Sponsored by
Introduction
The southern tip of Florida is a unique blend of cultures, traditions, cuisine, and beaches. No matter what you want, Miami can provide it for you. It is also the home of the Miami Dolphins, a team that is as unique in NFL history as the city they call home. Among the best franchises in NFL history in terms of winning percentages, the Dolphins are the only team in the league to ever complete a perfect season, with the 1972 team winning every regular season and playoff game to claim Super Bowl VII.
They would win Super Bowl VIII as well, claiming titles in just their seventh and eighth seasons of existence. They are a team with names like Don Shula, Dan Marino, Larry Csonka, Paul Warfield, Nick Buoniconti, Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas, and Ricky Williams in their history. Now, they are one of the young teams looking to establish themselves as perennial contenders behind players like Tua Tagovailoa, DeVante Parker, Jaylen Waddle, Mike Gesicki, Christian Wilkins, Jerome Baker, and Xavien Howard.
What to Eat
Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant
Joe’s Stone Crab is a local institution, and it’s been frequented by US presidents, J. Edgar Hoover, Amelia Earhart, and other luminaries because it’s so dang good. If they’re in season, the stone crab (served with hash browns and coleslaw) is the must-have menu item, but the menu is packed with tantalizing options, and you can’t go wrong. The lobster Reuben and lobster macaroni and cheese are great out-of-season consolation prizes.
Big Pink
For an authentic retro diner experience, hit up Big Pink in Miami Beach. Like any respectable diner, they’ve got a massive menu packed with breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert options. Their extended hours (open until 5:30 a.m. on the weekends) create a great late-night option after you’ve been out enjoying the South Beach nightlife.
Biggest tourist attraction
South Beach
Pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife, upscale shopping, oceanside fine dining, and gorgeous art deco architecture? Miami’s South Beach has it all. Stroll down Lincoln Road taking in all the sights, do some window shopping, and pop into Havana 1957 for the best ropa vieja you’ve ever had. Go enjoy the beach at South Pointe Park, South Beach’s southernmost point, and stick around to enjoy the sunset. Schedule a walking tour to learn all about the art deco architecture in South Beach. If you can get in, head to popular nightclub LIV and rub elbows with celebrities as you enjoy the South Beach nightlife.
Under the radar attraction
Wynwood Walls
Wynwood is the warehouse district in Miami, which doesn’t sound terribly interesting until you learn why it’s become such an interesting tourist destination. Tony Goldman, a community revitalizer, had the brilliant idea to turn all of those windowless warehouses into blank canvases for graffiti and street artists. Since Goldman began the initiative in 2009, the Wynwood Walls have featured graffiti and street art from over 50 artists hailing from 16 different countries and covering 80,000 square feet of exterior walls.
Game day experience
The team has been working to better the parking experience the past couple of years, improving walkways through the area and increasing parking areas, even as they take part of the parking area to create the Miami Open tennis courts. Uber and Taxis have a drop off and pick up area in parking lot 18 (behind the tennis complex). If you have a Florida SunPass for toll roads, you can pay for parking using it. Tailgating is allowed throughout the parking areas, including propane and charcoal grills, and it is a pretty welcoming environment with plenty of sharing, including visiting fans. It is hot and sunny in Miami, assuming no thunderstorms, so plenty of water and sunscreen is a must, and think about taking a pop-up shade as well. For tickets, make sure you are on the south/Dolphins side of the stadium, to take advantage of the shade the canopy over the stadium provides - it is amazing the temperature difference from the sun-side to the shade-side of the seating area.