BUDGET
Getting there
One-way rates start at $89; 14-day advance; nonstop AirTran, American or Delta.
Stay
Get more than a typical hotel room with a stay at Extended Stay America Miami-Brickell. Newly renovated accommodations from $124.99; www.extendedstayamerica.com, 298 S.W. 15th Road, 305-856-3700.
Eat
Garcia’s Seafood Grille and Fish Market is situated on the Miami River with a view of downtown. Entrees start at $10. 398 N.W. North River Drive, 305-375-0765. After dinner, get to Tobacco Road, the city’s oldest bar and restaurant. www.tobacco-road.com, 626 S. Miami Ave., 305-374-1198.
Experience
Visit Miami’s oldest house, the Barnacle, built with wood salvaged from shipwrecks in 1891. Adult admission is $2; www.floridastateparks.org/thebarnacle, 3485 Main Highway, 305-442-6866. On Sundays, show up at the concierge desk at the historic Biltmore Hotel for a free 55-minute tour. Tours depart at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.; www.biltmorehotel.com, 1200 Anastasia Ave., 305-445-1926.
MODERATE
Getting there
One-way rates start at $104 with seven-day advance notice; $144 each way, walk-up; nonstop AirTran, American or Delta.
Stay
The Hilton Miami Downtown is in the heart of downtown on Biscayne Boulevard, five minutes from the Port of Miami. Popular packages from $209 to $299. www.hiltonmiamidowntown.com, 1601 Biscayne Blvd., 305-374-0000.
Eat
Balans Brickell is a modern British import brasserie with bistro-style menu selections served from 8 a.m. daily to 3 a.m. on weekends. Dinner entrees from $12.95 to $29.95. www.balans.co.uk, 901 S. Miami Ave., 305-534-9191.
Experience
A visit to today’s Vizcaya Museum and Gardens combines history, the finest architecture and lush and expansive gardens of French and Italian Renaissance designs. Adult admission is $15, $6 children ages 6-12. www.miamidade.gov/vizcaya, 3251 S. Miami Ave., 305-250-9133. See the sun set from the rooftop pool bar at the Epic Hotel; 270 Biscayne Blvd., 305-424-5234.
SPLURGE
Getting there
One-way, walk-up Business Class rates start at $323; nonstop AirTran, American or Delta.
Stay
The luxurious Viceroy Miami features a 2-acre outdoor living area with an outdoor fireplace and a massive spa and fitness center. An “Invest in Rest” package including continental breakfast and a daily $50 resort credit starts at $370 per night. www.viceroymiami.com, 485 Brickell Ave., 305-503-4400.
Eat
Esquire magazine named Area 31 as “One of the Best New Restaurants of 2009.” Ocean-to-table seafood is prepared with a Mediterranean influence. Entrees up to $38. www.area31restaurant.com; at the Epic Hotel, 270 Biscayne Blvd., 305-424-5234.
Experience
Biscayne National Park is within sight of downtown Miami and contains the longest undeveloped shoreline on Florida’s east coast (95 percent of the park is water). A snorkel reef adventure tour is $45 per person including snorkel mask and fins. Or, enjoy a glass-bottom boat trip along the reefs. $45 per person; www.biscayneunderwater.com.
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