Miami(engl)

MIAMI

FINDING YOUR WAY

 

If you look on a Miami map you will notice that Streets and Terraces generally run east- west. Avenues, Places and Courts are aligned north-south. But look carefully in other areas that they have their own street system: Hialeah, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Opa Locka, Key Biscayne and Miami Beach. Miami is divided in FOUR SECTION, with Flagler Street marking the north and south sectors a Miami Avenue dividing the city into east and west.

 

North-South

 

I-95 is the major north-south expressway providing access to Miami from Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. It runs through downtown Miami and US1 (also called South Dixie Highway)

 

East- West

 

State Road 836 (Dolphin Expwy, $1.25 toll eastbound) is the major east-west expressway connecting Florida’s Turnpike (Homestead Extension) to State Road 826, I-95 and Miami Beach (via I-395)

 

TAXI FARES

 

Flat rate fares

 

Miami- Dade County has created flat rate fares for trips between Miami International Airport and the following areas. Prices include tools and $2 surcharge by the airport and seaport authorities, but not gratuity

 

Port of Miami/Cruise ship                                             $24.00

Miami Beach

- Gov’t Cut to 63^rd Street                                             $32.00

- Mid-Beach Area (63^rd st. – 87^th Terr.)                                    $37.00

- North Beach Area                                                      $43.00

- Sunny Isles to Golden Beach                          $52.00

- Key Biscayne                                                 $41.00

- Coral Gables                                                              $14-$19

 

Taxi (wheelchair accessible)

 

Metro Taxi                               305-888-8888

Super Yellow Cab                    305-888-7777

Yellow Cab                              305-444-4444

Central Cab                              305-532-5555

Flamingo Taxi                           305-759-8100

Complaints about Miami-Dade taxi service: dial 3-1-1, Monday-Friday 6am-10pm and Saturday-Sunday, 8am- 8pm

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

Metrorail, Miami-Dade County’s 22-mile, elevated rapid-transit system, runs from Kendall area in the southern end of the county north to the city of Medley. Its 22 stations provide a connection to major business, as well as cultural and shopping centers. Transit riders also can transfer to Tri-Rail at the Trial-Rail Metrorail station to travel north to Broward Palm Beach counties.

 

The service operates 5am to midnight, everyday; on weekdays, trains arrives  every 7 to 8 minutes during rush hours, every 15 minutes at midday, and every 30 minutes from about 7:30pm to midnight. On weekends, trains run every 30 minutes.

Metrorail fare: $2 each way. Transfers 50¢ each.

 

Metromover is an automated people-mover system that serves downtown Miami from Omni to Brickell and connects with Metrorail at Government Center and Brickell stations. In addition, several bus routes operate close to most of the 20 Metromover stations, one about every two blocks.

 

Metromover offers convenient access to many downtown Miami’s major office buildings, hotels and retail centers, the Stephen P. Clark Government Center (Miami Art Museum, Historical Museum, Main Library) and the Brickell business district. Metromover’s inner and outer (Omni and Brickell) loops run from 5am to midnight, seven days a week. Trains arrive frequently. Metromover fare: free

 

Metrobus provides bus service throughout Miami-Dade County, 365 days a year. Service is available from Miami Beach and Key Biscayne on the east side of the county, to Kendall and Westchester on the west end, and from as far north as Diplomat Mall in Broward county, to as far south as Homestead, Florida City, and the middle Florida Keys.

 

Metrobus operates seven days a week. Some routes run 24 hour a day, while others run 11pm to 6am. The system, designed to intersect with Metrorail and Metromover, serves all major businesses, shopping, entertainment and cultural centers, as well as major hospital and schools. All buses are wheelchair-accessible. Metrobus fare: $2 each way. Transfers: 50¢ each.

 

The 7-day Visitor Passport offers unlimited access to all Miami-Dade public transportation for seven consecutive days for only $26. Available.at visitor centers and select area business. Call Miami-Dade Transit at 305-770-3131, or visit www.miamidade.gov/transit/passtokens.asp

 

Tri-rail is the commuter rail system that links Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, providing free connecting shuttles to/from all three airports. Tickets must be purchased before boarding.

These shuttles depart from:

• Miami International-Lower level, Concourse E
• Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International terminals #1, #2, #3, lower level
• Palm Beach International-Palm Tran bus #40 and #44 in front of baggage claim

 

$3.50-$9.25/person, round trip; $2.00-$5.50/person one way; Sat and Sun., $4/person, $2 for children ages 5-15; seniors age 65+ and students.

1-800-TRI-RAIL

 

SunPass offers a convenient, pre-paid option for most tools in Florida, at a discount. It is REQUIRED to use the new Express (two left) lanes on I-95 in Miami-Dade County. SunPass is available for $4.99 at Publix, CVS and turnpike plazas and includes a $4.99 credit for tolls. For more info, see www.sunpass.com

 

Biking is the perfect way to get around Mimi Beach! It is easy, fun and friendly to the environment. Bike and Roll offers a variety of bikes for rent by hour; day or week: Located in the heart of South Beach at 210 10^th St. 305-604-0000; www.bikeandroll.com

 

ATTRACTIONS

 

v     Ancient Spanish Monastery: built in Spain during 1133-1141 and moved to Miami in 1952. Open Mon-sat, 9am-4pm; Sunday noon-4pm.May close early for special events.

v     Everglades National Park: see endangered species of birds and animals in this 1.5 million-acre park, the third largest national park in the lower 48 US states. For more information call 305-242-7700

v     Everglades Safari Park: airboats tours, eco-adventure tours, alligator and wildlife nature shows. Take an airboat ride through nature’s wildlife. See alligators, crocodiles and other exotic wildlife. Jungle walking trail, observation platform and exhibits; restaurant, souvenir- gift shop. Open every day 9am-5pm.

v     Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: one of the world’s preeminent botanical gardens spans 83 acres of rare, tropical plants. Highlights include a conservatory, a rainforest, a butterfly garden and the National Palm and Cycad Collections, café’ and gift shop. Open daily (except Christmas) 9:30am-4:30pm. Disabled access available. 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, 305-667-1651

v     Historical Museum of Southern Florida: discover the past and present of South Florida and the Caribbean through permanent and changing exhibits. Visit the Research Center: prints, antique maps, books and over one million historic photographs. Historic walking, bike, coach and boat tours. Open 10am-5pm, Monday-Saturday; 10pm-9pm on third Thursday; noon-5pm on Sunday. 101 West Flagler Street, downtown (Miami-Dade Cultural Center)

v     Ichimura Miami-Japanese Garden: enjoy a tranquil moment in this little known quiet spot amid Miami’s bustle. The garden began in the 1950’s with shipments of items from Tokyo and opened in 1961. Free admission. Open daily, 9am-6pm. 1101 MacArthur Causeway/I-395 (in the eastern end of Jungle Island’s parking lot), 305-642-1271

v     Jungle Island: see spectacular animal shows! Our newest show: Gator X-treme brings man face-to-face with alligators in a thrilling encounter both in the water and out. For the first time, America has one of the most exciting and breathtaking encounters ever seen up-close and only at Jungle Island. Don-t miss the penguin exhibit; the 2000-pound crocosaurus; the Liger-part lion, part tiger; and the Lemurs from Madagascar. Exhibits include a flight aviary and a replica of the Everglades environment, a petting barn, a children’s playground, and much more. Open daily 10am-6pm. 300-400-7000

v     Miami Dade parks Eco-Adventures: experience an adventure on a kayak, canoe, snorkel, bike or nature excursion. Tours and excursions are available for all levels. Explore unique natural areas, and be on the lookout for native wildlife. 305-365-3018

v     Miami metrozoo: more then 1,000 animals from around the world including the rare and exotic. The zoo is open daily, including holidays, 9:30am-5:30pm (gates and tickets booth till 4pm). Free parking. 12400 SW 152^nd Street, Southwest Miami-Dade, 305-251-0400

v     Miami Science Museum: interactive, permanent and traveling exhibits for all ages. The Wildlife Center has live animals and reptiles, and is a facility dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured bird of prey. The Planetarium features laser light shows every first Friday night of the month, plus daily multimedia shows. Adults $20, children 13$. “Music Musica” is a combination of two exhibits that look at music from a cultural and a scientific perspective. American sabor: Latinos in US Popular Music is the first major museum exhibition to tell the story of the profound influence and impact of Latinos in American popular music. The exhibits include memorabilia from Celia Cruz, Ritchie Valens and more. Open daily 10am-6pm. 3280 S. Miami Avenue, Miami, 305-646-4200. www.miamisci.org

v     Miami Seaquarium: a place where dolphins walk on water and a killer whale flies through the air. You will find here sharks, sea lions, sea turtles and manatees. Open daily 9:30am-6pm (includes holidays), box office closes at 4:30pm. General admission is $35.95 plus tax; children (3-9) are $26.95 plus tax; children under 3 are free. 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne (Virginia Key), 305-361-5705

 

ARTS AND CULTURE

 

Adrienne Arts center for Performing Arts (305-444-6722) hosts an eclectic mix of music, dance and theatre.

Actors’ Playhouse at Miracle Theater (305-444-9293) presents main stage productions, as well as Theatre for Young Audiences.

Small but wonderful theaters: The Gable Stage, City Theater and New Theater

 

 

Miami City Ballet (305-929-7000) is known for blending classical ballet with avant-garde.

Tigertail productions (305-324-4337) presents dance and music performances as well as the literary and visual arts.

Miami Light Project (305-576-4350) offers innovative global, dance, music and theater artists.

The Miami Hispanic Ballet (305-549-7711) presents the annual International Ballet Festival of Miami during August and September.

 

The New World Symphony (305-673-3330) offers a lot of programs ranging from orchestral and chamber music concerts to specials like Mozart Festival

Miami Symphony Orchestra (305-275-5666) presents high-quality symphonic music.

The Concert Association of Florida (305-808-7446) is Florida’s largest presenter of world-renowned classical orchestra, musicians and dance companies.

Florida Grand Opera (800-741-1010) features impressive works with international performers.

 

      Historical Museum of Southern Florida- discover the past and the present of South Florida and the Caribbean through permanent and changing exhibits. Visit the Research Center for prints, antique maps, books and over one million historic photographs. 101 W. Flagler St., downtown Miami (Miami-Dade Cultural Center)

      Viscaya Museum and Gardens- was built in 1916 as the winter home of agricultural industrialist, James Deering. This National Historic landmark and european-inspiered estate offers the perfect place to spend an hour or an afternoon. Open daily from 9:30am-4:30pm. 3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami (between Coconut grove and Brickell Avenue), 305-250-9133

      Jewish Museum of Florida- tells the story of 250 years of Florida Jewish life. In addition, there are timelines, films, a museum store, a collection, a research center and guides. 301 Washington Ave., South Beach, 305-672-5044

      World Erotic Art Museum- a collection of 4,000 pieces considered to be the greatest collection of fine erotic arts in United States. 1205 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, 305-532-9336

      Museum of Contemporary Art- MoCa is known for its provocative and innovative exhibitions and for seeking a fresh approach in examining the art of our time. 770 NE 125 Street, North Miami, 305-893-6211

      Miami Art Museum (MAM) – presents modern and contemporary arts. 101 West Flagler Street (Miami-Dade Cultural Center), 305-375-3000