Miami

General

The whole area has an exotic Latin feel to it - from the delightful architecture in pastel-coloured Coral Gables to the genuine Cuban community in Little Havana. Families will appreciate miles and miles of pristine beaches, year-round warm weather and attractions such as the Seaquarium, Gator Park and Metrozoo. Raging nightlife will keep the young and lively up till all hours and the shopping is to die for! South Beach (known to the locals as SoBe) is full of palatial homes, hip clubs, excellent restaurants and beautiful stretches of golden sand with water sports galore.

Miami is a major city in the southern United States and makes up part of the largest metropolitan area in Florida. Being part of the South Florida region, it is 20 miles from Fort Lauderdale, 106 miles from Naples (Florida) and 156 miles from Key West.

Understand

Although Miami is the eighti-first most populous city in Florida, the Miami metropolitan area is the largest in the state with an estimated population of over 5.4 million (2007), which makes it the 7th most populous metro area in the United States. A 2007 estimate by the United Nations, labeled the Miami metropolitan area as the fourth largest urban area in the United States after New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Due to being sandwiched in by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Everglades wetland area to the west, the Miami metropolitan area is a lengthy 110 mi(180 km) north to south, but never more than a mere 20 mi (32 km) east to west.

History

Flagler’s railroad sparked a wave of expansion in areas such as Miami Beach, Homestead and Cutler. Soon after the railroad was built, the Overseas Highway was created. This highway connected the Florida Keys to the mainland. Growth and progress in Miami continued through World War I as well as into the mid-1920s.

A devastating hurricane in 1926 halted Miami’s growth and temporarily put the city, as well as Miami Beach, in a recession. It was the city’s support of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal that helped the city rebuild. Roosevelt almost lost his life, however, when Giuseppe Zangara attempted to assassinate Roosevelt when he came to Miami to thank the city for its support of the New Deal.

When a Nazi U-boat sank a US tanker off Florida’s coast, the majority of South Florida was converted into military headquarters for the remainder of World War II. The Army’s WWII legacy in Miami is a school designed for Anti U-boat warfare.

Climate

Because of its proximity to the equator, Miami's weather is generally hot to warm. The summer months of June-September will see most daytime highs over 90º fahrenheit. Combined with the region's humidity, these can make for stifling temperatures, both day and night. You won't see nearly a car or home without running air conditioning. Winters average an impressive 75º fahrenheit for daytime temperatures and nights are slightly cooler. During June to November, rain and thunderstorms can be expected.

• Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive, +1 305 672-2014, – Daily 10AM-10PM.

• Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, 1920 Meridian Avenue – Open Mon-Fri, 9AM-6PM, Sat-Sun, 10AM-4PM.

• Greater Miami and the Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau, 27th floor of 701 Brickell Ave,, + 1 305 539-3000 – Open Mon-Ffri 8:30AM-5PM.

History

Flagler’s railroad sparked a wave of expansion in areas such as Miami Beach, Homestead and Cutler. Soon after the railroad was built, the Overseas Highway was created. This highway connected the Florida Keys to the mainland. Growth and progress in Miami continued through World War I as well as into the mid-1920s.

A devastating hurricane in 1926 halted Miami’s growth and temporarily put the city, as well as Miami Beach, in a recession. It was the city’s support of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal that helped the city rebuild. Roosevelt almost lost his life, however, when Giuseppe Zangara attempted to assassinate Roosevelt when he came to Miami to thank the city for its support of the New Deal.

When a Nazi U-boat sank a US tanker off Florida’s coast, the majority of South Florida was converted into military headquarters for the remainder of World War II. The Army’s WWII legacy in Miami is a school designed for Anti U-boat warfare.

Climate

Because of its proximity to the equator, Miami's weather is generally hot to warm. The summer months of June-September will see most daytime highs over 90º fahrenheit. Combined with the region's humidity, these can make for stifling temperatures, both day and night. You won't see nearly a car or home without running air conditioning. Winters average an impressive 75º fahrenheit for daytime temperatures and nights are slightly cooler. During June to November, rain and thunderstorms can be expected.

• Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive, +1 305 672-2014, – Daily 10AM-10PM.

• Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, 1920 Meridian Avenue – Open Mon-Fri, 9AM-6PM, Sat-Sun, 10AM-4PM.

• Greater Miami and the Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau, 27th floor of 701 Brickell Ave,, + 1 305 539-3000 – Open Mon-Ffri 8:30AM-5PM.

Getting there

By plane

Miami International Airport (ICAO : KMIA, IATA : MIA) is located just west of the city in an unincorporated suburban area. It is an important hub for traffic between North America and Latin America, and one of the largest airports in the world. As a result, Spanish is just as likely to be understood as English. The international traffic makes MIA a large and congested place. Be sure to allow extra time when departing MIA, particularly if flying internationally, as you may face an hour-long line just to check your bags. Curbside check-in is an excellent idea.

The predominant carrier at MIA is American Airlines, which has direct flights to most major cities in the Americas, and several European cities as well. European, Latin-American and Caribbean carriers are well-represented at MIA. The airport has no non-stop service to Asia, Africa or Oceania. The recent construction of two new terminals at MIA has helped with the airport's passenger capacities as well as the efficiency in going through customs and baggage claim.

MIA also has several restaurants ranging from local chains such as La Carreta to national chains such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Burger King and Starbucks. Be aware that some restaurants serve beer, wine and/or cocktails. If you drink too much the airlines can refuse your boarding on a plane. MIA also has several retail stores, including several magazine stands and bookstores (including a Borders). Other retail stores include, but are not limited to, Brookstone, K-B Toys and Ron Jon Surf Shop. There is also a hotel connected to the airport.

Money can be exchanged for US dollars at the airport. Wireless internet is also available at MIA for a small fee.

Fort Lauderdale International Airport (IATA: FLL) is 25-40 minutes north of Miami proper, depending on traffic, and does not have nearly as many international routes. It only offers a small variety. However, it is smaller and less trafficked than MIA, making customs, immigration and security a bit easier to go through. Southwest Airlines, JetBlue and other low-cost carriers generally use Miami's other airport, FLL, instead of MIA, making FLL a cheaper alternative in many cases as well.

Public transport is available to MIA and FLL. If you are arriving from FLL, there is a free shuttle to the Tri-Rail nearby train station. Tri-Rail trains connect West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. The cheapest way to get t Miami is to take the #1 Broward County Bus to Aventura Mall and transfer to the S Miami-Dade bus to downtown Miami via South Beach. This option is inadvisable if traveling with a lot of luggage.

At MIA, public transportation includes a free shuttle to the nearby Tri-Rail station, as well as to Metrorail and Metromover . Your best option is to take a taxi from the airport or rent a car, depending on what your stay involves (if you need to get around parts of Miami with no nearby Metrorail stations). MIA's car rental facilities are scattered around the airport and connected to the terminal by shuttle buses. FLL's facilities are more conveniently located in the parking garage adjacent to the terminals.

Currently at MIA, construction of the new Miami Intermodal Center is slated to become Miami's Grand Central station with hub connections of Amtrak , Metrorail, Tri-Rail, taxis, Metrobus , and all car-rental facilities. The M.I.C. is expected to be completed around 2009/2010.

By train

Amtrak's Silver Service operates two trains daily to Miami from New York City, Washington, D.C. and other cities along the Eastern Seaboard. The ride from New York is about 24 hours but is often subject to delays, as Amtrak uses poorer-quality freight lines south of Washington and must cope with slow freight trains along the way.

There are frequent (at least 1 per hour) Tri-Rail trains every day to Miami from West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale on weekdays. However, on the weekends, the trains come every 2 hours.

By car

There are three main highways coming into Miami. I-95 runs along the Atlantic coast of the United States and terminates in Miami. I-75 comes in from the midwestern United States and runs through Atlanta and Tampa before terminating in Miami. Florida's Turnpike is a toll road mainly useful for those driving in from Orlando. The only southbound route from Miami is US Highway 1, which runs through the Florida Keys all the way to Key West.

Traveling around

By bus

Miami has a large and elaborate public bus system which covers the entire county and connects to the bus system in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Recent developments have made the bus system more reliable than in the past. Even with the changes and because of high local traffic, buses tend to have a harder time remaining on schedule. However, buses run often enough through each route so as not to be a nuisance. Schedules and routes are available from the Miami-Dade Transit website or by calling +1 305 770-3131.

By metrorail

Metrorail is a single-line elevated rail system serving Miami and surrounding areas running 22.4mi with 22 stations . Due to low funding, Metrorail has not been greatly expanded since its opening in 1984, but serves many areas of tourist interest. These include downtown Miami, Dadeland Mall, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Lowe Art Museum, Miami Museum of Science, Village at Merrick Park and many other nearby shopping areas. Coconut Grove and downtown Coral Gables can be reached via short shuttle bus from various stations. Metrorail operates between roughly 5AM and midnight, with a bus serving all Metrorail stations operating in the overnight hours, effectively providing 24-hour service. Fare is $2 per ride ($1 for persons with disabilities or on Medicare) and a monthly pass is available for $100. Tokens, exact change, or a bus-to-rail transfer ticket are required for all fare gates.

A northern expansion of the Metrorail, the 'Orange Line', was given over $4.3 billion in funding in the 2009 Federal "Stimulus Package" and should therefore be opened around 2012-14. This new line will more than double the length of Metrorail (adding 24.4mi)—connecting it with Miami International Airport, Dolphins Stadium, Florida International University, and the suburbs of Miami Gardens and Opa-locka—and add a "Miami Intermodal Center as a focal point of all Miami-area mass transit.

By metromover

Downtown Miami is served by a free elevated people mover system known as Metromover, which connects to Metrorail at two stations at Government Center in the central business district and at Brickell Station in Brickell. Metromover is free of charge and is the most efficient way to move around Downtown Miami. It is a great way to take a rest when walking around downtown, and a great time to take pictures of the skyscrapers and growing Miami skyline from above.

Currently a funding boost has set forth an expansion for the Metrorail system including a connection to Miami International Airport to be operating by 2010. Further expansion to the north toward Dolphin Stadium (the home of the NFL's Miami Dolphins) is expected to be operating by 2012. A light rail line to Miami Beach is also under development, as well as the Miami Streetcar connecting Downtown Miami to the Media and Entertainment District as well as Midtown Miami.

By taxi

Taxis are generally expensive with a surcharge of $2.50 for the pick-up and an additional $0.40 for each sixth of a mile traveled. Almost all cab companies in the area have pre-determined rates for travel into the barrier islands of Miami Beach and other beach and nightclub communities popular with tourists which can range from $30-$60 depending on arrival location. For example, South Beach may be the most expensive while a residential neighborhood in Miami Beach may be the cheapest. The charge is the same regardless of pick-up location on the mainland. All taxis are fitted with maps of the barrier islands which state the cost per location. The same applies for passengers leaving the islands onto the mainland, though normal rates apply for person traveling by taxi within the islands or within the mainland.

Service is available throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe counties regardless of pick-up location. The normal service charges apply for these four counties, but it is wise to ask for a pre-determined price beforehand if leaving the county as this will in most cases turn out to be cheaper and most drivers are willing to negotiate when leaving the county. If you wish to be taxied to a location outside of those four counties, you must negotiate a price and advise the cab company first. Drivers may refuse to drive outside of the metropolitan area if they are not advised to do so beforehand.

Usually you will have to call a cab company and request a pick-up. Taxis operated by the major companies are not normally allowed to pick up passengers at random locations for safety and legal reasons except at MIA, the Port of Miami and train stations. Some individual taxi drivers will not follow this rule, however. You can try hailing a taxi in the street.

All taxi drivers must have a valid license to operate. It is uncommon to hear of crimes involving unlicensed taxis anywhere in the metropolitan area since Dade County keeps track of all taxi activity in and around Miami and cooperates with other counties in getting this information. If you enter a cab and do not see a valid license placed in front of the passenger's seat, you should not enter the taxi and instead call another cab company regardless of what the driver says. If you willingly enter a taxi without a license or with an expired license and there is an incident or accident, it is possible that you may not be able to hold the driver accountable by law. When entering a cab you should make note of the driver's name, license number and cab number if any problems arise during the trip. This information should be easily found inside the taxi.It may be able to help you identify the cab driver to the police or the cab company.

By car

Unless you plan to stay downtown or in a single location elsewhere, you will find that a car is very convenient in Miami, and car rentals are cheap in comparison to other major US cities.

You can find cheap car rentals off terminal from the Miami Airport from such companies as E-Z Rent-A-Car and Ace Rent A Car. The major car rental companies can be found in terminal be can be often more expensive for the same service and vehicles.

Surface roads in Miami are usually easy to navigate. The area's roads are designed around a grid system, where most roads are numbered based on their distance from the city center. The two main axis roads are Miami Avenue (running north to south) and Flagler Street (running east to west). These two roads intersect in downtown Miami, the county's symbolic center. All avenues run north to south, while all streets run east to west. For example, the address, "9500 NW 30th Street" would be at the intersection of NW 30th Street (to the west of Miami Avenue, and 30 blocks north of Flagler Street) and NW 95th Avenue (north of Flagler Street, and 95 blocks west of Miami Avenue). Most roads in Miami conform to this nomenclature, but due to the more than 30 municipalities within Miami-Dade County, there are a few exceptions to be aware of. Examples include Coral Gables, the Coconut Grove section of Miami (city proper), Miami Lakes, and Hialeah. Hialeah is particularly notorious since it uses it's own grid system, in addition to the overall county system. For example, NW 103rd Street is also marked as E 49th Street, or W 49th Street in Hialeah.

Note that if you cross into Broward County, the roads will be numbered based on their distance from the Fort Lauderdale city center, which is generally the same going east-west but will be very different going north-south. Most of the municipalities in Broward County use their own limited grid systems as well. Some street names also change at the county line. The coastline highway, A1A, is known as "Collins Avenue" in Miami, but becomes "Ocean Drive" in Broward. Likewise, "Red Road" in Miami becomes "Flamingo Road" in Broward.

Miami has four primary expressways. In addition to I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike, there is state highway 836 (also known as the Dolphin Expressway) and state highway 826 (also known as the Palmetto Expressway). The Dolphin Expressway runs west from downtown Miami along the edge of Miami International Airport. The Palmetto Expressway and Florida's Turnpike form "F"-shaped loops around the city. The Turnpike continues north, roughly parallel to I-95, and will take you to Orlando if you keep driving. I-95, the Palmetto and the Turnpike intersect at a junction in North Miami called the Golden Glades. You may find driving in the Glades challenging, especially if you have little experience driving in it.

New visitors to Miami should be aware that the area's drivers are particularly aggressive. AutoVantage.com's Road Rage Survey has rated Miami drivers the rudest in the country for a third year in a row . This shouldn't discourage anyone from using the roadways, but a passive approach to Miami driving can save you from an unwanted exchange with another driver, or even worse an accident. Posted speed limits are ignored by most drivers, especially on larger roads with lower speed limits. Two examples are I-95 and state road 826 (The Palmetto Expressway). The eastern portion of state road 836 (The Dolphin Expressway) between Miami International Airport and downtown Miami handles traffic that exceeds its capacity, and contains several left-hand exits, including the eastbound off-ramp to Lejuene Road (NW 42nd Avenue), which is the posted route, and the quickest route to Miami International Airport.

See

• Ancient Spanish Monastery 16711 West Dixie Highway (near Sunny Isles), +1 305 945-1461 . M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM (unless there is a wedding scheduled; call ahead or check the website for wedding dates). Originally built in Segovia, Spain in 1141, this monastery was originally to be a part of William Randolph Hearst’s property in California. Partly because he ran out of money and partly because the United States would not allow the monastery to be built in California, the monastery remained in New York Harbor until 1954, when a couple of businessmen bought the property and assembled it in Miami. Parts of the monastery have not been assembled because the government removed the pieces from numbered boxes and then placed the wrong pieces in the wrong boxes. Today the monastery is a church as well as a popular marriage location. As seen on the History Channel show Weird U.S. Adult admission $5, senior and student admission (with valid ID) $2.50, child admission $2.

• Holocaust Memorial, center of Meridian Drive and Dade Boulevard, +1 305 538-1663 . Daily 9AM-9PM. This memorial was created with the help of Miami Beach Holocaust survivors and sculptor Kenneth Treister in 1984. It was finally opened to the public in 1990. The most noticeable features of this memorial are its large arm with Holocaust victims trying to climb up the arm (it even has an Auschwitz tattoo similar to the ones issued at Auschwitz), its pool with a dedication to the “Jewish victims of the Holocaust” just outside the pool and sculptures of a mother and her children perishing to death surrounded by Anne Frank quotes. Behind the massive arm is the Garden of Meditation, dedicated to life, and a history of the Holocaust etched (with some covered-up errors) in granite. Surrounding the arm is a tunnel highlighted by an eternal flame. The tunnel has the names of the concentration camps sculpted inside of it and leads you to more sculptures surrounding the arm as well as names of victims of the Holocaust etched in granite and items such as Jewish candles placed by visitors honoring the memory of the dead. Free.

• Jewish Museum of Florida, 301 Washington Ave, +1 305 672-5044 (fax: +1 305 672-5933) . Tu-Su 10AM-5PM. Closed on Monday and civil and Jewish holidays. This museum, located in a 1936 synagogue that hosted Miami’s first Jewish congregation, has a permanent exhibit detailing how Florida’s Jews arrived in Florida as well as their history in Florida and their customs. The museum also has videos to view while you’re inside the museum, temporary exhibits in the center of the synagogue and a gift shop. A small and fairly uninteresting museum. Adult admission $6, senior and student admission $5, family admission $12, children under six and members of the Jewish Museum of Florida free. Admission is also free on Sat.

• Frost Art Museum, 10975 SW 17th Street (FIU-Maidique Campus), (305) 348-2890. Open Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 12PM-5PM. Located at Florida International University, the Frost Art Museum has a large variety of 1960's and 1970's American photography, pre-Columbian artifacts dating back from 200 to 500 AD, ancient African and Asian bronzes, and a growing number of Caribbean and Latin American paintings and artwork.

• Bass Museum of Art, 212 Park Ave, +1 305 673-7530, (fax +1 305 673-7062) . Open Tu-W and F-Sa 10AM-5PM, Th 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-5PM. This art museum, expanded by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, houses several European artworks from the 15th to the 20th centuries. Baroque and Northern European artworks are the highlights of the Bass Museum’s collection. The Bass Museum also hosts touring exhibitions and the New Information Workshop, a computer laboratory that allows visitors to create their own artwork. $12 adults, $10 students and seniors, children under 6 years of age free. Free admission the second Thu of each month from 6PM-9PM.

• Wolfsonian-Florida International University, 1001 Washington Ave, +1 305 531-1001, (fax: +1 305 531-2133, e-mail: pr@thewolf.fiu.edu, +1 305 535-2622) . M-Tu and F-Sa 11AM-6PM, Th 11AM-9PM, Su 12PM-5PM. Back in the 1930s and 1940s, this building was the headquarters of the Washington Storage Company, a facility where the rich could stash their valuables whenever they were out of town. Movie theater heir and Miami native Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. stored so much artwork here that he decided to buy the storage company and later give the building to Florida International University, hence the museum’s odd name. The Wolfsonian hosts a large Modernist art collection on its upper three floors (the only floors, excluding the first floor, that are open to the public) that includes propaganda posters and postcards and Art Deco household items as well as touring exhibits. There is also a café, bookstore, fountain and a modernist-inspired artwork on the first floor. After paying admission, patrons enter the Wolfsonian with a sticker that has a picture of an artifact from the museum’s permanent collection. Adults $5, seniors, students with ID and children 6-12 $3.50.

• Lowe Art Museum, 1301 Stanford Dr, (305) 284-3535 . With many antique art, ceramics, pottery and sculptures ranging from Greco-Roman times, Renaissance, Baroque, Art of Asia, Art of Latin America, and ancient potteries, the Lowe Art Museum offers a great range of art through the centuries.

• Venetian Pool, 2701 DeSoto Blvd (in Coral Gables), +1 305 460-5306, (email: info@VenetianPool.com, additional phone number +1 305 460-5357) . Open 11AM-5PM every day, but call to verify hours. In the 1920s Denman Dink transformed this limestone quarry into a pool with a waterfall, an area for kids and an area for adults. The water in this pool comes from a spring and is drained daily. In addition to the swimming facilities there is a snack bar (you cannot bring outside food into the Venetian Pool) and lockers. Swimming lessons are also offered here. The Venetian Pool is best known for having Esther Williams and Johnny Weissmuller (the silver screen’s first Tarzan) swim here. $6 people 13 years and older, $3 children under 13 $ (between November and March); $9 people 13 years and older, $5 under 13 (between April and October).

• Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, 3251 South Miami Ave, +1 305 250-9133, (fax: + 1 305 285-2004) . European-inspired estate. Includes a main house filled with art and furnishings and ten acres of gardens on Biscayne Bay. $12 adults, $9 Miami-Dade residents with ID, patrons using wheelchairs, seniors 62 years of age or older with ID and students with ID, $5 children 6-12. Admission is free for children 5 years of age or younger.

• Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd (in Downtown Miami). This park has two amphitheaters (one large and a one smaller) and hosts live performances. This park also has memorials for the astronauts who perished in the Challenger spaceship accident, former president John F. Kennedy (the JFK Torch of Friendship), and a fountain dedicated to Claude Pepper, a distinguished US congressman.

• Oleta River State Recreation Park, 3400 N.E. 163rd St, +1 305 919-1846. Daily 8AM-sunset. The largest urban park in Florida has trails for biking, a beach for swimming, picnic areas and a playground for kids. Get a canoe or kayak to row to a mangrove island within the park. Several animals such as eagles and fiddler crabs also make their home here. Fourteen cabins with air conditioning are also on the premises, but bathrooms, showers and grills are located outside the cabins and guests should bring their own linens. $5 for a vehicle carrying up to eight passengers, $1 bicyclists, pedestrians and extra passengers ($50.85 a night in a cabin).

• Miami MetroZoo, 12400 SW 152nd St Miami, tel (305) 251-0400. Open daily 9:30AM-5:30PM. Largest and oldest zoological garden in Florida. It houses over 1,200 wild animals and is a free range zoo. Its climate allows it to keep a wide variety of animals from Asia, Australia and Africa like no other zoo in the country.

• Jungle Island, 1111 Jungle Island Trail, Miami, tel 305) 258-6453. Lush tropical garden that features animal shows and exhibits. Great outing for the family to enjoy.

• Miami Seaquarium, 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, tel 305-361-5705. 35-acre oceanarium that features a wide variety of sea animals and exhibits. Expect to stay around two to three hours touring the large aquarium.

Things to do

• Port of Miami - Take a relaxing cruise to a variety of locations.

• GoCar GPS Tours, 1661 James Ave (just off Lincoln Road between Collins and Washington in South Beach) . See Miami Beach in the world's first Storytelling Car. The GoCar will guide you to see what most visitors never see, while telling stories and history along the way that bring the city to life. It's like having your own private tour guide with you. Tours take place at your own pace in a fun to drive, open-air, two-person scooter car. Rates begin at $29 per hour. Discounted daily rates are also available.

• Lummus Park Beach is a beach where you’ll most likely see photo shoots and camera crews on certain days. Located between 6th and 14th streets along Ocean Drive, it is open 5AM to 12AM daily. Topless bathing is allowed here. A mostly homosexual crowd sunbathes around 12th Street. Also nearby is the wavy concrete path known as the Promenade, also a popular shooting locale as well as a favorite volleyball hangout for the locals. The bathrooms, located at around 11th Street, are in a stunning boat-shaped building but have rusty fixtures and are dirty.

• Haulover Beach Park, Sunny Isles, north of Bal Harbour is any one of a handful of areas in Miami to surf and windsurf. Nude sunbathing is allowed here.

• Dolphin Stadium, 2269 Northwest 199th St (in Miami Gardens), +1 305 623-6100 (fax: +1 305 625-6403, e-mail: DS@dolphinstadium.com, TTY +1 305 623-6266 ) . This football stadium has been renamed several times in its history. Some of its previous names include Dolphins Stadium and Pro Player Stadium. It is primarily known as the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. Ironically, FedEx Orange Bowl games are held here instead of the Orange Bowl on 11th Street. In another strange twist of fate, the Miami Hurricanes will begin playing home football games here 2008, instead of the Orange Bowl. MLB’s Florida Marlins also play baseball here. For tours of Dolphin Stadium, contact rheard@dolphinstadium.com or call +1 305 623-6286. Tour prices are $3 for children under 14, $5 for those 14 and older and $4 for senior citizens. Check website for individual phone numbers for tickets to Miami Dolphins and Florida Marlins games and the Orange Bowl.

• American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd (near Bicentennial Park), + 1 786 777-1000 (box office: +1 786 777-1250) . In addition to Miami Heat (an NBA team) games being played here, this arena has hosted several awards shows in its past such as the MTV Video Music Awards (twice). Several concerts are also held here. Call box office for ticket information.

• Miami Yacht Charters & Rentals, 1250 S Miami Ave Suite 1408 Miami, + 1 305 358-0745 . Yacht charters and boat rentals in Miami. Large selection of yachts to choose from between 35 and 150 feet. Half-day, full-day and multi-day charters. Great way to experience Miami. Call for yacht availability and charter quotes.

Events

There are very few city-wide events planned during Jul and Aug because of the high temperatures during the summer in Miami.

• FedEx Orange Bowl Football Game, Dolphin Stadium, +1 305 341-4700 . Held in early Jan around New Year’s Day. A major Bowl Championship Series (BCS) game held ironically in Dolphin Stadium. Top teams from two conferences, one of the conferences being the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), battle for this prize.

• South Beach Wine & Food Festival, various locations throughout South Beach, (e-mail: info@sobewineandfoodfest.com) . Held in late February, this festival is sponsored by Food & Wine magazine and the Food Network. The event raises money for Florida International University’s hospitality program by having celebrity cooks and chefs (many of them who work for or have appeared on Food Network at one time) descend upon South Beach to do cooking demonstrations and throw parties. Florida International University’s hospitality program students volunteer at some of the festival’s events. Wine and food tastings featuring local chefs and cuisine are also held during the annual event. Tickets range from $15-$300 depending on the event.

• Winter Party, various locations throughout South Beach, +1 305 571-1924 (ask for Michael Bath) . Held between mid-February and mid-March, this circuit party benefits several gay organizations throughout Dade County as well as the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Beach parties, pool parties, parties held at local clubs and a dinner are the main features of the Winter Party.

• Winter Music Conference, various locations throughout South Beach, +1 954 563-4444 (fax +1 954 563-1599) . Held in mid-March, the Winter Music Party attracts queer people for a good cause, the Winter Music Conference attracts electronic musicians (and the labels they belong to) and DJs as well as fans of various electronic music genres for the love of music. In addition to several parties held in clubs, parks and on Lummus Beach (and occasionally in retail stores and hotels), there are seminars for people to learn more about the music business and DJ showcases. Don’t confuse the Winter Music Conference with the Winter Party!

• Independence Day, city-wide. Held on July 4th. The Miami skyline is illuminated by fireworks on the “birth date” of the United States. While Key Biscayne has great views of the fireworks show, Bayfront Park has live music as well as a laser show.

• White Party, various locations throughout South Beach, +1 305 667-9296 and . The White Party held in mid-November. Miami’s oldest gay circuit party raises money for Care Resource, the largest and oldest HIV/AIDS association in South Florida. The party spans over 10 days. It’s not nearly as popular as the Winter Party held earlier in the year, but the White Party still manages to sell out its tickets nearly a year in advance.

• King Mango Strut, Main Avenue and Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove, +1 305 401-1171 . Held after Christmas, this parade began as a parody of current events as well as the Orange Bowl Parade. The Orange Bowl Parade, unlike its famous Rose Bowl counterpart, is no longer held anymore, but the King Mango Strut is still having a good time making fun of the previous year’s follies.

Eat

Foodies and chefs alike herald Miami for its unique New World cuisine. Created in the 1990's, the cuisine alternatively known as New World, Nuevo Latino or Florribean cuisine blends local produce, Latin American and Caribbean culinary tradition and the technical skills required in European cooking. Nuevo Latino is said to be the brainchild of four chefs: Allen Susser, Norman Van Aken, Mark Militello and Douglas Rodriguez. All of them still work in Miami and most of them work at the restaurants they created in the 1990's. New World is not restricted to these chefs’ menus. This cuisine influences several restaurants around the city to this day.

Miami may be known for its Latin cuisine, especially its Cuban cuisine, but there are other different kinds of restaurants to be found around the city. In addition to stand-alone restaurants offering up various cuisines from Chinese and Japanese and Middle Eastern and Italian (among other cuisines), there are cafés, steakhouses and restaurants operating from boutique hotels as well as chain restaurants such as TGI Fridays and Ben & Jerry’s.

Miami is known for having nightclubs double as restaurants throughout the city. Most of these restaurants, such as Tantra (which had one of their chefs recently appear on Top Chef: Miami), BED and the Pearl Restaurant and Champagne Lounge (attached to Nikki Beach), are located throughout South Beach. However, some of these restaurants/nightclubs like Grass Lounge can be found in the Design District (north of downtown but south of North Miami).

If many of Miami’s premiere restaurants don’t fit into your daily budget, consider eating during Miami Restaurant Month (better known as Miami Spice ) in August and September. This year at 80 select restaurants, lunch costs $22 and dinner is $35.

As the commercial, cultural capital of the Americas, Miami’s dining scene reflects burgeoning diversity, mixing exotic newcomer restaurants with long-standing institutions, often seasoned by Latin influence and hot winds of the Caribbean. New World cuisine, a culinary counterpart to accompany Miami’s New World Symphony, provides a loose fusion of Latin, Asian, and Caribbean flavors utilizing fresh, area-grown ingredients. Innovative restaurateurs and chefs similarly reel in patrons with Floribbean-flavored seafood fare, while keeping true to down-home Florida favorites.

Don't be fooled by the plethora of super lean model types you're likely to see posing throughout Miami. Contrary to popular belief, dining in this city is as much a sport as the in-line skating on Ocean Drive. With over 6,000 restaurants to choose from, dining out in Miami has become a passionate pastime for locals and visitors alike. Its star chefs have fused Californian-Asian with Caribbean and Latin elements to create a world-class flavor all its own: Floribbean. Think mango chutney splashed over fresh swordfish or a spicy sushi sauce served alongside Peruvian ceviche.

Whatever you're craving, Miami's got it -- with the exception of decent Chinese food and a New York-style slice of pizza. If you're craving a scene with your steak, then South Beach is the place to be. Like many cities in Europe and Latin America, it is fashionable to dine late in South Beach, preferably after 9PM, sometimes as late as midnight. Service on South Beach is notoriously slow and arrogant, but it comes with the turf (of course, it is possible to find restaurants that defy the notoriety and actually pride themselves on friendly service). On the mainland -- especially in Coral Gables, and, more recently, downtown and on Brickell Avenue -- you can also experience fine, creative dining without the pretense.

• Grass Restaurant and Lounge, 28 NE 40th St, +1 305 573-3355 (fax +1 305 573-5003, e-mail: info@grasslounge.com) – Sun-Sat 7PM-12AM, but check website or contact the restaurant to verify seasonal hours. Fusion. Although there’s good food in this restaurant/lounge, this place is notoriously hard to get into unless you look like you belong in it. Yes, even 'with' a reservation. $8-$28 per person, per meal.

• La Carreta, SW 8th St, +1 305 444-7501 – Open 24hrs a day. Cuban. The flagship restaurant of a small chain of Cuban restaurants (including one location at Miami International Airport). It should be noted that the majority of staff only speak limited English. $5-$22 per person, per meal.

• Baleen at Grove Isle Hotel & Spa, Four Grove Isle Dr, +1 305 858-8300 – Far beyond typical Miami restaurants, Baleen consistently draws attendance from faire afficianados and consistent critical acclaim from Zagat's, Gourmet and AAA. The menu is eclectic and eccentric, with selections fresh from the sea, land and garden. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Chef Allen’s, 19088 NE 29th Ave, +1 305 935-2900 . Sun-Thu 6PM-10PM, Fri-Sat 6PM-11PM. Allen Susser was named the best chef in the South in 1994 by the James Beard Foundation. A perfect place to try New World cuisine. Dinner jackets suggested. $9-$46 (the tasting menu is $75 per person).

• Casa Tua, 1700 James Ave, +1 305 673-1010 – Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30AM-3PM, dinner Mon-Sat 7PM-12AM. Italian. Casa Tua is proud of the fact that there is no outside signage outside its restaurant. If the restaurant decides to advertise out front, it’s not going to be soon. Reservations are required to get inside, but make sure you can find the restaurant first or you might get a headache attempting to get to dinner. $12-$100 per person, per meal.

• Ola, 5061 Biscayne Blvd (in the Sanctuary Hotel), +1 305 695-9125 – Mon-Thu 6PM-12AM, Fri-Sat 6PM-2AM. Nuevo Latino. Chef Douglas Rodriguez’ restaurant, Of Latin America, is a mixture of Spanish and Latin American culinary traditions. Reservations recommended. $20-$35 per person, per meal.

• Ortanique on the Mile, 278 Miracle Mile (near Actor’s Playhouse),, +1 305 446-7710 – Mon-Tue 6PM-10PM, Wed-Sat 6PM-11PM, Sun 5:30PM-9:30PM. New World. One of three Ortanique restaurants (the other two are located in Washington, D.C. and Las Vegas. The food has a mixture of Caribbean and French influences. Reservations are requested. $19-$36 per person, per meal.

Drink

Nightlife in Miami consists of upscale hotel clubs, independent bars frequented by locals (including sports bars) and nightclubs. Most hotel bars and independent bars turn the other cheek at your physical appearance, but you have to dress to impress (which does not mean dress like a stripper) to get into a nightclub. Also remember to never, under any circumstances, insult the doormen and/or nightclub employees that will grant you entry or touch the velvet ropes or you may as well be sitting on the opposite side of the clamoring masses trying to get in. Attempting to tip the doormen and claiming that you know employees that work in the nightclubs (unless you actually called and reserved a table or a spot on the VIP list) is also considered an affront. Getting to the club unfashionably early and pushing through the crowd (and not the doormen) also can help make you stand out in the crowd. Finally, most nightclubs won’t admit groups of men unless those men are waiting in front of a gay bar. Bring some women or leave the pack if you’re desperate to get in. And once you get in, remember that the charge to get in these clubs can cost up to $20—cash only (some clubs, however, mercifully have ATMs—that can charge up to $7 for a withdrawal). Popular drinks in Miami include the Cuba Libre and the mojito.

Sleep

Miami is known for its boutique hotels (especially those in South Beach). Designers such as Ian Schrager (the Delano, Shore Club), André Balazs (Raleigh, Standard on Belle Isle) and Todd Oldham (the Hotel) helped put South Beach on the map with their creative hotel designs. The downside of many of the boutique hotels is that rooms can be small, particularly if the building was built during the height of the Art Deco period in Miami. If you value space, a boutique hotel may not be the type of hotel for you. If you don't need to stay in a boutique hotel (and value space), Miami has several upscale high-rise hotels north and south of South Beach, as well as near the downtown area. Miami does have its share of less costly chain hotels for those who value space and/or money.

The high season for hotels is around Nov to Apr because of the lower temperatures. However, Miami's lower temperatures, in comparison to the majority of the United States around this time, are still warm. High season is also marked by the advent of many Miami events, such as the Winter Music Conference and Spring Break. If you wish to reserve a room during Miami’s high season, especially at a boutique hotel and/or a hotel on South Beach, you should book months in advance.

Be aware that hotels have a 12.5% room tax and some hotels may add a 15% service charge which may or may not be added if you reserve a room through the hotel, through a travel agent/agency (either in person or using an online site such as or similar to Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity) or through an opaque (prices are given, but the name and location of the hotel is unknown) travel site such as Priceline or Hotwire.

Some hotels offer garage and/or valet parking; check with your hotel about parking before booking a room if you wish to drive around Miami.

Buy

Remember that sales tax is 7% in Miami.

Shopping Districts

• Collins Avenue between 15th and 3rd Streets, Miami's Collins Avenue has stores to satisfy all shopping tastes and budgets.

• Lincoln Road also on South Beach, Lincoln Road offers a large range of stores and restaurants running the gauntlet from cozy cafe to high class dining. There is a farmers market held here all day on Sundays, as well as an antiques market (days vary).

Clothing stores

This are only a handful of clothing shops located away from major Miami area shopping centers.

• Guess, 736 Collins Ave., +1 305 673-8880 – National retailer specializing in men’s and women’s clothing and accessories. Two-story building.

• Nicole Miller, 656 Collins Ave., +1 305 535-2200 – Women’s clothing and accessories.

• United Colors of Benetton, 668 Collins Ave., +1 305 538-3777 – Women’s shoes, clothing and accessories.

• Kenneth Cole, 190 8th St., +1 305 673-5151 – Open Fri-Sat 10AM-9PM, Thu 10AM-9PM, Sun 12PM-8PM. Men and women’s clothing and accessories. Two-story building with a minimalist feel.

• Barney’s New York Co-op, 832 Collins Ave., +1 305 421-2010 (email info-coopmiamibeach@barneys.com, fax +1 305 421-2006) – Open Mon-Thu 11AM-9PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-10PM, Sun 12PM-7PM. Men’s and women’s clothing such as A Bathing Ape. Supposedly more affordable than a regular Barney’s New York, but prices can be a bit steep.

• Diesel Jeans, 801 Washington Ave., +1 305 535-9695. Italian retailer that specializes in jeans for men and women. Sometimes hosts special events such as a showcase for electronic labels Ghostly and Spectral Sound at the 2007 Winter Music Conference.

• La Casa de las Guayaberas, 5840 Southwest 8th St. (in Little Havana), +1 305 266-9683 – A store where you can find guayaberas (a Cuban shirt that has buttons but a loose fit and pleats) for men and women. Ronald Regan came to this store himself to buy a guayabera. Shirts can be bought off the rack or custom-tailored.

Cosmetics

• Sephora, 721 Collins Avenue, +1 305 532-0494 . Open Mon-Thu 10AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 10AM-11PM, Sun 11AM-8PM. Nationwide chain specializing in makeup. There are also branches of Sephora in the Dadeland Mall.

• MAC, 650 Collins Ave., +1 305 604-9040 – Small outpost of the worldwide cosmetic line. There is also a branch of MAC in Aventura Mall.

Record stores

• FYE #1783, 501 Collins Ave., +1 305 534-3667 – Formerly a Specs Music, this two-floor music store specializes in mainstream music releases.

• Uncle Sam’s Music, 1141 Washington Ave . Since 1984 this independent record store has electronic music as well as items like stickers and incense.

Shopping centers

• Aventura Mall, 19501 Biscayne Blvd. (near the Dade/Broward County line), +1 305 935-1110 – Mon-Sat 10AM-9:30PM, Sun 12PM-8PM. This mall, spanning 2.3 million feet, not only has nation-wide chains such as JCPenney and Macy’s but also has chains such as Abercrombie and Fitch as well as Rainbow Valley Playground, a play spot for children. The other notable landmark of this mall is its 24-screen movie theater.

• Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave (on 97th Street in Bal Harbour), +1 305 866-0311 – Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 12PM-6PM (Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue are open from 12PM-7PM). Several designer labels fill up the spaces of Bal Harbour Shops, including Chanel, Cartier, Fendi and Gucci among others. For those not wealthy enough to buy these designer labels, Bal Harbour Shops also has Banana Republic and the Gap in the mall as well. $1 (parking fee).

• Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Blvd (near Bayfront Park), +1 305 577-3344 – Mon-Fri 10AM-10PM, Sat 10AM-11PM, Sun 11AM-9PM. Despite having several chain stores such as the Hard Rock Café, the Gap, Sketchers and Victoria’s Secret attached to it, this mall is noted for its gorgeous views of Biscayne Bay. The only downside is that traffic is bad at Bayside when Bayfront Park is having a concert nearby. Connected to public transit via Metrorail and Metromover.

• CocoWalk, 3015 Grand Ave (in Coconut Grove), +1 305 577-3344 . Sun-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-12AM (stores), restaurants and bars open until 2AM. This open-air mall not only has nice Mediterranean-styled architecture but chain stores such as Victoria’s Secret and FYE Music.

• Dadeland Mall, 7535 North Kendall Dr (in Kendall), +1 305 665-6226 . Mon-Sat 10AM-9:30PM, Sun 12PM-7PM. Dadeland is one of the United States’ first malls. Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue are some of the stores now represented at Dadeland.

• Dolphin Mall, 11401 Northwest 12th St, +1 305 365-7446 – Mon-Fri 10AM-9:30PM, Sat 10AM-9:30 PM, Sun 11AM-7PM. In addition to Off 5th (a Saks Fifth Avenue outlet store), Marshall’s HomeGoods and Burlington Coat Factory, this mall has a movie theater and many busy restaurants.

• The Falls, 8888 Howard Dr (in Kendall), +1 305 255-4570 – Mon-Sat 10AM-9:30 PM, Sun 12PM-7PM. Shops including Brooks Brothers and Pottery Barn adorn this mall and its tropical waterfalls.

• Lincoln Road Mall, Lincoln Rd between Alton Rd and Washington Ave – This open-air pedestrian mall was designed in 1957 by legendary Miami architect Morris Lapidus. It includes restaurants and cafes that run the gamut from Starbucks to Miami originals like Pizza Rustica and David’s Café. There is outside seating. It includes nationally known shops such as French Connection, Ann Taylor and Anthropologie, as well as international shops such as Italy’s Miss Sixty. There’s also a multiplex theater located on the corner of Lincoln Road and Alton Drive. incoln Road Mall also hosts a farmers market on Sun from 9AM to 6PM and an antiques market on the second and fourth Sundays from 9AM to 5PM. Call +1 305 673-4991 for information about the antiques market.

• Shops at Sunset Place, 5701 Sunset Dr, +1 305 663-0482 – Open Mon-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-11PM, Sun 11AM-9PM – In addition to nationwide chains such as the Gap, Urban Outfitters and Victoria’s Secret, this mall has a Niketown store, as well as a large movie theater.

• Village of Merrick Park, 4425 Ponce de Leon Blvd (in Coral Gables), +1 305 529-0200 – Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 12PM-6PM. The Village is Bal Harbour Shops’ major competition. It is very much like Bal Harbour. This mall features mostly designer stores such as Jimmy Choo, Neiman Marcus and is the home of Miami’s first Nordstrom.

• Miami International Mall, 1455 NW 107th Ave, +1 305 593-1775 – Open Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-7PM. There 120 stores including Macy's, Dillard's and JCPenney.

Talk

Miami has the largest Latin American population outside of Latin America, with nearly 65% of its population either from Latin America or of Latin American ancestry. Spanish is a language often used for day-to-day discourse in many places, although English is the language of preference, especially when dealing with business and government. It is not at all uncommon to encounter a local who does not speak English, though this is usually centered among shops and restaurants in residential communities and not generally the case in large tourist areas or the downtown district. Even when encountering a local who does not speak English, you can easily find another local to help with translation if needed, since most of the population is fluently bilingual. In certain neighborhoods, such as Little Havana and Hialeah, most locals will address a person first in Spanish and then in English. "Spanglish", a mixture of English and Spanish, is a somewhat common occurrence (but less so than in the American Southwest), with bilingual locals switching between English and Spanish mid-sentence and occasionally replacing a common English word for its Spanish equivalent.

Haitian Creole is another language heard primarily in North Miami. It is not uncommon for a person to hear a conversation in Creole when riding public transportation or sitting at a restaurant. Many signs and public announcements are in English, Spanish and Creole because of Miami’s diverse immigrant population. Unlike Spanish, Haitian Creole is generally centered among the Haitian neighborhoods in North Miami. Most Haitians are more adapted to English than their Hispanic neighbors. Portuguese and French are other languages that may be encountered in Miami. These languages tend to be spoken mainly around tourist areas. Most speakers of these languages have adapted to English as well.

The simplest way to get a response in English is to use the "approach rule," where most locals will only respond in the language they were spoken to unless they are not able to speak it. This rule can be used on anyone whether or not their first language is Spanish, English or any other language.

Safety

Miami, frequently heralded in the news as a center of crime and drug smuggling, is only relatively dangerous for the passing tourist in certain areas. Overtown (next to Liberty City) has the highest violent crime rate in the city and is best if avoided all together. If you are in this neighborhood, or any other high crime neighborhood, take the same precautions as you would in other high crime neighborhoods around the country. Such as minding one's business, getting to your destination quickly, and avoid wearing flashy jewelry and electronics. Remember that most common sense rules such as being aware of your surroundings at night and traveling in high-traffic areas at night apply in Miami as it does in all other urban areas around the United States.

Emergency numbers

The emergency telephone number for fire, police and rescue emergencies is 911. If you require non-emergency assistance, do not call 911. To contact police in a non-emergency situation, call +1 305 4POLICE.

Districts

• Downtown Miami

• Brickell

• Midtown

• Egewater

• Coconut Grove

• Little Havana

• Overtown

Miami Beach

• North Beach - Extreme Northern tip of the island.

• Miami Beach - Area north of 23rd street.

• South Beach - Area south of 23rd street.

Learn

• Barry University, 11300 North East Second Ave. (in Miami Shores), +1 305 899-3100 (e-mail admissions@mail.barry.edu, fax +1 305 899-2971) – This Catholic university, located 20 miles outside of Miami, has majors such as biomedical and forensic photography as well as the very popular nursing, education and liberal arts majors. The university is co-ed with close to 10,000 students enrolled.

• Florida International University, University Park, +1 305 348-2863 (e-mail admiss@fiu.edu, fax +1 305 348-3648) . With over 40,000 students enrolled in this public co-ed university spread out over two campuses, Florida International University is one of the largest universities in Florida and the 11th-largest university in the U.S. With over 280 majors in 26 schools in colleges including its top-ranked College of Business, School of Architecture, College of Engineering, College of Law, and College of Medicine, it is one of Florida's top universities.

• Florida Memorial University, 15800 Northwest 42nd Ave., +1 800 822-1362 (fax +1 305 625-4141) – A largely African-American student body can be found on this private Baptist co-ed college campus (formerly known as Florida Memorial College). The university has over 1,950 students and majors such as business administration, commerce management, elementary education and criminal justice studies.

• Johnson & Wales University—North Miami Campus, 1701 Northeast 127th St. (in North Miami), +1 305 892-7600 (e-mail admissions@jwu.edu, fax+1 305892-7020) – One of Johnson & Wales’ many campuses across the country, this co-ed, private university offers majors in the culinary and baking and pastry arts, business and hospitality. This campus is also one of Johnson & Wales’ largest after the original school in Providence, Rhode Island, with 2,500 students enrolled.

• New World School of the Arts, 300 Northeast 2nd Second Ave. (in Downtown Miami), +1 305 237-3135 . This institution offers conservatory education to talented high school and college students. It's highly selective in its admissions, and highly intensive in its education. Alumni of New World have gone on to successful careers in Hollywood, on Broadway, and in other prestigious arts venues around the world. In addition, many of today's top talents in commercial arts, advertising, public relations and architecture got their creative foundations at this highly-ranked school. Offers programs in theater, visual arts, dance and music for high school students and college, with joint degrees offered between Miami-Dade Public Schools, Miami-Dade Community College and the University of Florida.

• St. Thomas University,16400 32nd Ave., +1 305 628-6546 (e-mail signup@stu.edu, fax +1 305 628-6591) – This private university, affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, has an enrollment of over 2,600 men and women. Business/management, education and communication majors are popular here.

• University of Miami, Coral Gables, +1 305 284-4323 (e-mail admission@miami.edu, fax +1 305 284-2507) – Over 16,000 men and women are enrolled in this private college. Business, communication, medicine and biology majors are popular here.

• Miami-Dade College, – With more than 165,000 students, it is the U.S.' largest institution of higher learning, and one of the country's best community college systems. This community college conveniently has locations in Hialeah, Homestead, Kendall, Downtown Miami, and North Miami and also has locations all around Miami proper.

Work

If you are not from the U.S., you will need a work visa. If you try to work while holding a tourist visa, you are still considered an illegal immigrant in the U.S. Immigration and Nationalization Services conduct frequent illegal immigrant checks in Miami businesses since Miami has several refugees from Cuba, Haiti and other nearby countries. If you don’t have the right visa, you may not get a job in Miami.

There is an exception to getting work without a visa in Miami, however. Since yachts and cruise ships sail on international waters, these companies can freely hire any person they like.

Contact

The major area codes for Miami-Dade County are 305 and 786. The 305 area code also applies to the Florida Keys (Monroe County).

Internet

In addition to some of the places listed in Eat and Miami International Airport, several hotels have internet access—both LAN connections and wireless—but it is not free in all hotels. Check with your hotel to see if internet access is free or for a fee.

Several cafes have wireless internet connections, but depending on the café internet access may incur a fee. Unless it’s a nation-wide chain offering free internet access like Starbucks, check with your café to inquire about whether your internet access is charged separately from your meal.

There has been talk of free wireless to be installed all over Miami Beach and the Miami-Dade area, but nothing has been done about this yet.

• Miami-Dade Public Library System, +1 305 535-4219 (main branch number) – Free Wi-Fi at any of the system’s libraries.

• Kafka's Cybercafe and Bookstore, 1464 Washington Ave, +1 305 673-9669 – Open daily 8AM-12AM. Internet access $6 per hour.

• D’Vine Cyber Lounge, 910 Collins Ave, +1 305 534-1414 – Local area connection $5, wi-fi $3 (without purchase of food).

Cope

Consulates

There are a lot of consulates in the Miami area. This is only a small listing of them. Check the United States Department of State's Foreign Consular Offices website for more consulates.

• Australian Consulate, 2223 Coral Way, +1 305519-8814 (fax +1 305 361-7021).

• Brazilian Consulate General, 80 Southwest 8th Street, 26th Floor, +1 305 285-6200 (fax +1 305 285-6229).

• British Consulate, 1001 Brickell Bay Drive, Suite 2800, + 1 305 374-1522 (fax +1 305 374-8196).

• Canadian Consulate, 200 South Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 1600, +1 305 579-1600.

• French Consulate, 1395 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1050, + 1 305 403-4150 (fax +1 305 403-4151).

• German Consulate, 100 North Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 2200, +1 305 358-0290.

• Israeli Consulate, 100 North Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 1800-1801, +1 305 358-8111 (fax +1 305 371-5034).

• Italian Consulate, 4000 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, Suite 590, +1 305 374-6322 (fax +1 305 374-7945).

• Mexican Consulate, 5975 South West 72nd Street, Miami, FL 33143, +1 305 268-4900 (fax +1 786 268-4895).

Newspapers

• Miami Herald, 1 Herald Place, +1 305 350-2111, . The city’s main newspaper that is read throughout the city, state and various places such as university libraries across the nation.

• El Nuevo Herald, 1 Herald Place, +1 305 350-2111, . Spanish-language version of the Herald.

• South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, +1 954 356-4000, . News concerning South Florida (including Miami).

• Miami New Times, 2800 Biscayne Boulevard, +1 305 576-8000 (fax +1 305 571-7677), . An alternative, free weekly newspaper which focuses on lesser-known news as well as movies and local events ranging from current theatrical productions to the Winter Music Conference.

• Miami Today News, 710 Brickell Avenue, +1 305 358-2663, . Miami business news.

• Diario Las Americas, 2900 N.W. 39 Street, +1 305 633-3341 (fax +1 305 635-7668), . Spanish-language news focusing on Latin America.

• Biscayne Times, 9325 Park Drive, Suite C, . News concerning Northern Miami communities and some Miami communities located in the city (i.e. the Design District).

• Miami Living Magazine, 1602 Alton Road, Suite 50, +1 305 538-4282 (fax +1 305 535-6531), . Magazine focusing on food and nightlife.

• Home Miami, 445 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, +1 305 673-2112 (email info@homemia.com, fax +1 305 673-2101), . Homes for sale and interior design.

• Ocean Drive, 404 Washington Ave, Suite 650, +1 305 532-2544 (fax +1 305 532-4366), . Fashion and events in South Beach.

• Ocean Drive Español, 404 Washington Ave, Suite 650, +1 305 532-2544 (fax +1 305 532-4366), . Spanish-language edition of Ocean Drive.

• Press Release 365, 11900 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 210, +1 305 292-6712(fax +1 305 292-1398), . Miami-based news outlet specializing in breaking-news and press release distribution services.

Get out

• Miami Beach- Popular vacation destination minutes away from the city proper.

• The Port of Miami is a major cruise ship embarkation port.

• Biscayne National Park- The largest marine park in the National Park System.

• Everglades National Park- Third largest national park in the United States, home to several animals native to Florida.

• Boca Raton- Wealthy South Floridian neighborhood.

• Delray Beach- In addition to the beach, there's a buzzing nightlife scene.