What to do, what to do?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Miami - Florida
1

<p>I am getting ready to board my flight to Miami for the weekend and I was wondering what the must see places are whether they be in Coral Gables or Miami itself. I have all day Friday until it's time to get ready for registration and my tour, so what do you all suggest?</p>

2

<p>Visit…</p>

<p>-Miami Beach/South Beach- One of the most famous beaches in the world, lots to do and lots to see. Great people watching- beautiful bodies galore!
-Little Havana- The Cuban area of Miami. Great food and great culture!
-Key Biscayne- A much more mellowed atmosphere than Sobe, and it’s only 10 minutes away from campus!
-Coconut Grove- A popular spot for UM students. A nice assortment of shops, restaurants and clubs/bars. Sort of like a mini-south beach.
-Downtown Miami- It’s often overshadowed by Miami Beach, but it’s actually very nice. Great fun to walk around the city, surrounded by skyscrapers and palm trees.</p>

3

<p>Re Reddog’s recommendations - I saw this on groupon yesterday and grabbed three tickets to use during spring break (not the second weekend since that’s blacked out) when we hope to spend quality time with IllD93 and show her a bit of the town. I know she hasn’t seen much beyond the campus and this looks like a great deal with excellent reviews on tripadvisor: </p>

<p>[Big</a> Bus Tours Deal of the Day | Groupon Miami](<a href=“http://www.groupon.com/deals/big-bus-tours-miami]Big”>http://www.groupon.com/deals/big-bus-tours-miami)</p>

<p>It says deal of the day but it’s been there for a while based on the dates shown and is still available.</p>

4

<p>If you can, stay at the Biltmore in Coral gables. [Biltmore</a> Hotel in Miami | Luxury Resort with Award Winning Spa, Golf Course & Restaurants](<a href=“http://www.biltmorehotel.com/]Biltmore”>http://www.biltmorehotel.com/) It is positively the most beautiful place to stay, but if you already have a hotel you should eat in their outdoor restaurant Fontana. The Biltmore golf course backs up against the UM campus. Another great place to eat is called Cafe Vialetto. [Cafe</a> Vialetto, Coral Gables, FL 305 446 5659](<a href=“http://www.caffevialetto.com/]Cafe”>http://www.caffevialetto.com/) It is about five minutes away from the Biltmore and UM, and it is the best kept secret in Miami. The food is always devine, and although it is a small “whole in the wall” restaurant, it is amazing. Miami beach is nice, and since stone crabs are in season I have to recommend Joe’s Stone Crabs. [Joe’s</a> Stone Crab](<a href=“http://www.joesstonecrab.com/]Joe’s”>http://www.joesstonecrab.com/) Best stone crabs in Florida. Key Biscayne and Downtown Miami are also nice, but dont overlook Coral Gables just because it is a neighborhood! Enjoy your trip!</p>

5

<p>2 questions about the restaurants…is the Fontana really outdoors, as in no air conditioning? Looking for a graduation lunch restaurant and if it is not air conditioned, I can’t imagine being comfortable in May…also, is Cafe Vialetto really a hole in the wall or is it okay for a grad lunch?</p>

6

<p>The Fontana is an outdoor courtyard restaurant so there is no AC. It is really beautiful, and when I was down last May we ate out here all the time. Cafe Vialetto doesn’t look like much from the outside, but there is a private room and space for a graduation party. When we ate there last May there were multiple graduation parties there and the owner is very helpful and will work around your needs. The food really is amazing and I can’t be in Coral Gables without having dinner at Cafe Vialetto.</p>

<p><a href=“http://images.oyster.com/miami/hotels/biltmore-coral-gables-miami/photos/restaurants-bars-biltmore-coral-gables-miami-v86114-912.jpg[/url]”>http://images.oyster.com/miami/hotels/biltmore-coral-gables-miami/photos/restaurants-bars-biltmore-coral-gables-miami-v86114-912.jpg&lt;/a&gt;
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<p><a href=“http://edge.nara.me/image/nodes/6/62022/full/y_1021611.jpg[/url]”>http://edge.nara.me/image/nodes/6/62022/full/y_1021611.jpg&lt;/a&gt;
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<p>Thank you mlahowin! Your help is really appreciated!</p>

8

<p>The Shops at Merrick Park also are very close by and are a nice are for eating and upscale shopping. If you like nature visit Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and the Venetian Pool both located in the Gables. I am from Miami and my son has just been accepted to UM. I’m trilled.</p>

9

<p>DinDun- Check out Ortanique and Christies.</p>

10

<p>Thank you for the suggestions! They all look great! I am sending to DS to decide!</p>

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<p>Miahowin, I think Cafe Vialetto closed. We celebrated my niece graduation there but I’ve heard they closed last month. Better call.</p>

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<p>I just ate there February 18th and it showed no sign of closing any time soon. It was packed when I was there on a Monday night.</p>

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<p>Miamian here: FYI, Miami is comfortable for outdoor dining pretty much all year long. People from up north assume that since wherever they live gets to 100 in the summer, Miami must be even hotter. Not the case. It was hotter on Long Island where I grew up. Though our winters may be warmer than other places, our summers are comfortable, seldom much higher than 90, usually less, and not nearly that high in May. When everyone else had a heat wave last summer, we were actually one of the coolest spots in the nation, around 85.</p>

<p>Lots of nice places for dinner in Village of Merrick Park. Christie’s is nice, but reserve early as the whole class will be there. Ortanique is a bit small if you have a large group, from a noise standpoint.</p>

<p>For walking around, try Lincoln Road Mall in Miami Beach (not a mall in the usual sense but more of a pedestrian mall like the Champs d’Elysees. To me, none of the so-called tourist attractions in Miami are all that thrilling, but if you like mansions, Vizcaya is pretty. </p>

<p>Hyatt Regency Coral Gables is another nice choice. Good restaurant there, too.</p>

14

<p>Maybe then the person that gave the info went a day that they were closed for the day. Glad to hear they are open.</p>