Husband and I along with another couple will be seeking some sun in late March. We've decided on Miami as we're able to stay at the Sherry Frontenac Hotel. We've never been to Miami and wonder if anyone is familiar with this area. It's address is 6565 Collins Ave. Is there something we should not miss while there? We will only have about 4 days but our evenings are free.
Thanks for your help.

Funny thing. I live in South Florida and never really visit the "must sees". Whatever they are.

Since it appears your main motivation is the sun you should do fine in late march. Warm temperature and lots of sun.

Assuming you have a car.

Go to South Beach. The Art Deco area. From the beach inland between 15 and 20 street.

Lincoln Road in the same area. Runs perpendicular to the ocean. It basically a pedestrian street with many outdoor restaurant. Teramisu is one of my favorites (Italian). You'll have plenty of company as there'll be thousands of other people fighting for the same restaurants. You can call many for reservations. Ask for outdoor tables.

Drive up to Ft Lauderdale. Less than 30 minutes. Las Olas Blvd is about 6-7 blocks long with about 10-15 restaurants. Many tourists walking around though nowhere near the crowd on South Beach/Lincoln Road.

For a farther drive you can go to Mizner Park in Boca. Shops & restaurants.

If you get tired of sun you can try Vizcaya Gardens of S.Miami Ave. Very nice. Miami Seaquarium if that's of interest.

Oh, in town this week (Jan 30) you can partake in the Super Bowl parties on South Beach. Many celebs, athletes and wannabees.

For golf, just ask the hotel. There's a golf course in every direction except east (the ocean).

There are many web sites but these are just a few.

That time of year you should have ideal weather.

Thank you for such a fast reply. I would love to visit the Vizcaya Garden. Also it's good to know the streets of the So. Beach Art Deco area. I believe we'll have a car so we can "get out of Dodge" if necessary, however, I'm looking forward to strolling the area and seeing the architecture, shops, homes, restaurants, bars etc.

The area of Collins where your hotel is located is on the north end of Miami Beach. It's not close to South Beach so you'll need to drive there to explore that area.

South Beach & it's Art Deco district is great to walk around and explore. Lincoln Road's pedestrian mall is full of restaurants & shops and great people watching. Ocean Drive is a fun area for restaurants & nightlife as well.

We visited Vizcaya two weeks ago and enjoyed the gardens & villa very much. They give great tours which are included in the admission price.

Enjoy the beach, restaurants, go for happy hour at the Delano's pool bar.

Drive down to Key Biscayne or check out shopping areas in Coconut Grove and Coral Gables.

While South Beach definitely has the bulk of things to do for a tourist visit, not far from your hotel on 71st Street is a nice little area with restaurants. I like Prima Pasta and las Vacas Gordas (Argentinean meat). The area has alot of Argentinean / Colombian / Venezuelan restaurants and bakeries - if there are people buying, it's probably good. It's definitely not glitzy South Beach, but it's great beach, and an area with a flavor all it's own.

At Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, there is an exhibit of Chihuly glass going on which is beautiful, but the gardens are worth a visit regardless. It's could be combined with Vizcaya.

I could also have mentioned (maybe I did). If you want to see how "they" shop, you can go to Bal Harbor Shops.

Essentially, it's a mall of upper-end stores. Up Collins (A1A). Only a few minutes from your hotel.

Oh yes, if you want to pass homes. Drive up Collins (A1A) to about 190th street. You'll suddenly enter a city called Golden Beach (only about a mile or two long). Drive as slow as you can without causing a traffic jam or having the police stop you. Look at the houses, mostly beach side.

The police will stop you if you turn off into the side streets. But some of the houses you'll see beach-side are enormous. One was rented to the Miami Vice series back years ago.

I guess a snaughty (snotty) area. But hey...

Again, thank you all for your advice, I can always count on Fodorites for the best suggestions. I usually print out your letters, check them out on the internet and make up my itinerary.

If you have time when you go to Vizcaya, check out the pool at the Venetian Pool and/or the pool at the historic Biltmore hotel. They're both a short drive from Vizcaya.

http://www.venetianpool.com/VenetianPoolHome.html

http://www.biltmorehotel.com/en/recreation.asp

All the above posters have great advice....Prima Pasta is a GREAT date place and very good Italian food...though be it Argentinian influenced! I used to eat there 3 nights a week on my way home late at night!

Anyone remember when the feds swooped in?

Anyway you are well within range of South Beach (about 8$ cab) and close to Shops of Bal Harbour, where another great Italian restaurant is Carpaccio...excellent service and a GREAT place to people watch.

I think that the Bal Harbour area beaches are among the nicest in the M.B. area...and quiet...which is exactly why I moved here from SOBE.

The Deco area is between 5th Streets and 14th Streets not north of 15th.

Vizcaya
Miami Zoo
Parrot Jungle
Versailles for Cuban
Little Havana
Venitian Pool
Bill Baggs State Park Key Biscayne
water tour of Stiltsville

You are in the midst of a restaurant haven. The advice about Las Olas in FLL is solid. SoBe has Joe's Stone
Crab and an abundance of pleasant cafes. I also like the Crab House on the 79th St. Causeway. Have fun.