No city can attract golfers, cosmopolitan world travelers and beach-goers in equal numbers like Miami, which offers quality golf, first-rate hotels, sizzling nightlife and diverse culinary options. This city’s pulse beats strong both day and night, so book early tee times to leave plenty of time for resting up before stepping out on the town.
After sunset, start in South Beach’s historic Art Deco district for some quality people-watching as you stroll along Ocean Drive. Do a bit of shopping on Lincoln Road, then stop in for a mojito at the Delano hotel. When it’s time to tango, head to The Forge for some moving music. And leave time for a trip downtown: first to Little Havana for the best Cuban coffee you’ve ever tasted, then to American Airlines Arena to catch Shaq’s Miami Heat in action. Miami’s got so much going on, you may need a vacation after your visit.
Golf
In South Florida, all golf trips should begin and end at Doral Resort & Spa, home of the Blue Monster and the Jim McLean Golf School. Warm up on one of the resort’s other four courses—all of which received a recent renovation—before tackling Dick Wilson’s 7,125-yard Monster, which has hosted the PGA Tour for more than 40 years.
Closer to the action of SoBe is historic Miami Beach Golf Club. The course was used as a training ground for U.S. soldiers in World War II, but today it’s home to a $10 million Arthur Hills redesign featuring lots of risk-reward options, quality service and a brand-new clubhouse.
Step outside the city limits and take a quick drive (or boat ride) to Key Biscayne’s Crandon Park Golf Course. The layout features seven saltwater lakes, thickets of mangrove and fabulous views of the Miami skyline—no wonder the Champions Tour held a popular event here from 1987 to 2004.
Accomodations
Miami Beach: Delano, Raleigh Hotel, Ritz-Carlton South Beach
Downtown: Mandarin Oriental Miami, Four Seasons Miami
Key Biscayne: Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne
Dining
Miami Beach: Casa Tua for fresh, Northern Italian; Prime One Twelve in the Brown’s Hotel for steak and potato pancakes; Pacific Time on Lincoln Road for the city’s best Pacific Rim cuisine.
Activities
Miami Beach: The scene at the Raleigh Hotel’s world-famous pool on Sundays; Bal Harbour Shops
Downtown: Barefoot at Oasis, a beachside bash at the Mandarin Oriental on Fridays; Miami Heat basketball; Little Havana
