Travel Guide Miami Business and the beach in Florida
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Travel Guide
Miami
Business and the beach in Florida
02 Quick view 05 Top 10 sights 10 Hotels
02 USA 07 Shopping in Miami 11 Best of …
03 Travel etiquette 08 Restaurants
04 Health 08 Nightlife
05 Phone calls & Internet 09 Calendar of events
© Getty Images/iStockphoto
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Travel Guide
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Quick view
Miami: Business and the beach in Florida
Cocktail hour, designer hotels and celebrity restaurants put this sunny city on the
map but that’s not all it has. South Beach’s historic art deco district is reason
enough to visit this stretch of coast, celebrated for its boardwalk and South Pointe
Park, but skip the city proper at your peril. There’s Cuban cool in Little
Havana, galleries galore in the Wynwood arts district, downtown Miami’s museum
park and historic neighbourhoods such as Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. Add
to that a mix of Latin, European and Caribbean influence, and Miami’s cultural
menu starts to look as good as its cocktail one.
USA
General Information
Country overview
From its vast plains, snow-covered mountains, deep forests and strange rock
formations, to soaring skyscrapers and a thunderous cultural scene, the USA is a
collage of extremes. Nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of Manhattan’s
unforgettable skyline, your first ride in a yellow cab, the ubiquitous hamburger
joints, yawning expanses of prairie, the sweet strains of New Orleans jazz, or the
neon-lit excesses of Las Vegas.
Marvel at the thunderous spectacle of Niagara Falls in northern New York, or seek
an antidote to urban chaos amidst the flat farmland of the Midwest. Then there are
the black hills of South Dakota, the dramatic mountain and ocean landscape of
California’s Pacific Coast Highway and the world-famous Grand Canyon.
Geography
Covering a large part of the North American continent, the USA shares borders
with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The country has coasts on the
Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The
State of Alaska, in the northwest corner of the US, is not part of the continental US;
it is separated from the rest of the USA by Canada. Similarly, Hawaii is not part of
the “lower 48” states; it lies in the central Pacific Ocean.
The country’s dependent territories are offshore and have distinct geographies of
their own; the majority are islands.
The third-largest country in the world (after the Russian Federation and Canada),
the USA has an enormous diversity of geographical features, including mountains,
plains, and coastal zones. Though there are many cities that are densely
populated with more manmade features than natural ones, there are also vast rural
areas that are far more sparsely populated. The climate ranges from subtropical to
arctic, with a corresponding breadth of flora and fauna.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 319 millions (estimate 2018)
Capital: Washington, DC.
Language
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English, with significant Spanish-speaking minorities.
Currency
US Dollar (USD; symbol $) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of $100, 50,
20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, though the $2 bill is rare and is not in high circulation. Coins are
in denominations of $1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.
Electricity
120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs have two flat pins with or without a third round
grounding pin.
Public holidays
Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December
2021.
Note
States can recognize other days as state holidays that are not federal holidays.
2020
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2020
Martin Luther King Day: 20 January 2020
President’s Day: 17 February 2020
Memorial Day: 25 May 2020
Independence Day: 3 and 4 July 2020
Labor Day: 7 September 2020
Columbus Day: 12 October 2020
Veterans Day: 11 November 2020
Thanksgiving Day: 26 November 2020
Christmas: 25 December 2020
2021
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2021
Martin Luther King Day: 18 January 2021
President’s Day: 15 February 2021
Memorial Day: 31 May 2021
Independence Day: 4 and 5 July 2021
Labor Day: 6 September 2021
Columbus Day: 11 October 2021
Veterans Day: 11 November 2021
Thanksgiving Day: 25 November 2021
Christmas: 25 December 2021
All information subject to change.
Travel etiquette
How to fit in
Social Conventions
Americans are renowned for their openness and friendliness to visitors. The wide
variety of national origins and the USA’s relatively short history has resulted in
numerous cultural and traditional customs living alongside each other. In large
cities, people of the same ethnic background often live within defined communities.
Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting in formal situations and in business
meetings. As long as the fundamental rules of courtesy are observed, there need
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be no fear of offending anyone of any background.
Gifts are appreciated if one is invited to a private home.
As a rule, dress is casual. High-end restaurants, hotels and clubs may require
more formal attire.
Smoking is increasingly unpopular in the US; it is essential to ask permission
before lighting up. Smoking is not allowed on city transport and restricted or
forbidden in public buildings in most states. There will be a posted notice where no
smoking is requested. An increasing number of states (including California and
New York) have banned smoking altogether in bars, restaurants and many public
places.
Health
Health
Main emergency number: 911
Food & Drink
Food in the US is safe to eat, and the conditions under which food is prepared and
served are regulated by city, state, and federal health and hygiene agencies. In
many jurisdictions, it is mandatory for restaurants to have a certificate of health or
hygiene, as well as the current grade they have been assigned, posted visibly.
Although America is famous for its fast food and obesity rates, the local and fresh
food movement is very popular in many areas, especially cities, making it easy to
eat healthy. A variety of options also makes it easy for people with special dietary
needs to find food that suits them, whether their needs are due to health reasons or
to religious requirements.
Tap water is considered safe to drink in the US and is often offered in restaurants
before bottled water. Bottled water is available throughout the country, however,
both in restaurants and shops, for those who prefer not to drink tap water.
Other Risks
The US is generally considered a safe destination for world visitors. Occasional
outbreaks of disease, such as West Nile Virus (a mosquito-borne illness) and
H1N1 have occurred in recent years, however. Frequent hand-washing and
general practices of good hygiene are encouraged to protect oneself against all
types of illness.
Another concern with regard to safety is the possibility of terrorist attacks such as
the one that occurred on September 11, 2001. City, state, and federal agencies
have stringent anti-terrorism practices in place, however, and direct threats are
infrequent.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Prof. Dr. Wollschlaeger, Bernd
Aventura Family Health Center
16899B
NE 15th Avenue
North Miami Beach
FL 33162
USA
Tel. +1-305-940-8717
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it
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bear the cost of any treatment.
Phone calls & Internet
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone/Mobile Telephone
Dialing Code: +1
Telephone
Public telephones have become a rarity, but can still be found here and there.
They take coins, telephone cards and credit cards. If you are planning to make
regular use of public phones, it’s best to purchase a prepaid calling card from one
of the many U.S. providers.
Mobile Telephone
Not all European cell phones work on the American network, since it requires a tri-
band or quad-band device. Full network coverage is not always assured outside
densely populated areas. Roaming charges are high here, so it is often cheaper to
buy a SIM card from a U.S. provider. Low-cost prepaid SIM cards for making calls
inside the country can be ordered online before you travel.
Internet
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using
unencrypted public Wi-Fi networks, it is not advisable to enter passwords, credit
card details or banking credentials. We recommend using VPN app or security
software to check Wi-Fi hotspots.
Top 10 sights
Top 10 sights in Miami
Art Deco Historic District
Visit the art deco Welcome Center on South Beach for guided and self-guided
tours exploring the 1930s and early 1940s art deco architecture and history.
1001 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach Opening times:
FL 33139 Miami Fri-Wed 0900-1700
USA Thu 0900-1900
Tel. +1-305/672 20 14
www.mdpl.org/welcome-center
Design District
With over 130 galleries, studios and antiques dealers, this creative neighbourhood
is home to the Living Room public art installation and an Art & Design Night every
second Saturday of the month.
3841 NE 2nd Avenue Opening times:
FL 33137 Miami Mon-Sat 1100-2000
USA Sun 1200-1800
www.miamidesigndistrict.net
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Little Havana Art District
Attractions include art gallery/community centre Cuba Ocho, the galleries and
studios on the main drag Calle Ocho, Walkway of the Stars honouring Latin
American celebrities and domino games at Domino Park.
1465 SW 8th Street www.cubaochoartcenter.com
FL 33135 Miami
USA
Tel. +1-305/285 58 80
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
Previously Miami Art Museum, this flagship museum in downtown Miami's 12-
hectare (29-acre) Museum Park by Biscayne Bay showcases 20th- and 21st-
century art and has a waterfront restaurant.
1103 Biscayne Boulevard Opening times:
FL 33132 Miami Mon, Tue Fri, Sat, Sun 1000-1800
USA Thu 1000-2100
Tel. +1-305/375 30 00
www.pamm.org
Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami (MOCA)
Local, national and global artists are celebrated in this contemporary art collection
in the up-and-coming North Miami neighbourhood.
Joan Lehman Building, 770 NE 125th Opening times:
Street Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun 1100-1700
FL 33161 Miami Sat 1300-2100
USA
Tel. +1-305/893 62 11 mocanomi.org
Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Japanese gardens, mangroves, edible garden and native Florida plants provide a
city retreat plus a weekly farmers’ market and lunchtime yoga.
2000 Convention Center Drive, Miami Opening times:
Beach Tue-Sun 0900-1700
FL 33139 Miami
USA mbgarden.org
Tel. +1-305/673 72 56
Villa Vizcaya
Designed in 1916 by industrialist Charles Deering as his subtropical winter home,
this Italian-inspired villa, ornate gardens and art collection is worth a visit.
3251 South Miami Avenue Opening times:
FL 33129 Miami Wed-Mon 0930-1630
USA
Tel. +1-305/250 91 33 www.vizcaya.org
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Venetian Pool
A former coral rock quarry, this historic pool in Coral Gables dates back to 1923
and offers an unusual swim amid waterfalls, grottos and palm trees.
2701 de Soto Boulevard Opening times:
FL 33134 Coral Gables Various (check website for details)
USA
Tel. +1-305/460 53 06 www.coralgables.com/index.aspx?pag
e=167
Jungle Island
The rare creatures in these 7-hectare (18-acre) gardens include Mama Cass, the
planet’s only tame Cassowary, a white lion, and Peanut and Pumpkin, the third
Orangutan twins born in captivity.
Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail Opening times:
FL 33132 Miami Daily 1000-1700
USA
Tel. +1-305/400 70 00 www.jungleisland.com
Wynwood Arts District
The late community revitaliser Tony Goldman began transforming this warehouse
district into an outdoor street art park. It’s also home to the Rubell Family
Collection art gallery.
Wynwood thewynwoodwalls.com
Miami
USA
Shopping in Miami
Shopping in Miami
Key Areas
South Beach is a shopaholics’ haven with Lincoln Road’s shops, Espanola Way,
Washington Avenue, Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive. 1111 Lincoln Road, a
‘starchitect’-designed car park also has designer stores in its retail space. Coral
Gables, with its Promenade and Miracle Mile, and Coconut Grove’s open-air mall
CocoWalk are also shoppers’ havens. The Design District is king for art,
fashionable homeware and antiques.
Markets
Saturday’s Coconut Grove Organic Market (Grand Avenue) is a year-round affair
while Coral Gables Farmers’ Market (Corner of LeJeune Road and Miracle Mile)
takes place Saturday mornings from January to March. On Sundays, Lincoln Road
Farmers’ Market on South Beach is a favourite. For flea market bargains, Opa
Locka Hialeah Flea Market (12705 NW 42nd Ave) is a daily set-up.
Shopping Centres
Bal Harbour Shops is an open-air, upscale mall. Bayside Marketplace, overlooking
Biscayne Bay, is another open-air option while nearby Aventura Mall offers 300
stores. For the largest Macy’s in Florida, head to Dadeland. Bargain hunters love
Dolphin Mall’s outlets.
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Restaurants
Restaurants in Miami
Open-air cafés of Coconut Grove and Miami Beach’s Espanola Way, authentic
dining in Little Havanaand upmarket restaurants on South Beach, Miami’s food
scene is an exciting one.
Villa Azur
Gourmet restaurant serving South of France-inspired food with an Italian twist, with
wines from its La Cave d'Azur cellar.
309 23rd Street Price: Expensive
FL 33139 Miami
USA
Wynwood Kitchen and Bar
Latin-inspired cuisine in Wynwood’s street art district among sculptures and
collage murals.
2550 NW 2nd Avenue Price: Moderate
FL 33127 Miami
USA
Joe’s Stone Crab
Long-standing Miami Beach spot since 1913 serving crab claws, chowder and
chilled key lime pie.
11 Washington Avenue Price: Moderate
FL 33139 Miami
USA
Versailles Restaurant
Cuban cuisine in Little Havana with daily specials, fresh seafood and great
cocktails.
3555 SW 8th Street Price: Moderate
FL 33135 Miami
USA
Shake Shack
Popular roadside-style restaurant serving burgers, frozen custard, beer and wine.
1111 Lincoln Road Price: Cheap
FL 33139 Miami
USA
Nightlife
Nightlife in Miami
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Cocktail hour, cool bars and sunset views go hand in hand in Miami. But it’s not all
about that.Live music and cultural hotspots are also on the scene.
Broken Shaker at Freehand
Cocktails using garden herbs and exotic spices make this a Miami Beach
favourite.
2727 Indian Creek Drive
FL 33140 Miami
USA
Delano Beach Club
Unbeatable glamour: Non-resident guests are also welcome at the pool bar of the
Delano Boutique Hotel after 7 p.m. A fantastic opportunity to grab a glimpse of
designer Philippe Starck’s dazzling decor – and sample some of the extraordinary
recipes both bar and kitchen have included on the menu.
1685 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
FL 33139 Miami
USA
Club Space
This large electronic dance club in downtown Miami is – following several
changes in location and owner – one of the hottest party spots in town, where a hip
crowd rocks to the sets of well-known DJs on the dancefloors, in the loft and under
the stars on the roof terrace.
34 NE 11th St
FL 33132 Miami
USA
New World Center
Enjoy classical performances at this Frank Gehry-designed concert hall with glass
backlit bar.
500 17th Street, Miami Beach
FL 33139 Miami
USA
Adrienne Arsht Center
Touring Broadway shows, ballet, opera, classical music and a gourmet restaurant
at this performing arts complex.
1300 Biscayne Boulevard
FL 33132 Miami
USA
Calendar of events
Calendar of events
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Miami International Film Festival
A 10-day festival featuring Hollywood and international independent films and
celebrity parties.
March 6 - 15, 2020
Venue: Various venues.
Calle Ocho Festival/Carnival Miami
The largest, one-day, Cuban-American festival and street party in America. The
event sprawls across 23 blocks, and is filled with musical stages, youth sites,
folkloric sites and food stalls.
October 8 - 12, 2020
Venue: Little Havana.
Fourth of July
Rides, parade, food stalls and fireworks to celebrate Independence Day.
July 4, 2020
Venue: Bayfront Park and Key Biscayne.
Junior Orange Bowl Festival
The world's largest arts, culture and sports festival for youth; an accompanying
parade takes place between Christmas and New Year.
August 2019 - April 2020
Venue: Various venues.
King Mango Strut Parade
A quarter-century old tradition, this festive parade parodies traditional holiday
parades and spoofs national figures and current events.
December 2020
Venue: Coconut Grove
Hotels
Hotels in Miami
Opulent luxury, minimalist chic and beachside glamour are king in Miami but
budget options are increasing too.
Epic by Kimpton
Waterfront boutique downtown hotel with complimentary wine hour, rooftop pool
bar, spa and celebrity restaurant Zuma.
270 Biscayne Boulevard Category: Expensive
FL 33131 Miami
USA
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The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
Legendary South Beach hotel with oceanfront restaurant and private beach.
1 Lincoln Road Category: Expensive
FL 33139 Miami South Beach
USA
Courtyard Miami Coconut Grove
Stylish hotel overlooking Biscayne Bay near Coral Gables and Coconut Grove.
2649 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Category: Moderate
Grove
FL 33133 Miami
USA
Grand Beach Hotel
Seven pools, seventh-floor sunset bar and Chez Gaston restaurant make this a
stand-out option.
4835 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach Category: Moderate
FL 33140 Miami
USA
Crystal Beach Suites Hotel
Excellent value at this oceanfront, suite-only hotel with gym, pool and free Wi-Fi.
6985 Collins Avenue Category: Cheap
FL 33141 Miami North Beach
USA
Best of …
… Miami South Beach
PR
It would have been wonderful to be here 25 years ago, when Gianni Versace still
resided in his glamorous Casa Casuarina on Ocean Drive and every self-
respecting fashion photographer wintered in Miami Beach. Good news: The place
still has the same old vibrant atmosphere, thanks to its artists, gay activists and
beautiful people from all around the world. On good days, South Beach is an
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amazingly upbeat, glamorous, infectiously pleasure-addicted strip, where there’s
plenty to experience if you know the right spots.And if it all feels a bit much, the
ocean is just a few steps away and you can simply sit back and enjoy the warm
breeze with a cocktail in hand - a Miami Beach, of course (vodka, amaretto, white
rum and orange juice). At the latest by then, it will be impossible for you not to feel
good in South Beach.
Kill Your Idol
This bar is well worth a visit just for the interior – a mix of hipster trash and Ikea
pragmatism. A life-size Bruce Lee figure hangs above the tiled butcher’s counter, at
which patrons sit on small chairs in prison-bar look; glamour/gay evenings
compete with a snooty, electro-pop scene. Basically, nothing goes with anything
here and everything goes, and that’s precisely what results in its sometimes
bizarre, often colorful evenings. Bonus: Kill Your Idol has a Playboy pinball
machine.
222 Espanola Way www.facebook.com/killyouridolmiami/?f
33139 Miami Beach ref=ts
USA
Tel. +1-305/672 18 52
Pelican Hotel
There’s nothing ostentatious about this pretty gem of a boutique hotel with its
distinctly offbeat decor. Instead, it favors acceptable room rates and bright colors.
From the outside, it looks like a parking garage with neon floodlighting, but the
rooms are delightful, the service is okay, and the beach is right on the doorstep –
perfect.
826 Ocean Drive pelicanhotel.com/
33139 Miami Beach
USA
Tel. +1-305/673 33 73
Miami Beach Bicycle Center
On a half-way cool day, in other words, when the temperature’s around 22 degrees,
the best way to get a load of the action on and around Ocean Drive is to rent one of
the super single-speed beach cruiser bikes for just 18 dollars a day. The oldest
bicycle store on the strip boasts an amazing selection.
746 5th Street Miami Beach bikemiamibeach.com/bike-rentals-miam
33139 Miami Beach i/
USA
Tel. +1-305/674 01 50
Lummus Park
One of the few pleasures that won’t cost you dear here in South Beach is an
afternoon in 30-hectare Lummus Park. Located right on the Atlantic, it belongs to
Miami’s Art Deco District. Don’t be surprised if some of the sights seem familiar.
That’s because the park is so lovely, it has featured in a host of Hollywood films.
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Ocean Drive miamibeachfl.gov/parksandrecreation/s
5th-15th Street croll.as...
33139 Miami Beach
USA
Casa Tua Restaurant
Italian-born Michele Grendene realized an interesting concept at his South Beach
hostelry, which is done out entirely in Mediterranean style: to make guests feel like
they are actually just visiting friends. It works a treat. As well as offering a small
number of rooms for rent, he serves exquisite Italian fare in the restaurant. And the
garden – linen tablecloths, teakwood furniture, and lanterns in the trees – is a
veritable dream.
1700 James Avenue www.casatualifestyle.com
33139 Miami Beach
USA
Tel. +1-305/673 09 73
Delano Hotel
With the kind assistance of designer Philippe Starck, Studio 54 founder Ian
Schrager opened the style-leading design hotel in 1995 – a rhapsody in white with
huge white drapes in the lobby. The place is beginning to look its age, but the
famous, oversized Alice in Wonderland sofa on which Sarah Silverman and Matt
Damon once jumped up and down is still the favorite selfie backdrop for visitors
from around the world. In fact, it has to be reupholstered twice a year.
1685 Collins Ave morganshotelgroup.com/delano/delano-
33139 Miami Beach south-beach
USA
Tel. +1-305/672 20 00
Palace Bar
An institution on Ocean Drive, the rainbow flag flutters proudly at this bar, which
has been home to Miami’s gay scene for the past 30 years. But there are also good
reasons for (welcome) heteros to while away their time here: the friendly
atmosphere, good food and entertaining drag shows. In the daytime, it’s also an
ideal spot for watching the world go by on Ocean Drive.
1200 Ocean Drive palacesouthbeach.com
33139 Miami Beach
USA
Tel. +1-305/531 72 34
Tap Tap Restaurant
How about a little culinary globetrotting? The Tap Tap proudly presents Haitian
specialties – and in an extremely colorful setting. Not necessarily for gourmets, this
is definitely the place for anyone keen to sample unusual dishes. Only if you are of
the persuasion that a meal should be enjoyed in reverent silence is the Tap Tap
not for you.
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819 5th Street, taptapmiamibeach.com
33139 Miami Beach
USA
Tel. +1-305/672 28 98
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