South Florida: So Much To Offer In The Tropics! ! Hometown W/O
Written: Nov 09 '03 (Updated Nov 12 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Vast array of sights
Cons: The heat of summer
The Bottom Line: International flavor, food and sounds along with abundant nature and sights, for all tastes and ages
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| ifif1938's Full Review: South Florida |
Another write-off! This one, hosted by our esteemed member Proxam to celebrate his second epinions year, the idea is to honor our own hometowns, the places we have lived and loved to live....Problem is, I wasn’t sure which of my hometowns to write about, since both are in South Florida where I have lived for so long. Miami Beach where I grew up, and Miami, just over the many bridges that connects them, where I live now, both my hometowns at one time or another. I’ve decided to combine the best of both places, and other nearby towns, that would be considered South Florida in a New Top Ten List of this southern peninsula where I live....At least the top ten in my humble opinion!
~1~ First and foremost, is Miami Beach, most visited and more well-known to tourists as South Beach, or SoBe, where the glitz and glitterie meet and greet on the balmy sands and under the blue and sunny skies. More often then not the streets on South Beach will be packed with people walking or driving these streets passing the many outdoor cafes that line Ocean drive filled to capacity on any night of the week. These cafes and restaurants that have opened in the old Art Deco pale pastel colored hotels and buildings that once were apartment houses or retirement hotels in years past.....Now they are renovated, posh and very chi chi with night clubs that are not even open until very late at night, then fill up with the “beautiful” people who go there to see and be seen....If late night entertainment and the pulsating beat of Latin rhythm or any other kind of rhythm is what interests you then nowhere else is there a more perfect spot to go.
Anther interesting place to visit is Lincoln Road, another landmark street, which runs East to West from one end of Miami Beach near the ocean to the other body of water surrounding it, Biscayne Bay....This is a walking street with no cars allowed, at least on the East/West route, it’s also filled with renovated stores, posh boutiques and restaurants and outside cafes. On Sundays, Lincoln Road becomes an outdoor Antique show with vendors selling all wonderful and unusual items, many Art deco in nature. But there is also a green market, with freshly baked breads, just squeezed juices or blended smoothies and exotic flowers sold by many of the vendors…Here too, as on Ocean drive, the main attractions are the people themselves decked out in all sort of interesting outfits, …some wearing hardly anything except a pair of roller blades or a parrot, even large reptiles on their shoulders. Yes, it is an interesting walk to take on a Sunday morning..
For a more peaceful morning or any time of the day take a walk on the boardwalk behind the hotels along Ocean Drive just a bit further north starting at 21st street, head north all the way past the Fontainebleau hotel on 44th street and you will see a different slant of this Miami Beach, the wide sandy beach, the clear blue ocean just a beyond and the blue skies above, this is the tropical paradise so many have come to love.. Here too you can stop for a drink or bite to eat at one of the many hotels outdoor cafes along this 4-mile path.
There’s a lot more to see and do on the Miami Beach besides the beaches.
~2~ The Jewish Museum on Washington Ave and 3rd street tells the story of the Florida Jewish experience since 1763 when the first Jewish settlers discovered the tranquility of Miami Beach..... Nearby is the touching and heart wrenching tribute to the victims of the atrocities of WW II at the Holocaust Memorial. This monument is an outstanding work of art and exhibits, a worthwhile visit for all regardless of race or religion. You can’t miss it with the giant statue of that outstretched arm reaching for the sky....Located at Meridian Ave and 17 th street.
~3~ On a lighter note, there is the Bass Museum of Art, with traveling exhibitions throughout the year along with permanent exhibits that include some of the best work of arts to be found in any small museum including, works by the Northern European artists, Rubens. Rembrandt, Durer, Daumier, and even Toulouse-Lautrec..Some old European paintings, panels and tapestries are on display along with large panels and works by Botticelli and Ghirlandaio (Michelangelo’s teacher). There are also Photographic displays along with architectural and design arts from some of the most famous American artists in that field…
Then there is the Jackie Gleason Theater of Performance Arts with a varied calendar of concerts and Broadway road shows presented on a regular basis....Details for performance schedules can be found on the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Website.
~4~ Another not to be missed experience is a meal at Joes Stone Crabs, nowhere else can you find the type of meal presented here the way it is presented or Stone Crabs that are as good as they are here. I always go there with the intention of having something different from their varied and delicious menu but usually end up with the large Stone Crabs, creamy garlic spinach, fried sweet potatoes and tangy cole slaw as only they can make it, and the Key Lime Pie…(Hint, Joes is very crowded so be prepared to wait at least an hour if you go at peak dinner hours, and don’t forget that pie!) Another hint, they do offer take out now but you will miss the Joe’s craziness and the experience! Located on First Street and Collins Ave
Now it’s time to head over one of the Causeways that attach the Island of Miami Beach to the mainland of Miami.
~5~ Along the McArthur Causeway, the newest attraction to open, the biggest theme park in all of South Florida, is Parrot Jungle Island. Newly relocated from its former location in South Miami, this is the place to take a walk on the wild side. Tree lined trails, lead to an amazing array of animals, including the largest reptile in this country, the Crocasaurus, all 2000 lbs of him...The vast array of colorful birds will delight anyone of any age, monkeys, snakes of all sizes, and the cat show will thrill you when you see the baby tigers and rare large cats, one a Liger, a cross between a Lion and a Tiger is an amazing creature in size and beauty, all 900 lbs of him…This new location also features a fantastic cafeteria/café, where theme park food has taken on a new dimension of fine eating....My complete and in-depth review of this attraction is waiting for just one more element of the park to open.
~6~ For more beaches, some of the most beautiful in the world, are located on Key Biscayne another lovely drive just passed the downtown area to enjoy a picnic, or a visit to the Miami Seaquarium, where some gentle giants are waiting your attention. The Seaquarium has received some not so perfect controversy recently but if you want to experience this type of attraction this is the place to go in South Florida.
~7~ Next on my list of do not miss places to see would have to be Viscaya.This Italian Renaissance style building and formal gardens has to be one of my favorite spots to visit, one that always gets highest rating from my guests....It’s a taste of Europe with a tropical flair.
~8~ Coconut grove, or the groovy grove as some call it..I have seen it grow and change dramatically from the hippy haven it was in the 60’s to the upscale community that it is today....Many shops and boutiques line up along it’s main highway as well as the multi level shopping center, Cocowalk, featuring more upscale stores, some chain stores like the Gap to smaller unique privately owned shops. There are restaurants as well as a movie complex all in this uniquely designed building. One of our favorite pastimes in the grove is to visit The Barnacle a serene pioneer homestead right off the busy main street. Sitting there on the rounded porch looking out at the water you cannot tell what’s going on just a short walk away. We also love to walk along the marina also just a short distance away. One of the highlights of Coconut Grove is the Art festival that takes place every year in February with artists from all corners of the world showcasing their work...This is always an event and a worthwhile visit with more great people watching.
~9~ Still heading south, The Miami Metro Zoo is an outstanding zoo with many rare animals on display in lush outdoor areas. White tigers co-exist with other tigers in the beautiful and uniquely inspired Asian exhibit. Silver backed Gorillas, Chimps and many varieties of other monkeys will delight any child regardless of age, there’s even a dragon, though a smaller cousin, the Komodo Dragon…Throughout the year they feature different fascinating exhibits, presently on display with animated and real bats is "Encounter with the Bats", though it can be a bit fearful for small children. This year the new Aviary was completed to replace the one blown away by hurricane Andrew more than 10 years ago...I haven’t seen it yet but plan to very soon. The zoo is located at 152 Street and 123 rd Avenue, just off the Florida Turnpike.
~10~ No list of sights or places to visit in South Florida would be complete without a mention of The Keys and Key West or The Florida Everglades. I love the keys, these little stretches of land connected by bridges, heading as far south as you can go and still be in the United States...Along the way through the upper and middle keys there is so much to do including the best fishing, diving and snorkeling above and near the fragile Coral Reefs, not to mention the fantastic places to eat along the way....Upon arrival in Key West, the Conch train awaits as do the museums in the Hemingway House and Audubon House down near the most southern spot where you can take a picture of yourself at that marker. Then, don’t miss a Sunset at Mallory Square, an experience you wont soon forget nor will the people you see there!!!
Along the way to Key West you will pass the fringes of The Everglades, but a better place to visit would be though one of the other entranceways into this fragile and most incredible and unusual environment. Tamiami Trail will take you into Shark Valley, thirty miles west of Miami, which offers a paved fifteen-mile loop into the park that once formed the heart of the famous "River of Grass". You can hike, bike or take a two-hour, guided tram ride on this loop, which is usually an excellent place to see dozens of alligators, deer and long, legged wading birds. These sights never fail to astonish me or the people I'm with and the idea of just walking up to one of these primeval looking gators is tempting, but don't do it!
Halfway though this loop is a lookout tower, and from the top, the sight is simply awesome, in every direction, the wild, raw everglades in all its glory. There are other ways to get into the park from different locations, most maps and guide books can offer that information…But don’t miss it if you get the chance, where else can you see alligators taking a noon day siesta by the side of the road.
So, there you have it, my all time favorite spots in South Florida, but there is so much more, Turtle nesting on the beaches in some of the state parks, Ft Lauderdale and all that city has to offer, the wonderful beaches just waiting on the Gulf West Coast of South Florida, but I thought I’d concentrate on the highlights of both my hometowns...Miami, and Miami Beach.
To read the other entries into this Write-off please visit here Proxam And thanks go once again to SurgRn911 for adding this category for me so I could participate
A few more of my related South Florida reviews:
Coral Castle:
http://www.epinions.com/content_103000215172
Hemingway house:
http://www.epinions.com/content_75408248452
Mallory Square:
http://www.epinions.com/content_74986655364
Sebastion Inlet state park: Turtle Walks
http://www.epinions.com/content_26805898884
The Mysterious Miami Circle:
http://www.epinions.com/content_71874678404
Happy and Safe Travels
I want to dedicate this review to one of the newest residents of South Florida, my little grandson Christopher Marco, born this week, who joins his brother Vinnie and two little cousins, A.J. and Alexander also fairly new residents to our family and our hometown.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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