25 perfect plans to have fun in Miami

In this kind of California in Latin version, the swampy swamps of the southeast coast of Florida disappear among a delirium of art-deco buildings and condominiums surrounded by palm trees where its legend is forged, which is the closest thing to a cocktail of sun and revelry in equal parts. But even the famous culture of excess sunscreen and nights snatched with Latin rhythms that is Miami adapts to times of crisis. Some see it as a rise into the competitive elite tourism market. Others, a gesture of maturity in his dancing and sporty personality. The fact is that this kingdom of siliconized mermaids and aspiring soap opera actors in Spanglish, scene of mansions painted fuchsia or neon yellow and ultra-white design hotels promises one of the most frenetic marches of glamour. Miami exhales a tropical change of attitude

At parties in impeccable suits of generous white thread and brown, for example, Napa Valley champagne glasses give way to elegant glasses of imported water, with its ozone ice frapé and a slice of fresh lime. Also, many art galleries and boutiques of the busy Lincoln Road Mall open alternative stores in the Wynwood Art District, following in the wake of the Art Basel Miami Beach art fair, which in December floods the city with clouds of gallerists, artists and collectors from Los Angeles and Europe. The beach can then get cultured despite the constant beep of credit cards sliding through the dataphones, but the general feeling is that Miami is still in the eye of the hurricane, as juicy and splendid as San Francisco or New York when it comes to having fun in a big way. These 25 proposals prove it

01 | Playing sports on the beach in South Beach
Forget the rickety size 32 because West Coast actresses and models sweat to anorexia. In South Beach, if possible in front of Ocean Drive to be seen better, the curves sculpted by the gym are imposed, or failing that, with artificial padding of Botox or silicone; Anything goes if it is taught in the sand. Grab your dizzying swimsuit and sign up for beach volleyball matches at Nikki Beach Club in Penrod’s (1 Ocean Drive. www.penrods.com 25 €). If not, with as little clothing as possible, you have the surf lessons of Florida Surf Lessons (Phone 001 888 672 48 87 and www.floridasurflessons.com)

02 | Enter the Erotic Museum
The World Erotic Art Museum –nicknamed WEAM– (1205 Washington Ave. Tlf 001 305 532 93 36.www.weam.com 12 €), in front of Lummus Beach, is considered the second museum of its kind in the world; it also stocks rarities such as an incredible collection of Victorian and Roman toys acquired by its creator, septuagenarian grandmother Naomi Wilzig, on her travels around the world. The phallus collection is the public’s favorite. Children under 18 years old are not allowed

03 | Taste brunch at the Biltmore Hotel
This legend of Coral Gables, neo-Spanish style inspired by La Giralda of Seville, has everything to remember old Miami. The Biltmore Hotel (1200 Anastasia Avenue. Phone 001 305 445 1926. From 170 €. www.biltmorehotel.com) It was designed in the 20s by the architects of the Waldorf Astoria, and became the focus of luxury tourism based on hosting personalities such as Al Capone or vintage Hollywood actors. On Sundays it offers a brunch in style, as sublime as the marble floors and gigantic columns of the lobby

04 | Eating Seafood in Joe Stone’s Crab
Good thing the pleasures of South Beach aren’t all for sophisticated spirits; Sometimes they only consist of a simple meal, although cooked to perfection. The key to this busy place, located at 227 Biscayne Street and Collins Avenue and founded in 1913 (average price, € 30) is a garlic, spinach and mustard sauce with a secret formula with which they season braised seafood. It does not accept reservations, so it is better to queue, ask for an appointment and return later

05 | Visit the must of Little Havana
Spanish prevails in Little Cuba along Calle Ocho, where you breathe the pulse of the Cuban community, the strength of its traditions. Spend a morning watching the fans play in Domino Park, learn the technique of making cigars in the store El Crédito Cigars (1106SW Calle Ocho), consult the santera luck in the esoteric Botánica Negra Francisca (1323 SW Calle Ocho) and get a congrí with patacón stepped on in the kitsch Versailles (3555 Calle Ocho. Average price, 20 €).

06 | Swim in the newly renovated Venetian Pool
The village of Coral Gables grew under the protection of the fortune amassed by the citrus crops of millionaire George Merrick until it was absorbed by the unstoppable urban growth. One of its pluses is this Pool (2701 DeSoto Boulevard), where they made their long Tarzan or the mythical Esther Williams and where they usually shoot aerobics programs for television. It is surrounded by the most select apartments in the city.

07 | Shopping in the Design District
If possible, with the Visa without limits and ready to have lunch in the fashionable place: Brosia (163 NE 39th Street and 1st Avenue), with stone floors and gold walls. Don’t miss Holly Hunt’s signature décor items (3833 NE 2nd Avenue. Tlf 001305 5712012), nor the galleries of Daniel Azoulay and Barbara Gillman. More addresses in www.miamidesigndistrict.net

08 | Know the news of the Wolfsonian Foundation
This 1927 building is part of the University of Florida. Its colorful art deco style (1001 Washington Avenue. Admission, 7 €. www.wolfsonian.org) it houses an interesting collection of graphic and decorative arts of the twentieth century, a research center and a café with gift shop: The Dynamo.

09 | Sneak into the Florida Room of the Delano Hotel
The emblematic hotel of beach chic – which was an inspiration in the 90s thanks to the designs of Philliphe Starck and the patronage of Madonna – gains in fame underground. It is the fashionable place: the Florida Room (1685 Collins Avenue), designed by a company of the musician Lenny Kravitz, which only two hundred lucky people access.

10 | Sign up to know the architecture of the Art Deco District
Miami’s heritage is serious business, and the Art Deco Wellcome Center (1200 Ocean Drive. www.mdpl.org), which manages the Miami Design Preservation League, demonstrates this with several itineraries. The basic route starts at 10.30 am and brings together hotels, restaurants and homes on Lincoln Road and Collins Park.

11 | Try your luck to get into Club Versace
The main reason is that the mansion Casa Casuarina (1114 Ocean Drive. www.casacasuarina.com) -inspired by the Alcázar de Colón in Santo Domingo-, where the famous Italian designer was murdered in 1997, has become a select club where private parties are organized and where it is only possible to stay (from € 995) if allowed by its current owner, tycoon Peter Loftin. The entrance is always full of gossip.

12 | Getting closer to the world of rum
The World of Bacardi Museum (2100 Biscayne Boulevard. Free by appointment at Tlf 001 305 573 87 00) is installed in a curious building of 1963, designed by Enrique Gutiérrez. Inside it explains the history of the popular brand since the nineteenth century.

13 | Take a stroll along Lincoln Road Mall
Despite the years, the Lincoln Road Mall, or LRM, as it is known by locals, is still the favorite place to see or be seen. This kind of tropical Fifth Avenue hatches especially at dusk, when the boutiques share the limelight with the Art Center South Florida (www.artcentersf.org) and with places where it is possible to have a Cajun cocktail, such as Van (www.thevandykecafe.com), or have breakfast at any time, for example in Balans.

14 | Admire the artistic vein of the Wynwood Art District
Since the prestigious Rubell Family Collection (95 NW 29th Street.www.rubellfamilycollection.com. Admission, 10 €), this is the place related to art. The rent of its stores skyrockets as they open stores such as Hardcore Art Constemporary Space (www.hardcoreartcontemporary.com) and the Nektar boutique in Stagni (155 NE 38th St.https://nektardestagni.com/).

15 | Stroll through cutting-edge Miami
The immense rooms of the Margulies Collection (591 NW 27th Street, at 6th Avenue.www.margulieswarehouse.com), owned by collector and millionaire Martin Z Margulies, embodies the spirit and avant-garde of the new Miami. It includes videos, sculptures and installations, pieces by artists such as Miró, Warhol, Lichtenstein, and photographs by Cindy Sherman and Walker Evans. The closest thing to New York.

16 | Take a photo in the Vizcaya gardens
Not only bridal couples and wedding families are immortalized in the grounds of the mansion Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (3251 S Miami Avenue with SW 32nd Road. Admission, 10 €). This Italianate style villa built in 1919 seduces like a fantasy not without charm. If posing for the photo does not seduce, between fountains and green areas you find a secluded café where you can have lunch.

17 | Cycling to the lighthouse
Which is none other than the Hill Bags Cape Florida State Recreation Area Review (1200 S Crandon Boulevard. This 1825 lighthouse surrounded by palm trees is declared the oldest building in South Florida. The beach where it is installed is among the ten most beautiful in the country. It can be accessed by rental bike or on foot.

18 | Live a farming experience
Tourist farms converted into theme parks are the ultimate thing to enjoy as a family. The busiest is Fruit & Spice Park (24801 SW 187th Avenue and SW 256th Street.https://fruitandspicepark.org/friends/. Entrance, 7 €), where it is possible to educate the senses with 500 kinds of fruits, spices, fruits and tropical herbs, and where up to 75 varieties of banana and 150 of mango are counted.

19 | Sharing food with crocodiles
The vast mangrove prairies of Everglades National Park (40001 state rd. www.nps.gov/ever), in Homestead, is the only tropical reserve in North America and the perfect place to observe the great saurian develop in its natural environment. It is worth investing a morning, yes, conveniently protected against the sun and mosquitoes.

20 | Playing golf in a big way
But not just anywhere, but at the long-awaited Doral Golf Resort (4400 NW 87th Avenue.www.doralresort.com/golf). Its green boasts of being one of the best in the state. In March 2010 it will host the World Golf Championships. Another sports option includes a Florida Marlins baseball game at Dolphins Stadium (2269 NE 199th Street, at NW 27th Avenue, North Dade), much more affordable.