Miami - why so much dislike?

boombap

Hi,

I'm researching a potential trip out to the US and thought that Miami would be a good place to go. However, I've searched a bit on this forum and there seems to be quite a lot of dislike for the place but in many instances people aren't saying what exactly it was about the city that they disliked.

If you've been I'd be interested to know why you didn't like it.

Alternatively if you could recommend somewhere else then I'd be equally grateful....my travel plans are for me to accompany my partner on a business trip to NJ in mid February and then afterwards we'd have a 7 day holiday in the US (so mid/late Feb). We both want warm weather and not too long a flight from Newark/NY thus was thinking of Miami.

We're not at all interested in Disney/ammusement parks so not into the Orlando area. Also we've both been to Las Vegas so not looking to go out there.

New Orleans sounds very interesting but it's the middle of the Mardis Gras season so don't think we'd get accommodation and is also very expensive.

Thanks

S.

lilac_lady

I know someone who went to Miami and was very disappointed. She said it was rundown and dirty. I haven't been there myself so maybe someone will post a more positve view for you.

Vikki_74

I went maybe 5 or 6 years ago and didn't LOVE it, but didn't completely hate it either - I might be tempted to go back again one day but it wouldn't be at the top of my list.

What didn't I like? It's hard to pin down really, but I think generally it just didn't have a great atmosphere - not as friendly as most places I've been in the US and there were definately parts of the downtown area which felt a bit...not necessarily dangerous but not somewhere you'd want to be hanging round and looking like a tourist! Also, I found the area around South Beach absolutely fine, but my brother went a year or two ago and said it felt pretty dodgy down there - lots of gang issues I think and just iffy looking people hanging around.

There were some very nice bits - Coral Gables area was beautiful, the beaches were nice and there was some lovely art deco architecture downtown - but for me, there are just a lot of other, nicer places in the US I'd rather go to.

If I was considering a trip down there, I think I'd stay somewhere driving distance away and just do Miami as a day trip to see the highlights. There are some fantastic beaches in South Florida as well as the Everglades, Florida Keys etc which would combine into a lovely week-long trip if you were up for some driving around vs just staying 7 days in one place.

Vikki_74

As for alternatives, I personally would absolutely love to visit the area around Charleston and Savannah (South Carolina and Georgia) which wouldn't be too long a flight from Newark. I don't know what the weather would be like in February though - I know they have similar (possibly worse) heat and humidity to Florida in the summer, but don't think they get the same high temperatures over the winter months. Looks like maybe 15-20 degrees average temp from a quick search on Google which might not be warm enough for you.

alanrowell

Miami is pretty much an average modern American city and hence isn't very nice. It also has Miami International Airport with the biggest !!!!!! on the planet at immigration and security checks

Florida on the other hand has plenty of nice places especially going south or west.

neilbond007

Went to Miami as part of a holiday that took in the Keys and Naples.

Miami - went to South Beach. The place is a dump. Expensive to eat. Expensive to park. Not that pretty.

Naples on the other hand was a very pleasant place! Superb beaches. Much more laid back.

getmore4less

Miami really is a mixed bag of nice bits with total dumps.

We had 3 days on South Beach pre cruise and that was more than enough, plan stuff out of town if staying a week, drive the keys, everglades etc.

What about a cruise out of New York/NJ since you are there anyway.

thumperrabbit

Fly to Miami and then drive to Naples, it is far nicer, gorgeous beaches and great restaurants. I loathe Miami it is a dirty dangerous city.

jeanniebeanie_2

I would agree with all the negatives about Miami and include 'gritty' sand. Miami beach is largely dredged sand which is much different to the silky powdery stuff in other areas of Florida.

My vote would be to fly to Tampa (much better airport) and you will be near to the barrier islands of Siesta key, Anna Maria, Longboat Key or Sanibel and Captiva a bit further down. Gorgeous beaches with some of the most sugary sand and shelling so good that on Sanibel shelling is known as the 'Sanibel Stoop'. Be aware though that it will be high season there at that time as the 'snowbirds' make it their home for the winter.

davetrousers

Yeah fly to Tampa and go to the Gulf Coast, Clearwater Beach, Naples top stuff

Murphy_The_Cat

davetrousers wrote: »

Yeah fly to Tampa and go to the Gulf Coast, Clearwater Beach, Naples top stuff

which is what I'm doing in June Before driving via the Everglades to Key West and then returning to England via Miami airport.:eek: