Going to Miami Mar 5-9... Anything I shouldn't miss while there?

[ChoralScholar]

Anything I should miss?

I'm staying at the Days Inn-South Beach, but I will have a car.

Any suggestions from the locals are appreciated.

[YDogg]

1. Olive Garden.

;-)

No, seriously, enjoy a bit of local cuisine if that's what you enjoy. By local, I mostly mean Cuban.

[ChoralScholar]

2. Forgive my ignorance...

What are the major tenets of Cuban cuisine?

I've eaten at a Cuban restaurant before - in Arkansas - so I doubt it was authentic.

[YDogg]

4. The Cuna restaurant I've been to most often is La Terisita in Tampa.

I'm not a food expert, but found these links which sum things up better than I am able, and match my experience at La Terisita and in Miami:
http://www.education.miami.edu/ep/LittleHavana/Cuban_Food/Cuban_Cuisine/cuban_cuisine.html
http://www.education.miami.edu/ep/LittleHavana/Cuban_Food/Cuban_Cuisine/New_Cuban_Cuisine/new_cuban_cuisine.html

Another cool link:
http://cuban-food-usa.com/miami-key.html

I'm not connected with these web sites, but am headed to Miami and the Keys again this summer, and food has been on my mind. Rule number one whenever we travel, wherever we travel. No chains! :-)

[Spider Jerusalem]

15. You can't go wrong with a Cuban sandwich and a cafe con leche.

Cuban sandwich = ham, roast pork, cheese, & pickles, toasted in a sandwich press (you can get a Cuban-style steak sandwich most places if you don't eat pork, too).

[zonkers]

3. What do you like to do? I know some good/very reasonable restaurants.

Three Guys From Miami seems to be a good site for some local cuban food. I like taquierias el mexicano (pic) on calle ocho -- about 20 minutes from where you at.

[ChoralScholar]

8. Now, that place looks authentic....

My traveling partner loves this kind of food, so we'll be checking it out.

[Awsi Dooger]

5. Why is food always a major topic in threads like this?

I don't mean to be critical but I see restaurant recommendations all the time in travel threads and it absolutely baffles me. Is that really a priority? Close your eyes and I dare anyone to tell what city they're in, based on a damn restaurant.

Let's see, Miami. I would drive across the bridge to Key Biscayne, maybe spending some time on the beach. Perhaps a tour of the gardens at Vizcaya. Go through Coconut Grove. Definitely a leisurely drive thru Coral Gables amidst the tree lined streets, viewing the tower of the Biltmore Hotel and maybe stopping for a walk through the premises. If you like sports the Orange Bowl is easily viewed from the nearby Dolphin Expressway, although the old structure suffers when witnessed up close. If you have a full day I would head down US 1 toward Key West, but even with half a day you could make it partially down there and eat at one of the seaside restaurants in the upper keys.

[zonkers]

10. Authetic local cuisine is the best way to experience local culture.

In Miami, the key is to get some Carribean flavor. This NYT article has it right...
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE7DD113EF937A15751C0A967958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print

Kings Cuban Ice Cream (mentioned in the link above) is a great place.

I am not knocking the Grove or Vizcaya, two great places you've mentioned but when you're done checking them out, you gotta eat somewhere. And if you don't have any guidance, you could eat something disgusting or overpriced or both.

[grace0418]

12. It's always a priority when my husband and I travel.

Especially when there is a large ethnic population that isn't represented in Chicago.

[ornotna]

6. Holocaust Memorial, South Beach

Very near to where you'll be staying.

http://www.holocaustmmb.org/

[ChoralScholar]

7. Very cool

Will check it out.

[GalleryGod]

9. The GROVE !

I was a local resident, a "Grover" for 24 glorious months!
Used to have coffee with the Cat that penned "Hang On Sloopy' almost every day. My job @ Miami-Dade J.C. wasn't too far away.

Heady days,indeed, in The Grove.

[RebelOne]

18. Yes, definitely the Grove.

You beat me to it. I was going to suggest that. And then take a run down to Key West.

[ChoralScholar]

11. I'm gonna kick this once during busy time....

Help me out guys/gals - it's my first trip to Miami.

[zanne]

13. The Everglades.

There's nothing like them. See them before they disappear forever.

[ChoralScholar]

14. Once again, forgive my ignorance about S. Florida

Isn't the Everglades a swamp? What should I see about it?

[zanne]

16. Wildlife

The swamps attract the most magnificent wildlife. Alligators, of course, but the birds are remarkable. A turkey vulture nest is about three feet wide, and they're all over the place. When I was there, I stopped by the side of the road to eat my sandwich and while I was standing there, a huge bird swooped down and took the entire sandwich out of my hands. It's wild.

[ChoralScholar]

17. Very Cool.

Klepto Vultures.

I hope to be able to get out there. I've got a day on either end of the convention, so maybe I'll be able to do some of this stuff.