Miami
From left to right The famous Big Pink restaurant on Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; Bronze statue of founder George Merrick outside the Coral Gables City Hall; Kids learning about the Cruise Ship exhibit at Miami Children’s Museum; View from the lighthouse at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne
Aldabra tortoises at Jungle Island, Miami
The southernmost point in Florida, before the mainland tapers off into the string of islands known as the Florida Keys, Miami consists of a massive metropolitan and suburban area fronted by bustling Miami Beach and quieter Key Biscayne. Biscayne Bay separates the mainland from the two islands; the toll causeway leads to Key Biscayne, and five bridges cross over to Miami Beach. Interstate 95 and Florida’s Turnpike (Route 821) dissect the city north to south. Highway 1, also known as Dixie Highway, runs parallel near the bay. The Miami-Dade Transit buses and trains provide public transportation.
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The Lowdown
Getting there and around Air Fly into Miami International Airport (www.miami-airport.com). Taxis are readily available at the airport, but not on the streets; call ahead on 305 876 7000 for more information. Bus and Train Miami-Dade Transit (www.miamidade.gov/transit) operates Metrobus, Metromover (in downtown), and Metrorail, with airport connections. Car Rental services such as Avis (www.avis.com) and Hertz (www.hertz.com) are available at the airport; all cars, including rentals, need a transponder device to use Florida’s Turnpike.
Visitor information Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, 701 Brickell Ave, St 2700, Miami, 33131; 305 539 3000 & 800 933 8448; www.miamiandbeaches.com
Supermarkets Publix (www.publix.com) and Winn-Dixie (www.winndixie.com) have outlets throughout the city.
Markets Families will find small ethnic food shops in Little Havana, Little Haiti, South Beach, and other cultural enclaves.
Festivals See Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, Downtown, Little Havana, and Vizcaya, and Miami Beach.
Pharmacies Publix, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com), and CVS (www.cvs.com/pharmacy) pharmacies can be found around the city; some CVS and Walgreens branches are open 24 hours.
Restrooms Almost all major attractions, restaurants, malls, and most gas stations have public restrooms.