24 Hours in Miami
Author: weissheiss
Article by Jon Simpson
If you find yourself with only one day in Miami, dont panic! This frenetic, buzzing and flashy Florida city is non-stop action, glitz and glamour and theres plenty you can pack in to 24 hours!
Embrace the eccentricities of this Art Deco city, languish on its beautiful beaches, soak up the celebrity scene and be prepared to have a lot of fun in one day!
0800 Wake up to the Sun
Pull back the curtains on a sunny morning in the Raleigh Hotel. This little holistic paradise is a have from the outside world. Effortlessly chic and seductive, the Raleigh has character in spades with a serving of glamour on the side. In keeping with the Art Deco style, this understated yet elegant hotel is the perfect place to lay your head. Room have sumptuous bead, in-room stereo, WIFI internet and mini bar while the hotel provides stunning facilities from a gym, sauna, spa, outdoor dining and a the most iconic pool in South Beach!
0900 Breakfast in the Pink
Embrace the All-American culture and head for Big Pinks for a great diner breakfast. From fruit to waffles, granola to a steak and egg feast, whatever you require to set you up for the day can be found here. Why not try a Hollywood breakfast with polenta fires, bacon, spinach, eggs and basil or perhaps an omelette made to order! You might feel like an extra in the film Grease in this entertaining eatery.
1000 Hit the Beach!
Whether you just fancy a stroll or you have your towel and two-piece at the ready, a visit to Miami isnt complete without seeing its most famous attraction. South Beach is the quintessential Miami experience and is the place to see and be seen. If youre looking for somewhere with a little more freedom then why not try Haulover Beach, Miamis only clothing optional spot! It is marked to avoid any surprises and this beach also happens to be great for peaceful sunbathing and surfing.
1230 Lunchtime News Flash
If youre feeling peckish after soaking up the rays, head to the New Café, another Miami institution. Serving customers since 1988, this quaint sidewalk café serves everything from sandwiches and salads to fantastic burgers, Middle Eastern dishes and delicious desserts. Tuck in at a pavement table and watch the blonde, muscular and beautiful mosey by!
1330 Italian Afternoon
High on the tourist agenda but well worth a visit, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens are perched on Bisayne Bay on Miamis south side. This stunning Italianate mansion, built in the 1900s is surrounded by acres of tranquil and beautifully landscaped European style gardens complete with fountains, statues and topiary. The icing on the cake is the huge, limestone, ornamental breakwater that sits right on the bay and is studded with intricate sculptures. Inspired by the lavish palaces of Europe, it is well worth waking a tour through the breath-taking interior if you have the time. If you are in the mood for alternative art then head for Miamis Wynwood Art District where youll find a whole host of galleries showing modern art from across the globe!
1530 Coffee Stop
If you wondered how the folks in Miami stay so perky, the answer could be the Cuban coffee! For a quick pit stop, head to the Coffee Window at Versaille. The Café Cubano is black gold with heavenly froth. Sit in the Cuban eatery or simply sidle up to the window, place your order and enjoy a caffeine fix on the run.
1540 Animals and Art
Before dinner there is just time to pack in another attraction or two! If you want to see some wildlife you can choose from whale and dolphin acrobatic displays at the Miami Seaquarium, or perhaps our primate friends are more up your street? In which case, a trip to Monkey Jungle is required. This unique park lets the monkeys run wild while the humans are caged! You can even pay a little extra and feed the hungry little creatures as they scamper about around you. For a last artistic hoorah, head to Coral Castle, a unique and beautiful monument that is the largest coral creation in the world.
1800 Pre Night Pampering
If you are planning a night on the town, you may want to make sure you are preened and primped to perfection before joining the well-coiffed crowds of Miami. There is no better place to be made over than at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Spa. Exfoliation, pedicures, manicures, facials, massages, hot wraps you name it, you can have it. Choose from one or many treatments and head out on the town looking your glamorous best!
1900 Drinks at Sunset
There is no better place for a pre-dinner cocktail than the Sunset Lounge at the Mondrian Hotel. Definitely a hang-out of the bronzed and beautiful, dont let that put you off. The views across Biscayne Bay at sunset are just divine and make for fantastic photographs. Renaissance in design, this lounge has a beady menu of Brazilian cocktails, DJs with a Latin flavour and some of the best people watching on offer!
2000 Genuine Dining
Michaels Genuine Food and Drink does what it says on the tin. This Miami favourite serves up unfussy, fresh, delicious and pretension-free food all in a relaxed yet bustling surrounding. Choose from pizza with roasted yellow tomatoes and ricotta or baked onions with ground lamb among other treats. They also have a fantastic wine list to complement the authentic food.
2100 Hit the Town Running
Flights to Miami reveal a city whose nightlife is second to not very many places! But, you have a choice as to whether you hit the uber-trendy, so-fashionable-it-hurts kind of bars like Pearl, complete with waterfalls, polka-dot tables, seashell chairs and champagne on tap to somewhere with a bit more character like Club Deuce. Its black tiled bar has seen better days but the 8am to 7pm happy hour proves a popular draw. The down to earth atmosphere means you may get to strike up a conversation with a local! Celebrities have been knows to pop in from time to time!
2200 Dance til Dawn
If you still have some energy, no doubt thanks to that cubano coffee, head for the coolest club in South Beach, the Mansion. DJs, neon lights, elegant banquettes, beautiful people and sweeping staircases make this the place to been seen in Miami. Sit in one of the lounges that resemble something from the set of Scarface or get down on the dance floor until the sun comes up and the adventure begins again!
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