Boat Show's A-Comin Gonna Party Tonight
That's a song from my upcoming musical "Miami Beach Memories"....the Current Big Event here in the Magic City is of course the annual Boat Show, as announced by the march of mega-yachts, the traffic lights being re-strung to accomodate their girth.
So let's discuss. There's three venues, thus three different experiences.
The section on the city of Miami side of Biscayne Bay, by the soon-to-be-ex-Herald building, lends itself to exploring a couple places that have sprung up on the strength of the incredible new Performing Arts Centre. In the old days I'd suggest schlepping down to tired Bayside for chow and maybe a quickie boat tour of the city from the marina there, but now I'd say walk around (in the day). The little Manhattan Cafe on NE 14th looks worth a try, and a few blocks north on 'the Boulevard' is the Daily News, a sandwich shop with a newspaper theme. That's about it. They're trying to resuscitate that whole corridor, but, like the Design District by 36th Street, has not yet achieved 'critical mass.'
Part Two takes place in Miami Beach, at the Convention Center (unpretentious spelling versus the tonier PAC) and the metal "tent" erected on its' parking lot. Although it has access to South Beach, especially Lincoln Road, the atmosphere doesn't grab me. (Actually no one grabs me anymore, but that's another story). I like...
The area along Collins by the remodeling Fountainbleu, on Indian Creek, is the most fun. Here are the big boats that can't make it south due to low bridges. There's more energy, you get onto cool boats while they're on the water--standing on the deck in a exhibition hall doesn't feel right--and there's a Beer Tent! And what goes together better than alcohol and moving watercraft?
Beachbum will be back soon with more the sort-of insider info you've come to rely on here at hotelsbycity...ciao
