DEAR DAN, WHAT TO DO IN MIAMI?

I received a "Dear Dan" email that is good to share on these here Internets. It's all about travel advice for Miami.  Are ya interested in reading it?  Click below, if you wish:

Dear Dan,

I'll be going with some friends to Miami for Sizzle, an annual black gay pride event. My friends are amped about partying and meeting new guys, but I'm far more interested in seeing a new city and doing exciting things. Maybe it's because I'm already in a relationship.

Anyway, I know you know Miami and I'd really appreciate some input. I love fashion, art, and local and unique restaurants. So anything you can share would be very much appreciated.

~~~

Sizzle is a series of parties during Memorial Day Weekend aimed at the "urban" gay market.  Sizzle attracts both men and women, of a wide array of ethnic backgrounds, the majority of  attendees being black men. This is not to be confused with the "Hip Hop Weekend" event in South Beach, which is also during Memorial Day Weekend; that is marketed to straight black men and women and is huge.  Sadly, Memorial Day Weekend is  probably the least popular event of the year among Miami Beach locals—hundreds of people are arrested for fighting in the streets, in the clubs, etc., and paddy wagons cart people off to jail each night.  It's a bizarre weekend in South Beach.

However, Sizzle is a well-organized event with much more pleasant people.  And it is across the bridge in Miami, so you'll be away from the mayhem—but of course you'll want to come over and see South Beach for yourself.  Things you MUST do while you are here:

1) Walk down Lincoln Road, and witness the parade of people trying to show off and be cool. I live a block away from Lincoln Road, and I still love the people-watching.

2) You are in Miami Beach, so skip the Starbucks and drink café con leche!  There are dingy little café windows all over town, you just walk up and give them $2 for your drink, and you'll stay awake for days.  Delicioso.

3) The street that runs along the ocean is Ocean Drive.  The next street over is Collins, and then Washington.  Both Collins and Washington are lines with shops that are a little more price-friendly than the rest of South Beach.  Start on one of them at 16th Street, and walk down until you get to 5th; then go over to the other street and walk back up.  Be sure to visit the little clothing stores, they can have really low prices; but don't spend more than $40 on a pair of jeans or shoes, the clothes they sell won't last very long.

4) For a local cheap food, try an empanada: it's basically the South American version of a Hot Pocket.  I like Half Moon, 1616 Washington Ave. Each empanada is $2.

5) Lincoln Road is also a good spot for lunch or dinner.  My favorite places are Ice Box Cafe, Nexxt, and the Cafe at Books and Books.  All three have outdoor seating.  IMPORTANT: If you pass a restaurant and there is a hostess outside who tries to stop you and tells you to read the menu, do NOT eat there.  The good restaurants don't need to beg for customers. (And beware, some restaurants add gratuity, some don't.)

6) One of the big gay bars here is Score (727 Lincoln Road); the restaurant next door is called Spris, and they serve really good pizza.  I always get the Diablo with spicy pepperoni, yum.  The outdoor tables for both restaurants get mixed, so the crowd at Spris spills over into Score and vice-versa.

7) Besides Score, the gay bars are Twist (fun late-nights), Mova (for pricey cocktails), and The Palace on Ocean Drive.  However, last year The Palace was not a gay bar during Memorial Day Weekend, they didn't have any of their popular drag shows; they were too busy with the hip hop weekend crowd.  Have I mentioned how Memorial Day Weekend is unpopular with locals?  So stick with Score, Twist, and Mova.

NOTE: The neigborhood around the Hyatt (Sizzle's host hotel) has some nice upscale restaurants, but if you're looking to save money then you'll need to walk around and find some cheap sandwich shops.  The area doesn't look great but it's safe enough. (Note: a "Cuban sandwich" is just a ham and cheese, you'll see them everywhere.) And don't bother shopping downtown, the stores aren't exciting.

Comments

[Diane]

How I miss café con leche and Cuban food. Sigh.

[Chris in Irvine]

He can also visit the Parrot Jungle (zoo) and the Vizcaya Gardens and Museum.

[TT]

Vizcaya is not to be missed. If into plants, Fairchild Tropical Gardens. There are also fine art museums on the beach and downtown. And yummm cafe con leche with pan cubano (toasted and buttered).

[dan renzi]

Vizcaya is nice. It's not too far from downtown, so if you're looking for an afternoon away from the partying, perhaps a stroll amongst the gardens would be nice.

Fairchild is probably too far south, if you don't have a car.

Oh! And there is an exhibit on torture at the Freedom Tower museum:

http://www.miamitorture.com/

Apparently it's good.

[Guess]

No empanadas for you! xx

[tmt_n_op]

Omg is the Parrot Jungle still there? When I was a kid we used to go to Parrot Jungle, Monkey Jungle, and Lion Country Safari several times a year. I once saw a kid get his finger almost bitten off at the Monkey Jungle, it was just dangling there. None of those places seemed very safe so I can not believe that they haven't been closed down.

I second the empanda suggestion, also I would add guava pastelitos to the list of food to try. Finally, a good Cuban sandwich is not just ham and cheese, it's an experience. I have been looking for a good Cuban since I left south Florida, nothing has come remotely close.

[willam]

you left out where to find trade. dissappointing.

[Robyn]

LOL!! Love #5.. Never was flagged down at Nexxt!! Tee hee :)

And I leave the beach Memorial Day Weekend.. ALWAYS! Almost getting shot at Vickys..not so fun!!

[Sara]

Hi Dan! I've been researching things to do for my upcoming Miami honeymoon, and I remembered you wrote a great advice post a while ago. So glad I found it! If you feel like writing an update of fun South Beach sights and bars, I would totally love it! I use your #5 tip on every vacation (I love acting like I know anything about the restaurant biz). Thanks!