BIENVENIDO A MIAMI

The southern Florida hot spot offers something for everyone this spring

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ PHOTOS BY GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Home to the largest collection of art deco architecture in the world, not to mention the largest subtropical wilderness and some of the most exclusive resorts, beaches, and restaurants in the United States, there are few places on the planet hotter than Miami, no matter the time of year.

The weather in the region is wetter and more humid than in the Valley, but during the spring and early summer months it is rarely creeps above 90 degrees or below 50 degrees, making this season the sneaky best time to take advantage of everything Miami has to offer.

Outdoor Adventures

There are more than a dozen pristine, white sand beaches in the area, including the iconic Miami Beach – South, commonly known as South Beach, and its sister beaches, conveniently named Mid Beach and North Beach. South Beach is just as it is portrayed in popular culture, from its multicolored lifeguard stands to its opulent oceanfront dining along see-and-be-seen Ocean Drive. It gets a bit quieter at Mid Beach, which is more popular for joggers and bicycling, and then North Beach skews a bit older with more of a cafe vibe than party feel. Those looking to explore the art deco scene across Miami will likely find the most concentration of tours and sites adjacent to this family of beaches, most prominently in the preserved Art Deco Historic District. Outside of Miami Beach, if with family, consider Crandon Park Beach, which has a family entertainment center. If keen to indulge in pure luxury, head to Bal Harbor, which is lined with opulent resorts from end to end.

In a 180-degree twist from the various buzzy beach scenes, Miami-Dade County is also home to the protected Everglades National Park, a subtropical wetland ecosystem spanning 2 million acres across central and south Florida. It takes about an hour to drive from Miami’s bustling downtown scene to the vast rivers of dense grass and diverse wildlife, but the drive is well worth it, as is reserving one of its epic airboat tours. During most tours, notably those through Everglades Airboat Adventures, Everglades Holiday Park, Wild Florida Airboats & Gator Park, and River of Grass Adventures, professional guides maneuver the airboats at varying speeds through the wetlands, allowing for time to seek out the area’s ample alligator and crocodile populations (yes, both call the area home!). Tours also showcase a host of other species including more than 360 types of birds and nearly 30 types of snakes plus fish, turtles, manatees, bottlenose dolphins, and even the endangered Florida panther. Many airboat operators are connected to area animal sanctuaries as well, so visitors should consider a double ticket if available.

Food & Drink

There are an estimated 10,000 culinary hotspots in the greater downtown area of Miami alone, meaning there is not only something for everyone, but something new for everyone to try. Most spots focus on one or more international flavors, with many taking inspiration from a combination of Cuba, Haiti, Peru, Colombia, India, Thailand, Jamaica, Japan, and Argentina, though there are plenty of more traditional fine dining steak, seafood, and Italian eateries as well. There are several alcoves within Miami, in fact, that offer full neighborhoods focused on a particular cuisine, including Little Havana, which is overflowing with all things Latin; Little Haiti, known for its Creole and Caribbean cuisine; and Historic Overtown, Liberty City and Coconut Grove Village West, each of which takes great pride in authentic Soul food.

Given the weather and miles of picturesque waterfront property, many of the best spots for fine dining also have ample, extravagant patios, such as Lido Bayside Grill At The Standard, La Mar By Gastón Acurio, Juvia, and Dilido Beach Club.

The sheer number of flavors from which to sip and savor can be daunting. A good rule of thumb if a foodie: book one or more food tours while in the area, many of which also feature historic factoids along the way and can be customized to suit the particular taste of the group. Among the best are Miami Culinary Tours, Miami Secret Food Tours, and Miami Food Tours.

Accommodations

As with the food and drink options in the area, there are exclusive resorts around every turn in Miami. Given this, why not choose one with a story to tell? Two of the best spots with the wildest of stories are The Villa Casa Casuarina At The Former Versace Mansion and Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The Villa, already famous in the 90s as the home of beloved fashion designer Gianni Versace, became infamous when serial killer Andrew Cunanan tragically murdered Versace as he tried to enter his home in 1997. Today, the three-story spectacular features 10 epic suites and a pool lined with 24-karat gold.

Though more than $1 billion has been poured into it in updates over the years, The Fontainebleau was originally built by Ben Novack, Sr., and he lived in the resort with his wife and son, Ben Novack, Jr. Years later, eccentric adult Novack, Jr. and his mother were murdered under odd circumstances, and though they were not killed at the hotel, as its original heirs, their harrowing story lives on in its walls. Beyond the intrigue, it is one of the finest resorts in the world, with an award-winning 40,000-square-foot spa, elegant suites, and a culinary lineup that includes Hakkasan, two-level beach club La Cote, interactive Chez Bon Bon, Scarpetta by Scott Conant, and StripSteak by Michael Mina.

For more, visit www.miamiandbeaches.com.