Miami Holidays

The mainstay of the Miami public transport system is the Metrobus; however, the network is large and takes some time to get used to. The fare is standard to any destination. If you need to change buses, ask for a transfer when buying your ticket, as it costs extra. There is also an elevated train service called the Metrorail, which connects North and South Miami with stations at one mile intervals. For a more scenic option, the elevated monorail, the Metromover, offers great views of downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay and connects with buses and trains. However, most visitors take taxis or hire a car. This can be more convenient, as the city is sprawled out over a large area. To rent a car, the driver must be over 21, have a valid credit card and, if from abroad, hold a passport and English language driving license. Be aware when driving around Miami that local drivers can be aggressive.

Miami comes to life when the sun goes donw. The South Beach streets pump with clubs and bars, and there's plenty of partying and live music in the Design District area. Downtown Miami hosts a few trendy venues, Coconut Grove being a particulalry popular party zone. With everything from cocktails and comedy shows, to lounges and nightclubs, one night in Miami would never be long enough.

Visitors to Miami might like to start their evening at one of the many cocktail bars, or perhaps the Dan Marino sports bar and restaurant. Visit Greater Miami for flamenco or cabaret shows, or even a drag show! There are also various comedy performances, including stand-up, sketch, and improvisational comedies.

Miami dance clubs and lounges tend to offer a sultry Latin beat, while nightclub music ranges from Afro-Cuban to rumba rap to indie rock to electro-pop. These clubs are widspread in downtown Miami and Little Havana, as well as west of the Bay area.

Miami abounds with unqiue shopping experiances. Miami's Lincoln Road Mall is a pedestrian promenade lined with palm trees and art deco buildings, home to big name labels like the Gap and Banana Republic. For another 'open mall' option, the Falls not only has all the usual shops but also beautiful seating area near the waterfall.

For elite shopping, few places measure up to Bal Harbour Shops, including stores like Tiffany & Co, Prada, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Miracle Mile is one of Miami's top shopping locations, hosting over 170 upscale shops and 40 gourmet restaurants within walking distance of each other.

On the waterfront, Bayside Marketplace offers a variety of shops, restaurant, and entertainment just minutes from downtown Miami. Espanola Way is a quirky street in Miami Beach, filled with stalls selling local arts and crafts on weekends. U.S.1 Discount Mall is an air-conditioned flea market in Cutler Bay with over 200 vendors ready to satisfy all consumer desires, from belly piercing to tailoring.

Be warned that a Sales Tax of seven percent is built into purchase prices, as sales taxes are set at state level. There is there is no way to obtain a refund from the federal government for non-US visitors.

Miami is a great holiday destination for families with kids. This exciting city offers numerous attractions and activities for children, many of which parents will enjoy too. From museums to parks and beaches, there is no shortage of places to take kids while on holiday in Miami.

Miami favourites for kids include the outer-space exhibits at the Miami Science Museum, as well as the killer whale performances at the Seaquarium. Children also love seeing Jungle Island's exotic parrots, crocodiles, and penguins. One of the best beaches for children is Crandon Park Beach. Both the Gold Coast Railroad Museum and the Miami Children's Museum will provide hours of amusement.

Summer tends to be a bit too warm and stormy to enjoy with kids on holiday in Miami; most families prefer to visit in winter when the temperatures are a bit more comfortable, and off-season rates for accommodation and attractions are available. Families also generally choose to avoid the Spring Break antics of March, when the student-filled beaches could be inappropriate for children.

Miami's cuisine has a unique flavour, being predominantly (a combination of Latin, American and Caribbean). Eateries include everything from steakhouses and cafés, to Italian, Oriental, and Middle Eastern restaurants. South Beach and Coconut Grove both have a thriving cafe society, and tourists will find plenty of sidewalk seating. Miami is well known for its seafood, so be sure to try a Stone Crab dish, a local delicacy.

The most common complaint about restaurants in Miami is that mid-range eateries are hard to come by. Food in Miami is either very cheap or very expensive. However, with new venues opening constantly, there is always something new to sample. Meals for under $10 are plentiful in Little Havana, while South Beach has a collection of high-end restaurants.

A fun way to dine out in Miami is by sampling the fare offered by food trucks. These mobile eateries offer excellent (and cheap) food; the challenge comes in figuring out where they are! A few of the most popular, including gastroPod Mobile Gourmet, Latin Burger and Taco, and Feverish Gourmet Pops have twitter accounts to keep hungry customers updated as to their locations.