthiest areas in Miami-Dade County. Here,
two elegant beachfront hotels overlook miles of
sandy beaches. Within walking distance is one of the
area’s primary attractions, the Bal
Harbour Shops.
*Virginia Key,
a small paradise on the
way to Key Biscayne.
A marina and several
restaurants are on Virginia Key, but it’s the
beautiful palm-studded Old Florida beach that’s
the real treasure.
*South Beach,
an elegant region that beckons with
pleasures of sun-bathing, upscale dining, shopping,
and art-hopping, all in a higher concentrated area
than in Miami beach.
*Beaches, with
15 miles of white-sand beaches and a refreshing tropical
climate, almost any day of the year is a great day
for the beach in Miami.
