Miami Boat Show ...

[Teknav]

Hiya DPDDJ! Thanks for the compliment! The Twin Otter is currently on assignment in the Indian Ocean, without me; love that bird, even though I don't own it. I wish it was mine!

I attended the Houston boat show, last Sunday. I was disappointed that there were no sailboats to look at; only power boats. Boston Whaler had the biggest power boat/cruiser of them all, on display. It was loaded with every toy you can imagine, including satellite navigation/TV/entertainment center. It's ONLY money!

Next year...I will be attending the boat show">Miami boat show. Thinking of a vacation in Mexico, in a few months from now.

Mauritz

[rancher44]

so where will we meet on friday???

[ShaktiGurl]

Well, since the show boats are at Miamarina, we could meet up around Bayside and pick a place. We are staying at Dinner Key and I've heard there are nice restaurants around there too. Any suggestions from others familiar with the area?

[rancher44]

I am leaving for the BVI on Monday and plan on coming back to the boat show .
Can we give a specific time and place on Friday nite to meet ?
Looking forward to meeting my leopard owners.

[avid]

Originally Posted by rancher44

I am leaving for the BVI on Monday and plan on coming back to the boat show .
Can we give a specific time and place on Friday nite to meet ?
Looking forward to meeting my leopard owners.

Best wishes for your Maiden Voyage. Looking forward to a full report on your return.

[avid]

Here is a link to a Google Maps page showing the restaurants available in the Bayside Marketplace. This is next to the marina where Strictly Sail is located. AFAIK

[rancher44]

I have been reading the reviews on restaurants and they were on the average
Pretty disturbing !
Does any one have a good restaurant that we could meet on Friday Nite and Time???

[ShaktiGurl]

We have been to the Chilis, Hooters, Hard Rock Cafe, Bubba Gumps, and the Cuban restaurant with the $20 mojitos (choke!). They are all as expected and no place stands out so choose your poison.
There are several restaurants around the Dinner Key marina we have not tried with Scottys Landing being the marina bar and restaurant on the water. I understand it isnt very far but I don't want it to be inconvenient for others.

[Lespilot57]

I'll have a rental car and not familiar with any of them. I'm good with anything !!

[HopCar]

Scotty's Landing is a fun place with good food. I ate lunch there last week. It's open air seating beside the water.
It is about a 15 to 20 minute drive from Miamarina / Bayside.
There is a big art show happening near Scotty's Landing that weekend. I don't know how that will affect traffic. Here is a link to info on the art show for anyone who is interested. Home: Welcome to the Coconut Grove Arts Festival

[emcmia]

Originally Posted by rancher44

I have been reading the reviews on restaurants and they were on the average
Pretty disturbing !
Does any one have a good restaurant that we could meet on Friday Nite and Time???

Coconut Grove during art fair will be a zoo with traffic and no parking.
Google "Mary Brickell Village restaurants Miami". 1/4 mile from Bayside, four miles from coconut grove. dozen restaurants, most fairly good serving as many cuisines, at all price points. Blue Martini is a party bar. Brother Jimmy's BBQ has large outdoor seating area, as does Burger & Beer Joint and adjacent sushi bar. Oceanaire is upscale seafood. Fados (large Irish pub) is on second deck. Also fusion Chinese, Italian, Greek. (Not sure what category Balans would be in.) across the street is Pericones (another Italian but better with large outdoor seating area) and "Dolores, But You Can Call Me Lolita" (very typical South Beach scene).

[scarlet]

Well.. here is an interesting detail. My husband and I were going to be staying at the "Casa Moderna".. which is a nice 4 star hotel within walking distance of the marina.. got a GREAT military rate... wonderful! right?! Well.. we called the hotel yesterday to inquire about parking.. and were told the hotel was closing next week. WHEN WERE THEY GOING TO LET US KNOW?!?!?!

We booked this hotel back in October... when we could still get good rates.. well.. Now?! There's very little available in Miami.. NOTHING within walking distance... and the few available rates are well over $400!!

So. yesterday I was scrambling to get a new hotel.. we now are staying in Coconut Grove.. I had no IDEA about the art show... so.. it will be a nightmare getting in and out... OI VAY!!!!

And yet I'm still sooo excited about going.. Hope we can work out a meet up!!

PS.... can anyone give me tips for parking? we are mainly interested in parking at the Miamarina area..

[ShaktiGurl]

I understand you can take the Metrorail from Coconut Grove to Strictly sail at MiaMarina. Might be easier than trying to park.

[scarlet]

ShaktiGurl!!!!! you ROCK!!! thank you! I will look into it...

[emcmia]

The MetroRail runs parallel to US-1 (which becomes I-95) and the closest station to Coconut Grove (city center where the hotels are) is at least 1 mile away with very little parking adjacent to the station. There are some hotels along US-1 south of the 27th Avenue station.

Bayside Marketplace, where StrictlySail is being held has a parking garage on the site; across the street is the American Airlines Area which has a very large parking garage. There are also several street lots within walking distance; be aware of their excessive rates, some of which are hourly-based.

Dedicated buses and water taxis provide transportation to/from the other exhibition sites and run every 10 minutes or less. Park at one location for the day and use them.