Weekend in Miami/South Beach
 

Hello out there........anyone?<BR><BR>This is my second cry for help! Please, any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!<BR><BR>I'll be staying in Miami Beach this weekend at the Indian Creek hotel (it's around 23rd St or so off Collins Dr.). <BR><BR>What's the best beach? Should I bring my own chair?--Do I have to rent one and if so, how much will a chair & umbrella rental cost me? <BR><BR>What can I expect in terms of weather?<BR><BR>Best restaurants? (from cheap to chichi)<BR><BR>Thanks :)

It's me again...<BR><BR>Is it difficult to get around w/o a car? Can I walk to Lincoln Rd and South Beach within 30 min? <BR><BR>thankyouthankyouthankyou :)

Yes , you can walk to the beach--about 2 blocks I think--the streets go Collins and then Ocean Ave--Ocean Ave is the BEACH....<BR><BR>Anywhere up that area is fine- If you have a chair and are driving, yes bring a chair-- If you are flying,you will be able to rent from the lifeguard...<BR><BR>Have no idead what rentals cost...

I had friends that used to live in Miami. It is so much fun...people watching, eating, partying. Definitely go to South Beach! You can rent a chair (not sure of price) or bring your own. There are so many shops and restaurants on South Beach to go too. I would try the News Cafe (it is open 24 hours) and the Clevelander has great Rum Runners! Have a great time.

Sara:<BR>You can definately walk the beach. If worse comes to worse, take a cab but you should be able to walk everywhere without a problem. As for the weather, you should be able to check out local forecasts at this point but it's usually sunny & hot and a few showers in the afternoon.<BR>You will not have a problem finding a beach. You're pretty much staying on it. Collins Ave is one block down from Ocean Drive which is where the beach is and where most of the action is happening. You can pretty much walk around the area and you will find plenty of restaurants but I will agree with "T" about News Cafe. A casual place but right on Ocean Drive and pretty good food. You should also go to Wet Willie's which is on Ocean Drive and about 9th street. They have awesome (and strong) frozen drinks. They have a big terrace-like area upstairs overlooking the street/beach. It's great to people-watch. Have fun!

Thank you aaa, T, and Aileen!<BR><BR>I will definitely try the News Cafe--it seems to be a classic favorite...any other recs for good food? In particular--Italian and Japanese, and I'm also looking for a good breakfast/brunch place.<BR><BR>Are the touristy attractions like the Venetian Pool and Vizcaya (sp?) worth the trip? If so, how much will a taxi ride be?<BR><BR>thanks again :)

I don't know how much a cab will be, but Vizcaya and the Venetian Pool are both worth visiting. The Venetian Pool struck me as classic Florida: a freeform pool with grottos, a waterfall, a sandy area, etc. On a sunny weekday in January there were maybe 6 people in the whole place. We LOVED it.<BR><BR>Vizcaya is well worth seing also if you are in to houses from the past/ Very good guides, lovely gardens, nice ocean view, a gift shop/snack area: we enjoyed our glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and eccentric from the early 1900's.

Hi Sara:<BR><BR>I agree with all the comments here. For a Japanese restaurant, you should find several in South Beach, including Sushi Rock Cafe, on Collins, around 9th St. I think. Also, there are a few on Licoln Rd. which starts on Collins and 17th, and it's a nice place to visit in itself (the street is closed to trafic and there are restaurants, art galleries, shops, etc.).<BR><BR>For an Italian, you'll also find plenty of them. I like Cafe Milano on Ocean Dr. around 14th, but my absolute favorite restaurant in Miami is Cafe Ragazzi, on Harding Ave. and 95th St., a couple of blocks south of Bal Harbor mall. Their phone numbr is 305-866-4495, reservations for more than 2 people are a MUST!<BR><BR>Also try Larios on the Beach (Ocean and 6th) for Cuban food...<BR><BR>Have a great time!