Miami is one of my favorite Florida cities. It is culturally diverse, vibrant and constantly evolving.  With just a short, two hour drive from our home and affordable (as in free lodging), since our daughter lives there, we visit several times per year.

Thirty years ago, when Malcolm and I lived in Miami things were very different.  People lived on Miami Beach, Key Biscayne or in the suburbs and commuted to work downtown. Public transportation was not an option. No one lived downtown and especially not on Brickell Avenue, which was mostly commercial office buildings. My have things changed!

Brickell Avenue is rapidly becoming a self-contained city; think, Manhattan by the Bay. The Brickell City Centre, pictured, is a multi-use building which will house office space, hotel rooms, restaurants, a theater and retail shops. It is a welcome addition for the 50,000 plus residents who make Brickell their home. This is just one of several new structures that dot the sky with lights, color and the promise of excitement within.

Walk into the lobby of the new SLS Hotel/Residences and you will be greeted by a giant Monkey See/Monkey Do interactive screen that entertains guests and passers-by while en-route to check-in or to one of their stylish restaurants.

We chose the Italian inspired cuisine of Fi’Lia, but would have been equally happy with seafood at Bazaar Mar by Jose Andres which is just around the corner. A must have at Fi”Lia are the meatballs from the appetizer menu.  We also shared an order of Burrata with heirloom tomatoes, Chicken Parmesan and Rigatoni Bolognese. Simplicity has it’s rewards.  

After dinner, we strolled through Bazaar Mar in anticipation of a return visit and witnessed some amazing presentations of seafood.  If it tastes as good as it looks, then Chef Andres just hit another home run.

Miami has an intoxicating energy that leaves you both exhausted and invigorated. There is so much to see and do and the best part is that you don’t need a car! It has taken me thirty years to say those words, but it is finally true. Fly in, drive in, check in, enjoy!

Most visitors to Miami fly into one of three international airports in the vicinity- West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, or Miami International.  It is also accessible by train from many locations in South Florida. If you have not seen Miami lately, or never, do yourself a favor and make the trip.  Whether you are young or young at heart, you will be glad you did.