Miami Show.... Local Knowlege....Please

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gware2

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I know the Lauderdale and Miami shows have been discussed in length and I will be going back and reviewing them. Some of the RO here did a great job of comparisons and highlights of events. Since the date is nearing. I just wondered if anyone has anything they want to add.
Our boating experience is from the lakes and rivers of central US so coming to Miami is going to be a thrill from all angles. Was wondering if there were things outside show area we might enjoy seeing, eating or experiencing to get the most from our visit. I am talking boat related things here like: a marina to see not included in show. Any water taxi happening. A good chowder place. Value accommodation to stay. Don't guess there would be any manufacturing tours going on that weekend.Some things you RO take for granted are fascinating to us land lock folks.

gaylon
 
To really experience the area I recommend staying on South Beach and walking to the convention center. There are a zillion restaurants all over south beach and the busses at the convention center will take you to every venue you don’t want to walk to. Cheap city busses, I forget the name, go up and down the beach. We always bus to the northern end of the show then walk back. A lot of walking but traffic is always a mess and you see a lot more walking. bring back packs if you are folks that collect stuff at shows.
Naturally hotels are usually overbooked and pricy but this year may be different.
A note of caution you will see things after dark on south beach that you wont find in Peoria. Hotels are a crap shoot with Art Deco style frequently a synonym for Art Wreko. Spanish is more common than English in some places but if you go with the flow you will have fun.
 
A friend of Pascal's (and mine) runs a bed and breakfast on her vintage Hattaras at the Rickenbacker Marina in Miami. Her website is: www.sanctuarycharteryacht.com
 
<<..."Art Deco style frequently a synonym for Art Wreko. "...>>

Some of the restored Art Deco Hotels in South beach can be nice, but you will pay big $$$, especially near boat show dates. If it's under $200 a night in South Beach at boat show time, don't even think of staying there. Here are some decent ones, but can be $$$ in peak times: The Raleigh, The Delano, The National, The Sagamore, The Tides, The Hotel of South Beach, The Shore Club, and The Victor.

Restaurants in South Beach that we have been to and liked include: Tuscan Steak, Spiga, Osteria del Teatro, GrillFish. Escopazo, and Yuca (Cuban). There are several others we like, but I can't think of them right now.
As for chowder, there might be some types of fish chowder in South Florida, but being you are from the midwest, I assume you are looking for classic clam choweder? Forget about it in SoFL. You want new England for that. In South Beach, for seafood, try Joe's Stone Crabs. (I don't eat crabs, but I hear that Joe's is good. It's a South Beach institution.)

For an evening diversion, drop by the "lobby party" at the Delano Hotel (especially on Tuesday nights) and it's Rose Bar in back right corner of the lobby. Stroll out to the really nice pool in back at night.

A lot of places have a suggested "dress code" of at least "dressy casual" for the evening. Don't show up to a South Beach restaurant, bar, or club in the evening in shorts and flip-flops. Shorts and flip-flops are fine if you go to the Keys.

Prices can be steep in South Beach bars. When I get a beer and the admiral would get a mixed drink, the tab is about $19-$22 with tax and tip.

Have a fun trip.
 
good advice.. SoBe hotels around the boat show are not cheap... hotels on the Miami side are not cheap either, ideally you want to stick to the area between the Sea Isle marina (part of the boat show), biscayne blvd in downtown and along Brickell (the financial district).

i'm pretty sure Sanctuary is booked up for the boat show, if not it's a nice option.

as to marinas to visit/dine... Bayside is part of the show and a little crazy, very touristy. Miami Beach Marina has restaurants (Monty's). Coconut grove is nice to spend some time, there are shops and restaurants (popular in the evening), with a few marinas within walking distance on the waterfront. Monty's is a great location with music over the marina but seriously overpriced for food served on paper plates and plstic cups... The Chart House is nice and there is Scottys' by dinner key/city hall also with music and outdoor food, cheaper than monty's

There are a few hotels in the Grove, nice, although you need a ride to the show...
 
Why not rent a boat and see the area by water? Club Nautico has a wide variety of choices. Fun to look at the real estate and the boats. I used them a few times back in the day and always had a blast.

http://www.clubnauticousa.com

The boat show and the brokerage show are so all encompassing, it's hard to recommend looking at other marinas. A trip down A1A to Ft. Lauderdale is fun, and you can check out the action at Bahia Mar, Pier 66, Hall of Fame etc... I don't think Club Nautico allows you south of Haulover Inlet, but you could check.

I second Joe's, and Monte's by South Beach Marina is good too. Both will be a zoo during the show, so go early.

George
 
Good advice........bring a lot of CASH! Miami is one of the most expensive cities in America. (Drinks in a bar can average 18.00) You have to pay for parking everywhere you go, even at your hotel! The show is good . :)
 
Miami is pretty cheap... parking is cheaper than most cities.. drinks are cheap too.

yesterday we went to south beach with the dogs... parking in Miami beach was $5 for 4 or 5 hours, jsut a couple of blocks from ocean drive. We had drinks at the National Hotel, on the beach, beatiful art deco setting, listening to the Gipsy Kings who were playing there, drinks were around $12 (sangrias, margaritas, ...) not bad considering the location and the free concert!

and they even let us in with the dogs!
 
<<...We had drinks at the National Hotel"...>>

Pascal -

We will be staying at the National Hotel for a few nights (January 5, 6, 7. Check out on 8th) after boating earlier in the week. We'll probably store the boat starting on the 5th.

Parking isn't bad if you self-park. It's when you let the hotel valet park your car, they ding you for about $18 to $25 per day, but it's unlimted in and out.
But drinks, at least in South Beach tourist area seem pricey. A beer and a mixed drink are about $20 (7+13).

See you in a few weeks.
 
Thank you all. That is great descriptions and information. I will definitely have copy of thread in pocket for reference and will be checking out some leads before hand. Nancy- your suggestion: got my wheels turning.
Its been 40 years since I've been there and am excited about return. For the Wife and I; that is where our journey began.[Lauderdale 1970] I was working boat yards and construction. She was a nurse in local hospital. After a const. accident took me to hospital we dated and later married. Moved to Arkansas, started careers and raised 2 children.
The circle is closing and I can hardly wait. Thanks all again for giving me something to work with here.

We are covered with sheet of ice this morning giving me a chance to respond back. And when Les gets up: I'm going to check on getting anchor.
 
40 years? you're not going to recognize the place... sometimes if i dont' go to a part of town in a few months, i see new buildings i had never seen before!

when you compare, south beach is more or less in line with many other big cities... drink in NY aren't excatly cheap for instance.
 
so what do you all think...does it make more sense to rent a car and drive around or just use taxis/shuttle? I may go down there last minute on a standby ticket...pondering staying in the downtown area about a mile from the in-water show area or somewhere near the airport. I am leaning towards skipping the rental car thing??? Thoughts?
 
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