Miami
3 January 2011: landed in Miami and drove overnight to Orlando with my family and my parents' best friends, before Disney and the Celebrity Equinox cruise. After the cruise we stayed in Pompano Beach, over the sea, for a couple of days — Dolphin Mall, Sawgrass Mills, and Aventura Mall, one day each — and went to Miami Beach every evening. December 2011, before Christmas: two days on Miami Beach at the start of the Naples trip. I live here now: Wynwood, the Design District, Coconut Grove, Brickell and Brickell City Centre, Brickell Key for an evening walk, Miracle Mile and the beautiful houses on Coral Way past it, South Pointe pier and park, Ocean Drive, and Española Way even if the restaurants there aren't great. Regulars include Doya, Barcelona, Motek, CVI.CHE 105 in Coral Gables, 107 Taste, Moshi Moshi and Tutto Pasta in Brickell, and La Leggenda in Miami Beach. The Setai Oceanside Grill is the best place to sit close to the sea in that stretch; COTE was not good value. Miami was amazing!
- Other
Miami International Airport
Visited: Jan 3, 2011
Arrival notes: Landed 3 January 2011
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Whole family plus my parents' best friends. Drove to Orlando in the middle of the night.
- Lodging
Pompano Beach
Visited: Jan 14, 2011
How I got there: Car — After the Celebrity Equinox, still with a rental car
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Staying over the sea. We went to Miami Beach every evening anyway.
- Attraction
Dolphin Mall
Visited: Jan 14, 2011
How I got there: Car — Rental car from Pompano Beach
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One of the mall days after the cruise.
- Recreational
Miami Beach
Visited: Jan 14, 2011
How I got there: Car — Every evening from Pompano Beach
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Evenings on the beach while staying in Pompano.
- Attraction
Sawgrass Mills
Visited: Jan 15, 2011
How I got there: Car — Rental car
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Mall day.
- Attraction
Aventura Mall
Visited: Jan 16, 2011
How I got there: Car — Rental car
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Mall day.
- Lodging
Miami Beach
Visited: Dec 16, 2011
How I got there: Car — Rental car — start of the Naples trip
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Two nights on Miami Beach, December 2011, before driving west to Naples.
- Lodging
Miami Beach
Visited: Oct 1, 2024
How I got there: Other — Bus 150 from the airport
- Recreational
South Pointe Park
Visited: Feb 6, 2026
How I got there: Walk
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It's a fantastic place to watch sunset or go for an afternoon jog.
- Restaurant
Coral Way & Ponce de Leon Boulevard
Visited: Mar 7, 2026
How I got there: Car
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In the middle of the miracle mile, this area is nice to walk in the evenings and boasts multiple gastronomic options. Occasionally, the street is closed and festivities with music are held.
- Restaurant
Chug's Diner
Visited: Sep 5, 2026
How I got there: Car — Uber
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Delicious food!
- Attraction
Wynwood
How I got there: Car
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The walls and the neighborhood around them.
- Recreational
South Pointe Pier
How I got there: Walk — Walk from the park
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The pier at the end of the park.
- Attraction
Design District
How I got there: Car
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Galleries, shops, and streets to wander.
- Attraction
Miracle Mile
How I got there: Walk
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The Coral Gables stretch for an evening walk.
- Attraction
Coral Way past Miracle Mile
How I got there: Walk — Walk west of the Mile
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Past Miracle Mile — beautiful houses.
- Attraction
Coconut Grove
- Attraction
Brickell City Centre
- Recreational
Brickell Key
How I got there: Walk — Evening walk from Brickell
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An evening walk out on the key.
- Recreational
Ocean Drive
- Attraction
Española Way
How I got there: Walk
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Even if the restaurants are not good.
- Restaurant
Doya
- Restaurant
Barcelona
- Restaurant
Motek
- Restaurant
COTE
- Restaurant
CVI.CHE 105
- Restaurant
107 Taste
- Restaurant
Moshi Moshi
- Restaurant
Tutto Pasta
- Restaurant
Setai Oceanside Grill
How I got there: Walk
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The best place to sit close to the sea in that area.
- Restaurant
La Leggenda Pizzeria
- Restaurant
Burgers & Shakes
- Attraction
Collins Avenue
How I got there: Car — Drive along Collins
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A very opulent drive.
Route summary: Miami International Airport → Pompano Beach → Dolphin Mall → Miami Beach → Sawgrass Mills → Aventura Mall → Miami Beach → Miami Beach → South Pointe Park → Coral Way & Ponce de Leon Boulevard → Chug's Diner → Wynwood → South Pointe Pier → Design District → Miracle Mile → Coral Way past Miracle Mile → Coconut Grove → Brickell City Centre → Brickell Key → Ocean Drive → Española Way → Doya → Barcelona → Motek → COTE → CVI.CHE 105 → 107 Taste → Moshi Moshi → Tutto Pasta → Setai Oceanside Grill → La Leggenda Pizzeria → Burgers & Shakes → Collins Avenue