RangerWickett said:
I've never been to Miami before, but I want to swing down for a couple days, preferably before the Spring Break crowds head there. I am not looking to do much of anything in particular -- I like to plan my days once I arrive -- but I'd like help with basics of the city, like getting around, and getting a (cheap) place to stay that's not too crappy or two far from interesting stuff.
Getting around: get a cab, or get a bus. The city changes a lot as hotels rise and fall, so maps may be unreliable as to what roads are closed, and certain sections have bizarre road patterns.
Spring Break crowds: depends on when you're going. Late Feb./early March? Good luck avoiding spring break crowds. Going next week or two? You may have a shot at avoiding them. However, this is still right around the busy season for the cruise industry; people come in from all over to avoid winter weather. So hotel bookings and prices are still high.
RangerWickett said:
How hard is it to get around the city using public transportation? I prefer not to rent a car or drive in a foreign city.
Having been there twice, I didn't see much in the way of buses, at least in the tourist district. However, both the Ft. Lauderdale and Miami airports have buses to many of the better hotels around. You can also take a cab, though it will probably get expensive. Renting a car might be a good option, if you can find your way around. If you're by yourself, and particularly if you're there a short time, just using cabs and hotel buses may be better.
RangerWickett said:
Anything I just have to see while I'm there?
In my opinion? No. I don't like Miami much. However, there IS the Miami Strip and South Beach. And a NBA team, though you may not be able to get tickets. Have someone who likes the city and/or lives there give you a rundown. There's also a lot of clubs and nightlife, if you like that sort of thing. However, locals probably are the best source for those, as they appear and disappear often rather like the hotels.
RangerWickett said:
Where's a good place to seek lodgings - preferably along a rail route or bus line, or near the airport? I'm hoping not to spend more than $80 a night. Is that possible?
No, not really, unless you get very lucky. I got hellishly lucky. 80 a night for fairly high quality accommodations on the Strip and South Beach (you crossed the street, you were on the beach. You went a couple of blocks, you were on the main portion of the Strip.) that I consider the only thing I've liked of Miami that I've been to. However, it's ordinary rates are much higher. So I can't particularly recommend it. I'd go to TripAdvisor or something to figure out where to go.
From personal experience: as far as I can tell, no rail lines (at least not major passenger ones), no bus lines (I think there's a bus system.. but I'm not sure it's considered to be high quality, like say NY's, Chicago's or BART public transportation system are), and airport lodgings are freakishly expensive. Also, the airport's somewhat out of the way. Not as out of the way as my hometown's major airport, which is about 15-20 miles or more outside of the city, but away from the major touristy areas.
RangerWickett said:
Am I going to get mugged and die? Will Jamie Foxx recruit me to join Miami Vice in a drug sting? Should I bring my dice?
I'm assuming you're joking about these three. However, as far as the first goes, I'm fairly sure that no, you probably won't get mugged if you're reasonably careful or go via cab to your destination if you're going outside late at night alone. Basically, the same precautions you should take any time you're in an unfamiliar town and are likely to be carrying lots of cash and/or probably won't be able to get to your bank. The dice are up to you.
