Guidebook for South Miami
Food Scene
It is a great place to go (even with kids) for brunch on Sunday mornings or any morning. It is reasonably priced, and the food is pretty good. On Sundays, expect to stand in line for a while before you get a table. Dinner is also pretty good for the price you pay.
17 locals recommend
Deli Lane Cafe & Sunset Tavern
7230 Southwest 59th AvenueIt is a great place to go (even with kids) for brunch on Sunday mornings or any morning. It is reasonably priced, and the food is pretty good. On Sundays, expect to stand in line for a while before you get a table. Dinner is also pretty good for the price you pay.
The pizza is great and the place is an icon in South Miami. Great with kids, too. It is, however, not a place for a romantic dinner with candlelight.
6 locals recommend
The Big Cheese Italian Restaurant
8080 SW 67th AveThe pizza is great and the place is an icon in South Miami. Great with kids, too. It is, however, not a place for a romantic dinner with candlelight.
Essentials
You might need to buy groceries. This is where we go! It is fairly close, and the selection of groceries is good.
20 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at Dadeland
9105 S Dadeland BlvdYou might need to buy groceries. This is where we go! It is fairly close, and the selection of groceries is good.
Is the closest to our house and has recently been modernised. Has a good selection of groceries and ample parking spaces. You can also combine your shopping for groceries with going out to get a coffee, ice-cream, ..... in the neighbourhood around.
11 locals recommend
Winn-Dixie
5850 SW 73rd StIs the closest to our house and has recently been modernised. Has a good selection of groceries and ample parking spaces. You can also combine your shopping for groceries with going out to get a coffee, ice-cream, ..... in the neighbourhood around.
For our guests from overseas, the CVS usually has a pharmacy and also carries non-prescription items like cough medicine, vitamins, etc. and items like soap, shower gels, shampoo, etc.
CVS
5640 Sunset DrFor our guests from overseas, the CVS usually has a pharmacy and also carries non-prescription items like cough medicine, vitamins, etc. and items like soap, shower gels, shampoo, etc.
Parks & Nature
This is a great spot for families with kids to enjoy the beach. There is a small man made lagoon where kids can play and swim. There are also life guards on the beach. You can also watch kite surfers and have a pretty nice view across the bay to Key Biscayne.
221 locals recommend
Matheson Hammock Park
9800 Old Cutler RdThis is a great spot for families with kids to enjoy the beach. There is a small man made lagoon where kids can play and swim. There are also life guards on the beach. You can also watch kite surfers and have a pretty nice view across the bay to Key Biscayne.
A great experience of the Everglades if you like biking. You can rent bikes there and the park service also runs a tram tour. Dependent on the season, you will see lots of gators and birds.
Summer is not a good time. Lots of mosquitos, and the gators won't be near since there is tons of water everywhere else. If at all possible, do it between November and April.
80 locals recommend
Shark Valley Visitor Center
36000 SW 8th StA great experience of the Everglades if you like biking. You can rent bikes there and the park service also runs a tram tour. Dependent on the season, you will see lots of gators and birds.
Summer is not a good time. Lots of mosquitos, and the gators won't be near since there is tons of water everywhere else. If at all possible, do it between November and April.
The entrance to the park is about 40 minutes. At the very beginning of the park is the visitors center. Stop there to get some information at the desk. There is also a little boardwalk where you already might spot some alligators.
After you payed your entrance fee at the main gate, you will soon come to a sign saying 'Anahinga Trail'. Especially in the dry reason (winter) there will be lots of birds and alligators to see. The boardwalk is not that long. It will take you about 20 minutes. There is also a trail (Gumbo Limbo trail) that is especially nice when you need shade. As usual, beware of mosquitos. They will be bad in the summer!
Interestingly enough, the State Park is supposed to be open 24 hours. Going there at night is a special experience. Bring a good flashlight so that you can spot the gators and other animals/birds.
Going all the way down to Flamingo is a long way, but if you have the time it is interesting. There are crocodiles, gators, a lake with lots of birds (if you are into bird watching) you can take a boat tour, there is a small convenience store, and a small restaurant/fast food place. You can also rent kayaks/canoes. A route we like to do with the kids is the '9 mile pond'. You pay for the canoe at the marina, they give you life jackets and paddles and then you drive to 9 Mile Pond (about 15 minutes) get your canoe and, off you go!
350 locals recommend
Everglades National Park
The entrance to the park is about 40 minutes. At the very beginning of the park is the visitors center. Stop there to get some information at the desk. There is also a little boardwalk where you already might spot some alligators.
After you payed your entrance fee at the main gate, you will soon come to a sign saying 'Anahinga Trail'. Especially in the dry reason (winter) there will be lots of birds and alligators to see. The boardwalk is not that long. It will take you about 20 minutes. There is also a trail (Gumbo Limbo trail) that is especially nice when you need shade. As usual, beware of mosquitos. They will be bad in the summer!
Interestingly enough, the State Park is supposed to be open 24 hours. Going there at night is a special experience. Bring a good flashlight so that you can spot the gators and other animals/birds.
Going all the way down to Flamingo is a long way, but if you have the time it is interesting. There are crocodiles, gators, a lake with lots of birds (if you are into bird watching) you can take a boat tour, there is a small convenience store, and a small restaurant/fast food place. You can also rent kayaks/canoes. A route we like to do with the kids is the '9 mile pond'. You pay for the canoe at the marina, they give you life jackets and paddles and then you drive to 9 Mile Pond (about 15 minutes) get your canoe and, off you go!
Sightseeing
My wife and I teach there, and it is a beautiful campus. There's also a small museum on campus that is worth visiting.
56 locals recommend
University of Miami
1320 S Dixie HwyMy wife and I teach there, and it is a beautiful campus. There's also a small museum on campus that is worth visiting.
It is a beautiful, historic hotel in Coral Gables. Just go and take a look around. Don't miss the large pool at the back of the hotel overlooking the golf course. Have a drink or a cup of coffee in the cafe at the back of the pool.
165 locals recommend
Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables
1200 Anastasia AveIt is a beautiful, historic hotel in Coral Gables. Just go and take a look around. Don't miss the large pool at the back of the hotel overlooking the golf course. Have a drink or a cup of coffee in the cafe at the back of the pool.
Robert is Here is an 'institution' in the South Florida area, and if you are on your way to the (southern entrance of ) 'Everglades National Park', you will pass this place. There are usually tons of people, and most of them are there to get a Smoothie. Get one, too. But watch it! They are so big and filling that you might want to share one. Also look around the fruit and produce that is offered. You might see some things that you've never even heard of.
125 locals recommend
Robert Is Here Fruit Stand
19200 SW 344th StRobert is Here is an 'institution' in the South Florida area, and if you are on your way to the (southern entrance of ) 'Everglades National Park', you will pass this place. There are usually tons of people, and most of them are there to get a Smoothie. Get one, too. But watch it! They are so big and filling that you might want to share one. Also look around the fruit and produce that is offered. You might see some things that you've never even heard of.
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/miami-walking-tour-3/
Running from South Miami Avenue to S.W. 107th Avenue (near Florida International University), Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street) is the lively main thoroughfare in Little Havana, the best known neighborhood for Cuban exiles in the world. The area today is home to Cubans, Nicaraguans, Hondurans, and other immigrants from the Caribbean and Central America; the demographics have changed so much since the 1960s that the eastern portion of Little Havana is now referred to as Little Managua. It's a five-minute drive west of downtown Miami and 15 minutes from South Beach. (You'll know you're there when all the signs are in Spanish.)
The repetitive, rump-shaking beats of salsa and merengue pour out of storefronts and restaurants, sometimes joined by the staccato crowing of a rooster in a neighboring backyard. The street is lined with coffee counters, beauty salons and barber shops, little food markets, art galleries, dollar stores, botanicas filled with candles and statues that are part of the Santeria Afro-Caribbean religion, cafes, Cuban nostalgia shops, and bakeries offering racks of crusty Cuban bread and guava pastries.
21 locals recommend
Calle ocho Miami .com / Eight Street Miami
762 A SW 18th Avehttp://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/miami-walking-tour-3/
Running from South Miami Avenue to S.W. 107th Avenue (near Florida International University), Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street) is the lively main thoroughfare in Little Havana, the best known neighborhood for Cuban exiles in the world. The area today is home to Cubans, Nicaraguans, Hondurans, and other immigrants from the Caribbean and Central America; the demographics have changed so much since the 1960s that the eastern portion of Little Havana is now referred to as Little Managua. It's a five-minute drive west of downtown Miami and 15 minutes from South Beach. (You'll know you're there when all the signs are in Spanish.)
The repetitive, rump-shaking beats of salsa and merengue pour out of storefronts and restaurants, sometimes joined by the staccato crowing of a rooster in a neighboring backyard. The street is lined with coffee counters, beauty salons and barber shops, little food markets, art galleries, dollar stores, botanicas filled with candles and statues that are part of the Santeria Afro-Caribbean religion, cafes, Cuban nostalgia shops, and bakeries offering racks of crusty Cuban bread and guava pastries.
Entertainment & Activities
This is a must do if you like the water. Go there early, since it fills up fast, and you don't want to stand in line forever.
All the pools are filled daily with natural water, and the pools and the buildings are made of coral rock.
337 locals recommend
Venetian Pool
2701 De Soto BlvdThis is a must do if you like the water. Go there early, since it fills up fast, and you don't want to stand in line forever.
All the pools are filled daily with natural water, and the pools and the buildings are made of coral rock.
Arts & Culture
http://pamm.org Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is a modern and contemporary art museum dedicated to collecting and exhibiting international art of the 20th and 21st centuries. The building itself is interesting, and sitting outside on the stairwells overlooking the water is nice. There is a small restaurant there, but you could also pack a lunch and enjoy eating it outside weather permitting of course.
1076 locals recommend
Perez Art Museum Miami
1103 Biscayne Blvdhttp://pamm.org Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is a modern and contemporary art museum dedicated to collecting and exhibiting international art of the 20th and 21st centuries. The building itself is interesting, and sitting outside on the stairwells overlooking the water is nice. There is a small restaurant there, but you could also pack a lunch and enjoy eating it outside weather permitting of course.
South Beach is an architect buff's paradise. The Art Deco buildings are an iconic part of the city and its "sun and fun" history. You can go on a guided tour or explore it by yourself.
254 locals recommend
Art Deco Historic District
1001 Ocean DrSouth Beach is an architect buff's paradise. The Art Deco buildings are an iconic part of the city and its "sun and fun" history. You can go on a guided tour or explore it by yourself.
Shopping
Even if you do not want to shop, this might be a great place for rainy or hot and humid days since it is all air conditioned.
If you do want to shop, this might be a good place. There are, of course, also restaurants (we like the Cheese Cake Factory) and a food court.
398 locals recommend
Dadeland Mall
7535 N Kendall DrEven if you do not want to shop, this might be a great place for rainy or hot and humid days since it is all air conditioned.
If you do want to shop, this might be a good place. There are, of course, also restaurants (we like the Cheese Cake Factory) and a food court.
The Shops at Merrick Park is a shopping mall located in the heart of Coral Gables, Florida. There are over 100 smaller stores and lots of restaurants. One of our favourite one is the Italian restaurant 'Vilagio'. They have a great outdoor area, though it might be a bit busy at times.
276 locals recommend
Shops at Merrick Park
358 San Lorenzo AveThe Shops at Merrick Park is a shopping mall located in the heart of Coral Gables, Florida. There are over 100 smaller stores and lots of restaurants. One of our favourite one is the Italian restaurant 'Vilagio'. They have a great outdoor area, though it might be a bit busy at times.
A small shopping mall but within walking distance form our house. Be careful when you walk and cross US 1. It is a busy road and drivers, unfortunately, don't always watch out for pedestrians.
The mall also has a movie theatre and a bowling alley. We sometimes go to the bowling alley with our children, and if you go on certain days and in the afternoon, there are great deals. Check out their website and/or call for deals: http://www.splitsvillelanes.com/location/miami/#location
140 locals recommend
The Shops at Sunset Place
5701 Sunset DrA small shopping mall but within walking distance form our house. Be careful when you walk and cross US 1. It is a busy road and drivers, unfortunately, don't always watch out for pedestrians.
The mall also has a movie theatre and a bowling alley. We sometimes go to the bowling alley with our children, and if you go on certain days and in the afternoon, there are great deals. Check out their website and/or call for deals: http://www.splitsvillelanes.com/location/miami/#location