Miami Neighborhood Recommendations?

[charmingtortoise]

Does anyone have any Miami neighborhood recommendations? Or even hotel recommendations for that matter. Downtown and Miami Beach both look interesting but don't know what they have to offer. It will be our first time in Miami and are just looking for a clean and comfortable hotel. We are coming in two days ahead and are planning to spend one day at Zoo Miami. Is there any other must see attractions in Miami? 

 

[bouhunter]

The hotels in Doral allow quick access to the turnpike if you're interested in a drive part way down the Keys one day, or for an airboat ride in the Everglades.

 

We're in northern Michigan too and it's almost cold here this morning...... 🙂

 

[CruiserBruce]

Brickell is mentioned here almost every day. Pretty close to the port, accessible by light rail, good night life and hotels. The Hampton there is very nice, recommended here frequently. Perhaps the best Hampton I have ever stayed in.

[GTO-Girl]

We also stayed in Brickell at the Hampton and enjoyed it very much.  Very nice, clean and safe area……

[Cienfuegos]

Little Havana, the Art Deco neighborhood of Miami Beach, and the Wynnwood Arts district each offer a good walking experience. There are a number of guide services which specialize in arts oriented events.

 

The Little Haiti and Overtown neighborhoods are getting a lot of buzz, but I haven't visited.

 

 

 

[skrufy]

15 hours ago, charmingtortoise said:

Does anyone have any Miami neighborhood recommendations? Or even hotel recommendations for that matter. Downtown and Miami Beach both look interesting but don't know what they have to offer. It will be our first time in Miami and are just looking for a clean and comfortable hotel. We are coming in two days ahead and are planning to spend one day at Zoo Miami. Is there any other must see attractions in Miami? 

 

The popular areas are downtown, Brickell and Miami Beach. All are a short ride to POM, all have shopping and restaurants. Prices of hotels vary in price depending on the time of year and events in town. I use a hotel booking site to check prices. Downtowns attraction is Bayside Market, Brickell it’s shopping and restaurants and Miami Beach has its Art Deco district and high end shopping. Good Cuban food is found in Little Havana a few miles west of downtown. If you like the arts, there’s museums around town. Enjoy Miami is a great port city.

[kroberts0525]

I would stay in Miami Beach and perhaps take a rideshare to Wynwood to see the murals (also lots of great restaurants in that area, our favorite is Le Chick..great outdoor patio). We recently spent five days at Iberostar Berkeley, near Lincoln Road Mall. Lots of shops and restaurants and the hotel has an arrangement with the very expensive hotel across the street that allows guests free beach chairs. If you like it more quiet, stay in the South of Fifth neighborhood. That is what we are doing before our December cruise. Bayside Market looks like Miami's version of a cruise port. Hooter's, Hard Rock and other chain restaurants. IMO,there are so many better options!

[EngIceDave]

I am from South Florida, and I would advise you find a nice place near downtown/port and then to do the tourist thing, find a Calle Ocho Food Tour

 

I do food tours everywhere we go, best way to learn the people and culture.

 

Calle Ocho is Little Havana, be like a guided tour of Little Havana as you eat along the way

[FLLconcierge]

The fashion/arts district (just south of Wynwood) has asome great places to stay...on VRBO or Air B and B...

 

Very walkable and accessible

 

Rather than the zoo and definitely NO to the Seaquaraium, have you considered going to the National Parks?   We have 4 in South Florida!

[charmingtortoise]

On 8/11/2021 at 4:54 PM, FLLconcierge said:

Rather than the zoo and definitely NO to the Seaquaraium, have you considered going to the National Parks?   We have 4 in South Florida!

Why no Seaquarium? I absolutely adore zoos and aquariums. The Zoo is a definite because they have a Galapagos Tortoise encounter. I'm a turtle nut so that is something I don't want to miss.

[EngIceDave]

Open a map of Miami.

 

Find the Port....that's easy

 

OK....please make sure north is up.

 

To your right is Miami Beach

Just a teeny tiny bit to your left (west) is downtown. Little past that is "Little Havana" aka Calle Ocho

 

Go further left (west) from there and you'll see MIA

 

Draw that as a line, beach to airport.

 

Zoo Miami (Metro Zoo) is to the SW from the airport, you'll see how far.

 

Along that line MIA to beach is also Dolphin Mall and a couple casinos.

 

I highly recommend a day walking Little Havana...I REALLY recommend a walking food tour....sample some good cuban food! Learn the culture! Feel the beat! (as Queen Gloria says....never speak ill of Queen Gloria, grounds for punishment)

[Diver2014]

Coconut Grove is a nice area to stay (except near Grand Ave) - nice hotels, lots of shopping and restaurants, not very far from Port of Miami.  Same with Coral Gables, just a little further.  I think Miami Beach is overrated but that's because I'm not a tourist. 

[Cienfuegos]

The Art Deco walking tour of Miami Beach is very enjoyable. You loop in and out of 1930s and 40s hotels, bars, etc. Several blocks of walking. Ends by the Gianni Versace house, now a hotel and restaurant.

 

the same people run a walking and eating tour of Little Havana. 

[FLLconcierge]

On 8/15/2021 at 11:09 PM, charmingtortoise said:

Why no Seaquarium? I absolutely adore zoos and aquariums. The Zoo is a definite because they have a Galapagos Tortoise encounter. I'm a turtle nut so that is something I don't want to miss.

The Zoo is very nice...have won many awards and is extremely ethical. The Sea Aquarium is ABSOLUTELY AWFUL!!!  Very poor treatment of the Orca there for years.....dirty, small tanks and poor treatment of animals. I, too love certain aquariums, NOT this one!

[charmingtortoise]

4 hours ago, FLLconcierge said:

The Zoo is very nice...have won many awards and is extremely ethical. The Sea Aquarium is ABSOLUTELY AWFUL!!!  Very poor treatment of the Orca there for years.....dirty, small tanks and poor treatment of animals. I, too love certain aquariums, NOT this one!

I'm so sorry to hear that about the Sea Aquarium. I'll definitely keep the zoo on the plate.