Miami - An Urbanite's Viewpoint
Most Miamians are slaves to their automobiles, and one of the most daunting aspects of being a tourist in Miami is navigating the traffic.
I frequently find myself riding the Metromover monorail downtown and acting as a sort of "travel guide" to befuddled visitors. Most of them are most grateful for a friendly, helpful gesture and relieved to be directed to their destination.
For the traveller on a budget, staying downtown can be a great choice. Miami has grown up a lot and there are a lot of dining and entertainment options in the downtown area that didn't even exist a few years ago.
Go shopping at the Macy's on Flagler Street. Just across the street, you can enjoy a fantastic little Greek bistro, Pega Grill, or grab a cup of steaming latte at Roho Cuban Coffee. (Sometimes happy hour features live Latin music.) And, next door to Roho is Kork, specializing in wine and cheeses from around the world. Soon the block will have a late-night club.
All of this and more is within walking distance of all the major hotels downtown. Scrap that rental car and the enormous parking fees!
Miami isn't just about beaches. Get your culture fix downtown at the Historical Museum of South Florida or the Miami Art Museum. Construction has already begun on a new museum complex just north of the basketball area -- right on beautiful Biscayne Bay with a view of the cruise port.
