what's the big difference???

I%26#39;ve never been to Miami before and wanted to know if someone can please tell me the difference between Miami Beach and Miami besides for the beaches. Thanks so much

what's the big difference???

Hard to answer this except to say that Miami is a very large, diverse city with all that comes with a big city, good and bad. Miami Beach is tourist oriented and compact. Also nearby are communities like Coral Gables, Coconut Grove or Key Biscane which are different too. What kind of visit do you want to have?

what's the big difference???

Thanks StPete for answering. My birthday is Aug 1 and my boyfriend and I have NEVER flew anywhere before nor have we been more than 300 miles from Pittsburgh so we%26#39;re excited yet nervous. We heard that Miami is fun and there%26#39;s plenty to do. We love to dance so the club scene is a must, shopping especially outlets,(shoes and more shoes). I%26#39;m not sure if we will visit the beach but just in case we will pack swimming gear, and some sightseeing. We do not plan on relaxing. I read that it might be best if we rent a car ( what do you think?). We will be landing in Ft.Laud and driving to Miami(plane tkt too pricey to land in MIA). We want to take a lot of pictures of everything. Pittsburgh is sooooooo boring that even your cats will be something for us to smile about (smile). I%26#39;ll be 28 and haven%26#39;t been anywhere so we are excited to visit Miami because we heard so many great things. The reason I asked what was the difference was because I was trying to book a hotel but my co worker told me that it will be less pricey if we stayed in Miami and drive to Miami Beach. But I don%26#39;t know if that will be a good idea???? So any advice that you can give us will be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Neika

Hi Neika, and Happy Birthday (almost)!

Good for you for having the travel bug! There is just nothing like going new places to expand your outlook on the world. I have a 24-year-old and a 26-year-old...both are traveling and/or working in England right now. Miami might just be your start!

If I were living in boring Pittsburg (smile) I think I would use this forum to find the best deal possible in Miami Beach. That%26#39;s where the clubs and posh shopping are....where the young and beautiful hang out. South Beach (part of Miami Beach) is one of the best people watching places on earth. While the city of Miami might have better rates, you might not get the kind of vacation you want. Ft. Lauderdale is a great destination too. You could stay at the beach there and drive into Miami. That whole coast is just one big party!

I was a tourist in Miami Beach right after Christmas this year, and we did stay in the outskirts and take mass transit into the beach area and into Little Havana. We didn%26#39;t go to party at clubs though, and would have wanted to be nearer the club area if we had. What ever you decide, do your reading and exploring sites like this. If you decide to come to the St. Pete area I could give you more specific suggestions! Enjoy your trip!

Your wonderful St.Pete. you put a smile on my face. England uh? Very nice. I never though about staying in Ft.Laud, thanks so much for the idea, I bet it will be alittle cheaper. This site is great with a lot of great ppl. I will definitily keep you in mind when I visit again. I bet Florida will be a place to visit time and time again. Thanks again St.Pete

A last thought about your trip to the Miami area....I just opened my August issue of Southern Living Magazine and found a big spread on how to enjoy Miami in August when the prices go down. You might be able to access it on line. It lists clubs, restaurants and places to stay. Maybe you%26#39;d want to stay a ways out for some nights and then have a treat night or nights on the beach near the hot spots. Anyway...again...have a great time!

pghm,

If you do a search in Trip Advisor for ';Advisor Girl'; you will find lots of very, very helpful posts about Miami Beach.

Hi Glamour !!!

I just want to warn the OP that nearly every place in Florida will be super hot on the beaches , espically on your feet in the sand.

(if you want to use the beach)

BUT....this is the time for the prices to be low....they are mainly low from a point just N of Orlando and south from there all the way to the keys.

Example....someone booked a Westin Diplomat Beach front unit for less than 100 a night.

And as you have read on the Ft Laud forums, the BW Oceanside (one of your favs) the Marriott Harbour Beach Hotel, the Sheraton Clipper (in sand) and Treader, as well as the Lago Mar are all less than $149 a nite....but as I said, its hot. (That Marriott is $500 in Feb as reported on those forums)

check out www.lagomar.com to see what area looks like.

Also, check this cam from Sloppy Joes in Ft Laud (Marriott Beach Place timeshare):

http://www.sunny.org/webcam/camapp.cfm

Also check out the Elbo Rooms cams:

www.elboroom.com (don%26#39;t click Atlantic City)

Elbo Room is part of the Nikki Club system...(also at the Diplomat listed above....

But....its hot here then. Like in the low 90s....almost every day. (Rarely gets above 95 in the coastal areas...)

Furthur N in Fl (like the panhandle or even St Petes) would be somewhat (a tiny bit) cooler.

Also, ocean %26amp; gulf temps will be in the mid 80s....great for your arthritus....which I hope you don%26#39;t yet have.

When you go the the Miami Beach forums, as Glamour noted, Advisor Girl is super helpful

Advise....think about a low priced trip insurance, just in case.

Hi Ken!

Believe it or not it%26#39;s hot here today too!

30 degrees here which is quite freaky weather for us!

I would still rather be where you are!

Thank you everyone!!!!