Five reasons to stay on in Miami

Dubbed the ‘fun and sun capital of the world’ in the 1960s, Miami is still one of the coolest places to see and be seen. Diane Coyle, British Airways’ airport manager in Miami, talks to The Club about what not to miss when you visit her favourite city

Edible treasures

Name a cuisine and you’ll find it in Miami. Visit Joe’s Stone Crab on South Beach for Florida stone crab claws – a local delicacy, only in season during the winter. Romantics will enjoy Perricone’s Marketplace & Café, which sits under a huge ficus tree and is lit by twinkling lights after dark. For a typical Miami al fresco dining experience, relax with a mojito on Ocean Drive and watch the world pass by.

Natural highs

The Florida Everglades are a national treasure. This untamed environment, just a short drive west of the city, is home to wildlife including alligators, Florida panthers and Glades deer. Book an airboat ride to immerse yourself fully in this ‘river of grass’. For something slower, go snorkelling at Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Underwater Park, or watch manatees float by in the calm waters at Black Point Marina.

Retail heaven

Dolphin Mall, just west of the airport, offers fantastic outlet shopping. It’s huge, so wear comfortable shoes. I always like to take home a souvenir. For Miami this would be a handcrafted necklace or bracelet featuring a flamingo or parrot. Florida’s famous Coconut Patties also make a great (and easy-to-pack) edible gift.

Get out of the city

Escape Miami for a day and visit the sublime Florida Keys. Head towards Key Largo and enjoy a back-to-nature break. Kayak and canoe on pristine waters and stay overnight in a submarine in the lagoon. Fishing fans can cast out in the Florida Flats for bonefish, or take a boat further out to sea for tarpon and sailfish. The drive over Seven Mile Bridge – especially in a convertible – offers unforgettable views.

See how the other half live

If you love boats or art, Miami is the place to go. Impressively large ships sail regularly from the downtown port adjacent to Bayside Marketplace, while the Miami International Boat Show in February has long been a city tradition. February also sees the Coconut Grove Art Festival, during which the village’s streets become open-air galleries.

BA flies an Airbus A380 to Miami twice daily from Heathrow Terminal 3.

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This article has been tagged Destination, Travel Tips