The Winterhaven--This Art Deco jewel (designed by Albert Anis) offers the best rates compared to sister Deco hotels on the strip. The Winterhaven is one of the stops on the popular Art Deco walking tours. The owner has restored the interior to its original character and decor symbolic of the nautical moderne style of Art Deco. The two-story lobby beckons you to the upstairs deck. It's a new way to oscillate between people watching and watch ocean waves form tips like merengue on a key lime pie.



EVENTS
Art Deco Walking Tour- South Beach is more than sunburned tourists, celeb wanna-be's and topless bathers. The famous Art Deco District is located in South Beach. Take a professional, entertaining walking tour, suitable for all ages. Learn about the role of the Miami Vice series, Hollywood films and fashion industry. Stops include the Versace Mansion, Jerry's Famous Deli, The Essex Hotel and more. Price is family and wallet-friendly at $15/person.

Miami Spa Month --During the month of July, Miami's premiere spas are offering massages and spa treatments for $99--that's almost half of the regular rate. For example, the Jurlique Spa in Coconut Grove tantalizes and refreshes the body with a Mojito treatment. For starters, relax with a foot bath while sipping herbal tea. Then your masseuse will add the essential ingredient of Mint oil, the key to the aromatherapy session. To top it off with something sweet, a Mojito sugar body scrub exfoliates the skin and invigorates your spirit.


Most spas offer the $99 deal everyday except Saturdays. Be sure to check details for each spa.



The Miami Science Museum has partnered with the Bejing Museum of Natural History to exhibit the fossils and skeletal structures of the rarest and largest feathered dinosaurs in China. This exhibit captivates and educates both children and adults. Unique fully-sculpted models, interactive, multimedia experiences, and a children's paleo-discovery area, bring these magnificent creatures to life! The exhibit ends this September 2008. Tickets are $20 adults, $13 children ages 3-12.


If you like mime, another family- friendly event is Slava's Snow Show--What could outdo, outshine, outperform Cirque Du Soleil show or Blue Man Group? A combination of both! This July SNOW, lots of SNOW will fall in Miami's Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in this theatrical wonder of imagery, clowning, and music. Get your tickets now for this limited show from July 24 - August 17. Tickets are priced at $55.00.


RESTAURANTS

Pollo Tropical-- My all-time favorite place for a healthy meal at a great value. Pollo (pronounced "poyo" and means chicken in Spanish) Tropical serves home made Caribbean food served at fast food pace. You can feed a family of four for $30! No kidding. Over 30 locations in Miami area. (Yes I used to work at the main office as Marketing/PR manager and spokesperson. Indeed I am the biggest fan next to my cat Jean Pierre. A copy cat of the Hamburglar, Jean Pierre stealthily steals the chicken right from under your nose in less than 2 seconds!). When visiting the restaurant, please have patience with the cashiers' heavy accent as many speak English as a second language. "Hey mon, Miahmi is a melting paht". So if your agenda is jammed-pack, a meal at Pollo Tropical allows for a flavorful, inexpensive meal, with Caribbean ambiance, without the long wait for sit down service.

On the opposite end, for an exclusive Miami, fine dining restaurant, we present Prime 112. A sleek, upscale SoBe (short for South Beach) style steakhouse, Prime 112 is located at the beginning of Ocean Drive in the renovated, historic Brown's Hotel. A celebrity hot-spot for dinner, reservations are a privilege for "regular customers". So arrive early to savor the best beef in town. But beware, prices are hefty.

Another favorite of Christine, is Andiamo Brick Oven Pizza. Before we even get to the pizza, the building is an eye-catching landmark. Owner Mark Soyka converted the 1960's retro car wash into this pizza heaven. The best part is while you're waiting for your order, you can get your car washed. Undeniably the best pizza in Miami, Andiamo indulges with an eclectic selection of pizzas. Christine's favorite--portabello mushrooms with truffle oil and goat cheese. It's gourmet pizza a la Miami. So what are you waiting for--Andiamo-- which means "Let's Go!" in Italian!


Andiamo a Miami!


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