Miami and the Florida Keys Alive (Alive Guides, Hunter Publishing
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Lisa Simundson Hunter Publishing, Inc. 130 Campus Drive Edison, NJ 08818-7816 % 732-225-1900 / 800-255-0343 / Fax 732-417-1744 Web site: www.hunterpublishing.com E-mail: [email protected] IN CANADA Ulysses Travel Publications 4176 Saint-Denis Montreal, Québec H2W 2M5 Canada % 514-843-9882, Ext. 2232 / Fax 514-843-9448 IN THE UK Windsor Books International The Boundary, Wheatley Road Garsington, Oxford OX44 9EJ England % 01865-361122 / Fax 01865-361133 ISBN 1-55650-913-8 © 2001 Hunter Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be repro- duced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, record- ing, or otherwise, without the written permission of the pub- lisher. This guide focuses on recreational activities. As all such activi- ties contain elements of risk, the publisher, author, affiliated in- dividuals and companies disclaim any responsibility for any injury, harm, or illness that may occur to anyone through, or by use of, the information in this book. Every effort was made to in- sure the accuracy of information in this book, but the publisher and author do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any liability for loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, misleading informa- tion or potential travel problems caused by this guide, even if such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any Maps by Lissa K. Dailey and Toni Carbone, © 2001 Hunter Publishing, Inc. Indexing by Nancy Wolff 4321 About the Alive Guides Reliable, detailed and personally researched by knowl- edgeable authors, the Alive! series was founded by Harriet and Arnold Greenberg. This accomplished travel-writing team also operates a re- nowned bookstore, The Complete Traveller, at 199 Madi- son Avenue in New York City. About the Author Lisa Simundson is a lifelong resident of Miami and a fre- quent visitor to the Florida Keys. Now a freelance travel writer, she was previously the editor of a local visitors guide and the managing editor of a national travel indus- try publication, for which she covered Florida, Latin Amer- ica and the Southeastern United States. www.hunterpublishing.com Hunter’s full range of travel guides to all corners of the globe is featured on our exciting Web site. You’ll find guidebooks to suit every type of traveler, no mat- ter what their budget, lifestyle, or idea of fun. Full descriptions are given for each book, along with re- viewers’ comments and a cover image. Books may be purchased on-line using a credit card via our secure transaction system. All online orders receive 20% dis- count. Alive! guides featured include: Aruba, Bonaire & Cura- çao; Jamaica; Buenos Aires & The Best of Argentina; Venezuela; The Cayman Islands; Cancún & Cozumel; St. Martin & St. Barts; Nassau & The Best of The Ba- hamas; Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica & St. Lu- cia; The Catskills; Dallas & Fort Worth; and Atlanta. Check out our Adventure Guides, a series aimed at the independent traveler who enjoys outdoor activities (rafting, hiking, biking, skiing, canoeing, etc.). All books in this signature series cover places to stay and eat, sightseeing, in-town attractions, transportation and more! Hunter’s Romantic Weekends series offers myriad things to do for couples of all ages and lifestyles. Quaint places to stay and restaurants where the ambiance will take your breath away are included, along with fun activities that you and your partner will remem- ber forever. For David, Kelly and Veronica Acknowledgments Thanks to the following for their invaluable assistance in compiling the information for this book: Jack Dunlavey, Media Relations for Hawk’s Cay Resort; Andy Newman, Vice President, Stuart Newman Associates; Emily O’Brien, Research Assistant; and the helpful staff members at the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, the Islamorada Cham- ber of Commerce, the Marathon Chamber of Commerce, the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, the Key West Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Miami Beach Chamber of Com- merce. We Love to Get Mail This book has been carefully researched to bring you cur- rent, accurate information. But no place is unchanging. We welcome your comments for future editions. Please write us at: Alive Guides, c/o Hunter Publishing, 130 Cam- pus Drive, Edison, NJ 08818, or e-mail your comments to [email protected]. Due to the volume of mail we receive, we regret that we cannot personally reply to each letter or message, but your comments are greatly appreci- ated and will be read. Contents Introduction A Brief History of Miami ...................2 The 20th Century ....................2 Miami Today .......................4 A Brief History of The Keys ..................6 The 1800s.........................6 The 1900s.........................7 Miami The Magic City ........................9 Dining & Shopping ....................9 Attractions & Nightlife .................10 Accommodations ....................12 Orientation..........................12 Key Biscayne & Virginia Key .............13 Miami Beach ......................13 Northeast Miami ....................20 Central Miami .....................21 Coconut Grove .....................26 Coral Gables ......................27 Northwest Miami ....................29 West Miami & Airport Area ..............32 South Miami-Dade County ...............32 The Everglades .....................35 Getting Here .........................35 ByAir..........................35 By Bus & Train .....................40 ByCar..........................40 By Water ........................41 Getting Around .......................42 Public Transportation .................42 Car Rental........................44 Specialty Rentals ....................44 Taxis & Limousines...................45 Bicycle & In-Line Skate Rentals ............45 Climate ............................46 Planning Your Trip .....................48 viii Miami & The Florida Keys Alive! Information Sources ..................48 Packing Tips ......................50 Safety Tips .......................51 Sunup to Sundown......................53 Beaches .........................53 Watersports .......................58 Golf ...........................75 Tennis ..........................77 Spas ...........................80 Spectator Sports ....................82 Shop Till You Drop ...................86 Attractions .......................101 Fairs, Fiestas, Festivals & Food ..............120 January ........................120 February ........................121 March .........................122 April ..........................123 May...........................123 June ..........................123 July...........................124 August .........................124 September .......................124 October .........................124 November .......................125 December .......................125 Arts & Culture .......................126 Performance Venues & Organizations ........126 Tours ..........................136 Best Places to Stay .....................141 Downtown Miami ...................143 South Beach ......................149 Miami Beach......................161 Coconut Grove .....................167 Key Biscayne......................171 Coral Gables ......................172 Airport Area ......................176 The Everglades ....................179 Best Places to Eat .....................182 Cuisine .........................183 What to Wear .....................186 Downtown Miami ...................187 Contents ix Little Havana .....................192 Northeast Miami ...................195 Miami Beach......................204 Coconut Grove .....................215 Key Biscayne......................221 Coral Gables ......................224 Kendall.........................232 South Miami ......................235 Homestead .......................236 Central West Miami ..................237 Northwest Miami ...................240 After Dark .........................244 South Beach ......................245 Downtown Miami ...................253 Northeast Miami ...................254 Coconut Grove .....................256 Coral Gables ......................258 South Miami ......................259 Airport Area ......................261 Miami A to Z ........................261 The Florida Keys The Great Escape .....................269 Attractions .......................270 Dining & Shopping ..................271 Accommodations....................271 Orientation .........................272 Upper Keys ......................272 Middle Keys ......................275 Lower Keys ......................275 Key West ........................276 Getting Here ........................279 ByAir.........................279 By Water ........................280 By Road ........................281 ...............................284 Getting Around .......................285 Upper, Middle & Lower Keys .............285 Key West ........................287 Climate ...........................289 Planning Your Trip.....................290 x Miami & The Florida Keys Alive! Information Sources ..................290 Packing Tips ......................290 Tourist Safety Tips ..................291 Sunup to Sundown .....................291 Beaches ........................291 Diving .........................296 Boating .........................313 Fishing .........................323 Golf & Tennis .....................331 Shop Till You Drop ..................332 Attractions .......................343 Festivals &