What's good in Miami? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**lauren313** · 03-06-2009, 07:59 AM

So in September, I'm heading over to Orlando with my friend and our boyfriends. We're having a two week non-budget holiday, I will FINALLY be working and we want to splash out a bit and have lots of fun.

We're renting a car, and we wanted to drive down to Miami and stop over for a night or two in the South Beach area. I visited South Beach a couple of years ago, but didn't really do much there, just bummed around on the beach trying to save some money! This time though, we're wanting to catch some kind of sports game (I don't understand sports, which big sports are played in September?!), go out on the razz, etc.

Can anyone tell me about the nightlife in Miami? We're definitely up for partying it up a bit. Also, when I stayed there before, I really wasn't impressed with our hostel - The Tropics. It was a dive. Any recommendations?

This feels super early to be thinking about this stuff, but I want something to look forward to!! Cheers dudes.

**maracle** · 03-06-2009, 10:12 AM

Well if you've been there before I don't have much to offer....I spent one evening in South Beach and it seemed to me that just people watching and looking at all the pimped out cars was fun enough.

As for sports, in September you're talking (american) football or baseball. Hockey and Basketball start in October.

**BedtimeontheMoon** · 03-06-2009, 03:20 PM

Well, I live in Miami! South Beach isn't as exciting as it's made out to be. Lots of beaches, shopping (both weird out of the ordinary shops and well known shops), people watching and drinking. That's a typical Sobe day. In the evenings there are a bunch of bars and clubs in Sobe. One of my favorite bars is Love/Hate. It's a small place but the music and ambiance is pretty good. A club I hear has been on the rise since I used to go to it is Mansion. For weird out of the ordinary shops you can stroll down Washington Ave. For more well known shops, stroll down Lincoln Rd. Ocean Dr. is by the beach and there are tons of restaurants and bars. HMM....

However, these days, the real parties are going on in Downtown Miami. There are a bunch of clubs you can check out on I think it's NE 2nd Ave? To name a few, Club Space, Park West, Pawn Shop and Nocturnal. There are also the smaller for pub-like places in the area namely Transit Lounge which is a little out of Downtown.

If you're into Photography, you can get some great Downtown Miami skyline pictures from this spot under the McCarthur Causeway. You get there by making your first right off the McCarthur with the signs pointing to Parrot Jungle and on the round about you will see the skyline and can park on the gravel. Great at nighttime.

Coconut Grove, lots of shopping, bars, clubs, and IMPROV Comedy.

If you like to gamble, you can go to the Seminole Hard Rock in Fort Lauderdale. There are also several bars and clubs too and another IMPROV Comedy.

In Lauderdale you can check out Las Olas Blvd. Also, lots of bars and clubs.

If you're looking to get a little cultural, you can check out Coral Gables. This mini city within Miami is I believe the oldest city. You can visit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens which is a mansion built with French Versailles like style. The Venetian Pool is a spring water pool also within Coral Gables. Also old and historical. You will see a lot of antiquated buildings in this area. Good joy ride.

I think I've provided lots! LoL But if you need more help with anything you want to do specifically (good restaurants, etc), let me know and I'll point you in the right direction.

**mbo108** · 03-10-2009, 04:20 AM

May I ask what you're doing with your other nights if you're coming over for 2 weeks and only spending a night or two in Miami?

As for sporting events,as Brett pointed out, American football or Baseball are probably your best bets. I personally prefer college football to the professional league.

Sept 17 (Thursday night) there is a game in Miami (University of Miami vs Georgia Tech) which would probably be a lot of fun. Lots of (drunk) students there, it will be televised across the country. And that still might be cheaper than going to a pro game (the Miami Dolphins).

If you want baseball in that part of the country try the Florida Marlins - they've got a bunch of games in Miami in Sept.

**pinknic38** · 03-10-2009, 07:49 AM

I've been to Orlando and a few other places in FL but never Miami...

As for sporting games, if you are interested in college football, the Florida Gators will have games on Saturdays, now whether they're home or away while you're down, I don't know. It pains me to suggest anyone to see a Gators game, as a serious OSU football fan, but whatever.

Please please tell me you're going to the most magical place on earth - DISNEY WORLD - while you're in Orlando! If you are I have allllllllllll sorts of suggestions. And if you would like a lavish place to stay, the Walt Disney World Dolphin is where my family has stayed 3 or 4 times.

If you're going too, I might be able to get you guys super cheap tickets to the Disney parks. They're doing this ongoing special to friends and family of the military offering $99 5 day park hopper passes (which is a HOLY AMAZING deal), and I don't know how to get them and I'm bummed I can't go cos I'm pregnant and also refuse to take an infant on a trip they will never remember, but you let me know if you're interested and I can look into it.

jounderw · 10-06-2010, 08:58 AM

Miami is a super fun place! I would just ask around once your there is you are trying to just go somewhere on a whim. If you want to get tickets to a sporting event, concert, show etc. I would just look online as there is SO much going on in Miami.

RobertoG · 01-04-2011, 01:45 AM

Miami is an awesome city. I would recommend the beaches. So many beautiful people there.