As you already know, I love the US.
This time, I decided to go to Miami because I wanted to go far away from the Parisian coldness in January and get a tan. Miami was the best destination because it’s always sunny and January is ideal because the weather is not too hot like during summer and there is no much rain.
So I went to Miami in mid-January 2016 and stayed over there until the end of the month.
This time, I decided to go to Miami because I wanted to go far away from the Parisian coldness in January and get a tan. Miami was the best destination because it’s always sunny and January is ideal because the weather is not too hot like during summer and there is no much rain.
So I went to Miami in mid-January 2016 and stayed over there until the end of the month.
The trip (10h30 to go there) went well. It was not cold in the plane (American Airlines) and I watched 4 or 5 movies and also slept a little.
Funny story: When you arrive at the Miami airport and just before going out, you need to give your passport and ESTA/visa to the customs. Well, the customs official wanted to know where I planned to stay. I gave him the name of my hotel but he didn’t seem to understand. He asked his colleague if he knew this hotel (James Hotel) and his colleague told him maybe it’s a hostel (it wasn’t) and to Google it.
So the customs official Googled it and found it. He asked me about the prices. Then he said he had to check if the hotel was real or not. It’s the first time a customs official checks if the address is real so you better not give a false address.
Going to my hotel from the airport was quite simple. I took the 150 bus ($2.65 because it’s an express bus) which dropped me one block from my hotel.
Funny story: When you arrive at the Miami airport and just before going out, you need to give your passport and ESTA/visa to the customs. Well, the customs official wanted to know where I planned to stay. I gave him the name of my hotel but he didn’t seem to understand. He asked his colleague if he knew this hotel (James Hotel) and his colleague told him maybe it’s a hostel (it wasn’t) and to Google it.
So the customs official Googled it and found it. He asked me about the prices. Then he said he had to check if the hotel was real or not. It’s the first time a customs official checks if the address is real so you better not give a false address.
Going to my hotel from the airport was quite simple. I took the 150 bus ($2.65 because it’s an express bus) which dropped me one block from my hotel.
James Hotel |
James Hotel is special because the decoration is kitsch. There are many ornaments on the walls, outside and inside the hotel. In the lobby, you can watch TV, use the computer, WIFI, grab some coffee and play the piano.
My room, number 107, was big and located on the first floor. I could use the microwave and the fridge to make dinner.
The hotel is next to two supermarkets: CVS and Walgreens. And if you want to go to a bigger supermarket, there is a Publix 20 min away by foot.
The beach is also next to the hotel as for the bus stops.
My room, number 107, was big and located on the first floor. I could use the microwave and the fridge to make dinner.
The hotel is next to two supermarkets: CVS and Walgreens. And if you want to go to a bigger supermarket, there is a Publix 20 min away by foot.
The beach is also next to the hotel as for the bus stops.
Miami Beach
In Miami Beach, there are a lot of things to do, depending on what you like. If you just want to swim and get a tan, go to the beach. And if you want to go for a walk around the beach, just go to the Beachwalk which can lead you to South Pointe Park Pier where you’ll have a nice view on the beach.
From the beach we can see many planes |
Concert |
Fashion addict? Lincoln Road Mall is for you! It’s like Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, the Champs Elysées in Paris or the 5th Avenue in New York.
And if you want to have a drink by night listening to Latin music, Ocean Drive will be your favorite spot.
The Art Deco District is ideal to see nice buildings on Collins Avenue, Washington Avenue and Ocean Drive.
And for Spain lovers, just walk on the Española Way with its typical houses and restaurants.
Miami Downtown
From Miami Beach, it’s very simple to go to Downtown. There are many buses but if you’re in a hurry, just take the 120 bus which is an express bus. You’ll be there in less than 30 min.
I loved the Metromover, a free elevated railroad which goes around Downtown among (and inside) buildings! I regressed to childhood!
The Metromover is like a roller-coaster but in a soft way. Go in the front of it, it’s really cool.
There are 3 lines, the Inner Loop, the Brickell Loop and the Omni Loop. I took them all. Thanks to them, I went to Brickell Village (I’ll talk about it later) and Bayfront Park.
Bayfront Park goes along the sea. There’s Bayside Market Place, a nice mall from where you can admire liners.
Freedom Tower |
In Downtown there are parking meters to help homeless people |
Julia Sturtevant Tuttle |
Everglades
If you go to Miami, you should spend some time in the Everglades!
So, what is it about?
It’s a huge mangrove swamp from where you can see gators. Please do not get gator and crocodile mixed up. The gator’s head is smaller than the crocodile’s one and is u-shaped. The gator also has fewer teeth than the other one.
To go to the Everglades, I bought the Go Miami Card which was valid for 2 days. Thanks to it, you can access multiple attractions during 2 days. That way, you save money.
A bus came to my hotel.
Once arrived over there, the other tourists and I went for an air boat ride, you know, those boats propelled by an aircraft. We slowly sailed on the swamp (we had earplugs because it’s noisy) to photograph gators. Then, the ride was faster and faster.
At the end of the ride, we had free time to do whatever we wanted: grab some food, visit the gator farm. And for $3 I hold a cute baby gator.
So, what is it about?
It’s a huge mangrove swamp from where you can see gators. Please do not get gator and crocodile mixed up. The gator’s head is smaller than the crocodile’s one and is u-shaped. The gator also has fewer teeth than the other one.
To go to the Everglades, I bought the Go Miami Card which was valid for 2 days. Thanks to it, you can access multiple attractions during 2 days. That way, you save money.
A bus came to my hotel.
Once arrived over there, the other tourists and I went for an air boat ride, you know, those boats propelled by an aircraft. We slowly sailed on the swamp (we had earplugs because it’s noisy) to photograph gators. Then, the ride was faster and faster.
At the end of the ride, we had free time to do whatever we wanted: grab some food, visit the gator farm. And for $3 I hold a cute baby gator.
Brickell
To go to Brickell Village, you can take the Metromover. It’s a nice city, especially for fashion addict.
Coral Gables
As for Brickell, Coral Gables is nice for fashion addict because of its mall. You need to take the Metrorail (this one is not free) from Downtown.
After the Metrorail, take the trolley, it’s free and it will take you on Ponce de León Blvd.
At Coral Gables you can visit Italian, French and Chinese districts.
I only visited French Normandy Village because the other districts were hard to find.
After the Metrorail, take the trolley, it’s free and it will take you on Ponce de León Blvd.
At Coral Gables you can visit Italian, French and Chinese districts.
I only visited French Normandy Village because the other districts were hard to find.
French Normandy Village |
Design District
Design District is full of galleries, design shops and luxury boutiques.
Wynwood Art District
If you like art, and also street art, you’ll love Wynwood district!
You’ll see murals everywhere and also tags on sidewalks. There are so many murals; you wouldn’t know where to start. It’s a nice walk and don’t forget your camera. Take another battery, just in case.
You’ll see murals everywhere and also tags on sidewalks. There are so many murals; you wouldn’t know where to start. It’s a nice walk and don’t forget your camera. Take another battery, just in case.
Key West
The second destination you should do is Key West; 145 from Cuba.
I also took a bus to go there thanks to the Go Miami Card (8h round trip).
The journey is cool because you’re driving on a bridge surrounded by the sea.
Key West looks like New Orleans. It’s very nice and I went to many museums.
The journey is cool because you’re driving on a bridge surrounded by the sea.
Key West looks like New Orleans. It’s very nice and I went to many museums.
Key West Lighthouse Museum
A lighthouse from which you can have a nice view on the sea and the city.
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
Maritime museum showing treasures fished out of the sea.
Whitehead Street
A nice walk in Whitehead St which leaded me to the Southernmost Point.
Duval Street
Mallory Square and around
There are liners and also many artists.
Audubon House and Tropical Gardens
Nice house belonging to Jean-Jacques Audubon, an ornithologist.
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
A 500 m² greenhouse in which cute butterflies flutter around you.
Coconut Grove
In Coconut Grove there is the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, beautiful garden accessible thanks to the Metrorail.
The museum is a villa built by James Deering in 1912. He was a rich manufacturer of agricultural machinery.
The Vizcaya villa and its gardens are in the Italian style. The gardens are full of fountains, statues, bridges, etc. But the most beautiful thing in this dream setting is a boat made of rocks. The boat looks like the fountain from the piazza di Spagna in Rome. Wonderful!
The museum is a villa built by James Deering in 1912. He was a rich manufacturer of agricultural machinery.
The Vizcaya villa and its gardens are in the Italian style. The gardens are full of fountains, statues, bridges, etc. But the most beautiful thing in this dream setting is a boat made of rocks. The boat looks like the fountain from the piazza di Spagna in Rome. Wonderful!
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