{"id":110,"date":"2013-08-01T05:54:19","date_gmt":"2013-08-01T05:54:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/the-white-sand-red-carpet-lifestyle-in-miami\/"},"modified":"2022-08-08T23:18:37","modified_gmt":"2022-08-08T23:18:37","slug":"the-white-sand-red-carpet-lifestyle-in-miami","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/the-white-sand-red-carpet-lifestyle-in-miami\/","title":{"rendered":"The White Sand, Red Carpet Lifestyle in Miami"},"content":{"rendered":"

Miami has a reputation for being Florida\u2019s playground for the rich and famous. With a comfortable tropical climate, beautiful beaches and luxury hotels, it attracts celebrities escaping America’s colder cities for weeks at a time. Expedia\u2019s Aussie travellers usually spend 3-4 days in the seaside city, but that\u2019s plenty of time to eat and drink with the beautiful people. Here’s our guide to a few out-of-this-world experiences.<\/p>\n

Star spotting<\/h2>\n

There are two types of stars to be spotted in Miami \u2013 the ones you can see twinkling through a telescope at the Miami Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium and the ones who regularly flock to restaurant hot-spot Mr Chow.<\/p>\n

If you enjoyed the out-of-this-world experience offered at the planetarium, launch yourself further into space with a visit to the Kennedy Space Center<\/a>. It\u2019s closer to Orlando than Miami, but the Astronaut Hall of Fame and ground-shaking shuttle launch experience make it worth taking a break from the tanning to make the day trip.<\/p>\n

Back in South Beach (that\u2019s SoBe to the locals), as the sun goes down the beautiful people come out to play and Mr Chow, located in the super-glamorous W hotel, is where they go to eat. The 123-foot-long chandelier, dripping with gold leaf and sparkling Swarovski crystals, runs the length of the dining room and sets the tone for an A-lister evening of mingling and munching. The modern Chinese menu features (allegedly) one of the best Beijing duck dishes in the world.<\/p>\n

Walk the runway<\/h2>\n

Cameras at the ready \u2013 check out Miami\u2019s best angles on a\u00a0Hop-on Hop-off tour<\/a>. Choose between a Beach Loop or City Loop and explore as many of the 20 stop-off points across the city as you can. From the historic villa and stunning gardens of Vizcaya Museum and the flora and fauna at Jungle Island zoological park, to the buzzing nightlife of Little Havana and the colourful Art Deco District, Miami is picture-perfect. Later, you can indulge your own aspirations of being a supermodel as you strut your stuff at the Townhouse Hotel<\/a>. The rooftop lounge has been the beautiful backdrop for a number of fashion shoots, including Vanity Fair and Cosmopolitan. The deck is lined with sun loungers during the day so you can perfect your tan for an evening at the hotel\u2019s bar where there\u2019s an all-organic menu.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Join the jet-set<\/h2>\n

Bringing a splash of the French Riviera to Miami Beach is La C\u00f4te. Housed in the\u00a0Fontainebleau Miami Beach<\/a>, this exclusive beach-club-meets-stylish-cafe is the perfect place to sip a cocktail (perhaps a French Press \u2013 a mix of vodka, fresh watermelon and cane nectar) before dining on Mediterranean-style tapas. Oversized sunglasses optional. The hotel itself is also not to be missed \u2013 with six oceanfront pools and a luxury spa, it\u2019s worth the splurge. There\u2019s also 11 restaurants, including a branch of the internationally renowned Hakkasan by Alan Yau.<\/p>\n

If the idea of being transported to Cannes isn\u2019t enough, take to the air yourself on a\u00a0Grand Miami Air Tour<\/a>\u00a0gliding over Miami\u2019s beaches and the Venetian Causeway\u00a0(the bridge that crosses Biscayne Bay) before soaring past the multimillion dollar homes that line the waterfront.<\/p>\n

Embrace your inner VIP<\/h2>\n

Where do the political elite party when they come to Miami? Well, the fritas served at El Mago de las Fritas (5828 SW 8th Street) made the headlines when President Obama dined there a few years ago. These paprika-spiced and onion-topped hamburgers are deliciously juicy and served with a side of crispy shoestring fries. Alternatively, opt for a Cuban sandwich \u2013 made with ham, roast pork, cheese, pickles and mustard. The family-run joint has been serving this full-to-bursting sarnie since 1984. You might not spot any passing dignitaries on the day you visit, but there\u2019s a good chance you will glimpse the king of the jungle on an animal safari at\u00a0Jungle Island<\/a>, home to both a white tiger and a snow leopard. In addition, a 90-minute guided tour will take in penguins and lemurs, before stopping off to meet reptile handlers and bird trainers in action.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Where to stay<\/h2>\n

For the last few years South Beach was the place to be, but Expedia\u2019s Aussie travellers are a clever bunch staying on trend and trying out hotels at Main Beach and downtown Miami.\u00a0EPIC, A Kimpton Hotel<\/a>\u00a0is, contrary to the name, a boutique hotel. Good things come in small packages \u2013 there\u2019s a stunning roof top pool, a private marina for you to dock right on the Miami River and rooms with plenty of style. If you want to stay right on the beach, you can\u2019t get much closer than the\u00a0Grand Beach Hotel<\/a>. For more ideas on when to go and where to stay, check out the Expedia\u00a0Miami Travel Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Images by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex,\u00a0Fontainebleau Hotel, La Cote Restaurant and Alexander Demyanenko<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Miami has a reputation for being Florida\u2019s playground for the rich and famous. Here’s our guide to a few out-of-this-world experiences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,6,2,3,14,20],"tags":[165,166],"authors":[],"class_list":["post-110","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adventure","category-destination","category-experiences","category-explore","category-interests","category-usa","tag-celebrity-spotting","tag-miami","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe White Sand, Red Carpet Lifestyle in Miami - Expedia AU Stories<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Miami has a reputation for being Florida\u2019s playground for the rich and famous. 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