Organize a Journal

You’ve traveled in every direction.
Now your reviews can, too.

Miami

A South Beach Experience

  • by Constance
  • A travel journal
  • Last Updated: June 26, 2000
Journal Usefulness Rating 6 out of 5
Journal Usefulness
7
Reviews

South Beach is another city that never sleeps. It's the heart of the action in Miami and when most people are going to sleep, South Beach is just getting started.

A South Beach Experience

Overview

Drive along Ocean Drive and see the beautifully restored Art Deco hotels. Find a outdoor patio and have some cool drinks and watch the show. The people here are flamboyant and wonderful.

Quick Tips:

South Beach nights don't get going until very late. I recommend taking a nap before you start your evening. Plan on dinner at 10:30 and hitting the bars at 1:00. If you go any earlier you'll be the only one there. This is an all night town so if you're a night owl you'll love it! I recommend bringing a pair of sunglasses with you in case you stay longer than expected. We've been headed to breakfast on Sunday and seen several people stumble past us on their way home. The sun had a vampire effect on them!

Best Way To Get Around:

You'll want a car to get here from the airport and to see the sights. Parking usually isn't a problem and most hotels and restaurants have their own lots. Walking or cabs are the best option at night as the wonderful nightlife can make driving a challenge and a danger.

Close

Joe's Stone Crab

Restaurant

Joe's Stone Crab

Joe's is a Miami tradition. It's closed from mid-May to mid-October so when it's open it's in demand! Reservations are not accepted but the wait can be very, very long so come prepared! It's crowded and noisy but the food is sensational! The stone crab are the specialty but everything on the menu is great! The seafood is all fresh daily and there something on the menu for everyone. It's nearly impossible, but try to save room for desert. Both the key lime pie and apple pie are a perfect end to this dining experience.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Constance on June 26, 2000

Close

Joe's Stone Crab
11 Washington Ave Miami Beach, Florida 33139
+1 305 673 0365

News Cafe South Beach

Restaurant

The News Cafe

The New's Cafe is a very popular place in South Beach, and the only restaurant I walked out of. While looking at my ketchup crusted menu and waiting for my waitress, I noticed the dirty table, my dirty water glass and the greasy looking food at the table next to me. That was enough for me. I decided to venture to a safer dining experience.
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by Constance on June 26, 2000

Close

News Cafe South Beach
800 Ocean Dr Miami, Florida 33139
(305) 538-6397

Monty's Stone Crab

Restaurant

Monty's Stone Crab/Seafood House

Monty's offers great views but it doesn't have the atmosphere or the great food that Joe's Stone Crab has to offer. I found the food your typical touristy beach restaurant type. For the inflated cost it wasn't worth it. Just go to Joe's.
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by Constance on June 26, 2000

Close

Monty's Stone Crab
300 Alton Road Miami Beach, Florida 33139
+1 305 673 3444; +1

Tantra

Restaurant

Tantra

Exit the humid South Beach night and step into the dark luxurious den of Tantra. This place is all about your five senses: The smells of the incense - The sounds of the music and waterfalls - The sights of the candles and suggestive scupltures - The feel of the real lush grass floor - The tastes of the food, said to be aphrodisiacal. It all works together to take you away from reality. Of course, the martinis they offer don't hurt either. The apple and chocolate martinis are two of my favorites! The food is delicious and our waiter recommended that we eat with our eyes closed to fully capture the many tastes in each bite. Tantra is a wonderful experience but very expensive. It's one of the more popular places in South Beach and reservations are very hard to get so plan in advance! If you can't get a reservation try to go early and have a drink at the bar to enjoy the surroundings. You won't believe your eyes.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Constance on June 26, 2000

Close

Tantra
1445 Pennsylvania Ave. Miami, Florida 33139
(305) 672-4765

Delano Hotel

Activity

The Delano

The Delano is by far the most unique and wonderful hotel in South Beach so they don't have a typical bar. Inside the majestic foyer of the hotel you'll find the Rose Bar, full of the trendiest people in South Beach. Pass this and continue outside to the pool. This is where you want to be! You'll feel like you've walked into a Hollywood movie. Beautiful people are everywhere and the night breeze rustles in the Palms. The pool is gently lit and there are tables at the far end in the midst of a shallow reflecting pool. Lounge on one of the many comfortable beds arranged in the backyard and enjoy. We went on a quiet 'off night' so it wasn't wall to wall people. For all the craziness of South Beach, this was one of the more relaxing evenings we had. The Delano is a must! Stay here if you can get a reservation and can afford it, if not at least stop by for a look around.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Constance on June 26, 2000

Close

Delano Hotel
1685 Collins Avenue Miami, Florida 33139
(305) 672-2000

1220 At The Tides

Activity

The Tides

The Tides is another beautiful hotel with a wonderful bar located on the main strip across from the beach. The decor is clean and sparse and has a very 'high-class' feeling. As with all the nicer bars in South Beach, the people are beautiful and the drinks expensive. Go for at least one and check out the insightful writings on the back wall.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Constance on June 26, 2000

Close

1220 At The Tides
1220 Ocean Drive Miami, Florida 33139
(305) 604-5130

South Beach

Activity

A Day At The Beach

Almost anything goes here. You'll see everything from huge spanish speaking families to topless models. The environment is very liberal and the large gay population makes South Beach all the more wonderful and festive. Unfortunately, most of the sand is hard packed, with the exception of a small strip closest to the water. This is where the crowd gathers. Venture down to the Collins Ave. part of the beach away from all the hotels for more solitary tanning. The sun is hot and you will burn! It may feel cool with the breeze but the sun is stonger than you think. Avoid a painful evening and a week of peeling and use sun screen that's twice as stong as you normally do.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Constance on June 26, 2000

Close

South Beach
Ocean Drive Miami, Florida

About the Writer

Constance
Constance
New York, United States

Subscribe to IgoUgo Deals Newsletters

Get our handpicked Top 10 Deals every Wednesday.