Miami FL, probably the most famous settlement in Florida, is not to be confused with Miami Beach FL, a separate city which lies offshore.
Lying 25.7º north of the Equator, Miami is close enough to the Tropic of Cancer to be considered – Tropical. With the ITCZ at its most northern position, the rainy season is May to October, thunderstorms aplenty. To this, add the hurricane season, June to November, and one can see why the indigenous population living in Temperate USA, considered Miami to be a – winter – resort. Cue the British tourist at the – wrong – time of year.
Arriving in Miami FL
By Bus
Long distance Greyhound Buses, a la Midnight Cowboy, must be the least attractive means of arriving in Miami FL. The Bus Station lies on the east side of the airport terminal. From here one can access Tri-Rail, Metrorail and Flix Bus, local buses, as well as the occasional aeroplane.
By ‘plane
Arriving at Miami International Airport, one can take the MIA Mover (above), a free rail shuttle service to Airport Station (below), adjacent to the Bus Station.
Metrorail
Metrorail is the suburban train service, operating from 05.30 until midnight. The Orange Line, in the direction of Dadeland South, takes you Downtown and beyond to Brickell, Coconut Grove etc. If arriving/departing late night/early morning, there could be a shuttle service between the Airport and Earlington Heights, one stop. From there, the Green Line duplicates the Orange.
A twenty four hour ticket, purchasing a reusable Easy Card may be advisable when using public transport, as opposed to the single use Easy Ticket.
Valid on buses too, note, not all buses which turn up are necessarily in the classic design.
Buses are required to move inland to areas such as Coral Gables, not served by the Metrorail, or other coastal areas such as Cocounut Grove.
One soon discovers in Miami FL that Brickell, to the south of Miami River, is the focal point of both transport and evening activity.
Free Transport: Metromover, Trolley
Operating from 05.30 until 22.00, Metromover is a free, unmanned light rail running in three loops, to the north, around Downtown and south to Brickell.
Trolleys, running typically between 06.30 and 22.00 are slow, but free!
Wooden framed, battery operated, do not be put off: the Coral Way Trolley, running from Coral Gables to Dodge Island, The Port of Miami, is where the cruise ships dock. This Trolley avoids a $50.00 taxi. Coral Gables, lying inland, is also an excellent locus in which to consider residing.
By Ship
The Port of Miami is connected to Downtown Miami FL by both a bridge and a tunnel. Extensive, and depending on where one’s ship actually docks, a taxi may suit some. Else, as described above, a walk along Port Boulevard to Atlantic Way takes one to the Trolley stop.
Places of interest encountered:
Downtown
Bayfront Park
Pier 5
Bayside Banyan Tree
Dogs and Cats Walkway and Sculpture Garden
Miami River walkway
Brickell City Centre
Limestone outcrop (Brickell)
Coconut Grove
Coral Gables
Breweries visited:
Bay 13 Brewery and Kitchen- 65 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Titanic Brewery – 5813 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33146
Biscayne Bay Brewing Company – 100 NE 1st Ave Third Floor, Miami, FL 33132
Bars, restaurants and cafes visited:
Downtown / Bayside
Kuba On The Bay – 401 Biscayne Blvd #1085, Miami, FL 33132
Brickell
Batch Gastropub: Miami – 30 SW 12th St, Miami, FL 33130
Novotel Miami Brickell – 1500 SW 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33129
Rodilla – 701 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130
Rosetta Bakery – 824 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130, United States
Black Tap Craft Burgers and Beer – VRodilla – 701 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130 (closed)
Coral Gables
Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar – 301 Giralda Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Fritz & Franz Bierhaus – 60 Merrick Wy, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Gelato E Macchiato – 210 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Coconut Grove
Bombay Darbar – 2901 Florida Ave., Miami, FL 33133
Little Havana