Feature: Best places to be and be seen in...Miami

Thursday, 24 March 2011 1:35 PM

Mmm…Miami! A certain song does spring to mind when you think about Miami, doesn’t it?! Well, it’s the fourth week of special features on chic places to hang out when on a city break in some of the world’s most exciting cities. We could have gone to Manhattan, to Los Angeles or even to Las Vegas, but we have set our eyes on Miami after learning that we are far from the only ones who are dying to know where the best places are to hang out if you want to be seen.

Miami is a lot of fun any time of year! South Beach and Miami Beach are always going off and there’s a party to go to whenever you feel like hitting the dance floor. But Miami is more than that. Miami is a hotspot for glamour and elegance in all shapes and sizes. And it doesn’t come as a surprise to us why many of the rich and famous choose this as one of the favourite places to spend a great time. Spotting stars strolling around in South Beach is not uncommon. Meaning that you’ll find A-list celebrities and the jet-set of Miami enjoying the sun, and providing enjoyment to the many fans, paparazzi and fellow sun worshippers that follow them around.

But Miami is not just about sun and the beach and Hollywood stars (even if we think it’s a big part of it of course!). Miami is fast growing as a staging zone for the fashion industry. Tourism to Miami is booming, and new and high-end hotels are opening in large numbers. But where are the best places to be and be seen?

Party scene extraordinaire
Miami is hot, and it’s the kind of heat that a sunblock won’t stop. Miami Beach and South Beach are both one big party zone, and the incredibly luxurious beach clubs or the resorts are ground zero for those who need to be seen, or to see! If we started listing the best nightclubs in Miami, this could stretch on to more than a few pages, so this is where you’ll have to do a bit of research yourself and see what you like. End of the day, Miami’s party scene is a 24-hour, seven days a week, 365 days a year business! Nothing is off-limits in Miami, it’s all hot and happening in this city.

But if we were to mention one area of Miami that is becoming increasingly popular with partygoers it would be Overtown, one of Miami’s oldest African-American neighbourhoods. Saturated with Cuban culture, this is a place where sounds of salsa and merengue fill the air. It offers a nice contrast to the glitzy and stylish nightclubs of South Beach. It is little wonder that Miami consistently ranks at the pinnacle for singles scene action and Latin beats, and nowhere is this more apparent than in clubs of the moment, where DJs spin the latest house music. Tourists, locals and celebrities mingle at happening live music clubs in Little Havana. From live music venues to elegant global gatherings, Miami does indeed glitter with stars and excitement.

Money, money, money
Miami is a spenders’ paradise! In Miami, you will no doubt find the best ways to spend your money in the numerous stores on Lincoln Road South Beach, at the very exclusive Bal Harbour Shops, or at popular Aventura Mall. The Lincoln Road Mall has a chic mix of hundreds of boutiques, outdoor art galleries and cafes and eclectic atmosphere.

Well-known for fabulous shopping experiences, high-end shopping is no laughing matter in Miami. Gradually becoming an important scene for the fashion industry, Miami is attracting more and more designers who are seeing the value of opening up branches in the city. And since we’re going down this road, why not continue to one of the top luxury shopping destinations in the world. We almost feel like saying ‘ooh lala!’ (well, there you go, we did say it). If you’re looking for some-class shopping, few places compare to Bal Harbour Shops. Located on Collins Avenue in Bal Harbour, stores include Tiffany & Co, Prada, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. Do we need to say more?!

Driving or sailing?
If you want to fit right in with the jet-set of Miami, renting a luxury sport car or a private yacht will surely help you turn head, be treated like a celebrity and get access to those special places that everyone dreams of visiting but which are only open to the rich and famous. Besides, if you really want to experience the South Beach Miami lifestyle, there is no better way to arrive at one of the top nightclubs than in your luxury sport car.

Or you could slip right into the Miami lifestyle feel by spending the day on the gorgeous crystalline waters of Miami, relaxing on your privately rented yacht. This way you can enjoy the fantastic waters and visit the most exclusive waterfront restaurants. Like any celebrity arriving at their hotel by sea, you are bound to attract a few envious looks.

Staying in celebrity-land
Besides the many nightclubs and upscale boutiques, other great spots to see celebrities in Miami are, of course, the Miami hotels located on Collins Avenue along the beach. These chic South Beach hotels are the preferred accommodations among the stars and Miami A-listers. You could write a separate feature on five-star Miami hotels, but let’s just say that if you’re browsing Miami hotels, start from South Beach. In summary, prepare yourself for private beaches, luxurious spas, fashionable people, gorgeous restaurants, tempting shopping and in general, having an unforgettably wonderful time!