Hola Miami!

The best part about Miami is the sunshine! There is always sunshine, just about every day of every year. It rains, but only for short periods. Showers that pass on. Beaches, nothing but beaches, all day long. Disco beaches, family beaches, nude beaches, topless beaches, dress beaches. Beaches where people pray, where people sing, where they are baptized, where they ponder and dream. There's theater, music, dance, want it, find it. Community groups, school groups, college groups, professional groups, experimental groups. It's here. And if it isn't here yet, it most likely will be here tomorrow! The food is the best. Food from the islands, from the Far East, the Middle East, Europe, Africa. A coffee lover's dream, Cafe Cubano right on street corners, from little windows, in coffee places, in restaurants, from vending carts. The smell of great coffee follows you everywhere. Put your nose in the air, close your eyes, and you'll smell the best coffee on earth.

Quick Tips:

Everyone knows about South Beach and the Grove. But there's more! Visit the strangest place, Opa Locka City Hall on AliBaba Avenue, near Shangrila! Get the point? Most people don't even know it's there! Spend a day on Haulover Beach where it's legal to be nude (not lude), and experience the freedom of being as nature made you.

Best Way To Get Around:

Miami public transportation is horrible! No bus is ever on time, and if the bus drivers don't feel like stopping, they don't. Complaining doesn't help either, because the complaint department wants specific information on the bus driver that you can't get, because he or she passes you too quickly! If you have to rely on public transportation, be prepared to take lots of time! Otherwise, rent a car!

People who visit Miami want to stay in a hotel or motel that overlooks the water. Very expensive usually!

I found the Whitehouse Inn On The Bay when a group of friends visited and my house was too small to accommodate everyone.

The Whitehouse Inn is a fairly small establishment right on Biscayne Bay. Some of the rooms overlook the Bay, some a Canal. All of the rooms have small kitchenettes. The pool is located right above the Bay with a great view towards Miami Beach. A quiet location, my friends told me of being lulled to sleep by the sound of the water against the sea wall of the inn. They liked it so much that their subsequent visits to Miami always included at least one night at the Whitehouse Inn On The Bay.

My favorite restaurant is the Rusty Pelican. Located on Key Biscayne, it opens to a spectacular view on Miami. No matter if it is day or night, the Miami skyline from here is awesome. You can sit outside during the cooler months - not the coolest! - and enjoy drinks by the flickering light of the open fires. The sound of the waves, the fires, the wonderful skyline, good company, what more could you want?

For dinner, any table in the restaurant presents a view of Miami’s skyline. To the right, you can see Miami Beach. To the left, Coconut Grove. Straight ahead, the Brickell Avenue buildings. During the day, you’ll be entertained by the boats sailing or speeding through the bay. At night, the colors of the lights turn the city into a perfect picture postcard.

Dining is more elegant than casual, offering a variety of American and European dishes. There are always "early bird specials," less expensive than the regular menu dinners. The ambience inside the restaurant complements the fabulous view of the city.

For any visitor, the Rusty Pelican is an absolute MUST.