Bienvenidos a Miami
March 9, 2010
“Bienvenidos a Miami” or Welcome to Miami as Will Smith says in his über catchy 90’s pop hit is truly appropriate. You get enveloped with an inviting feeling the minute you arrive in this southern Florida hot spot and that feeling helps prepare you for all of the excitement to come. Just two weeks ago I was heading to Key West with my boyfriend, not a virtual exploration, but a real, live trip and I was happy to get out of my cubicle. Leaving behind a huge snowstorm that hit the north east with a vengeance, we gleefully packed carry-ons and departed for sunnier (and much warmer) accommodations. We landed in Miami, rented a car and began our journey down to Key West. And what a lovely drive it was! With the radio blasting and a cool breeze blowing through my hair, 125 miles later we arrived in America’s Caribbean.
Only 90 miles from Cuba, Key West boasts brilliant sunsets, nightlife on a New Orleans’ Burbon Street level, amazing restaurants, breathtaking architecture and a thriving art scene. Having spent some time on this lovely three-mile wide island, it is easy to see how Ernest Hemingway, Lou Gehrig, Tennessee Williams and Harry Truman had become intoxicated with its exquisite environ. With its balmy weather and crystal blue skies, the island is famous among the outdoors set for its diving, fishing, water sports and golfing at the nearby Key West Golf Club, a course designed by Rees Jones. But it is only in Key West that the sun shines the brightest when it sets. Gathering for the never planned, always varied Sunset Celebration on the Mallory Dock is always a pleasant experience. Make sure to try some conch fritters while you’re enjoying street artists, musicians, jugglers and mimes on the dock 365 days a year. The Key West philosophy is “One Human Family” and this simple motto serves as a shining example of daily life here.
On the way back, I suggest spending a few days near the beach in Miami to enjoy some sun and fun. Nature lovers can enjoy the Everglades National Park, an untamed ecosystem unlike any other on earth, or Biscayne National Park, the only living tropical reef within the continental U.S. In fact, Miami is the only place in the U.S. with two national parks. In my opinion, however, Miami is a city of the night. In South Beach, the nightlife pops while Coconut Grove is a favorite late-night stop for dancing and partying. In Little Havana, the air is filled with Afro-Cuban rhythms and rumba rap as well as a fusion of funk beats and Latin rhythms, but this expansive city offers a diverse array of entertainment. As the moon makes its trek across the sky, dance clubs and lounges open their doors to warm ocean breezes and the beautiful people who fill their dance floors and VIP rooms to capacity every night.
If you are looking for a quick getaway, I highly suggest you consider southern Florida. Both Miami and Key West will entice you with their many draws, and like me, perhaps you’ll come home feeling like you’ve just found a new favorite city. Just don’t forget to try the Key Lime Pie!
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