so, to be totally honest I'm kind of faking my total Miaminess here, because I live half the year in New York (but let's not kid ourselves, you're never not a Miami kid). So, for my first weekend travel guide I'm doing what I know- duh (because it's the summer and I'm allowed to be a little lazy right... also, lets not kid ourselves I sleep till noon 4/7 days a week).
The first thing I have to say is that while New Yorkers love the Jay-Z song, they feel much like we do when everyone sings "bienvenidos a miami" everytime you say your from Miami. So don't make it your anthem when you go there, don't ask the cab drivers to turn it up louder (unless it's after 2 am), and don't DON'T name your facebook album a line of the song. Puh-leeze. Seriously.
The second thing is get away from Times Square. I would write that in capital letters but i don't thing that's serious enough, so if you're reading this take my word for it. Stay away. Do it once and don't go back. "But," you may be thinking, "if I'm not following the masses of obese people wearing I Heart NY t-shirts, getting harassed by guys selling fake watches that break in twenty three seconds, or eating at Red Lobster what will I do in New York?!" Don't worry guys, miami nice is here for a few low key and local ideas:
los feliz - get tacos, jalapeno margaritas and hang out in the downstairs bar of this Lower East Side restaurant.
topshop - it's a little bit like an overpriced, more trendy, more Euro Forever XXI (or a lot a bit), but this London fashionista obsession is the first state-side location and it's definitely worth a visit (replace your H&M visit with this Soho staple).
nymag and
timeout - if you need ideas, to check a recommendation someone gave you, concerts for that weekend, free events, the best coffee by your hotel or some local gossip these sites are where to find it. Use the Critics Choice option on nymag if you want to instantly narrow down your options.
shake shack - go to the origional in Madison Square Park (Mad and 27th St) so that you can brag about it when all your friends get obsessed with the Lincoln Road location.
apoteke and
PDT - if you're looking for legit mixologist experiences these are your places to go. Apoteke mixes by mood and PDT is hidden behind a red phonebooth in Criff Dogs an East Village hot dog joint. If you want a reservation you have to call at exactly three that day. Exactly three- no Cuban time allowed.
brooklyn flea - venture outside the burrough and check out brooklyn. It's not all like it was in Biggie's day. It's the hipster capital of the world and there's plenty of good shopping to be done and exploring at the Brooklyn Flea. Be sure you don't eat lunch before the options are endless and delicious. If you're up for a littl walk you can walk over to the
Brooklyn Academy of Music and see what they have on their events schedule for the day- there's always something.
