BEST BEACH
#1 SOUTH BEACH: Make each day a beach day at the most fabulous & exciting oceanfront in the world!
BEST SHOPPING
Best Luxury Shopping: Ball Harbour Shops, not only the most beautiful mall in the world but perhaps the best luxury shopping under one roof in the world.
www.balharbourshops.com
Best Woman's Clothing Boutique: For one-of-a-kind, sexy evening dresses (short or long) or far out jeans visit CLAUDIO MILANO at 1664 Collins Avenue Ph: 305-673-0883.
www.claudiomilano.com
Best Discount Shopping Outlet: Sawgrass Mill Mall. Second largest in the US and second most visited tourist site.www.sawgrassmillsmall.com
Best Jewelry Shopping: The Miami Jewelry District is the third largest in the US after New York and Beverly Hills. It comprises 4 blocks in Downtown Miami bounded by N. Miami Avenue, NE 2nd Avenue, E. Flagler and NE 2nd Street. Its main anchor is the SeyBold Building.www.seyboldjewelry.com
Best Shoe Store: The Shoe Department at Neiman Marcus in Bal Harbour Shops.
Best Furs: Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour Shops. The Fur Department at Saks on 2nd Floor. Ask x Carole Finkelstein. She knows furs best.
Best Street Shopping: Lincoln Road. One of the most popular pedestrian streets in the world.www.lincolnroad.org
Best Organic Food: Saturday Farmer's Market in Coconut Grove. Shop every Saturday, all year (rain or shine) from 10:30am to 7pm at the corner of Grand Avenue & Margaret Street. For more info during the week (M-F) and between 9am to 6pm call Ph: 305-238-7747 or on Saturday call Cell: 305-794-1464. Or you could shop on line anytime at: www.glaserorganicfarms.com
Best Gourmet Market:
Epicure Market
www.epicuremarket.com
1656 Alton Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139-2426
Ph: 305-672-1861
Best Cakes:
Ice Box Café
1657 Michigan Avenue, Miami Beach, FL. 33139.
Ph: 305-538-8448
www.iceboxcafe.com
Best Pastries, Breads and Other Baked Goods:
La Provence French Bakery
1621 Collins, Miami Beach
Ph: 305-538-2406
www.laprovencemiami.com
Best Chocolates in the World
SWEET TREATS (Brigadeiro Gourmet)
ATTE: Elaine Bard
Ph: 305-735-9092
Elaine@sweettreatsbrigadeiro.com
www.sweettreatsbrigadeiro.com
BEST FESTIVALS / SHOWS / FAIRS
Best Art Show: Art Basel Miami Beach. Not only the most important art show in the US but arguably the best in the world.www.artbaselmiamibeach.com
Best Food Festival: South Beach Wine & Food Festival.www.sobefest.com
Best Boat Show: Miami International Boat Show. www.miamiboatshow.com
Best Antique Show: Original Miami Beach Antique Show.www.miamibeachantiqueshows.com
Best Book Fair in the World: Miami Book Fair International. Street Fair near and around Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus. Third Week of November - Downtown Miami.
BEST EVENTS
Halloween on Lincoln Road: October 31st each year. The most fun place to be on Halloween. Watch phenomenal costumes parading up and down Lincoln Road while enjoying a drink, coffee or meal at any of its restaurants or cafes. On this day, most restaurants and cafes have a minimum consumption requirement - so be sure to ask before you take a sit!
I Love Miami Spice: During the months of August & September, celebrate the city's passion for food. More than 80 of the top local restaurants offer special dinner and/or lunch menus at reduced prices.www.ilovemiamispice.com
Miami Beach Community Bike Ride: Second Saturday of each month. The free 2 hour bike ride starts at 9am sharp from the Miami Beach Bicycle Center located at 601 - 5th Street (corner of 5th Street & Washington Ave). Bicyclists of all ages are invited to participate. The bike route varies from month to month but usually covers the entire length of the city. The Miami Beach Police provides escort to ensure bikers safety and allow for a continuously ride without having to stop for regular traffic. The bike shop opens at 8:15 am and every rider needs to register before each ride. Helmets are required during ride. Bring your own bike and helmet or rent one. Bike rentals are limited. Water will be provided. For more info Ph: 305-673-7080.
Sleepless Night: Once a year event, usually first week of November, from 6pm to 6am.www.sleeplessnight.org
White Party Ball at Viscaya: Last week of November. For more info Ph: 305-576-1234 ext. 257.www.whiteparty.org
BEST SIGHTSEEING TOURS
Historical Museum of Southern Florida: Visit the website at www.hmsf.org and click on Historic Tours.
Miami Design Preservation League: Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL) is a non-profit organization devoted to preserving, protecting, and promoting the cultural, social, economic, environmental and architectural integrity of the Miami Beach Architectural Historic District. It was originally organized by Barbara Capitman in 1976 and is the oldest Art Deco Society in the World. For tour hours visit. The Center is located at 1001 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139.www.mdpl.orgor call Ph: 305-672-2014.
ART / GALLERY WALKS
Coral Gables Gallery Night: First Friday each month, 7pm to 10pm. For additional info call Ph: 305-444-4493.
Lincoln Road Art Walk: First Saturday each month, 7pm to 10pm. The core action takes place inside Art Center/South Florida's buildings (800, 810 and 924 Lincoln Road), which houses the studios of local emerging and professional artists. www.artcentersf.org
Miami Design District Night: Second Saturday each month, 6pm to 10 pm. For additional info Ph: 305-573-8116.
NOMI Gallery Walk: Last Friday each month, 7pm to 10pm. For more info Ph: 305-893-6211.
Viernes Culturales: Last Friday each month in Little Havana. Street Fair between 14th & 17th Avenues on SW 8th Street.
Wynwood Art District Gallery Walk: Second Saturday each month, except July & August. For more info call Rocket Projects Ph: 305-576-6082.
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES
Jungle Island:
www.jungleisland.com
1111 Parrot Jungle Trail
Miami, FL 33132
Ph: 305-400-7000
Miami Children's Museum:
www.miamichildrensmuseum.org
980 MacArthur Causeway
Miami, FL 33132-1604
Ph: 305-373-5437
Dolphin Harbor Miami Seaquarium:
www.miamiseaquarium.com
4400 Rickenbacker Causeway
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Ph: 305-361-5705
BEST SUNDAY ACTIVITIES
Brunch: Best Sunday Brunch At Setai
www.setai.com
Lazy Sunday: From 2pm to 8pm @ The Standard Hotel & Spa. Enjoy Brazilian BBQ, ping pong and foosball
www.thestandardhotels.com/miami
Sunday Bingo: With Surprizer 8:30pm sharp at the Standard Hotel & Spa.www.thestandardhotels.com/miami
Bayside Marketplace: In downtown Miami & Biscayne Bay at 401 Biscayne Blvd is one of my parents favorite hang out on a Sunday. Enjoy lively free music. Lots to see or do. baysidemarketplace.com
BEST SPA
Canyon Ranch:
6801 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL
Ph: 866-2762226
www.canyonranchmiamibeach.com
BEST CULTURAL VENUES
Art Center/South Florida:
800, 810 and 924 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, FL
http://www.artcentersf.org
Carnival Center for the Performing Arts: From Opera to Broadway, Dance to Drama, Cabaret to Comedy, and Beyond! www.carnivalcenter.org
Florida Grand Opera: Has a rich history of presenting internationally acclaimed artists such as Robert Merrill, Dorothy Kirsten, Richard Tucker, Renata Tebaldi, Roberta Peters, Franco Corelli, Renata Scotto, Montserrat Caballe, Jon Vickers, Sherrill Milnes, Nicolai Gedda, Birgit Nilsson, Anna Moffo, Plácido Domingo, Beverly Sills, Joan Sutherland, Evelyn Lear, James Morris, Thomas Stewart, Diana Soviero, Justino Diaz, Simon Estes, Elizabeth Futral, Helen Donath, Deborah Voigt, and Fernando de la Mora. Luciano Pavarotti made his American debut in 1965 with the company’s production of Lucia di Lammermoor. www.fgo.com
Miami City Ballet: One of the youngest yet top ballet company in the US.www.miamicityballet.org
New World Symphony: When Michael Tilson Thomas and Ted Arison founded the New World Symphony in 1987, they gave America much more than a unique and first of its kind full-time orchestral academy which prepares talented graduates from the top music programs around the world to assume leadership positions in orchestras and ensembles around the world. The program has been highly successful and the New World Symphony campus will be Frank Gehry’s (first commission in Florida) promises to result in a new landmark for American culture, attracting global attention from architecture, art, and music aficionados alike.www.nws.edu
BEST CHARITY EVENT
JAFCO Luncheon at Jungle Island: This is truly a full fun day of shopping, fashion and more while helping a good cause: raising funds for abused and neglected childre in South Florida. Please come support this great cause. Call JAFCO (Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options).
BEST WATER ACTIVITIES
Full Moon Kayaking: At the Shane Center at 6500 Indian Creek Dr., Miami Beach, FL. Ph: 305-861-8899. Call to reserve space or visit www.shanecenter.com
The Ronald W. Shane Watersports Center: BEAUTIFUL POOL. Home of the Miami Beach Rowing Club as well as the University of Miami and Barry University rowing programs. The club meets on the 2nd floor of The Ronald W. Shane Watersports Center.www.rowmiamibeach.com
BEST & MOST BEAUTIFUL POOL
The Venetian Pool: Located at 27O1 De Soto Boulevard in Coral Gables. Formed from a coral rock quarry in 1923, Venetian Pool is included in the National Register of Historic Places. This 820,000 gallon pool is fed with cool spring water daily, and features two waterfalls, coral caves and grottos. The buildings are Venetian-style architecture, designed by Denman Fink, uncle of the founding father of Coral Gables, George Merrick. Together with architect Phineas Paist, they transformed an unsightly rock pit into the world's most beautiful swimming hole, complete with expansive loggias, porticos, a palm-fringed island, beach and cobble-stone bridge.www.CoralGablesVenetianPool.com
BEST HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
The Setai:
www.setai.com
2001 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139-1913
Ph: 305-520-6000
W South Beach Hotel:
www.wsouthbeach.com
2201 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139-1717
Ph: 305-938-3000
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach:
www.ritzcarlton.com
1 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Ph: 786-276-4000
Hotel Victor:
www.hotelvictorsouthbeach.com
1144 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Ph: 305-428-1234
BEST LOCAL GOLF COURSES
Miami Beach Golf Club (Public):
www.miamibeachgolfclub.com
Ph: 305-532-3350
Normandy Shores Golf Course (Public):
www.normandyshoresgolfclub.com
Fisher Island Golf Course (Private):
www.fisherislandclub.com
Ph: 305-535-6000
Indian Creek Golf (Private):
55 Indian Creek Village
Miami Beach, FL 33154
Ph: 305-866-1263
La Gorce Country Club (Private):
www.lagorcecc.com
Ph: 305-866-9469
Biltmore Golf Club (Private):
www.BiltmoreHotel.com/Golf
Doral Golf Resort & Spa (Private):
www.doralresort.com
4400 NW 87th Avenue
Miami, FL33178
Ph: 305-592-2000
BEST FARMERS MARKET
South Pointe Elementary Farmers Market:
Saturdays 9am-1pm
1050 4th Street
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Ph: 305-531-0038
